DENTAL IMPLANT PROCESS

If you’re a good candidate for dental implants, the first step will be surgery to place the titanium post into the jawbone. Although this is a relatively simple procedure, you’ll be placed under anesthesia to avoid any pain. Once the surgery is done, you’ll be given detailed instructions for post-operative care.

As with any surgical procedure, you’ll need some time to properly heal. You’ll be up and moving in the hours immediately after the surgery, but the long-term healing usually takes 3-4 months, and sometimes longer.  This extended recovery period ensures that your implant fuses properly with the jawbone, which is absolutely critical to your long-term success. 

Once the implant has integrated, a mold of the implant and surrounding teeth are taken and sent to a dental laboratory for tooth fabrication.  An abutment may be placed during this appointment.  The implant tooth fabrication can take a few weeks, and will be ready for delivery when it arrives back in the dental office.

Once the implant is properly fused with your gums and jawbone, Dr. Kim will put the finishing touch on your new tooth. The prosthetic is attached in such a way that it looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth.

Once your new tooth is placed, you’re all done. You’ll walk out of Dr. Kim’s office with a brand new, beautiful smile to the show the world!