Once Dr. Miller approves you for implant surgery, he will refer you to a trusted local implant specialist who will work with you to develop your treatment plan and explain the implant process. Treatment will begin with a cleaning, and after anesthetic or sedation is administered to keep you comfortable, a small incision will be made into your gum and jaw. Next, the dental implant (a small titanium post) will be placed into the opening. The treatment area is then cleaned and sutured shut, and your implant will heal over a period of a few months.
You may experience some pain and discomfort as you recover from this surgical procedure. Usually this is quite mild, and symptoms like pain, tenderness, bleeding, swelling, and inflammation will peak within 2-3 days and fade quickly. During this time, it’s important to follow the recovery instructions provided to you by Dr. Miller. This ensures your mouth heals properly, and that you minimize discomfort after your surgery.
As it heals, the implant will permanently bond with your gum and jaw tissue (this process is called “osseointegration”). Once your implant has completely healed and bonded, Dr. Miller will design a beautiful, custom-made dental restoration and permanently affix it to your implant. When treatment is finished, you’ll leave our office with a restored smile that looks and feels completely natural.