ORAL SURGERY

Ridge augmentation is a type of bone grafting used to help you regain healthy supporting bone after tooth loss or other factors have caused your jawbone to deteriorate. It involves the use of transplanted bone to repair and rebuild the bone tissue. After your procedure, we recommend that you follow all post-op instructions to protect the graft from infection, alleviate discomfort, and help the bone continue to heal and recover. Our dentist may recommend that you eat healthy, nutritious foods as part of your recovery. For example, high-calcium foods such as cheese, yogurt, spinach and other greens can help your bone graft become strong, as well as foods rich in vitamin D. Please speak with our dentist and team to learn more about recovering from ridge augmentation and factors that will assist in bone growth.

The timeline of your dental implant treatment will depend on your oral health. It could take as little as four to six months, or up to 12 months or longer, depending on the health of your mouth and your individual needs. Here is a general breakdown of the implant process:

• Your initial consultation one day. This visit is to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants and to create your treatment plan.
• Pre-implant surgeries (if needed) three to 12 months. If you need a bone graft or other treatment before you can receive an implant, it will extend your overall treatment time.
• Implant placement one to two weeks. Your implant will be placed following your initial consultation, and your initial healing period following implant placement is usually about two weeks.
• Healing and recovery three to six months or longer. While your initial healing period is just a couple of weeks, your implant still needs to integrate with your bone. This process can take three to six months or longer.
• Creating your implant restoration This is done during your recovery process. Our dentist will take impressions and images of your gums, teeth and implant from which your implant restoration will be created.
• Receiving an implant abutment one to two weeks. A few weeks before your final appointment, our dentist will place your abutment. This is what your restoration attaches to.
• Receiving your final implant restoration one day. After your abutment has been placed, you will visit our office for your final implant appointment, where your restoration will be attached to complete your treatment.

• Expect some swelling and discomfort following your procedure. This can be managed with ice packs or cold packs at 15-20 minute intervals and with over-the-counter pain medication.
• If pain medication or antibiotics are prescribed, take them as directed until your prescription is completed.
• Do not brush or floss for 24-48 hours after your procedure.
• Avoid spitting, smoking and using straws for 24-48 hours after your procedure.
• Maintain a soft diet for several days and gradually reintroduce harder foods as you continue to heal. Avoid foods that are crunchy or hard.
• Contact our office if you experience severe pain or believe you may have a problem.
• Make and keep all follow-up appointments so that we can continue to monitor your oral health and healing process.