What is treatment with dental implants like?

Surgical Phase

• First step: “Dental implant placement”.
• Using a highly precise technique, the dental implants or fixtures are fitted into the bone. The operation lasts between 1 and 2 hours, and is normally done with local anaesthetic. Patients do not normally notice any significant discomfort either during or after the operation. In jaws without any teeth, between 4 and 6 dental implants are normally fitted, as in this case it is not necessary to fit one implant for each tooth.
• Second step: “connecting the healing abutment”.
• The second step is carried out after a healing period of between 3 or 4 months, depending if the implants are fitted in the lower or upper jaw. This period is essential in order for osseointegration to occur, when the implants become permanently attached to the bone. At this point a small operation is carried out to connect sections called abutments to the dental implants. These are then used to attach the completed prosthesis in a later phase. During the osseointegration stage a temporary denture or bridge can be used, mainly for aesthetic reasons..
• Today this second step is not normally necessary, as the dental implant is fixed firmly in place and the healing abutment is attached in the same procedure.