Many people are under the impression that the results possible using dental implants means that the process must be very complicated and intense. Well, we are happy to let our Drexel Hill area patients know that this isn’t true. In fact, the dental implant process is rather straightforward, and can quite easily provide you with a beautiful, restored smile that you will be proud to show off at every opportunity. We are proud to say that our success rate is well over 95%. The reason this number is so high is because we utilize a five-step process that allows us to provide dental implants for any qualifying patient. We encourage you to read on to learn more about the dental implant process used by Dr. Barry Cohen here at our Drexel Hill, PA office.
Step 1: Consultation With The Doctors
Every dental implant restoration here at our practice begins with a consultation with Dr. Cohen. During this consultation, our doctor will examine your oral health in order to make sure that dental implants will be able to provide the best treatment for your unique needs (see “Am I a Candidate?“). We will also speak with you about your smile goals so that we can provide the restoration that will leave you with the quality of smile you are looking for. During your consultation, we will use our in-house CBCT Machine to take a CT scan of your mouth, which will allow Dr. Cohen to determine if supplemental procedures are necessary before he can place your implant. This stunning piece of technology also allows Dr. Cohen to determine the location of your nerves and sinuses so that he can avoid causing any trauma during the placement of your implant.
Step 2: Supplemental Procedures
For some patients, receiving dental implants can be complicated by the fact that their mouth is suffering from the effects of conditions like gum recession and jawbone deterioration. These structures are then too weak to properly support dental implants. Fortunately, we can use procedures such as soft tissue augmentation and bone grafting to restore these structures, allowing the patient to move forward with dental implants. These treatments are provided at the time of your tooth’s extraction and the placement of your implant fixture.
Step 3: Implant Placement Surgery
The next step is the implant placement surgery, during which an implant fixture is placed in the empty spot left behind by your missing tooth. If you need to have your tooth removed and it is possible, this procedure is done in the same appointment as your tooth’s extraction. In other cases, these procedures will need to be performed on separate visits. We will ensure that your implant fixture is sitting in the proper position before stitching up the area so that it can heal. At this point, an abutment and temporary crown may be attached to the implant fixture, though it is not unusual to wait until after the recovery period before either of these pieces are placed.
Step 4: The Recovery Period
With the implant placed, your mouth will need time to heal. This healing period is very important to the implant process because this is when osseointegration occurs. Osseointegration works to secure your implant fixture into your oral anatomy, convincing your body that your fixture is no different from any of your natural tooth roots. It is important that this process succeeds as osseointegration is what allows your body to have direct control over your fixture, and is also responsible for the many benefits that come with dental implants.
Step 5: The Final Restoration
Once your implant fixture has properly healed, you will be able to return to our office in order to have your restoration placed. At this point, the abutment will also be attached to the fixture if it wasn’t already placed directly after the placement surgery. There are many different restorations you can choose to use to complete your dental implant, but, regardless of which you choose, this restoration will be custom made for you based on your natural teeth. By taking the time to analyze your smile, we are able to match your restoration to your teeth down to the color, shading, shape, and texture, which will make it very difficult for anyone to tell your artificial teeth apart from your natural teeth.
Begin The Process By Scheduling Your Consultation
Are you tired of your missing teeth and are ready to move forward with your own tooth restoration treatment using dental implants? Then contact our office today so that you can schedule your free no-obligation dental implant consultation with Dr. Barry Cohen today. We serve patients in the Drexel Hill, Upper Darby, Havertown, Springfield, and Broomall areas.