Page 54 - Southdown Dental Implant Book

Six: Process, Recovery Time and Home Care | 53 1. PROCESS & RECOVERY TIME Of course, the process for implant placement will vary from dentist to dentist, but you can expect to have an initial consultation with the doctor you choose to perform the procedure. During the initial consultation, the dentist will usually evaluate the area where the implant is needed. After the consultation, s/he will take an X-ray, and perhaps create a mold of the relevant areas in your mouth. The second or third appointment will most likely be when the actual dental implant placement occurs. The dentist will numb the site(s) where the implant(s) will be placed (and administer any other medicine needed to help with anxiety, etc). After this, a hole will be drilled into the jawbone for each titanium post. Finally, the titanium posts (the implants themselves) can be screwed into the hole(s) until they’re well “seated.” It’s important to mention here that this appoint- ment will most likely be for dental implant place- ments only. It’s highly unlikely that the dentist will