Before Your Dental Implants Procedure
Before we can decide on the proper dental implant procedure for you, we will have to evaluate your oral health. We will also have to consider procedures you may need before getting your dental implants.
First, if you need to have a tooth or teeth extracted, we can plan to perform the extraction and place a dental implant or implants at the same time. For this, you should have good periodontal health and adequate bone at the treatment site.
If you don’t have good periodontal health, we may recommend gum treatment before you get dental implants. Gum disease can jeopardize your dental implants, so it’s best to wait until you have good periodontal health before getting dental implants.
If you don’t have enough bone to support your dental implants, a bone graft is necessary. In some cases, we can place the implant and perform the bone graft at the same time. Other cases may require a healed bone graft prior to placing the implant.
Dental Implant Placement and Healing
Once we place the dental implant, we have an important decision to make: can your dental implant support a dental crown or dentures right now? We can make predictions, but this is a decision we can only make after we place your implant. If your dental implant is stable enough, we can put a fully functional crown on it the same day we place it. The crown is still temporary and will need a replacement. There are a few cautions about your healing implant, too, but for the most part, this crown will look and function like a natural tooth.
If your dental implant isn’t stable enough for a crown, we might place a “healing abutment.” The healing abutment holds a place for your dental crown, and it helps to maintain your gum tissue around the dental implant so it’s still there and in good condition when you do get your dental crown.
Sometimes, we might feel concerned about the state of your dental implant and want to protect it. In this case, your dental implant might conceal it underneath your gum tissue. This allows your bone to grow and incorporate the dental implant without interference.
How to Care for Your Dental Implants and All-On-4 Dental Implants During Healing
After undergoing dental implant or All-on-4 implant procedures, proper care during the healing process is crucial to ensure their long-term success. Our Irvine, CA, implant dentist recommends a few important tips to help you care for your dental implants during the healing process.
- Avoid chewing on hard or sticky foods, as this can cause damage to the implant site.
- Maintain a good oral hygiene routine by brushing twice daily and flossing daily, but be gentle around the implant area.
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to ensure that your implant is healing properly.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, as these can negatively affect the healing process.
These tips can help to ensure the success of your dental implant or All-on-4 implant procedure. After healing, you can enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile for years to come!
After Healing Is Complete
It typically takes about three to six (3-6) months for your body to integrate the dental implant into the jawbone. Once this is complete, we can place your permanent dental crown if you received a healing abutment or temporary crown.
If we concealed your implant under the gum tissue, you will now receive a healing abutment to help contour gum tissue. After four to six (4-6) weeks, you can get your permanent crown.
Once we place the permanent crown, the only thing left is dental implant maintenance.
Our Irvine Implant Dentists
Dr. Scott Rice, Dr. Taylor Rice, and Dr. Nicholas Ravon are the best dental implant dentists in Irvine, CA, due to their extensive experience and dedication to providing exceptional patient care.
With over 70 years of combined experience, they have performed countless successful dental implant and all-on-4 dental implant procedures and stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in implant dentistry. Our implant dentists are committed to ensuring patient comfort and satisfaction, taking the time to understand each patient’s unique needs and concerns fully. Our dental office uses use state-of-the-art technology to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment planning for each patient.
With their expertise and personalized approach, patients can trust that they are receiving the highest quality care from our Irvine, CA, implant dentists.
If you have questions about the dental implant process, please book an appointment at Rice Dentistry today for an appointment with our Irvine implant dentists.
