Dental Implants

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Dental Implant Treatment Process

Dental Implants placed by Periodontist Dr. Silberg in Pittsburgh PA

In most cases, the office procedure with Dr. Silberg to place an implant takes about an hour to an hour and a half for one dental implant and no more than two or three hours for multiple implants. While the dental work required to complete your treatment seems complex, it is far more comfortable and more pleasant than conventional dental care. Frequently, many aspects of the treatment can be done without using even local anesthesia.

The dental implant placement process consists of the following steps:

  1. You will be given prescriptions for medications such as antibiotics and/or pain relievers to begin taking prior to the surgery.
  2. In most cases a local anesthetic (Novocain) will be used to numb the area, or you may request oral or intravenous sedation. If sedation is utilized, the local anesthetic will still be administered to numb the areas where the implant(s) will be placed. Read more information on our approach to treating pain and anxiety.
  3. After you are comfortable, a small opening is made into the gum tissue,revealing the bone into which the implant will be placed.
  4. Using special instruments, a socket is carefully created.
  5. The titanium implant is then inserted into the socket.
  6. Finally, if necessary, sutures will be used.

After the dental implant is placed, the area will need to sit undisturbed for two to four months. In some cases, temporary teeth can be connected to the dental implant the same day (see Teeth in an Hour). In some cases an existing denture can be connected to the implants the same day also. The exact amount of time will be determined by a variety of factors. Follow-up care (one to four appointments) is usually needed to ensure that your mouth is healing well and to determine when you are ready for the restorative phase of your treatment.

For information on what to expect before and after your permanent teeth dental implant procedure, please see Care & Maintenance.

Permanent Teeth Restoration

Your permanent teeth restorative treatment begins with specialized impressions to produce a replica of your mouth and implants, and to make "bite" records, to see the relationship of your upper and lower jaws. With this information, the abutments (support posts) will be chosen that attach your replacement teeth to your implants. Various types of support posts exist and frequently, we can use machine-made "off the shelf" support posts.

The number of appointments and the amount of time required for each appointment is different for each patient. No two cases are exactly the same and regardless of the number of teeth replaced, the work must be completed with great precision and attention to detail. If you are having only a few teeth replaced, there may be as few as three short appointments. Between appointments, the time is used to complete the necessary lab work to make your replacement teeth.

 

Missing tooth, prepped for Dental Implant, placed by Dr. Silberg, Periodontist in Pittsburgh PA

 

Dental Implant post placed and prepared by Dr. Silberg, Periodontist in Pittsburgh PA

Dental Implant implant post placed by Dr. Silberg, Periodontist in Pittsburgh PA

 

Permanent Tooth placed on Dental Implant post by Dr. Silberg, Periodontist in Pittsburgh PA

On With Your Life

Once the restoration process is completed, you are now ready to rediscover all the simple pleasures of life you were unable to enjoy with your old dentures or missing teeth. From a simple smile to a hearty bite of your favorite, once forbidden, food, you will soon find that you have received more than a new set of teeth, but whole new lease on life.