– Examination and Planning
During the examination phase, circumstances such as the relation of gums, the lower and upper jaw, and teeth with one another are examined with a detailed oral examination. The number, size, type of implants to be applied and prostheses to be made on implants are decided by a combined work of a maxillofacial surgeon and dentist. In addition to classic radiography, the areas where implants will be placed are planned with the least error by obtaining three-dimensional (3D) tomography by deriving the same size model of the jaw in a special device in complicated circumstances.
2- Operation
The operation should be performed by a dentist with a team that has the necessary training in the implant subject. As with other dental treatments, placement of the implant is performed with local anesthesia. A slot where the implant will be placed is opened up in the bone with appropriate tools by making an incision over the gum. The implant is placed in this cylindrical hole again using special tools. The procedure may take one or more hours depending on the number of implants to be applied.
3- Recovery Phase
After placing the implant, a certain time must last for the implant to integrate with the bone. This time is 2 – 2,5 months for the lower jaw and 3 – 4 months for the upper jaw. During this period, a temporary prosthesis can be applied to the patient.(*) Patients can apply a normal diet by avoiding the direct chewing burden on the fitted implant.
4- The Placement of the Implant
Correct planning is necessary for good treatment. Also, it is crucial to perform the operation to be made later with adequate equipment and by an experienced team. As with other dental treatments, the implants are applied with local anesthesia. However in some cases, in the events where the jaw bone is not sufficient, in long operations in which the tissue addition that we call graft is required or in extremely stressed patients, the operation is performed comfortably under general anesthesia or sedation, or under hypnosis.
5- Making the Prosthesis
After the healing period is completed and the implant area is completely filled with new bone and is adapted to the bone, the superstructure is placed on the implant. The measurement is taken for the prosthesis, planned before. The prosthesis can be made as a single crown, bridge, partial or full denture.