The Dawood & Tanner Dental Implant process - consultation, surgical placement and tooth restoration
Dr Andrew Dawood and the Implant team have placed thousands of dental implants for patients with missing or badly restored teeth. In over 25 years we have streamlined the dental implant surgical process to make it a frictionless experience for the patient, and one in which they can be assured of having the best possible outcome and longevity. We only use Nobel Biocare implants and components as they are in our opinion the market leaders in dental implants and we have been using them with exemplary results. We are proud that many of our patients who had dental implants placed over 25 years ago continue to have healthy and trouble free implants and restorations!
Our dental implant surgeries often take as little as an hour and a temporary tooth restoration (your same day smile) is placed. The definitive tooth prosthetic restoration is then refined to beautifully match the shape and shade of your own teeth.
1. Consultation and Treatment Planning
The first stage of the dental implant process involves a full mouth assessment including X-rays and 3D imaging. A treatment plan letter with exact costs and time scales is sent to you. A second consultation may take place where we may take photographs and impressions of your teeth to meticulously plan implant treatment.
2. Dental Implant Placement
Patients usually spend 1½ hours at the practice for routine implant placements. Most patients are able to leave soon after their treatment and return to their daily activities.
Implant placement is a relatively minor surgical procedure and is most often carried out with a local anaesthetic. Once the implant has been placed, the gum is closed over using fine, dissolvable stitches. These stitches usually disappear after 2-3 weeks.
If we are creating a temporary crown or a bridge for you on the day of your implant placement, allow 3-5 hours (depending on complexity) for this to be fabricated by our in-house laboratory. During this time, you can relax in one of our private recovery rooms.
3. Review
The next appointment is usually around 2 weeks after the implant surgery in order for the implant surgeon to check the area where the implants have been placed and ensure you’re healing well. Any remaining stitches may be removed and if a temporary restoration has been provided, we will want to be certain that the biting surface is even.
4. The Healing Period
The healing period varies depending on the complexity of the implant placement, and this can be anywhere between 2 – 6 months. During this healing period, the process referred to as “osseointegration” – where the implant integrates with the surrounding bone takes place and also allows the gums to heal. During the healing period, the implant area should be completely comfortable.
5. The Restoration Period
The implant surgeon will remove the healing abutment or temporary restoration and impressions will then be taken of the tooth/teeth which are sent to our laboratory to begin the process of making your permanent crown, bridge or denture. This can take between 2-6 appointments depending on the type of restoration required to restore your smile. Once you are happy with the look of your final restoration it will either be screwed into place or it will be cemented in.
6. Maintenance
Dental Implants and their restorations are susceptible to similar conditions to those that affect natural teeth such as gum disease. Regular visits to your hygiene therapist and excellent oral hygiene at home is a lifetime commitment that will help you give your implants the greatest longevity.