How involved are the steps with dental implants? Will I miss any work?
A dental implant to replace a tooth (or several teeth) is a two step process that can span three to six months, depending on your conditions and the number of teeth being replaced. The first step is to prepare the missing tooth area to accept an anchor for the artificial tooth. Sedation is recommended for this procedure. The tissue surrounding the anchor must have a chance to heal and the bone is must be given a chance grow around it, thus stabilizing it, before the next step can be taken. A temporary bridge, or partial denture, is worn during this period. We recommend that you plan to take one or two days of rest before returning to a regular schedule, or at least plan this procedure just before a restful weekend. The second step involves fitting the anchor with a mounting post, and the artificial tooth is place and adjusted to the gum line for a natural look.
