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 process will begin by taking a 3D X-ray with a state-of-the-art Cone Beam CT Scan (CBCT), which allows him to plan and place the implants. This advanced imagery takes the guesswork out of the process by enabling Dr. Gittleman to precisely determine the proper placement of dental implants and protect surrounding nerves.
Fabrication of a Surgical Guide
Dr. Gittleman uses digital diagnostics in all phases of the implant process to ensure a perfect outcome. In most cases, we use a surgical guide when placing the implant for greater accuracy during the procedure. A surgical guide is created using images taken with our CBCT scanner. It is created to fit over your existing adjacent teeth and has markings for the exact location of where the new implant will be placed.
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 has prepared the surgical treatment plan and fabricated the surgical guide (if applicable), the next step is surgery. Dr. Gittleman will place the implant in the area of your missing or extracted teeth. Bone grafting material is also commonly placed in conjunction with the implant to aid in integrating it into the bone.
Once we place the implant, Dr. Gittleman will place a healing cap over the area to protect the implant during integration. 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 the integration period, we attach a healing abutment to the implant, and the space remains empty until full integration occurs. If the missing tooth is in a highly visible area, we may place a temporary dental restoration in the mouth immediately after the implant 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 to the lab, where they’ll fabricate the implant abutment and implant-supported crown. We subsequently secure the lab-processed restorations onto the implant, which will look and function like a natural tooth.