What to Expect When You Get Dental Implants

Every year, thousands of Americans settle into a dental chair to have a small titanium post placed where a missing tooth used to be. They join the more than 3 million people in the United States who already have dental implants. 

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium, topped with a connector piece called an abutment and a custom crown shaped to match your other teeth. Dentists now recommend dental implants over dental bridges and removable dentures because they stay put while you eat, they don't lean on neighboring teeth for support, and they keep the jawbone underneath from shrinking the way it does after a tooth is lost. 

Read on to learn what to expect when getting dental implants, from the cost, the procedure, the recovery, and where to find the best dentist in Redwood City to guide your treatment.

What Happens During the Dental Implant Procedure? 

Getting dental implants doesn’t happen in a single visit. It is done over several months and at least three main visits: 

• Consultation: During this appointment, the best dentist in Redwood City takes 3D scans and dental X-rays to map your jawbone, assess bone density, and develop a treatment plan for your mouth. 
• Oral surgery: After numbing the area with local anesthesia and using IV sedation to help you relax, the dentist makes a small incision in the gum, prepares a small channel in the jawbone, and threads the titanium post into place. The surgery typically takes one to two hours per implant. After surgery, osseointegration takes around three to six months. This is when your dental implant fuses to your jawbone to become one permanent fixture. During this time, you’ll have a temporary crown that allows you to eat and smile as normal.
• Permanent Dental Crowns: After osseointegration, an abutment is attached to the dental implant, which serves as a foundation for your permanent dental crown.

Does Getting a Dental Implant Hurt?

Most people with one or more missing teeth are surprised by how little dental implant surgery hurts. Between local anesthesia and sedation, you feel pressure and hear some drilling, but not sharp pain. The real soreness shows up once the numbing wears off, usually a few hours after you get home. 

For the first two or three days after dental implant surgery, you can expect a dull ache around the implant site, some swelling in your cheek, and possibly a small bruise. Most people manage this with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen and a cold pack pressed to the outside of the face in 20-minute stretches. 

The discomfort should ease a little more each day. Signs of an infection include: Serious pain after the third day, if bleeding has not stopped, or if you notice pus, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth.

Dental Implant Recovery Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week

The first 48 hours after getting dental implants is the most restrictive: 

• Stick to cool, soft foods like yogurt, smoothies, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes
• Avoid drinking through a straw because the suction can dislodge the blood clot protecting the wound
• Skip smoking, alcohol, and heavy lifting for at least the first week.

Many patients with desk jobs return to work within one to three days, while anyone doing physical labor should plan for a few extra days off. By the end of week two, most visible healing is complete, though your implant continues to fuse to your jawbone over the next three to six months through osseointegration. You can eat and live normally during that stretch. 

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

The most common question people ask us is, “Are dental implants worth the money?” The answer is, absolutely! The titanium posts are built to last a lifetime, and because titanium fuses with living bone and stays put the way a natural tooth root does. The dental crown attached on top has a shorter lifespan, usually around 10 to 15 years before normal wear from chewing and teeth grinding may call for a replacement. 

Dental implants boast a success rate exceeding 95%, which is higher than what you find with dental bridges or dentures, both of which usually need to be redone every five to 10 years. Things that can reduce the lifespan of your dental crowns and implants are smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, gum disease, and skipping regular dental visits. 

How Do You Care for Dental Implants?

Caring for an implant looks a lot like caring for a real tooth:

• Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Floss daily with regular floss or a water flosser
• Rinse with an alcohol-free antimicrobial mouthwash to keep bacteria away from the gum line
• Keep your twice-yearly dental cleanings on the calendar, because your dental hygienist can spot early trouble before you can feel it

A dental condition to watch for is peri-implantitis, an inflammation of the gum tissues and supporting bone surrounding a dental implant that works a lot like gum disease and can loosen the implant if the bone around it starts to break down. Red or bleeding gums, a bad taste in the mouth, or a gum line that is pulling back from the implant all deserve a trip to see the best dentist in Redwood City.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

Cost is usually the first thing people want to know, and the honest answer is that it depends. A single dental implant is more affordable than a full mouth reconstruction. Cost also depends on the materials used and whether you need additional dental work like a bone graft or tooth extractions before your implant surgery. Most dental insurance plans cover only part of the cost, and some classify implants as a cosmetic dental treatment rather than restorative dentistry. Most patients cover the rest with an HSA, FSA, CareCredit financing, or an in-house payment plan.

Finding the Best Dentist in Redwood City for Dental Implants

A dental implant can last decades when you choose a dentist who is an expert in restorative dentistry. At Redwood City Dentistry, Dr. Tara Firouzi and Dr. Shahrdad Kazerani plan each implant around your specific needs, including the health of your jawbone, your bite, and your budget. We map your jaw with 3D dental imaging before your appointment to analyze your needs and give you an accurate picture of how your final restorations will look.