We use anesthesia to prevent patients from experiencing pain. Dental implant surgery follows along the same lines of a filling or root canal, so we use local anesthesia to numb the treatment area.

Patients are normally worried about how they will feel after the anesthesia wears off. Typically, patients will feel minor discomfort, but it can be managed with anti-inflammatory medications and over-the-counter pain relievers. If you experience intense pain, call our office as Dr. Matthew W. Malan will need to examine the implant to determine further treatment.

Placing an implant normally take less than an hour. However, this may vary if a bone graft is required.

You need to avoid exposing the gums to certain foods after surgery. We recommend that patients eat soft, nutritious foods and maintain proper hydration. We will provide you with a list of appropriate foods and detailed instructions upon completing the surgery.

Healing time varies based on your body and how well it heals. Some patients heal quickly while it may take up to nine months for others. The implant(s) need to heal and the bone needs to fuse to the titanium screw. When the healing process is complete, a crown will be placed on the implant finishing the process.

Dental implants will last for several years when they are properly maintained. Dental implants are considered a permanent solution for missing teeth.

If the bone is struggling to fuse to the titanium screw, we may need to try a different material. Rejection to titanium is rare, but it has happened before. We will remove the implant that is not fusing properly, allow the area to heal, and try a different implant in a few months.

The cost of dental implants vary on how many are needed and if a bone graft is needed. We know the cost factor is a concern for some patients, which is why we will work with your financial situation to make dental implants affordable. If you have dental insurance, let us know, and our office will work with your insurance provider to determine coverage.