The phrase dental implant sounds intense. It brings to mind surgery, drills, and a potentially miserable recovery. But dental implant surgery in Lexington is surprisingly straightforward. And it changes lives. Dr. Morgan Chambers at Complete Dentistry performs implant procedures right here in our Lexington office. No referrals to strangers across town. No coordination between multiple offices. Just one trusted team, handling everything from start to finish.
So let’s walk through what actually happens during a dental implant procedure. Knowledge kills fear, and we want you to feel completely at ease.
Step One: The Consultation and Planning
Before any procedure happens, you’ll come in for a thorough exam. Dr. Chambers uses digital X-rays and imaging to examine your jawbone. She needs to make sure there’s enough bone density to support the implant.
If your bone is thin or soft, that’s not necessarily a dealbreaker. She might recommend a bone graft first, which adds a few months to the timeline but makes the implant possible. Most patients, however, have plenty of bone and are ready to move forward.
Step Two: Placing the Implant
On the day of surgery, you’ll receive numbing medicine, and if you have dental anxiety, Dr. Chambers offers sedation options to help you feel relaxed and stress-free. Many patients choose sedation and barely remember the procedure at all.
Once you’re comfortable, Dr. Chambers makes a small opening in your gum tissue. She then precisely drills a tiny hole into the jawbone, much smaller than you’re probably imagining, and places the titanium implant post inside. Finally, she covers the implant with a protective cap and stitches the gum tissue closed around it.
The entire appointment usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes for a single implant.
Step Three: Healing and Fusing
This is the waiting period. Over the next three to six months, the implant fuses with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. That’s just a fancy word meaning “your bone grows tightly around the implant.”
During this time, you can eat soft foods and go about your normal life. You’ll wear a temporary tooth if the implant is in a visible spot.
Step Four: Placing the Crown
Once healing is complete, you return for one final appointment. Dr. Chambers uncovers the implant, attaches a small connector piece called an abutment, and then bonds your custom-made crown securely on top.
And just like that, you could have a brand new tooth.
Does The Process Hurt?
Most patients tell us the procedure itself is painless thanks to numbing and sedation. Afterward, you might feel some soreness, similar to having a tooth extracted. Over-the-counter pain medication usually handles it just fine. Most people return to work in a day or two.
Ready to Fill That Gap in Your Smile?
Missing a tooth affects more than your appearance. It can make chewing difficult, shift your other teeth out of place, and even lead to bone loss over time. Dental implants stop all of that. And the process is smoother than you think.
Call Complete Dentistry at 859-251-3809 or request an appointment online. Let Dr. Chambers walk you through exactly what your implant journey would look like. You deserve a complete smile.