Think of dental implants as metal anchors, usually made of titanium, that are surgically placed into the jawbone to hold permeant replacement teeth or dentures. Through a process called “osteointergration,” the jawbone actually attaches itself to the implant over time, providing tremendous stability.
Implant treatment is usually preformed by a general dentist, oral surgeon, periodontist or a team of doctors, Dr.Caputo is a comprehensive dentist and will take you form the beginning of your dental implant procedure to the end in his Palm Harbor office. To devise the best treatment plan for you, Dr.Caputo first will complete a medical history and a thorough oral examination, including x-rays.
During surgery, each implant is placed within the jawbone to serve as an anchor for the post that will eventually support the replacement teeth. Generally from three to six months or more is then allowed for the bone tissue to grow around the implants and hold them securely in place.
Immediately after surgery we will give you a specific post surgical instructions to assure the best possible healing. In addition, we may prescribe pain medication and in some cases, antibiotics to aid the healing process and help alleviate any discomfort. At this time, you may be fitted with temporary dentures or natural-looking teeth to help you function as normally as possible. You also will need to limit your diet to soft foods and follow important oral hygiene instructions. Follow up care is very important during this time.
Once the jawbone has firmly healed around the implant, a small post is attached to each implant. The post protrudes through the gumline and serves as an anchor for the replacement teeth. This short procedure usually requires only local anesthesia. After your gums have healed, the replacement teeth or dentures are securely attached to the posts.
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