Once approved for dental implants, our dentist in Paxton will take x-rays and images of your face and mouth to create a personalized implant placement plan. The implant will be placed during your next appointment.

The procedure will begin with cleaning and numbing the treatment area, as well as providing sedation. A small incision will be made in your jaw and gums to accurately position the implant. The area will then be cleaned, disinfected, and stitched closed.

Your mouth will need 3-6 months to heal, allowing the implant to fuse with the jaw bone. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor the healing process and take dental impressions for the dental crown.

Once your mouth has fully healed and the dental crown is ready, you will return for the final appointment. The crown will be permanently attached to the implant, giving you a fully-restored, natural-looking tooth.

Following your surgery, Dr. Khanani will provide you with recovery instructions to promote proper healing of your mouth. Typically, it takes about 2 weeks for most patients to heal from the initial implant placement surgery.

However, the process of osseointegration, where the dental implant fuses with the surrounding bone tissue, may take 3-6 months to fully complete. During this time, the implant cannot be restored with a false tooth.

After your appointment, you may not experience immediate pain, but once the sedation wears off, the implant site may become tender or painful. If Dr. Khanani has prescribed pain medication, be sure to take it as directed. If not, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers like Aleve or Tylenol and apply an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling.

In the first week following the implant placement, stick to a soft food diet and avoid brushing the implant site directly for at least 24-48 hours. Use a salt water rinse to clean the area and begin gently brushing near the implant site after 2-3 days.

Avoid heavy exertion for 2-3 days after the implant placement and focus on resting and relaxing as you heal. Pain, swelling, bleeding, and bruising may peak about 72 hours after the appointment but should improve after a week.

By the end of two weeks, your mouth should feel normal with minimal discomfort. At this point, you may have a follow-up appointment at the practice to ensure proper healing of your mouth.

Some individuals may be eligible for dental implants without needing a bone graft, unless there is not enough jaw bone density to support the implant. Factors like tooth loss, trauma, gum disease, or medical conditions can contribute to this issue, potentially causing implant failure.

During the osseointegration phase, it is essential for the jawbone and implant to fuse properly to create a strong foundation. If there is not enough jaw bone mass, this process may be compromised. In these cases, a bone graft can be used to improve the height and width of the jawbone around the implant area.

Patients with insufficient jaw bone density require bone grafts to qualify for dental implants.

For a successful recovery after dental implant surgery, it is important to stick to a soft food diet and avoid hot foods and liquids. During the first week, it is recommended to steer clear of hot beverages like coffee, tea, and soup.

Focus on consuming plenty of liquids such as smoothies, applesauce, mashed potatoes, jello, and pudding. As you progress, gradually introduce chewier foods but continue to avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods for a few months or until approved by your dentist.

Include foods like potatoes, pasta, and eggs in your diet to ensure you are getting enough nutrients. Avoid spicy and acidic foods during the healing process, and avoid using a straw or chewing on the side of your mouth with the implant.

If you are worried about bone loss from a missing tooth, consider dental implants. Contact Khanani Family Dental today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Salman Khanani.