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Losing a tooth can feel overwhelming, not just because of the impact on your smile, but also because of the uncertainty about what comes next. At Dental Specialty Associates of Arizona, we understand how discouraging it can be to face tooth loss or bone loss in your jaw. With solutions like bone grafting for your dental implant, you can feel hope for a strong smile.
It’s our goal to make the process of rebuilding your oral health as seamless as possible. Our team includes an expert oral surgeon, Dr. Brian Lilien, and talented implant dentists in Phoenix and Gilbert, all in the same comfortable and convenient dental office you trust for your routine care.
If you’re considering dental implants, it can be helpful to know what to expect. Here’s a helpful breakdown of the bone grafting and dental implant process step by step.
1. Your Personalized Consultation and Comprehensive Evaluation
Your journey starts with a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Lilien or another member of our skilled team for dental implants in Phoenix or Gilbert. During this visit, we’ll talk with you about your goals, concerns, and any health conditions that may affect your treatment. We’ll also talk about how comfortable you are in the dental environment and discuss sedation options to ensure you can enjoy a complete comfortable experience through every phase of your treatment.
Using state-of-the-art 3D imaging technology, we’ll take a detailed look at your jawbone and teeth to determine if dental implants are the right solution for you. Here are a few things we look for in a great candidate for dental implants:
- Generally healthy gums
- No infections in the gums or teeth
- Stable overall health
- No conditions or medications that would interfere with healing
- Able to tolerate the surgical process
- Motivated to keep up with great implant maintenance
- Non-smoker, or willing to cut back or quit while your implants heal
- Adequate bone to support the implants
Don’t worry, you don’t have to be perfect! If there are issues like gum disease or infections that need to be handled first, we’ll work with you to improve your condition so you can enjoy the best possible care for your smile.
Strong, stable bone is the key to long-term success with dental implants, so a bone dentistry assessment is a critical step in your dental implant process.
2. Bone Density Assessment
Dental implants rely on strong jawbone support to stay secure and last for years to come. That’s why we will take a close look at your bone volume and density before moving forward. This assessment involves advanced imaging that allows us to see the thickness and strength of your jawbone.
Bone loss can be a problem for many people, especially if you’ve been missing teeth or wearing dentures for a long time. However, if your jawbone has weakened or shrunk, that doesn’t necessarily mean dental implants are off the table. We may be able to rebuild a strong foundation with a bone graft.
3. Creating a Solid Foundation with Bone Grafting
Not everyone needs a bone graft for dental implants, but if you do, don’t worry. It’s a common, safe, and predictable procedure Dr. Lilien performs routinely. A bone graft helps to build up and strengthen the area where the implant post will go, giving it a solid base to attach to.
There are a few types of bone grafting procedures, depending on your needs:
- Socket preservation: We may add bone graft material right after a tooth is removed to keep the bone from shrinking and preserve the normal shape of the jawbone.
- Sinus lift: Adds bone to the upper jaw near your sinuses, this is often recommended if you need dental implants in the area of the upper molars or premolars.
- Ridge augmentation: If you’ve been missing teeth for a long time, we can rebuild areas where the jawbone has thinned or collapsed to restore its normal shape.
These treatments are all designed to give your future implant the best chance for long-term success.
4. Healing and Integration
After your bone graft, your body needs time to heal. During this healing period, the new bone will naturally integrate with your existing bone, creating a strong support system for your implant.
Healing time varies depending on the type of graft and your health, but it typically takes a few months. We’ll keep a close eye on your progress and support you every step of the way.
5. Dental Implant Surgery
Once your bone is ready, we’ll move on to placing your dental implant. This is a small titanium post that serves as the “root” of your new tooth. For All-on-4® dental implants, we’ll place a few posts in strategic locations to give your complete prosthesis a strong, stable base.
Placing your implant post may involve making a tiny incision in the gums to access the jawbone. In some cases, it is possible to place an implant directly after a tooth extraction. We’ll always make the best recommendation for your long-term results based on your unique situation.
Depending on your case, we may complete this in a single-stage (where the implant and healing abutment are placed at the same time) or a multi-stage process (where we let the implant heal before placing the abutment). Either way, your comfort and safety are always our top priority.
6. Healing Abutment Placement
A healing abutment is a small cap that’s attached to your implant. It helps your gum tissue heal in a way that allows for the perfect fit of your final crown while protecting your implant post as it heals.
Sometimes we place the healing abutment at the same time as your implant, and other times we wait until the implant has fully healed before placing it. Our team will let you know what’s best for your specific needs.
7. Delivering Your Final Restorations and Celebrating Your New Smile!
After your implant and gums have fully healed, we’ll attach your custom-made crown, bridge, or denture. This final restoration is crafted to match your natural teeth in both look and function.
You’ll walk out with a beautiful, confident smile, and we’ll be here to support you with routine check-ups and long-term maintenance to keep your implant healthy for years to come.
Take the First Step Toward Renewed Oral Health with Custom Dental Implants in Arizona!
Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or ready to move forward, we’re here to help. With Dr. Lilien and an expert prosthodontist on staff, Dental Specialty Associates can handle all phases of your implant care in one convenient place.
Get in touch with our team to schedule your consultation for dental bone graft and dental implants in Phoenix or Gilbert, Arizona! We’re here to help you take the first step toward lasting confidence and oral health.
