Dental Implants: What To Expect After The Implant Placement Process

Once you’ve gotten dental implant surgery at The Art of Dentistry, you’re well on your way to restoring your smile with a permanent new tooth. But you may be wondering what to expect as you heal and recover, and what steps will need to be taken to complete your procedure. In this blog from The Art of Dentistry, we’ll get into the details. Read on, and learn more about what you can expect after the implant placement process is finished.
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It Can Take Up To Six Months For Your Dental Implant To Fully Heal

Dental implant surgery is minimally-invasive, and it will only take about a week or two for your mouth to heal and feel normal after your surgery. However, it takes much longer for your new implant to permanently bond with the underlying bone tissue.

This is a process called “osseointegration.” It can take up to six months depending on the patient. But once it’s complete, your new titanium implant will be permanently locked into place by strong, dense bone tissue. For all intents and purposes, it will be a natural part of your mouth.
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You’ll Come Back To The Art of Dentistry For Appointments As You Heal

After your implant surgery, you’ll come in for a quick checkup after 2-3 weeks so that Dr. Kirkegaard can make sure you’re healing properly. Then, you’ll come in for a couple more checkups over the following months. This lets us keep an eye on your jaw bone and implant, and ensure the osseointegration process is going smoothly.
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Once Your Jaw Bone Has Healed, Dr. Kirkegaard Will Place Your Abutment

After your jawbone heals, Dr. Kirkegaard will schedule another surgical appointment where he’ll place your abutment. This is a small piece of metal that attaches to your implant and holds your dental crown (false tooth) in place. Usually, a minor incision in your gums will be made to expose your dental implant “post” and place the abutment.
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Your New Tooth Will Be Built After Your Gums Heal From Abutment Placement

Your gums will heal quickly after you get your abutment. Once they're healed, Dr. Kirkegaard will take impressions and molds of your implant and your teeth. Then, he will use these to create your permanent porcelain crown. With the help of a dental lab, Dr. Kirkegaard will make sure your crown looks natural and beautiful and fits in perfectly with your other teeth.
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Finishing Up The Implant Process With Final Crown Placement

Once our partner dental lab has completed your crown and sent it back to The Art of Dentistry, you’ll come in for one last appointment. Dr. Kirkegaard will check the crown to make sure the fit is perfect. Once everything looks right, he will attach it to your dental implant permanently using dental cement.

Then, that’s it! You’ll be sent home to enjoy your new smile. Your single-tooth implant will look, feel, and function just like a real tooth. To take care of your dental implant, maintain good oral hygiene, eat a tooth-healthy diet, and come to The Art of Dentistry for six-month checkups. 
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Get All The Details About Dental Implants In Overland Park – Schedule A Consultation!

At The Art of Dentistry, Dr. Kory Kirkegaard specializes in helping patients in Overland Park restore missing teeth permanently with dental implants. If you’re interested in the benefits of dental implants, our team is here to help. Contact us online or give us a call now at (913) 274-9200 to schedule a consultation, and find out if dental implants are right for you.