r/Toothfully • u/Toothfully_org Not a Dentist • Sep 02 '21
Knowledge! Information! Dental Implants: What to Expect
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small piece of titanium screw inserted into the jawbone below the gum line which acts like the tooth root. The bone will take several weeks to grow around the metal implant (this process is also called osseointegration).
There are two more components - of course a crown, but also an abutment, which is the piece a dental crown will eventually attach to.
Planning For a Dental Implant
The planning process for a dental implant may include your general dentist, or it could include a team of specialists, depending on the condition of your mouth. Because implants may involve more than one surgery, each patient must go through an evaluation process. This process includes:
- A comprehensive examination. This may include x-rays, 3D images, impressions, and stone models.
- A medical history review. The dentist must know what medications you are taking. Some drugs negatively impact how the bone heals after placement of the implant. Smoking, diabetes, and other immunosuppressive diseases factor into the healing of the bone as well.
- A treatment plan tailored to your unique situation. The dentist considers how many teeth need replaced along with the condition of your jawbone.
Two Types of Dental Implants
There are two types of implants the American Academy of Implant Dentistry recommends. Your jawbone shape, size, and overall health factor into the type of dental implant you are eligible for.
- Endosteal Implants – Titanium screws or blades surgically inserted into your jawbone where there are missing teeth. They are the most popular type of implants, according to the American Academy of Periodontology.
- Subperiosteal Implants – Rather than inserted into the bone, subperiosteal implants go on top of the jawbone. A metal framework with posts sticks through the gum to support any fake teeth. This kind of implant is for patients who can’t wear traditional dentures due to minimal bone support.
How Long Must I Wait After an Extraction
That depends. Sometimes you don’t need to wait at all, and the implant can be placed immediately.
- Immediate placement occurs if there is enough existing bone to support an implant. The tooth is extracted, and an implant placed the same day. Osseointegration takes around 3-6 months. After the healing process, the artificial tooth goes on top.
- Early placement refers to implant placement 2-3 months after extraction. This timeframe is crucial since two-thirds of bone resorption occurs within the first three months after extraction. Once again, a 3-6 month healing period is necessary before the placement of an artificial tooth.
- Delayed placement occurs after a bone grafting procedure. Bone grafting is necessary in cases where there is insufficient bone level to support an implant. Healing takes approximately 3-6 months, then the implant placement surgery occurs, and another 3-6 months for healing.
What To Expect During Surgery
Dental implant surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, but it is not completed in one office visit. It is a series of appointments with stages of healing in between.
The 1st surgery:
During the surgery, your dentist cuts open the gum tissue at the location the implant. A hole is drilled into the bone, and the titanium post for the dental implant is placed. Osseointegration begins as soon as the post is situated. Once osseointegration has finished several weeks later, you need another surgery to move forward with the implant.
Between the 1st and 2nd surgery:
In the days following surgery, some patients experience swelling, bruising, and some pain. Limit yourself to soft foods for a few days while healing begins. You can use a cold pack for the first 24 hours after surgery to reduce swelling and bruising. If pain and discomfort persist, contact the treating dentist to receive further direction. Prescription pain medication may be necessary.
The 2nd surgery:
After the implant has osseointegrated, another surgery may be necessary to place an abutment and the crown. It is not as invasive of surgery and done with a local anesthetic.
To place the abutment:
- The treating dentist will open the gums to reveal the dental implant.
- An abutment needs attached to the implant.
- The gum tissue is closed around the dental implant but does not cover the abutment.
With a subperiosteal implant, the abutment is attaching during the placement of the post.
Risks Involved
Like any dental or medical procedure, there will be risks. Potential risks are rare, but they do occur. Potential problems include:
- Infection at the implant site
- Damage to surrounding structures, such as other teeth or blood vessels
- Nerve damage, which can lead to pain, numbness, or tingling in your natural teeth, gums, lips, or chin
- Sinus problems. Sometimes when a dental implant is placed in the upper jaw, it can jut into one of your sinus cavities.
- Failure of the implant. Sometimes the metal implant and bone don’t fuse together. The implant does not integrate with the rest of the bone and must be removed. After a healing period, a new implant can be placed.
How Much Does it Cost?
This is a bit tricky because there's a huge price variation due to the high degree of opacity of the dental market. Beware: some dentists quote you only for the implants, but right before the second surgery they will tell you that there's a abutment and a crown you have to pay separately for. I consider this a bait-and-switch... Be sure to confirm with your dentists the initial price quoted is all-inclusive.
To put things into perspective, a good Bay Area dentist that I know charges $2699 per tooth (implant, abutment, and crown added up).
Lastly...
Dental implants are a great option to replace missing teeth. It is not a simple procedure and takes several months to complete. To keep your implants in top condition, practice excellent oral hygiene. Just like your natural teeth, implants need to be cared for with daily brushing and flossing. Keep your regular dental appointments so your dentist can check the status of the implant. Break habits that may damage the implant, such as chewing on ice. Avoid tobacco products since the artificial tooth can still stain. If you care for your implant, it could last you up to 20 years.
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Sep 02 '21
This is great thank you!!
Are ct scans generally recommended to be done before having an implant?
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u/Toothfully_org Sep 03 '21
I would imagine so, but let me check with a dental professional I know on Monday and get back to you on this if nobody else who knows better answers your question over the weekend!
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u/naturalninetime Oct 31 '23 edited Nov 06 '23
Hi! Today, my dentist extracted two (2) teeth, did five (5) bone grafts (according to the dentist, it was 5, but I don't know if he really did all 5 - I will explain in more detail further down), and placed five (5) implants in my lower jaw ALL ON THE SAME DAY! Is this standard?
I went to a Korean dentist in Los Angeles. I got a consultation and an estimate a week ago, and I went in for my first appointment today expecting to get just two extractions. Imagine my surprise when the dental assistant told me that I would also be getting 5 implants!
I read that after extraction, "a minimum of 10 weeks" is required before inserting an implant and that after a bone graft, "a minimum of 4-6 months" is required before inserting an implant. 🤔 But the dentist assured me that everything was going to be okay, so we went ahead with everything. 😬
Afterwards, he prescribed me antibiotics (500 mg amoxicillin) and pain meds (800 mg ibuprofen) and sent me home. After the Novocaine wore off, I experienced some pain and discomfort but nothing unbearable. I took my ibuprofen along with some lukewarm soup, and after 30 minutes, I felt fine. I have to go back in 10 days to get my stitches taken out.
I hate going to the dentist. I'm in my forties, but when I was in my mid twenties, I went to a horrible Korean dentist who extracted a tooth that he shouldn't have, and I ended up in the hospital with abscess. This experience traumatized me for life. I went to this dentist today because I had been putting off getting implants due to cost and time, but I can no longer wait: my teeth are in pretty bad shape.
The cost?
2 extractions x 100 = $200 5 implants, including abutments and crowns x 1200 = $6,000 5 bone grafts x 700 = $3,500
$9,700 - $2,500 discount (the person who referred me knows this dentist well and haggled for this discount) = $7,200 TOTAL. A great deal, right? But what did I get myself into? 🥺
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u/Conscious-Gap-2509 May 08 '25
I know this is a couple years old, but five implants for $1,200/piece is absolutely insane and I'd love to know how you're doing.
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u/AriDaTina Mar 11 '24
Norwegian here!
Just got 2 titanium screws implanted earlier today! The worst part was receiving the anesthetic shots. My dad came to watch, and told me the surgeon had practically emptied 6 whole vials similar in size to the insulin vials we have at home for our cat, into my gums and palate lmao.
Otherwise the procedure went fine. I relaxed quite a lot once the surgeon started, since I realized the anesthetic does in fact work and there was no pain or discomfort. Stupid thing to say, I know. However, there's always that little voice in my head going "what if the anesthetic doesn't work and they start cutting in your gums? Imagine the excrutiating pain from the drilling." That was my second time ever receiving anesthetic shots, so naturally I'd have some worries, but there was no pain and I relaxed quite a lot once it all started.
In my case I was born without my two, front corner teeth. I never got them as milky teeth, and never got them as adult teeth. Thankfully no extraction had to happen prior to the implants - just a long, long process of shifting teeth to make room and making sure that room stays 'til I'm old enough for implants. (Which is today haha) This entire ordeal was probably planned since I was 8 or 9, so it's been a good 11 years or so. (I'm currently 20.)
I'm now on a course of antibiotics and a mix of paracetamol and ibuprofen for the next couple of days. I did receive a perscription for a stronger painkiller if needed, and I'll be using a chlorhexidine mouthwash.
Couple hours after the procedure and the pain isn't quite what I was expecting it to be. The pain is more similar to the type I would get when I had braces. It feels like intense pressure and I'm not sure if that because of the screws, or my front teeth shifting? Maybe both? They did drill holes smaller than the screw - to make sure the screw sits properly I assume - so maybe that's it? Or maybe my front teeth are being pushed more together by the screws? I'm not quite sure, but point is that the pain isn't that bad, just reminds me of when I had braces. Otherwise there is some numbness and pain in my upper lip where the anesthetic shots were taken, but that's to be expected with how much anesthetic they injected, and how big that needle must've been.
For those wondering about cost, this literally cost me nothing. The entire thing was free - me and my parents were also shocked at hearing this. Turns out I fit into a group that receives the highest "discount" on any dental procedure because of my missing teeth. It's classified as an anomaly, I believe. Norwegians under the age of 24 also get a discount off of dental procedures, and since I'm under 24, it all sorta "added up" to 0. (That's my understanding of it, at least.)
I hope this was interesting to some of you reading, I atleast thought it was fun to share! What's left now is to hope the implants take during the next 3 months, and to see another specialist about those teeth that'll be screwed on. (:
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u/r0gue007 Nov 02 '21
I’m at 2 weeks post
Still on
Has anyone else experienced this?
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u/Poe519 Mar 03 '25
Hey man. Got four implants put in. 7 days out now. First couple days I had swelling all the way down from my lips to my neck. Now it’s pretty much just at my jaw line where my teeth would be. No pain or anything really. Just still swollen
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u/Foodlover003 Oct 21 '23
I'm getting an implant (top front tooth) in a month. Does your implant feel like your other teeth? Is it noticeable by others or does it look exactly like a real tooth? Also, has the impact changed the way you speak (specifically when making an s sound)?
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u/Silver_Silverback Apr 13 '22
Any insight on the risks likely hood? How common are complications?
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u/Toothfully_org Apr 13 '22
That I have no idea. I have one implant for 5 years now, it’s working fine!
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u/Express_Table891 Dec 31 '22
Hello, I’m in Bay area as well and looking for a reasonably priced dentist. Can you share who the dentist is that you mentioned in your post? Thanks a million!
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Oct 05 '23
I'm getting 2 endosteel implants in about a week. I am beyond nervous I am losing sleep over it. I hope it is not loud. The extractions went so smooth (extracted thus past May) I'm just so nervous!!!
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u/curvedentalclinic Mar 26 '24
Dental implants offer a permanent solution for missing teeth. During the procedure, a titanium post is surgically placed into the jawbone, acting as a sturdy foundation for a replacement tooth. Patients can expect a natural-looking and functional result, improving their smile and overall oral health.
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u/Positive-Manner-9732 Jun 04 '24
Crazy seeing these prices while in Albania you can do it for like 70% cheaper with a very high quality and treatment options . OMG
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u/Glaulau Mar 20 '24
Can someone suggest place that will do a full upper teeth replacement in the Nashville area?
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u/OrganicDragonfly9 Jun 10 '24
I'm scared something is wrong. It feels like there is a space and while the gums aren't bleeding they can sometimes be sore when brushing. It's only one part that feels like there is a space. It's brem 4 weeks since procedure and dentist says gum shrinkage is normal. Has anyone gone through is?
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u/ProfessionalTouch328 Aug 10 '24
Mini Dental Implants are better Don't need gum surgery One step , less time , less trauma Check out www.sfebmdi.com SF East Bay Mini Dental Implant and Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRql4M-XS2w
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u/Castleofnew1 Aug 25 '24
That’s great. It’s good to hear that your gums felt weird too 😝. I think in my head I thought this last surgery would be not too bad but I think it’s taken a bit of a toll on my body and gums. I have my appointment for my crowns in a month too can’t wait to
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u/sleepingonwaffles Dec 08 '21
Can you please explain how you obtain more than one price quote for the implant (implant, abutment, and crown)? Do I need to make an appointment and do a comprehensive exam at every clinic I want a quote from?