Dental Implants

Step 1 - Initial Placement

​Month 1 (if no bone grafting is necessary)

Month 5 (if bone grafting is necessary)

The initial placement is done after our dental implant dentists have done your initial consultation and determined that you are a good candidate for dental implants. 

Once you have enough bone to successfully hold an implant, you will schedule the first procedure, which involves placing the implant or implants in your jaw. It is done using a plastic surgical guide made by our implant dentist. The guide fits over your existing teeth and extends over the area where teeth are missing to show where the implants need to be placed.

After the first surgery, the dentist will wait four or five months if implants were placed in the lower jaw, and six or seven months if they were placed in the upper jaw. During this time, the bone and the implants heal.

Step 2 - Placement of Healing Cap and/or Temporary Crown

Month 4 or 5 (no bone grafting, lower jaw)

Month 6 or 7 (no bone grafting, upper jaw)

Month 8 or 9 (bone grafting, lower jaw)

Month 10 or 11 (bone grafting, upper jaw)

Once the implants have become healed with the bone, you can schedule the second surgery. Our dentist will confirm whether the implant is ready for the second surgery by taking an X-ray. This surgery is much simpler than the first and is done by making a new incision to expose the top of the implant or implants.

A healing cap is placed on the head of the implant after it is exposed. This guides the gum tissue to heal correctly. The healing cap is a round piece of metal that holds the gum away from the head of the implant. 

After the tissue heals around the healing cap, it is removed. Then an abutment is screwed into the implant and a final impression is made of the abutment for each tooth.

An abutment and temporary crown are placed on the implant.  The abutment is screwed onto the implant and tightened, using special equipment so that it won't come loose.

After the abutment is attached to the implant, the temporary crown is placed on the abutment. In some cases, you may get the abutment and temporary crown immediately after the implants are uncovered during the second surgery, and you won't need a healing cap.

Step 3 - Placement of Permanent Crown

Month 5, 6 or 7 (no bone grafting, lower jaw)

Month 7, 8 or 9 (no bone grafting, upper jaw)

Month 9, 10 or 11 (bone grafting, lower jaw)

Month 11, 12 or 13 (bone grafting, upper jaw)

While you are wearing your temporary crown, the permanent crown will be made from a model of your teeth and gum tissue that include the abutment.  The crown can be either cemented or screwed to the abutment.