Dental Implant Patient Expectations

Ideal Implant Candidates

Dental implants necessitate healthy gum tissue, sufficient bone in the patient’s jaw, adequate general health, and good oral health. Virtually any individual fit for routine dental care will qualify for dental implants.

Implant Placement Procedure

With your involvement, Dr. Larson and his staff will develop your customized dental implant treatment plan.

If the prospect of dental treatment frightens you, sedation may be the perfect pharmacological solution to your fear. The medication we use has an amnesic effect; most of our sedation patients report that they don't remember their visit at all.

Once situated in your jaw, the cylindrical implant integrates into your jaw bone within two to nine months. If desired, patients may wear a temporary tooth replacement during this time. A patient may experience slight soreness for several days while bone heals around the posts. Though healing time varies with each individual and type of implant, lower jaw implants take two to four months while upper jaw implants require three to nine months.

A few weeks before the replacement tooth is situated, Dr. Larson may modify the implant with a small metal post to complete the healing around the artificial tooth anchor.

Dr. Larson will attach replacement teeth to your implants with one of two methods. The simpler connecting device involves a round ball into which the denture snaps. Alternatively, a more precise and complex metal structure will permanently secure the replacement teeth.

Post-Operative Treatment

Like your natural teeth, dental implants require brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups; their longevity demands routine maintenance, recall evaluations, and x-rays not included in the original fee. Dr. Larson tailors each post-operational treatment plan to monitor the patient’s oral health.

Though subject to wear and tear, implant parts rarely break. Damaged screws and other parts, however, are typically repairable.

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