What to expect during your appointments:
Appointment 1: Consultation
During your consultation appointment you will meet with your clinician to discuss the dental implant procedure and determine what treatment best suits your individual requirements. They will conduct an oral examination, take x-rays and photographs where indicated, and take impressions for study moulds. From here a tailored treatment plan will be developed including an outline of cost and time frames for appointments. Prior to commencing the treatment you will also be referred to have a scan taken of your jawbone.
Appointment 2: Implant Surgery
Generally, your clinician performs the dental implant surgery within the practice under a local anaesthetic. In selected cases, he may perform this procedure at the Far North Day Hosptial under a general anaesthetic. The implant procedure is undertaken in a sterile environment to prevent any infections and complications, so you will notice the room is surgically draped. Depending on the number of implants required and if a bone graft is required, the procedure usually takes around 1-2 hours.
Appointment 3: Post Surgery
Around 7-14 days after your implant procedure, your clinician will review your mouth to ensure everything is healing nicely and remove any sutures if required.
Appointment 4: Implant Exposure (not always required)
In some instances, a further minor surgical procedure is needed to expose the implant and place a healing cap. However, majority of the time this is not required.
Appointment 5: Implant Impressions
Once the implant placement/integration has taken place the next step is to create the dental implant restoration (crown, bridge or prosthesis). During this appointment, your clinician will take impressions of your mouth which will then be sent to the laboratory for the restoration will be made. Photographs may also be taken of your teeth to establish the colour and shape of the crown.
Appointment 6: Placement of Restoration
This final appointment sees your clinician place the final restoration and make any further adjustments if needed.
Appointment 7: Review
A review generally takes place 6-8 weeks after the implant process has been completed. During this appointment final photographs and radiographs may be taken.
Maintenance
To ensure optimal ongoing health of the dental implants and surrounding tissues, it is important for the implants to be reviewed by your clinician and our hygienist every 6-12 months.
For more information on full arch bridges support by dental implants Cairns or to discover if this is the right teeth replacement solution for you, contact our friendly practice today to arrange a consultation.
