What To Expect During The Dental Implant Process

Don’t put off your new smile any longer - book a consultation with one of Yorkshire Dental Suite’s expert implantologists now.

The dental implant process can seem intimidating. We understand how it may come across that way – there’s multiple appointments to attend, not to mention a long-term commitment to keeping your new smile healthy.

Yorkshire Dental Suite has streamlined the tooth implant process. From the initial consultation to the final appointment and beyond, our number one commitment is making sure you feel safe and comfortable.

Let’s now go through the dental implant process step by step to give you a clear idea as to what your experience could look like.

Step 1: Eligibility check

Your journey starts with a consultation to ensure you are eligible. The appointment includes a CBCT scan, X-rays, a thorough oral health examination and a review of your medical history. If you are a particularly nervous patient, take this opportunity to ask about your sedation options.

Your dentist will then create your custom-made treatment plan. If you are happy to go ahead with the procedure, we will take payment to secure your surgery day. Finance is available to help spread the cost over a period of time.

Step 2: Remedial work

During your consultation, your implantologist may have identified some oral health issues that need to be treated prior to your dental implant surgery. For some patients, they will not be eligible until the following problems have been treated.

Issue	Remedial treatment options
Bone loss	Bone graft, zygomatic implants, pterygoid implants, sinus lift
Receding gums	Gum graft
Gum disease	Hygienist appointments

Please note that if you need to have any of the above, your overall spending will increase, not to mention your dental implant timeline.

Step 3: The main procedure

It has come to the part in the dental implants process for the main surgery. The procedure is completed in just one appointment that lasts less than 7 hours, giving the treatments its name – Teeth in a Day™. From the moment you enter the clinic to the moment you leave, your comfort is at the forefront of everything we do.

You are given your choice of sedation or local anaesthetic
If needed, any remaining teeth are removed
A small incision is made
A dental implant is screwed into the jawbone
Then, an abutment is fitted on top
Your temporary crown and/or bridge is fitted (treatment dependent)

So how long do you go without teeth when getting implants? At no point will you be left with large gaps in your mouth, as you have your temporary teeth fitted during this appointment.

Step 4: Healing

It’s now time to go home and heal. In a process that typically takes 3 – 4 months to complete, the jawbone fuses to the dental implant (osseointegration), creating a new stable tooth root. This may cause the implants to move, which is why your permanent crowns or bridge are not on the same day as your initial surgery.

In honour of full transparency, during this period of time you will likely face some discomfort. Here are some of our top healing tips:

Take your usual over-the-counter pain medication
Try to stick to a soft food diet to alleviate discomfort caused by chewing
Apply an icepack to the skin (wrapped in a towel) to address swelling
Rinse with lukewarm saltwater if your gums become irritated (only once the blood clot has formed 72 hours later)
Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol
Contact your dentist if your pain persists, or you are bleeding excessively

Step 5: Your trial smile

Once you start to reach the end of your healing period, you will return to Yorkshire Dental Suite and have your mouth re-scanned. You will then be fit with a new set of temporary teeth that closely resembles your new smile, allowing you to get an idea as to what the final result will look like.

Step 6: The final fit

You’ve gone through all of the previous dental implant stages, and you have now arrived at the final reveal. This appointment is completely painless, so there is no need for sedation or anaesthetic again.

The visit consists of removing your temporary teeth and permanently fitting your new custom-made teeth. Your dentist will then conduct an aftercare consultation, where they will tell you exactly how to care for your new smile.

Step 7: Maintaining your new smile

Let’s talk about long-term maintenance. You’ve invested your hard-earned time and money into your new smile, so you want it to last as long as possible. The experts at Yorkshire Dental Suite have put together their top tips to help you enjoy the full lifespan of this treatment.

Tip	Why is it important?
Do not skip dentist visits	Your dentist will be able to check that everything is ok and there are no underlying issues, e.g., gum disease, receding gums or plaque build-up.
Be considerate of your diet	Hard, sticky and crunchy foods can damage your crown or dislodge the implant, while staining foods have the ability to discolour your new teeth.
Do not smoke or vape	These habits are one of the biggest contributing factors of dental implant failure. They also cause serious oral health problems and discolouration.
Maintain a great oral hygiene routine	This reduces the risk of infection (peri-implantitis). Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and high-quality toothbrush. Don’t forget to floss!

Conclusion:

The dental implant experience may seem lengthy, but it is entirely worth it. It can significantly improve your quality of life, giving you the confidence to smile and eat after years of living in pain and embarrassment. The bonus? If well cared for, dental implants have the ability to last 20+ years!

The process for dental implants starts with a relaxed, no-fuss consultation – book yours now. We would be honoured to be a part of your journey.