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A dental implant is a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. The implant itself is hidden below the gum, implanted in the jawbone, while the crown, bridge, or denture is the only part you see above it.
Your first appointment with Dr. David Painter is where the details start to come together. He will look at the area, talk through your health history, and use X-rays or a 3D scan to see what is happening beneath the gumline. That scan shows the shape of the bone and helps him plan around nearby nerves and sinus spaces.
You will also have time to ask the practical questions. How many visits will this take? Will you need sedation? Is a bone graft part of the plan? What will the full treatment cost? The answers depend on your mouth, so this visit is less about giving you a standard timeline and more about figuring out what makes sense for you.
First Things First
If the damaged tooth is still present, it may need to come out before the implant can be placed. There are cases where the jaw has lost enough bone that a graft is needed to rebuild the area.
Some patients can have an extraction and implant placement in the same visit. Others need to let the site heal before moving forward. Dr. Painter will explain why one approach may be better than another in your case.
On Surgery Day
The area is numbed before Dr. Painter places the implant into the jaw. Sedation is available for patients who feel uneasy about dental care or would rather remember very little about the appointment.
The area may feel tender or look puffy afterward, especially during the first couple of days. You may be asked to use an ice pack, choose foods that require very little chewing, and keep your toothbrush away from the surgical spot until Dr. Painter says it is ready.
Your Body Does Its Part
After placement, the implant needs time to become firmly anchored in the jaw. For many people, that takes a few months. Follow-up visits allow Dr. Painter to check the gum tissue and make sure everything is healing as expected.
You may wear a temporary tooth while you wait. Once the implant is secure in the bone, a small connecting piece is added. A scan or impression is taken for the final restoration, and the finished tooth is adjusted until your bite feels just right.
Ready to talk it through? Sedation & Implant Dentistry serves patients in Fort Wayne and Auburn. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Painter to find out what the implant process would look like for your mouth.