6 Steps to a Winning Smile with Dental Implants

Your smile is one of a kind and an integral part of your life. Tooth loss may temporarily rob you of your smile, but dental implants can restore it. Whether you’ve lost a few teeth or many, dental implants for missing teeth can make your smile whole and healthy again. Dr. Thomas Bill from Los Gatos Creek Dental is the person to see for dental implants near me in Los Gatos and Campbell, California.

The following steps outline the dental implant procedure:

Step 1: Initial Consultation

This is a comprehensive evaluation of your teeth, gums, and jaw to assess your eligibility for implants. We’ll review your oral and medical history, and take X-rays and scans to inspect your bone health to determine if implants are a viable option for you. If so, we’ll discuss your implant options and goals and plan your procedure accordingly. 

Step 2: Surgery Prep

Getting implants requires oral surgery. If you need treatments prior to surgery, such as a bone graft to strengthen your jaw or tooth extractions, this is the time to have them done. You should also prepare for implant aftercare by getting OTC pain medication to ease gum soreness, soft foods to eat for several days, and arranging time off from your busy schedule to rest.  

Step 3: Implant Placement

Implants are titanium screws used to replace lost tooth roots. These screws are surgically placed inside your jawbone, where they will integrate with the surrounding bone tissue and heal. Dr. Thomas will numb your mouth for this phase of your treatment so you don’t feel a thing. If dental anxiety is an issue, we offer sedation options to keep you calm and relaxed for implant placement.

Step 4: Osseointegration & Healing

The success of your treatment hinges on proper osseointegration. That’s the process of implants fusing with your jaw. Once the implants are in position, jawbone tissue will grow around them to secure them permanently in place. This process occurs gradually over a period of three to six months. The good news is that implants have a 98% success rate, making it more likely your treatment will succeed. 

Step 5: Abutment Placement

Abutments connect your new teeth to the implants to keep them in place. Once your implants heal, Dr. Thomas will perform minor surgery to attach the abutments. We’ll then wait a week or two for the abutments to heal.

Step 6: Placement of New Teeth

Once the abutments heal, you’re ready for the final step of placing new teeth. We’ll take impressions of your mouth to use as blueprints for customizing the restorations you need. Your new teeth will be permanently attached to the implants. They’ll not only look real, but they’ll also feel and function like natural teeth, giving you back a winning smile. 

Dental Implants Near Me Campbell, CA

To learn more about our implant treatments, feel free to contact Dr. Thomas Bill from Los Gatos Creek Dental at (408) 335-4466. For your convenience, we serve residents in Los Gatos and Campbell, CA. 

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