If your dentist has suggested a dental implant, you probably have questions. That’s completely normal. The word “implant” sounds more intimidating than it actually is. And once you understand what happens step by step during the dental implant procedure, most patients realize it’s not nearly as scary as they imagined.
At Oxford Family Dentistry, Dr. Speck and Dr. Ertl have helped countless patients in the Oxford area replace missing teeth with implants. Here’s exactly what you can expect from start to finish.
Step 1: The Conversation
Every implant starts with a conversation. No commitment. No pressure. Just you and your dentist talking about your smile.
During this first visit, Dr. Speck or Dr. Ertl will examine your mouth, take digital images, and ask about your health history. They want to know:
- Does your jawbone have enough density to support an implant?
- Are your gums healthy?
- Do you have any medical conditions that might affect healing?
If everything looks good, they’ll walk you through the process and answer every question you have. If you need a bone graft first (some patients do), they’ll explain that too. No surprises.
Step 2: Implant Placement (with the Oral Surgeon)
Once you’re ready to move forward, we’ll refer you to a local oral surgeon we trust. The surgeon numbs the area completely. Then they make a small opening in your gum and gently place a titanium post into your jawbone.
You shouldn’t feel pain during this, just pressure and movement. The procedure usually takes about an hour for a single tooth. You go home the same day.
Step 3: Healing and Osseointegration
Over the next few months, your jawbone grows around the titanium post and fuses to it. This process has a fancy name, osseointegration, but all it means is that the implant becomes a permanent part of you.
During this time, you can eat normally (stick to softer foods for the first few days) and go about your regular life. You won’t walk around with a gap in your smile either. We’ll give you a temporary restoration to wear while you heal.
Step 4: Placing the Abutment
Once your implant has fused to your jawbone, you come back for a much shorter appointment. Dr. Speck or Dr. Ertl reopens the gum just enough to attach a small connector piece called an abutment. This piece sits above the gum line and acts as the anchor for your final tooth.
Your gum needs about two more weeks to heal around the abutment. Then you’re ready for the final step.
Step 5: Your New Tooth
Your permanent crown, the part that looks like a real tooth, gets custom-made just for you. Dr. Speck or Dr. Ertl takes impressions so the lab can match the shape, size, and color to your surrounding teeth.
When your crown is ready, you come in one last time. They check the fit, make any tiny adjustments, and cement or screw the crown onto the abutment. That’s it. You walk out with a fully restored smile.
Does It Hurt?
Most patients tell us the procedure was much easier than they expected. The numbing works well. Afterward, you might have some soreness or swelling, similar to having a tooth pulled. Over-the-counter pain relievers usually take care of it within a few days.
Restore Your Smile Today
A dental implant is a process, not a single appointment. From start to finish, it typically takes several months. But the result is a tooth replacement that looks natural, feels stable, and can last a lifetime with proper care.
If you’ve been putting off replacing a missing tooth because you’re nervous about the procedure, we get it. But we’d love the chance to walk you through what it would look like for your smile.
Call Oxford Family Dentistry at 610-981-1320 or schedule an appointment online. We’ll answer your questions and help you decide what’s right for you. No pressure, ever.