Overview of Dental Implant Placement

Single Tooth Implant Procedure in Lancaster PA

The procedure to place a dental implant takes 30 to 60 minutes for one implant and only 2 to 3 hours for multiple implants. The number of appointments and time required varies from patient to patient. The surgeon will bring great precision and attention to the details of your case.

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Prior to surgery, you may receive antibiotics and for greater comfort, intravenous sedation or nitrous oxide (laughing gas). These options are discussed with you at your consultation appointment. A local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area where the dental implant will be placed.

When you are comfortable, the surgeon makes a small incision in the gum tissue to reveal the bone, creates space using special instruments, and gently inserts the titanium implant. The top of this implant is often visible through the gum. Sometimes it is better in the early stages of healing to have the implant covered by the gum tissue.

A depiction of the upper jaw with all normal teeth
1. Normal
An example of the upper jaw missing a tooth with the jaw bone unhealed
2. Tooth Loss
A representation of a healed upper jaw bone after losing a tooth
3. Healed Bone
A digital representation of the initial dental implant placed in the jaw bone
4. Implant Placed
A representation of the healed jaw bone after placement of the dental implant
5. Healing
An example of a fully restored tooth using a dental implant
6. Implant Restored

Healing after Dental Implant Surgery

Now the healing begins. The length of time varies from person to person, depending upon the quality and quantity of bone. In some cases, implants may be restored immediately after they are placed. The surgeon will advise you on follow-up care and timing. After the initial phase of healing, the surgeon places an abutment (support post) or a healing cap onto the dental implant during a brief follow-up visit. This allows gum tissue to mature and provides access to the implant.

Occasionally, impressions are made at the time the implant is placed. This enables the crown to be ready when the implants have healed. How long your mouth needs to heal is determined by a variety of factors. Follow-up care (one to four appointments) is usually needed to ensure that your mouth is healing well and to determine when you are ready for the restorative phase of your treatment.

It may be beneficial to perform a soft tissue graft to obtain stronger, more easily cleaned and natural appearing gum tissue in the area around the implant. This process involves moving a small amount of gum tissue from one part of your mouth to the area around the implant. Most often, it is a brief and relatively comfortable procedure.

Whether it’s one tooth or all of your teeth that are being replaced, your dentist will complete the restoration by fitting the replacement tooth (crown) to the dental implant.

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When are dental implants placed?

Implants are often placed several months after extraction. At times, an implant may be placed immediately after extraction of a tooth. This may involve a little more risk, but it simplifies the process—you won’t have to wait for another appointment to place the implant. When infection or other problems with the bone are present, immediate implant placement is not the best treatment.

If your tooth has been missing for some time, the adjacent support bone is likely to grow thinner and shrink. This occurs because the root of the natural tooth has to be present to stimulate the bone. As much as one-third of your jaw’s thickness can be lost in the year following tooth extraction. If you are missing enough bone, you may benefit from having additional bone grafted into the area. This ensures the implant will be adequately supported when it is placed in the jaw.

How many implants do I need?

Most frequently, one implant per missing tooth is placed. Because many of the larger teeth in the back of your jaws have two or three roots, the most common approach is to replace missing back teeth with larger implants.

Weierbach & Genetti Prosthodontics

no rating out of 5 stars based on 61 Dental Implants reviews.

Patient Review

I'm extremely please with the outcome of my dental procedure

- Dale S

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

After having several implants and crowns I am able to smile with confidence again. Dr. Weierbach's skill and expertise was amazing! Staff you are the best, always friendly and accommodating, with special thanks to Chelsee. I would highly recommend this office. Sooo appreciate you all! You all have blessed me!

- Jane S

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

Now that the extensive dental treatment by Dr. Weierbach is complete it is such a pleasure to be able to smile without hesitation. My teeth are so beautiful and I feel that my life has changed for the better. It has been years since I felt such confidence. I can truly say that Dr. Weierbach and his staff are perfectionists in every aspect of my treatment. I am extremely happy to have had Dr. Weierbach perform his magic.

- Janice P

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

I first went to see Dr. Weierbach for a dental implant I had done by another dentist. I was not pleased with the way it looked. Dr. Weierbach fixed it for me and now it looks great. I can smile without feeling self conscious. I also, had some teeth crowned and a root canal. It was the easiest root canal I ever had done ( I have had several). Dr. weierbach is very particular and wants the job done right. The staff is very pleasant and very friendly. If there are any doubts about trying Dr. Weierbach, let me assure you, he is the very best!

- Margie R

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

Highly recommended! I've had extensive dental work, from cleanings to implants and crowns, and never have I had bad service. From Dr Weierbach himself to all of the staff everyone is very caring and accommodating, wouldn't go anywhere else for dental work!

- Chad B

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