How do dental implants work? How many visits does it take? Are they painful?

I had a molar pulled a month ago. I need a dental implant and I am very scared. What are the procedures like? Is it painful? How many visits does it take?

How do dental implants work? How many visits does it take? Are they painful?
well the other people have answered alright. BUT they are forgetting the most important part. the very beginning. the dentist needs to remove the existing teeth. and after that its a four month wait ( with out teeth ) before they can put the posts in
Reply:at least two major ones - the first puts the post in - and then you have to wait at least 6 months for that to take hold





then the second operation is to put the appliance on the


post





then relieve your pocketbook of $3-5,000 kickers





I am not sure how many total visits there are - but I am prolly


sure it's not just two
Reply:Hi Dr. Phil,


Most dental procedures done with local anesthetic are uncomfortable but bearable, scary but bearable. Basically, the dentist will make a small incision in your gums over the site to be prepped. He will drill a small hole in the bone of your jaw, and cement in the implant base. If you are losing bone he may have to put a substance in to provide a framework for your body to use to attach to the implant. He puts a healing cap on it for a few weeks to a month or so. Then you go back and have an artificial tooth constructed to fit into the implant. It takes a couple of weeks to fabricate and then he screws it into the implant. Your mouth will be sore after the first surgery but there is little or no pain with subsequent visits.





Failure to replace missing teeth can cause collapse of your bite that may lead to TMJ pain, bite alignment problems, loss of further teeth, etc. This is why the dentist is recommending a replacement. Your other option is a bridge.....or dentures!