While your implants are healing and integrating with your jawbone, you have several options available to replace missing teeth temporarily. Your needs and preferences will be taken into account to provide the best temporary solution for you during this phase.
Implant Healing Phase - Options for Temporary Teeth
Removable Temporary Teeth or Bridge: If you need to replace just one tooth, a removable temporary tooth replacement or bridge can be made to help fill that gap while the implant heals.
Modify Your Existing Denture: If you’re replacing all of your teeth, we can typically modify your current full denture or make you a new temporary denture to wear over the implant sites during healing.
Temporary Transitional Implants: In some cases, temporary implants can be placed along with your permanent implant posts. Temporary crowns or bridges can then be attached to the transitional implants on the same day, providing non-removable temporary teeth during healing.
Immediate “Loading” of Implants: Depending on your particular situation, it may even be possible to have a temporary or permanent replacement tooth attached to the implant immediately or shortly after placement.
What Are Potential Problems After Surgery?
Dental implant surgery is generally very well-tolerated, but it is normal surgery, so some post-operative issues can potentially occur. Please notify us right away if you experience any concerning symptoms like numbness so we can manage your care appropriately:
- Pain – Most patients experience little to no severe pain after implant surgery. Pain medication will be prescribed to keep you comfortable.
- Infection – On occasion, some patients develop infections that require additional antibiotic treatment.
- Nerve Irritation – Great care is taken, but there is a small chance the nerve in the lower jaw could become irritated during implant placement, resulting in numbness, tingling or pain in the lip, chin or tongue area. This is usually temporary but could potentially be permanent.
- Adjacent Tooth Injury – Although extremely rare, it is possible for teeth adjacent to the implant site to be injured during the placement process.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
With proper care and good bone density, dental implants can last an incredibly long time. This longevity compares very favorably to other implanted devices like hips or knees. In cases where an implant doesn’t fully integrate or loosens over time, it can typically be removed and replaced with a new implant after healing.
- Full-arch tooth replacements: long-term studies show an 80-90% success rate after 30+ years.
- Single or multiple tooth replacements: success rates over 95% are common.
Each patient and dental implant placement is unique with a variety of health and environmental factors contributing to the long term success of the treatment. Our team with do their best to provide estimates for your projected outcomes.
What Is The Restorative Process?
Once your implants are integrated with your jawbone, the process begins to fabricate your final replacement teeth that will attach to the implants. This process is quite detailed and customized:
- Specialized molds (impressions) are taken to replicate your mouth and implant positions
- Bite registrations are made to map the relationship between your upper and lower jaws
- Abutments (attachment posts) are created, either stock or custom-made from metal or tooth-colored ceramic
- Your replacement crowns, bridges or dentures are then fabricated to precisely fit the abutments and your bite
The number of appointments needed can vary from 3-5 for partial cases or up to 12 months for full mouth reconstructions. We understand this is an investment, so you’ll receive an individualized estimate of costs and timeframes.
Throughout the restorative phase, we are focused on achieving a precise fit, natural appearance and comfortable feel for your final replacement teeth.
How Do I Maintain My Dental Implants?
Just like natural teeth, it’s essential to keep your implant restorations and surrounding gum areas clean through regular brushing, flossing and professional cleanings. The components can experience normal wear over time, so regular exams allow us to repair, reline or make adjustments as needed to extend their lifespan.
Placing dental implants is a team effort involving surgical specialists who precisely place the implant posts, as well as your general dentist who restores them with your final replacement teeth. Other specialists may also be involved depending on your specific treatment needs.
