Dental Implant, one of the greatest achievement in dental history, is becoming a very popular treatment to replace missing teeth, as they may provide excellent aesthetics, pronunciation and function. The Implant procedures are usually as follows:

1. Consultation – X-rays:
Regularly, at the first check-up, a panoramic X Ray of your jaw will be taken to see whether your bone’s density and dimensions are suitable for Implant surgery or not. The panoramic X-ray is very important for the doctor’s diagnosis and planning of Implant surgery. Then, based on the X ray’s images , the dentist will discuss in details with you about your implant procedures such as: where the Implants will be placed, how the process of treatment will work…
Besides, the doctor will inquire some general information about your health: Are you experiencing any illness such as diabetes, hypertension or heart disease? Do you smoke or consume alcohol?…
Remember to prepare all questions regarding Implant surgery for asking your doctor in this process.

A paroramic X-ray

2.Make appointments:
When you have discussed and agreed with the doctor’s treatment plan, you need to make appointments for Implant surgery. Please make sure you understand clearly the treatment process, the cost and also the payment process.
In some cases, you don’t have much time, you get all the information you need, your health condition is perfect, and you want to have the Implant surgery right after the first check-up, is it possible? The answer is yes, but you should tell your doctor when you make the appointment, so that the doctor will have more time to explain the procedures to you and proceed the Implant surgery right after discussing the treatment plan with you.

3.Implant surgery:
Your health condition should be perfect when you come to the Clinic. Remember to have breakfast, lunch or a good meal before the Implant surgery. Besides, make sure that your diabetes, hypertension or heart disease is well managed.
People may think that Implant surgery is complicated and takes much time, which is not right. Normally, at Lan Anh Clinic, Implant surgery takes only 20 minutes for 1 Implant placement, equivalent to the time of a normal tooth extraction.
Many patients are surprised to find that they have little pain after dental Implant surgery. Some need only one day off, some even can go to work as usual. However, if the treatment plan is quite complicated, including teeth extraction and Implant surgery for many teeth, or bone grafting, sinus lift procedures, you will need more time to rest at home (3-7days depending on the specific case). The doctor should discuss clearly about this when you ask for consultation, so that you can arrange your work or your travel plan.

X-ray of lower and upper jaws with Implants in place Upper jaw: 1 Implant, Lower jaw: 2 Implants

4.Temporary replacement of teeth:
Are you wondering how you will look during the time your bone is healing around the Implants?
Don’t worry because a temporary replacement of teeth will be prepared for you (except for some specific cases,  example: complicated surgery sometimes required a healing time (a week) without temporary denture for best result  …)
You can communicate and go to work with these temporary dentures. However, be aware that these temporary dentures do not provide good function in early days after the surgery. After 2-3 weeks of surgery, and the dentures have been modifed by the dentist, you should be able to wear it well as usual.
If you replace your fixed bridge with Implants, you can ask the doctor to make a temporary bridge as you were using. These fixed bridge should perform very well, and it’s hard for you to see it’s different.

5.Follow-up:
1 week after the Implant surgery, your gums and soft tissues around Implant should be healed. It’s time for you to go back to the clinic. The doctor will cut the knot (if necessary), take examination and an Panoramic X-ray, to make sure that everything is in good conditions.

6.Crown on Implants:
Be patient until the Implants are securely stable “osseointergrated” into the jaw bone.
You should look for information about “the teeth” on Implant and discuss with the doctor at the first consultation. There are many kinds of porcelain such as: CERCON Zirconia CAD/CAM porcelain, Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) which will make it suitable for you.
The process of placing the crown on Implant takes about 3-6 days.
Finally, we wish you an enjoyable life and having fun with “new teeth, new life”!!

Photo taken after the porcelain implant treatment.