Receiving dental implants is considered a minor dental surgery. Dental implant surgery is performed under local anesthesia, working to minimize or eliminate pain for the patient.
Several factors are considered to maximize treatment success including bone quantity, proximity to important anatomic structures and stability. Implants should not be a treatment planned for young individuals when their growth has not yet been completed.
First surgery
If any pieces of the tooth remain intact, these pieces are extracted and the socket is cleaned and prepared for receiving the implant. The next step is creating space for the implant and placing it in the jawbone. After the implants have been inserted, the patient must wait several weeks, often 3-4 months to allow the tissues to heal and for the implants to become integrated within the bone. There will be only one surgery if the implant is non-submerged.
Second surgery
In some cases a second surgery needs to be performed in order to place abutments in the implants. During this procedure the implant is uncovered to make sure there is access to it and the abutment is inserted. This is done when the implants are submerged. Another period of healing is needed at this point.
The next step is taking an impression or a mold so that the crown, bridge or fixed denture can be built. Laboratory procedures for building the restorations rely solely on these impressions, therefore in certain cases these molds need to be taken multiple times until the results are satisfactory.
Meticulous evaluation using X-rays and clinical observation is done throughout the procedure to track success, and also to make sure that the patient remains symptom free and the function is improved once the final restorations are placed.
If you are interested in receiving dental implants in Costa Rica, please fill out the “Help me Find a Dentist” form. A participating dental specialist will reply to your needs.