Anticipation can sometimes be the worst part of any medical procedure. Nerves, fear of pain, or simply impatience can make the actual procedure seem scarier than it is. For many of our patients who are preparing for dental implant placement (whether as part of All-on-4® treatment or as a restoration for a missing tooth), worries about a painful procedure can increase anxiety during the days before surgery. Luckily, we have good news: many patients report that dental implant treatment is not painful! Dr. Chris Tye, your Trophy Club oral surgeon, takes great care to minimize discomfort through sedation medications and anesthetics prior to the procedure.
Oral surgeons are highly trained and experienced when it comes to dental implant placement. While many dentists may perform implant procedures, there are so many benefits to choosing an oral surgeon! If you live in the Trophy Club, Colleyville, or North Richland Hills area and are looking for the highest level of care for your dental implant treatment, look no further than Trophy Club oral surgeon, Dr. Chris L. Tye! Contact us today.
Sedation Dentistry for Comfortable Treatment
As an oral surgeon, Dr. Tye is uniquely qualified to administer sedatives such as IV sedation, and can monitor your sedation during treatment for optimal comfort and safety. Most of the time, dental implant treatment requires only minimal sedation such as nitrous oxide or oral sedatives. These can greatly enhance your comfort in the dental chair and ease feelings of stress, anxiety, or restlessness. These medications work alongside the local anesthetics to numb feeling in your mouth and jaw. Most patients report feeling only sensations of pressure during the procedure.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Sometimes, patients are simply unaware of the steps of treatment, which can lead to increased anxiety or fear. Below, learn about the common steps Dr. Tye follows for dental implant treatment:
- Once the surgical area is completely numb, Dr. Tye makes a small incision in the gums.
- He places the dental implant into the opening and uses special surgical tools to fit the implant into the jaw bone where the tooth root once was.
- Once the implant is tightly fitted, your Trophy Club oral surgeon Dr. Tye will close the opening in the gums to allow the mouth to begin its healing process.
- Recovery (usually lasting four or five months) follows. This time helps your jaw and gums to heal and acclimate to the new restoration; it also ensures the implant will have a strong bond with the bone tissue and will provide a durable base for your future restoration.
- After the implant is fully integrated, an abutment, or a small cap that connects the implant and restoration — is secured to the end of the implant near the gumline.
- An additional healing period of a couple of weeks follows, helping your soft gum tissues around the abutment heal before the final phase.
- Your custom restoration is created in a dental laboratory from impressions taken by a member of our team.
- Finally, Dr. Tye will attach your porcelain crown, bridge, or implant-supported dentures to the abutment and make final adjustments to the restoration as needed, before your new smile is complete!
Safe, Comfortable Treatment from Your Trophy Club Oral Surgeon
If you are nervous or anxious about restorative dental treatment, let us help you answer any questions or concerns you have. We’d love to help you get a better understanding of oral surgery treatments before you receive treatment, to help you feel more confident about your oral health. For more information and to book your consultation with Dr. Tye, call us at 817.552.3223.
