If you’ve made the life-changing decision to improve your smile and overall health with full-arch implants, you may be wondering what to expect and how to best prepare for the procedure.
Getting dental implants can mean a lot of appointments at different medical offices, many various fees, and demands on your schedule. We’ve cultivated a one-stop approach to dental implants: this means that everything you need for success is right here in our center. The benefit of this is a collaborative approach that ensures everyone on the team is in communication and 100% dedicated to your new smile: this creates a less stressful experience for you and keeps fees down. If you’ve chosen Meridian, you’ve made an excellent decision. We take pride in giving our patients comfort combined with state-of-the-art dental care.
What to Expect: Consultation
The first step is your consultation with our team. Open communication is essential to all medical care, and we want you to be informed and to feel confident in your decision, the consultation is a time for you to discuss specific concerns you may have such as anxiety and recovery time. Our team will discuss the procedure, the cost, results, and answer any questions you may have. You’ll also be able to see our facility, which combines state-of-the-art technology with our relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.
What to Expect: Diagnosis
At this visit, you’ll have a fast and state-of-the-art 3D full mouth scan taken right in our office. The scan will allow our surgeons to determine if you have current oral health issues that should be addressed prior to the implant procedure. If you have dental anxiety and need assistance in relaxing prior to the procedure, we have options and can discuss how we can help you to feel comfortable. You’ll then schedule the procedure and any work that needs to be done prior to getting your implants.
What to Expect: Procedure
As a result of your consultation and diagnosis, you’ll have a deep understanding of what to expect when it’s time for your procedure. There are multiple stages to a full arch implant restoration: some patients may be able to have implants completed in one day (this is determined on a case-by-case basis) and some may need to break the stages across appointments.
The first step of your procedure will be ensuring you are comfortable and relaxed. We will administer local anesthesia alongside any other sedation options we’ve determined, with you, that will be helpful. The next step is the extraction of any remaining teeth you have in the row that your full-arch implants will replace. You may need time to heal after the extraction, and this is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Next, it’s time to place your implants. Typically, we will place two implants near the front of your mouth and two towards the back, but it’s possible you’ll need additional implants.
The next step is to place your dental bridge. We’ll first clean your mouth to prepare and then attach your dental bridge which is comprised of replacement teeth that have been specifically designed by our team to resemble your natural teeth. Your dental bridge will securely anchor to the implants we placed in the previous step.
Once your implants and dental bridge have been placed, it’s time to recover. In our office, you’ll have time to recover prior to heading home. You’ll leave our office with detailed instructions, pain management options, and the entire team available should you have any questions or concerns. Finally, you’ll be able to enjoy your brand new smile’s beauty and function, designed to last a lifetime with proper care. Go out into the world and brighten someone’s day with your beautiful new smile!