The Dental Implant Procedure

The first time we recommend a dental implant for a patient, it’s important that we emphasize the simplicity of what is actually a micro-surgical procedure (a surgical procedure using a microscope and smaller instruments). We find that some patients have the impression this is a more complicated process than it really is. In this article, we’ll explain step-by-step how this procedure is normally completed so you can see its simplicity for yourself.

Part of getting a dental implant off to the perfect start is making sure that a patient knows exactly how this procedure is done. We make sure he or she is comfortable and relaxed about the procedure before we get started. It’s important to us that patients understand the process and benefits of this permanent replacement for missing teeth. Here’s how we do it.

At StarBrite Dental, we work in cooperation with patients. Our philosophy is that patients have the right to a clear explanation of the condition of their oral health and the reasoning behind our recommendations. For that reason, we start by explaining every step of the implant procedure and what the patient should expect. We find that knowing the steps gives our patients greater confidence and calmness as treatment proceeds. In fact, we have found that with our high level of concern and our willingness to do whatever is needed for their comfort, patients who needed full sedation at other dental offices begin to relax, gain confidence and no longer request sedation when at StarBrite.

A successful dental implant requires an accurate appraisal of the patient’s overall and oral health. The best candidate for dental implants is one whose overall health is good and who has strong, healthy bone in the upper and lower jaw with no gum disease or similar issues.

An important tool in making this determination is our cone beam CT scanner which is a sophisticated x-ray system. The images obtained from this scanner are far more detailed than the routine x-rays you may be accustomed to receiving during regular examinations. This scan gives us a precise, three-dimensional image of all the bone around your teeth and extremely detailed images of every tooth, root, nerve and other oral elements.

Having all this information in hand before the procedure starts enables us to accurately place a dental implant without interfering with nerves or blood vessels. We can also ensure that the bone where the implant is to be placed is thick and healthy. If it happens that the bone in the area is not strong enough to support an implant, then we can determine the remedy for this situation so the patient can still receive the benefit of an implant.

Once the health of the patient has been verified and we have a precise plan for placing this implant, we can begin this microsurgery. The first step is ensuring that the area to be treated is fully numbed. As we mentioned, our careful preparations mean that a local anesthetic is all that’s needed for nearly all our patients.

Numbing is followed by making a small incision in the gum and creating a slender opening in the bone. The opening is gradually enlarged until the small titanium post of the implant can be inserted into the bone.

At that point, this surgical site will be closed up. Depending on the condition of the bone, the gum will either be closed up fully or a small healing cap will be placed atop the implant to facilitate the healing process. The gum will then be closed around this cap.

As we monitor the comfort and healing of the patient, the implant will be given enough time for the bone to fully heal. This healing usually requires four to six months. The stronger the bone, the faster the healing in most cases.

As the area heals, the titanium of the implant will bond tightly with the bone. This is the unique characteristic of titanium and why this metal is used for many types of bone repair such as joint replacements. When healing is complete, the patient will have a secure and healthy foundation for the crown—the replacement tooth—to be secured to the implant.

A patient who did not receive a healing cap earlier in this procedure will receive one now. The gum over the implant will be moved aside a small distance and the cap will be placed on the implant. The gum is then given some time to heal. If the cap was previously placed, the patient is ready to proceed to the next step.

When our examination verifies that the area has healed fully, we will start manufacture of the crown. The patient will come to the office for an impression to be taken of the area to guide the manufacture of this crown. The correct color for the crown will be chosen. All this information will be sent to the local dental lab we have chosen for the excellence of their quality and service.

A couple of weeks later, the crown will be in our hands and ready for permanent placement. We will start by removing the healing cap from the implant. The crown will be permanently attached to the top of the implant and every aspect of its fit and appearance will be examined. Because of the care we take every step of the way, it’s very likely that the fit and look of the tooth will be perfect. But what is most important is that the patient is happy and comfortable with the result. We’ll do whatever is needed to achieve this result.

As soon as the crown has been secured to the implant, the procedure is complete. The patient can now begin to enjoy this permanent, natural-looking tooth replacement.

Once our patients realize how ideal a dental implant is for replacing missing teeth, they are excited to get started with this restoration of their smiles. A dental implant is permanent and looks and functions just like your natural teeth. There are no dietary restrictions—in other words, you can eat foods as crunchy or as chewy as you like. Finally, it will feel just like you’ve never lost any teeth at all.

A dental implant will need no special maintenance which makes its care simpler than that of dentures or fixed bridges. It’s only necessary to keep a dental implant clean with daily brushing and flossing and maintain a regular schedule of visits to your dentist and hygienist.

Because we closely monitor every step of the dental implant process, we can expect a very high rate of success with this procedure. Ensuring that the bone to be treated is healthy and has not lost any significant mass is the first step. Precision placement of the implant plus the exceptional skill and experience of our dentists ensures success.

Those are the essential steps of a dental implant. But as we have mentioned above, the technical steps of the implant procedure only tell part of the story of how we achieve a high level of dental implant success.

While it may not be something you notice while you’re at our office, we take great care to stay abreast of the latest dental equipment and techniques available. The quality of every device or tool used during your treatment can make a significant difference in your result. For example, our investment in a cone beam CT scanner greatly improves our accuracy when placing an implant. Our dedication to your health is complete, which means that we constantly upgrade and enhance our facilities so our treatment is always state-of-the-art.

If a tooth has been missing for a long time and the bone in the area has been weakened, we know the right remedy for this problem. With a bone graft, we can build this bone up until it can support a dental implant. The graft involves placing natural or synthetic bone fragments next to the jaw bone in the target area and then allowing it to heal. The body will then respond to these fragments by strengthening this portion of the bone. Detailed imaging with the cone beam CT scanner will confirm when we can begin the implant.

If there are any other issues with gum or overall health, a customized treatment plan will be created for a patient to eliminate any problems that might affect the success of their dental implants.

At StarBrite Dental, we can provide top-quality service for every step of your dental implants. At some general dentistry practices, you’ll need to be referred out to another office for some parts of this procedure. At StarBrite, the specialists you need are right in our office. That means he has advanced training in the study and treatment of all the structures that support your teeth, including gums, bone and ligaments. Should you need root canal therapy or microsurgery to save a tooth, Dr. Ali Eghtesadi is fully qualified for these treatments as a result of his Dental Residency at Harvard University and his Endodontic Residency at Lutheran Medical Center.

The founder and senior dentist at StarBrite Dental is Dr. Maryam Seifi. She completed her undergraduate and dental education at the University of Maryland and has been widely recognized for the quality of her service to her patients and her technical expertise in the field of dentistry. Since beginning her practice in 1991, she has been named as one of America’s Top Dentists by the Consumer Research Council of America and has won the Doctor's Choice Award multiple years. She has been selected as an educator of other dentists by multiple institutions and was interviewed as a cosmetic dentistry expert on the CBS television network.

Every aspect of our practice is designed to achieve the optimal results for you and your oral health. That care extends from the design of our waiting area to the training of our office staff. Additionally, our dentists and hygienists are carefully chosen for their training, experience and skills.

We know that visits to the dentist create anxiety for many patients and it’s our job to earn your trust with patience, education and thoughtful care as your treatment proceeds. If you are concerned about any aspect of your care, please let us know so we can help you overcome any barriers to ideal dental and oral health.

What sets StarBrite apart from other dental offices is our rigorous standard of care. Dental implant procedures require a high degree of competence in the field of dentistry. From the initial evaluation to ensure implants are right for that patient to precise placement of the implant itself to the final application of the crown, the entire process requires an uncompromising level of professional integrity and skill. In that way, the patient’s oral health is not only protected but greatly improved. And that is our mission—helping patients achieve and maintain excellent oral health.

We would like you to find out how our dedication to your results and comfort gives our office a very special atmosphere. We invite you to schedule a consultation including getting any necessary x-rays to learn how tooth replacement with dental implants can restore the full beauty and function of your smile. At last, it can be like you never lost any teeth at all. Call StarBrite Dental at (301) 780-4230 so we can meet you and show you the simplicity of tooth replacement with state-of-the-art dental implants.