Dental Implant Surgery Specialist Q&A

The preparation for dental implant surgery involves certain lifestyle modifications (avoidance of tobacco and alcohol) as well as an initial consultation. During the initial consultation, the dentist will perform a comprehensive examination which may involve X-rays and a discussion about the options to develop a plan for the implant surgery. Once a plan has been developed and the dentist has established that the patient is in good health, they will schedule the surgery appointment. If the dentist recommends IV sedation for the procedure, the patient will need to arrange a ride home on the day of the appointment.

The duration of a dental implant procedure is different in every situation and depends on several factors, such as:

• The patient’s overall health
• Any possible complications
• How many implants are placed
• If teeth are fitted to the implants
• How many teeth are fitted
• The number of imaging tests needed

In most cases, it takes around one to two hours per implant, plus additional time to secure the temporary crowns.

Tooth extraction is a major oral surgery; the mouth and jaw require an adequate amount of time to heal before any other procedures can be performed, such as a dental implant. After tooth extraction, patients will typically need to wait a minimum of 10 weeks before they can receive dental implants. However, there are always exceptions. In some cases, patients can have a dental implant placed at the same time their tooth is extracted, but this depends on several factors, such as how long the mouth takes to heal, overall health status, tooth position, and the presence of an infection.

The healing time required after dental implant surgery is a complex process that can vary greatly from person to person and depends upon several factors unique to each patient, such as:

• Overall health
• The presence of any preexisting conditions
• The number of implants
• The location of implants
• Quality of oral hygiene
• If the patient smokes
• How long the tooth was missing
• Individual physiology and metabolism
• Potential complications
• Potential contraindications from medications

On average, the initial healing period after dental implant surgery takes about two weeks, when patients can resume their normal day-to-day activities. To fully heal from the surgery, it can take three to six months, depending on the aforementioned factors.

Yes, some patients can receive more than one implant at a time, but this is heavily dependent on several factors unique to each situation. In situations where complications arise or are likely to arise, it is typically recommended to only receive one implant at a time. The dental surgeon will determine the patient’s condition and if they can receive multiple or just one dental implant at a time.

If you are considering dental implant surgery, come to NuSmile Dental & Orthodontics today! Our dental surgeon is experienced at performing dental implant surgery and can help you achieve the highest success rate possible with a thorough evaluation and proper aftercare instructions. Contact us today or book an appointment with our dental implant surgery specialist, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 1319 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA 95118. We serve patients from San Jose CA, Los Gatos CA, Campbell CA, Santa Clara CA, Cupertino CA, Sunnyvale CA, Saratoga CA, and Mountain View CA. We look forward to serving you!