Month 1 (if no denture needs to be made)
Month 2 (if denture needs to be made)
The first surgery involves placing the implants in the jawbone. During the first surgery, an incision is made in the gum where the implant will be placed. A hole is drilled in the bone, the implant is placed into the hole in the bone, and the incision is stitched closed. After this surgery, you should avoid putting pressure on the implants. You will not be able to wear your temporary denture for about four weeks, and you should avoid eating hard foods during this time. After four weeks, you will be able to wear your temporary denture again. The temporary denture will, however, need to be modified, to make sure it fits properly, and it will also be given a soft reline (new lining next to your gums), which will help to reduce the pressure on your gums.
After the first surgery, Dr. Judd will wait three or four months if implants were placed in the lower jaw, and five or six months if they were placed in the upper jaw, before scheduling the second surgery. During this time, the bone and the implants integrate (attach and fuse).
Month 4 or 5 (no denture needed to be made)
Month 5 or 6 (denture needed to be made)
Once the implants have become fused with the bone, the second surgery can be scheduled. Dr. Judd will confirm whether the implant is ready for the second surgery by taking an X-ray. This surgery is simpler than the first. A small incision is made in your gums to expose the tops (heads) of the implants.
A healing abutment (collar) is placed on the head of each implant after it is exposed. This encourages the gums to heal correctly. The collar is a round piece of metal that holds the gums away from the head of the implant. The collar will be in place for 10 to 14 days. Dr. Judd will adjust your temporary denture again and it may be given another soft reline. The reline material will secure the denture to the healing abutments.
About two weeks after the second surgery, the healing abutments will be replaced with regular abutments. Your gums should now be healed enough for Dr. Judd to make an impression of your gums and implants. The impression is used to make a working model of your implants and jaw, which is used to make the denture framework and teeth.
Month 5 or 6 (no denture needed to be made)
Month 6 or 7 (denture needed to be made)
At this point, the metal bar is placed on the implants. You will have the first try-in of your new denture framework to see if it fits properly.
Once the metal bar and the denture framework have been fitted together properly, the teeth are temporarily placed on the framework in wax. The whole denture is then tried in your mouth. If everything works well, the teeth are secured in the denture framework permanently. The bar or ball attachments also will be secured.
You will have to return to the office for another visit to have the completed denture inserted. When the denture is inserted, the denture is clipped onto the bar or snapped onto the ball attachments.
At this point, your temporary denture will be given a new reline so that it can be used as a backup denture in case you lose or break your new overdenture.
Bryan G. Judd DDS - Providing services in cosmetic dentistry, dental implants and dentures to the areas of Roseville and Sacramento, California.
Roseville Dental Implants by The Art of Dentistry
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1603 Eureka Road, Suite 200 Roseville, CA 95661, Ph. 866.430.6655, Fx.