FIRST COAST ORAL SURGERY
Andrew Skigen, DMD, FACS • Anthony Massaro, MD, DMD
Sepideh Sabooree, MD, DMD • Stacey M. Nedrud, MD, DMD, FACS
Diplomates of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Fellows of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Dental Implant Procedure
Dental Implant Procedure Timeline
Initial Consultation: Dr. Skigen or Dr. Massaro along with one of our treatment plan coordinators will thoroughly examine your mouth, take a 3-D CT image, discuss your dental implant options, and together we will develop a plan that fits your health needs and goals.
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Delayed Implant Placement: Our office will take a 3-D scan to determine the amount of bone you have for dental implants. If the extraction site has an insufficient amount of bone, then will implement advanced bone grafting techniques. After bone grafting is done, depending on the location of the graft site, the healing period can take anywhere from 6 to 8 months before the dental implant is placed.
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Dental Implant Placement: One of our Jacksonville Oral Surgeons will place the dental implant in your jawbone. Although each experience is different per patient, most patients find they experience less pain and discomfort than expected and typically normal life the following day. First Coast OS will provide local anesthesia or IV sedation to keep you comfortable, depending on the procedure, pain level threshold, and dental anxiety.
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Osseointegration: As you heal, your implant and jawbone will grow together in a process called osseointegration (os-e-o-in-tuh-GRAY-shun), forming a strong, long-lasting foundation for your replacement teeth. During this healing process, which can take up to a few months. During this time, temporary teeth may be fitted. You will be on a soft food diet for the first few weeks to make sure your implants heal properly. This step does not require any office visits.
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Abutment Placement: Once your implant bonds with your jawbone, a small connector – called an abutment – is placed on the dental implant just above the gumline. In some cases, the abutment can be placed at the same time as the implant.
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New Teeth: After your gums heal, our implant specialists oral surgeon will make impressions of your mouth and remaining teeth to custom-make your artificial teeth. These teeth – which can be an individual crown, implant-supported bridge, or dentures containing multiple replacement teeth – will be attached to the abutment.
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Periodic Check-Ups: Depending on the type of implants and the number of replacement teeth you receive, the entire process can take three to nine months. After your dental implant placement is finished, you’ll revisit our First Coast Oral Surgery office or your General Dentist periodically for follow-up checkups, just as you do your regular dentist.
Do you have any questions? Contact our office today to schedule an appointment!
3. Osseointegration
( 1 - 3 Months)
1. Consult & Treatment Plan
(Start TODAY)
5. Crown is Placed
( 3-5 Months)
2. Tooth Extractions
& Implant Placement
( 1 -2 Weeks)
4. Uncovering of the Implant & Placement of the Abutment
( 3-4 Months)
Permanent Solution
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Improved Chewing & Speaking
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Natural Function & Look
Improved Facial Appearance
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Prevention of Bone Loss
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No Special Care Required
Very sturdy and secure
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No Diet restrictions
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Can Be Changed & Updated
Bone Grafting for Implants
Bone Grafting
If you are considering getting dental implants you are already on the road to restoring your smile. Since dental implants are surgically placed and inserted into the jawbone, one of the questions our First Coast Oral Surgery patients ask is whether or not they will need a bone graft prior to the procedure. We encourage you to visit our dental office for a complimentary consultation (examination and X-rays) so that we can answer this question based on your health. You can schedule an appointment by requesting an appointment on our website. In the meantime, here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the bone graft procedure.
Do I Have Enough Bone? Because most people lose bone after a tooth is removed, bone grafting is often necessary. In most cases dental implants need at least 6 millimeters (1/4 inch) of bone. The average dental implant is 4.0 mm (3/16 inch). When you start with 6 mm of bone, after site preparation it leaves only one millimeter of bone on the front and the back sides of the implant. One millimeter (1/32 inch) is very little bone remaining around the implant. Ideally, 8 mm (5/16 inch) is much better. One of the most common mistakes in implant dentistry is when a general dentist attempts to put the implant into inadequate bone.
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Why Does the Jawbone Lose Density in the First Place? This is typically due to resorption. Within the first year of tooth loss you can lose up to 25% of your bone density. Because teeth and roots provide stimulation to the jawbone and that stimulation is a signal to the brain that your jaw is serving its primary purpose. When teeth fall out, that stimulation is reduced or eliminated completely. As a result, the body begins to leach calcium from the jaw for use elsewhere. If you know that you are going to lose a tooth, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with our First Coast Oral Surgery team. There are certain procedures that can prevent or limit the amount of resorption.
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Other reasons for a loss of bone density is periodontal (gum) disease, developmental defect, injury or decay and infections. Visiting the dentist on a regular basis for preventative care can help to reduce these risks.
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Is this a Common Dental Procedure? This is a highly specialized procedure that is only performed by certain dentists. Our First Coast Oral Surgery doctors, Dr. Massaro and Dr. Skigen, are highly trained in this procedure. We encourage you to visit our Jacksonville Oral Surgery office. and meet our First Coast OS Team!
Jaw Bone Health | When one or more teeth are missing it can lead to bone loss at the site of the gap. This loss of jawbone can develop into additional problems, both with your appearance and your overall health.
Sinus Lift | Some of the roots of the natural upper teeth extend up into the maxillary sinuses. When these upper teeth are removed there is often just a thin wall of bone separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth.
Ridge Augmentation | a common dental procedure often performed following a tooth extraction. This procedure helps recreate the natural contour of the gums and jaw that may have been lost due to bone loss from a tooth extraction, or for another reason.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
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For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. We deliver the finest care at the most reasonable cost to our patients. Payment is due at the time service is rendered unless other arrangements have been made in advance. If you have questions regarding your account, please contact any of our locations. Many times, a simple telephone call can clear up any misunderstandings.
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INSURANCE​
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At First Coast Oral Surgery we make every effort to provide you with the finest care and the most convenient financial options. To accomplish this we work hand-in-hand with you to maximize your insurance reimbursement for covered procedures. If you have any problems or questions, please ask our team. They are well informed and here to assist you. You can contact any of our locations
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Both of our offices accept most PPO Dental Plans.