Getting Dental Implants: Your Complete Guide to the Process

If you’re considering getting dental implants, you’re taking an important step toward restoring your smile and improving your quality of life. Whether you’ve lost a tooth due to injury, decay, or periodontal disease, dental implants offer a permanent solution that looks and functions like natural teeth.

At Brisbane Family Dental, we understand that getting dental implants is a significant decision. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the process, from determining if you’re a good candidate to what you can expect during recovery.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

Dental implants have become the gold standard for tooth replacement, and for good reason. Unlike traditional dentures or bridges, implants provide a permanent foundation that preserves your jawbone and doesn’t require altering adjacent teeth.

Here’s what makes dental implants stand out:

• Permanent solution – With proper care, implants can last 25 years or longer
• Natural appearance – Custom-designed to match your existing teeth perfectly
• Preserve bone structure – Stimulate your jawbone just like natural tooth roots
• No dietary restrictions – Eat all your favorite foods without worry
• Improved confidence – Speak and smile without concern about slipping dentures
• Protect adjacent teeth – Unlike bridges, implants don’t require grinding down healthy teeth

Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Not everyone is automatically eligible for dental implants, but most healthy adults can successfully receive them. Your dentist will evaluate several factors to determine if you’re a good candidate.

Ideal Candidates Typically Have:

• Adequate jawbone density to support the implant
• Healthy gums free from periodontal disease
• Good overall health and healing ability
• Commitment to excellent oral hygiene
• Realistic expectations about the process and timeline

Conditions That May Require Special Consideration:

• Diabetes – Can affect healing, but well-controlled diabetes doesn’t prevent implant success
• Smoking – Significantly reduces success rates and may require quitting before treatment
• Bone loss – May require bone grafting before implant placement
• Certain medications – Some drugs affect bone metabolism and healing
• Radiation therapy – Previous radiation to the head or neck requires careful evaluation

Age is rarely a limiting factor. As long as your jaw has finished growing (typically by late teens), you can be a candidate for dental implants well into your senior years.

What to Expect When Getting Dental Implants

Understanding the process helps you feel more prepared and confident about your decision. While individual experiences vary, here’s the typical journey for getting dental implants.

Your Initial Consultation

Your implant journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation. During this visit, your dentist will:

• Examine your oral health thoroughly
• Take detailed X-rays or 3D CT scans
• Review your complete medical history
• Discuss your treatment goals and concerns
• Create a personalized treatment plan
• Provide a timeline and cost estimate

This consultation is your opportunity to ask questions and understand exactly what your treatment will involve.

Preparatory Steps

Some patients can proceed directly to implant placement, while others need preparatory treatments first.

Common preparatory procedures include:

• Tooth extraction – If the damaged tooth is still present
• Bone grafting – To build up jawbone density when needed
• Sinus lift – For upper jaw implants with insufficient bone height
• Periodontal treatment – To ensure healthy gums before surgery

These procedures require healing time, which can add several months to your overall timeline. However, they’re essential for long-term implant success.

The Implant Placement Procedure

The actual implant surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia, with sedation options available for anxious patients. Here’s what happens during the procedure:

Your dentist makes a small incision in your gum tissue to access the jawbone. Using specialized instruments, they create a precise space for the implant post. The titanium implant is carefully positioned and secured in place. Finally, your gum tissue is sutured closed, either over the implant or with a healing cap attached.

Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure. The surgery typically takes one to two hours per implant, and you can usually return home the same day.

The Healing Phase

After implant placement, your body needs time to integrate the implant with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This critical phase typically takes three to six months.

During this healing period:

• Follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions carefully
• Maintain excellent oral hygiene around the surgical site
• Eat soft foods and avoid chewing on the implant area
• Attend all follow-up appointments
• Watch for any signs of complications

You may receive a temporary restoration to maintain aesthetics while your implant heals, especially for front teeth.

Abutment and Crown Placement

Once osseointegration is complete, you’ll return for a brief procedure to attach the abutment—the connector between your implant and final restoration. After your gums heal around the abutment (usually two to three weeks), your custom crown is created and attached.

Your final restoration is carefully crafted to match your natural teeth in size, shape, and color. When properly placed, it should feel completely natural and function just like your original tooth.