Rebuild Your Smile and Preserve Jaw Health With Dental Implants
When a tooth is lost, the absence of its root causes the underlying jawbone to deteriorate—a process known as resorption. As part of your dental implant treatment, Dr. Gary K. Lines and Dr. Donald R. Hoaglin will place a titanium implant post that not only secures your new crown but also helps preserve and strengthen your jawbone. To learn more about dental implants in Glendale, Arizona, and nearby areas, contact Arizona Center for Oral Surgery today at 623-931-9197.
The first phase of treatment involves surgically placing the implant post into your jaw. This post is a small screw, typically made from titanium or another biocompatible material, and it functions as a replacement for your natural tooth root. Once placed, it provides critical stimulation to your jawbone while serving as a strong anchor for your future dental restoration. Our team will give you detailed post-operative instructions to help ensure a smooth and successful recovery.
Following placement, a healing period is required to allow the implant to integrate with the jawbone. This process, called osseointegration, allows the implant to bond securely to the bone, creating a durable foundation for the final restoration. Once healing is complete, our oral surgeon will begin the next step of designing and placing your custom restoration.
If bone loss has already occurred in the area of the missing tooth, a bone grafting procedure may be necessary before implant placement to ensure sufficient support for the post. In addition, any existing oral health issues, such as gum disease or tooth decay, must be addressed before moving forward with implant treatment.
For more information about the dental implant placement process or to schedule a consultation with our oral surgeon, we invite you to contact our office today. We look forward to helping you achieve a strong, lasting, and healthy smile.
Frequently Asked Questions — Dental Implant Placement in Glendale, AZ
1. What happens during the dental implant placement surgery?
The procedure starts with local anesthesia (often with sedation), so you won’t feel pain during surgery. A small incision is made in the gum, and a titanium implant post is placed into your jawbone. The gum is then closed around it, and over time, the bone fuses to the implant (osseointegration). After healing, a final crown or prosthesis is attached.
2. Is dental implant placement painful, and how is discomfort managed?
You should feel no pain during the procedure thanks to anesthesia and sedation. After surgery, mild soreness, swelling, or bruising is normal. These symptoms can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers, ice, rest, and following post-op instructions.
3. How long does it take to heal and get the final tooth after implant placement?
Initial healing (gum tissue closure) usually takes 1–2 weeks, but full bone integration often takes 3 to 6 months (or more, depending on your case). After that, your final crown or restoration can be attached.
4. Am I a good candidate for implant placement in Glendale / the Valley?
Many patients are candidates if they’re in good general and oral health, with adequate bone and healthy gums. If bone is insufficient, we may recommend bone grafting before placing implants. Smoking, uncontrolled health conditions (like diabetes), or gum disease may affect candidacy, but we’ll evaluate each case individually.
5. How should I care for my implant after placement to ensure long-term success?
Care for implants much like regular teeth: brush twice daily, floss or use interdental brushes, and attend routine checkups. Avoid smoking and monitor any changes (e.g. increased mobility, pain) — early detection of issues helps maintain long-term success.