7 Steps to a Robust Smile with Dental Implants

Dental implants can infuse new life into your smile after losing most or all of your teeth. Getting implants, however, isn’t a quick fix. The process involves oral surgery, a long recovery, and the creation of new implant teeth. Drs. Gary L. Scott and Allyson M. Grove compiled this step-by-step guide for tooth implanting from Family Dentistry of Caledonia to explain the procedure so you’ll know what to expect. Dental implants could be just what you need to restore your beautiful smile!   

Here are a few steps that dental implants could help restore your smile:

1. Consultation and Assessment
   Drs. Scott and Grove will start with a consultation to evaluate your oral and jawbone health, review your medical history, and discuss your options for implant treatment. We’ll take X-rays or 3D scans of your teeth and conduct tests to determine if you qualify for implants. We’ll also answer your questions about the procedure, recovery, and risks.
   
2. Treatment Plan
   After confirming that you’re a good fit for implants, we’ll start planning your treatment. Your procedure will be tailored to your unique dental needs. Together, we’ll consider factors like implant type, number of implants needed, recovery period, bone grafting, and any other details of your treatment.
   
3. Placing Implants
   Once we have a plan, the next step is implant placement, which involves oral surgery. We’ll insert small titanium screws (implants) in key locations in your jaw surgically to support your new teeth. This may take several hours, depending on the complexity of your treatment. You’ll feel no pain as the procedure is done under anesthesia. Anxious patients can also count on sedation to help them relax for their procedure.
   
4. Osseointegration & Healing
   For implants to work in supporting replacement teeth, they have to integrate with your jawbone permanently. This osseointegration process can take 4 to 6 months to complete and is essential to the success of your treatment. It’s what gives the implants the stability to function like tooth roots. We’ll give you post-op instructions on caring for your mouth during this time to ensure successful healing.
   
5. Placing Abutments
   Abutments are connectors attached to the implants to hold your new teeth in place. This occurs after the implants heal. Your Caledonia dentist will make small incisions in your gum to gain access to the implants, attach the abutments, and wait a few weeks for the gum to heal.
   
6. Placing Implant Teeth
   The final step is attaching custom-made restorations to complete your smile. Depending on your treatment, these could be dental crowns, a fixed bridge, or dentures. You’re now ready to showcase your new smile to the world!
   
7. Follow-up & Aftercare
   Drs. Scott & Grove will schedule follow-up appointments to ensure all is well with your new teeth. Good oral care, routine checkups, and cleanings will help keep your new smile strong for years.  

Before and After Actual Patient Results

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Dentist That Does Implants Near Me

Interested in learning more about implants? Call (616) 816-5882 to speak with Dr. Gary L. Scott or Allyson M. Grove from Family Dentistry of Caledonia in Caledonia, MI.

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