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Dr. Martin R. Aidelbaum Inc. |
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What to Expect During Surgery Stage 1 Surgery The first surgical procedure for endosteal implants involves placing the implants in the bone. This surgery can take place in the oral and maxillofacial surgeon's office, or in a hospital setting. Local anesthesia with a mild sedative may be used, or in certain cases general anesthesia may be recommended. After you are anesthetized, the surgeon will lift back the gum tissue to expose the bone and place one precisely measured hole in the bone where each implant will be inserted. |
The implant fixtures are inserted in the holes, then the gum tissue is replaced over the fixtures and sutures (stitches) are placed. The surgical procedure may take several hours if multiple implants are placed, and following surgery you will spend some time "in recovery" before going home. osseointegration will begin taking place as healing progresses, and the fixtures should be firmly anchored by bone within four to six months.
| Stage 1 surgery placing the implant fixtures in the jaw bone. |
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Following Stage 1 Surgery
Immediately following surgery you may be asked to bite on some gauze to stop any bleeding, and an ice pack may be used during the first 24 hours to help reduce swelling. Expect some swelling in the area of the implant surgery for up to 72 hours following the procedure, as well as some discoloration of the skin and gums for a few days. Pain medication prescribed by your surgeon will help alleviate any discomfort, and you should be able to resume normal activities within a day or two. Your surgeon may also prescribe antibiotics. Expect some minor bleeding on the day of surgery, but report excessive bleeding to your surgeon immediately. During this time a soft diet is recommended that doesn't place undue stress on your new implants, and your surgeon will give you important instructions on how to clean your mouth. If you have been wearing a denture, the surgeon or restorative dentist may place a soft lining in it so you can wear it comfortably during the healing period or it may be necessary to leave it out for a short period of time. If spaces due to missing teeth must be filled in while healing takes place, temporary teeth that appear natural can be made. Sutures that were placed after surgery will either dissolve or you will return to your surgeon to have them removed.
Stage 2 Surgery
The second surgical procedure takes place after healing from Stage 1 surgery is completed. For endosteal implants which osseointegrate, healing usually takes 4-6 months. Areas of the mouth that undergo more chewing stress may require a longer healing period, perhaps up to eight months. At the second surgical appointment, usually performed in the surgeon's office using local anesthesia, the gum tissue is opened to expose the implant fixtures. The fixtures are examined to verify satisfactory osseointegration, then healing posts are attached to the fixtures. If sutures are placed, they will either dissolve or you will return to have them removed by your surgeon. This second stage of surgery is a relatively short procedure, and you can expect to return to normal activities within one or two days if not sooner.
| In Stage 2 Surgery healing posts are attached to the implant fixtures. |
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Following Stage 2 Surgery
After returning home, eat a soft diet and follow your surgeon's oral hygiene instructions. Expect some minor bleeding, but report excessive bleeding or swelling to your surgeon. You will return to your surgeon within a few days so that healing progress can be monitored, and if you wear a denture, it may be placed immediately or shortly after surgery. This will be determined by your dentist on an individual basis.
| Ice packs applied to the face following surgery can help reduce swelling. |
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