What happens during dental implant surgery?

At Washington Street Dentistry, Dr. Matthew Church and his team in Indianapolis, Indiana, regularly see patients considering tooth replacement options. A common and popular choice is that of dental implants, which are titanium metal posts made to become one with the jawbone and act as the foundation for a restoration such as a crown, bridge, or denture.  

Many patients love the longevity of dental implants because they fuse with the bone and require minimal attention compared to alternative options. To place the dental implant, patients first need to undergo dental implant surgery, and our team can advise you on what you can expect during and after this oral surgery.

What does dental implant surgery involve? 

The initial surgery to place the dental implant requires the care and attention of a skilled dental professional at Washington Street Dentistry. Dr. Matthew Church starts by ensuring patients are comfortable with sedation and anesthetics. Patients will not feel a thing during their procedure, putting many of our patients at ease about undergoing oral surgery. Once comfortable, the surgery begins. 

First, Dr. Matthew Church makes an incision in the gum tissue to expose the jawbone. This incision may need some sutures to help it heal correctly after the surgery. He then creates a small hole in the jawbone to carefully insert the dental implant into the bone. The placement of the implant in the bone is preplanned using x-ray images to determine the best location and angle. 

After placing the implant, Dr. Matthew Church closes up the incision with dissolvable stitches and provides you with detailed instructions to follow at home, known as post-operative instructions. These instructions must be followed closely to reduce the risk of potential problems, such as infection or excess bleeding. 

What should I do after my appointment to facilitate proper healing?

 Post-operative instructions often include the following tips and recommendations:

• Take any prescribed medication as instructed to manage pain and prevent infection
• Avoid eating or drinking anything very warm or hot until the local anesthetic has worn off completely to avoid burning your mouth
• Gently rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to help keep the area clean and promote healing
• Avoid smoking cigarettes or vapes, as it can slow down the natural healing processes and increase the risk of complications

 By following these recommendations from our team, you can alleviate the potential problems that can arise and ensure that the area heals properly for the placement of the restorations over the abutment portion of the implant. Working with a skilled dentist who places implants regularly will also reduce the risk of problems.

Schedule a consultation visit with Dr. Matthew Church to discuss your need for dental implants!

If you are considering tooth replacement options such as dental implants and want to visit an implant dentist “near me” offering solutions, we invite you to connect with the team at Washington Street Dentistry of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Call (317) 333-6788 to request a visit to our office at 10935 East Washington Street, open to new and returning patients and families in the community.

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