How Long will Treatment Take?
Each patient is unique, and so is each patient's treatment plan. Your individual timeline will be discussed with you after your consultation, as part of your treatment plan presentation. The following is an example of a timeline for a typical patient.
At the first appointment for a consultation, we will take a panoramic X-ray and perhaps a Kodak 3D CAT Scan. We will record your medical and dental history, talk with you about your treatment options, answer your questions, and develop a treatment plan. Once the treatment plan is finalized we will give you an estimate of the total cost of your treatment.
If you decide to take your dental implant treatment journey with us, your next appointment will be a complete examination with our Restorative Dentist. At this appointment we will do a very thorough examination, periodontal probing, charting, make dental impressions, and take photos. At the end of this appointment we will have all necessary information to go ahead with the treatment plan. You are again encouraged to ask any questions you may have at this time.
You can now schedule the appointment to have your treatment done. Before the day of your appointment your replacement teeth will be fabricated by our Onsite Dental Laboratory. If you currently are wearing dentures you are welcome to come to the clinic before your implants are placed to try in your new teeth.
On the day of your appointment to have your implants placed, if you have any teeth that need to be removed they will first be extracted by our general dentist. Then you will see one of our Implantologists for implant placement. There will be a couple of hours after implant placement when you can relax while the Onsite Dental Laboratory completes your new teeth. Our Restorative Dentist will fix the replacement teeth on the implants. The last adjustments are made so that you leave with a comfortable bite, and a lovely smile.
Before you leave the office you will be provided with instructions on how to care for your new teeth and you will have an appointment made for a follow-up check. You may need one or two days to rest at home before going back to your normal schedule. Your follow-up checks will be approximately one week, six weeks, then three months after your implant placement.
Six to twelve months later you will come back to have your permanent replacement teeth inserted. At this point healing is completed and the implant s will have fused to the bone. These permanent teeth are made of a stronger material than the teeth you received at the initial appointment. Also your gums may have changed slightly during healing, and these replacement teeth are made to fit your healed gums.
Once your dental implant treatment is complete you will return for regular checkups and cleanings.