Restore Your Smile in Five Easy Steps
Many patients assume that the dental implant process is complicated, but it’s actually fairly simple. At our practice, Dr. Shlafer will transform your smile in five easy steps over the course of a few months.
Step 1: Consultation
Before we can begin the implant process, you’ll want to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Shlafer. During this meeting, he’ll perform a thorough examination of your oral health to determine if you’re a strong candidate for dental implants. He’ll also listen to your smile goals and answer any questions you may have about the procedure.
Working together with you and our supportive staff, Dr. Shlafer will develop and customize the ideal treatment plan to meet your needs.
Step 2: Supplemental Procedures
If Dr. Shlafer identifies any oral health issues that could interfere with the success of your implants, he’ll likely recommend that you undergo one or more supplemental procedures. We perform almost all of these procedures in our office for your convenience, only seeking outside assistance in rare cases.
The most common supplemental procedures we perform are bone grafting to strengthen your jawbone and soft tissue augmentation to treat gum disease. If no issues are found during your initial consultation, you’ll be ready to start the implant process right away.
Step 3: Implant Placement
At this point, Dr. Shlafer will surgically place the titanium implant fixture in your jawbone and protect the surgical area using a temporary restoration. He’ll also suture the tissue to protect it from infection so the healing process can begin.
Step 4: Recovery
From the time your implant is placed, you’ll need approximately three to six months for recovery as your jawbone fuses with the implant fixture. Known as osseointegration, this is a crucial part of the implant process, allowing your jaw to form a stable bond with the implant fixture — it’s basically the same way the roots of your natural teeth work.
Step 5: Restoration
Once your implant is fully integrated with your jawbone, you’ll return to our office so Dr. Shlafer can attach the abutment (a small connecting piece) and top it with your new replacement tooth. We offer beautiful porcelain crowns for single tooth restorations, as well as additional options for patients missing multiple teeth or even a full arch.
No matter which restoration you choose, we’ll customize it to match the unique shape, size, and color of your natural teeth. Rest assured, your finished restoration will blend in flawlessly with the rest of your smile.
