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What Is Dental Implant Surgery Like?

Dental implants can improve your smile, how you chew your food and the way you talk. However, dental implant surgery is can be daunting, since you spend most of your time healing, according to the Mayo Clinic. So you can expect several surgical procedures before the actual dental implants are placed in your mouth.

  1. Identification

    • Dental implants function like your natural teeth. A metal cylinder is placed in your jaw with an ambulant attached. Artificial teeth are placed on the ambulant.

    Cost

    • As of 2009, dental implants can cost $1,000 to $2,500 per implant, according to MyNewSmile.com.

    Considerations

    • You won't need to stay in a hospital overnight. The procedure will be done on an outpatient basis in a hospital or in a dental office.

    Time Frame

    • It will take two to six months for osseointegration to take place--in other words, for the dental implant to fuse with the jawbone, after it is put in place. Afterwards, you will need another surgery to place the abutment where your implant will go. Two weeks later, your artificial tooth or teeth will be attached. Dental implant surgery can take nine months or more to complete.

    Effects

    • After surgery you'll experience gum swelling, pain at the implant site, minor bleeding and bruising on your skin and gums. You may need to eat soft foods for five to seven days after each procedure.

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