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Your Consultation with Dr. Wirth
The first step in the dental implant process is to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Wirth. During your visit with Dr. Wirth, he’ll talk about the advantages and disadvantages of your available treatment options.
If you and Dr. Wirth decide that dental implants are the right choice for your smile, we can begin planning your treatment right away. He might determine that you don’t immediately qualify for the treatment because of the condition of your mouth. Unhealthy teeth or gums can endanger the stability of the implant, increasing its chance of failure.
Luckily, Dr. Wirth at Whidbey Dental Associates offers a wide variety of supplemental treatments to prepare your smile for dental implants. This can include bone grafting to increase stability or scaling and root planing for gum disease treatment.
Implant Placement
The implant placement process begins with Dr. Wirth taking x-rays of your mouth. These images will be used in partnership with a 3D surgical guide to ensure the perfect placement of the dental implant.
Once Dr. Wirth is ready to begin the procedure, he’ll surgically place the titanium implant fixture onto your jawbone. This minor procedure is completed right here in our office. The implant fixture will need time to heal and form a bond with the jawbone. This bonding process is called osseointegration.
If you are missing an entire arch of teeth, we offer All-On-4® treatment. This revolutionary procedure uses only a few implants to secure a whole prosthetic arch. Unlike dentures, All-On-4 eliminates any worry about moving, shifting, or sliding teeth.
Your Implant Restoration
Once your body has fully adjusted to your new dental implant, you’ll be ready for your porcelain crown. Porcelain is a strong material that reacts to light the same way your natural teeth do, making it an excellent material for crowns. As soon as Dr. Wirth secures the crown, you’ll be ready to share your smile with the world.
Implant Process FAQs
How long is the dental implant process?
What happens after my dental implant procedure?
How long is the dental implant process?
The dental implants process typically takes between three and six months to complete. However, every patient’s situation is unique, and sometimes Dr. Wirth determines that a patient requires one or more supplemental procedures such as bone grafting or treatment for gum disease to increase their prospects for a positive outcome.
In these cases, your timeline could be increased. An estimate timeframe of your entire treatment can be determined during your initial consultation.
What happens after my dental implant procedure?
Right after your dental implant procedure, we’ll suggest you have someone drive you home in case the anesthesia doesn’t wear off.
Within the first few days of healing, we also recommend you avoid smoking, drinking, using a straw, or spitting. Also, rinse your mouth out occassionally with warm salt water and follow a liquid or soft food diet to help with recovery.