How The Dental Implant Process Works
Restoring a smile is about more than just filling a gap; it is about rebuilding the structural integrity of your oral health. At Solid Bite, we view the dental implant process as a blend of art and engineering. Whether you have lost a tooth due to injury, decay, or gum disease, understanding the steps involved in the procedure can alleviate anxiety and help you feel confident in your decision to move forward.
Our team, which includes Dr. Matt Sheldon, Dr. Vladia Coelho, and Dr. Michel Furtado—a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology—brings decades of combined experience to every surgery. As a leading dentist’s office near you, we utilize advanced technology to ensure that your implant procedure is predictable, minimally invasive, and tailored to your specific anatomy.
If you have questions about your eligibility for implants, please call our office at (321) 259-8000 to schedule an evaluation.
Comprehensive Consultation and 3D Planning
Every successful implant journey begins with a detailed plan. During your first visit, our primary goal is to assess the health of your jawbone and gums. Unlike traditional X-rays that only provide a two-dimensional view, Solid Bite utilizes high-tech dentistry, including 3D Cone Beam CT scans.
These detailed images allow us to visualize nerves, sinus cavities, and bone density in three dimensions. This “surgical blueprint” allows our doctors to select the ideal implant size and position before we ever begin the actual procedure. If you have been told elsewhere that you lack sufficient bone for dental implants, do not lose hope. Because Dr. Furtado is a board-certified periodontist, our office is equipped to perform advanced bone grafting and sinus lifts to regenerate the necessary foundation for your new teeth.
Precision Placement Using Surgical Guides
Once the planning phase is complete, the placement procedure can begin. To ensure the highest level of accuracy, we often use computer-generated surgical guides. These custom-fitted templates fit over your gums and guide the implant into the exact angle and depth determined during the 3D planning stage.
This approach offers significant benefits:
- Minimally Invasive: Because we know exactly where the implant is going, we can often avoid large incisions.
- Faster Healing: Less disruption to the gum tissue means less post-operative swelling and discomfort.
- Safety: Guided surgery minimizes the risk of interfering with nerves or sinuses.
For patients who are nervous about the procedure, we offer comfort & IV sedation. Our priority is to ensure you remain relaxed and pain-free throughout the appointment. Many of our patients wake up with little memory of the surgery and are surprised by how easy the process was.
Osseointegration: The Healing Phase
After the titanium or metal-free dental implants (zirconia) are placed, a biological process called osseointegration begins. This is where the magic happens. Over the course of a few months, your jawbone grows around the implant post, fusing with it to create a stable, permanent anchor that mimics a natural tooth root.
While the healing timeline varies for everyone, it is crucial for the long-term stability of the restoration. During this time, our team at Solid Bite monitors your progress closely to ensure no infections occur and that the bone is bonding correctly.
Immediate Load and “Teeth in a Day” at Sheldon & Furtado
We understand that waiting months for a new smile isn’t always an option, especially if you are replacing front teeth or a full arch. For eligible patients, we utilize Solid Bite℠ immediate protocols.
This technique allows us to place the implants and attach a functional, aesthetic set of temporary teeth on the very same day. You never have to leave our office without teeth. While the bone heals, these temporary teeth allow you to smile and eat soft foods confidently. Once full integration has occurred, we swap the temporary teeth for your final, customized restoration.
To find out if you are a candidate for immediate tooth replacement, call us today at (321) 259-8000.
Designing and Placing the Final Restoration
The final step of the procedure is the placement of your permanent teeth. This is where function meets aesthetics. Depending on your needs, this could be a single porcelain crown, a bridge, or a full-arch restoration known as Solid Bite℠ teeth replacement.
Our restorative doctors work with high-quality labs to craft teeth that match the shade, shape, and translucency of your natural enamel. We verify your bite to ensure that your upper and lower teeth meet perfectly, preventing issues with TMJ or premature wear. When you look in the mirror, you will see a seamless smile that looks and feels like your own.
Maintaining Your New Smile
One of the greatest advantages of dental implants is their longevity. With proper care, they can last a lifetime. However, just like natural teeth, implants require maintenance. Periodontal health is vital to the success of an implant; gum disease can still attack the tissue surrounding the post (a condition called peri-implantitis).
At Solid Bite, we provide specialized periodontal treatment and maintenance plans. Routine teeth cleanings and check-ups allow us to catch any potential issues early. We will teach you the best ways to floss and brush around your implants to keep the supporting bone and gums healthy.