Evaluation and Treatment Planning
Before any surgical procedure, Dr. Gittleman spends significant time evaluating and planning your smile makeover to successfully achieve your desired results. Dr. Victor Gittleman will evaluate and analyze your medical history, teeth, gums, bone structure, and oral health.
The evaluation begins with a 3D X-ray using a Cone Beam CT Scan (CBCT). This advanced technology allows Dr. Gittleman to precisely plan and place the dental implants, protecting surrounding nerves and removing guesswork.
Fabrication of a Surgical Guide
Dr. Gittleman uses digital diagnostics throughout the implant process to ensure a perfect outcome. In most cases, we use a surgical guide to improve accuracy during implant placement.
We create a surgical guide using images taken with our CBCT scanner. We design it to fit over your existing adjacent teeth. It has markings for the exact location where we’ll place the new implant.
Why is the exact placement of an implant important?
A surgical guide allows Dr. Gittleman to better control the location, angle, and depth of the implant. The guide leverages the imagery taken with our CBCT scanner. We ensure we place the implant with a healthy and stable bone structure in the ideal restorative position. This is a key element for a successful and healthy long-term outcome.
Surgical Procedure to Place Implants
Once Dr. Gittleman prepares the surgical plan and creates the surgical guide (if needed), the next step is surgery. Dr. Gittleman will place the implant in the area of your missing or extracted teeth. We also commonly place bone grafting material with the implant to help it integrate into the bone.
After placing the implant, Dr. Gittleman will cover the area with a healing cap. This protects the implant as it integrates. In osseointegration, the bone cells fuse to the implants, creating a strong bond. This is the longest part of the implant process and typically averages 4 months in most patients.
It will take some time for the bone and implants to fuse properly. During integration, we attach a healing abutment to the implant. The space remains empty until integration is complete. If the missing tooth is highly visible, we may place a temporary restoration immediately after surgery.
Restorative Phase
When your implant is placed, our office will also schedule an appointment approximately four months after the surgery date. This is a short evaluative appointment. The doctor will check to ensure the implant fully integrates with the bone before proceeding with the restorative process.
Once we confirm integration, Dr. Gittleman will take impressions. The lab will then create the implant abutment and crown. We subsequently secure the lab-processed restorations onto the implant, which will look and function like a natural tooth.