Getting dental implants can be pretty exciting. Knowing that you'll no longer have gaps in your smile is a great feeling, but it's also understandable if you have some trepidations about the procedure itself. If you're wondering how it will all go, here's a simple guide breaking down the process of having your implants put in. 

General Anesthesia

When you arrive at the office to have your implants put in, you'll settle into a dental chair that can be laid completely flat. Your dental surgeon will arrive and lower you into a lying position. Then, they'll administer general anesthesia through an IV. The IV will be placed in a vein in your hand or arm, and the drug will be administered. You should fall asleep very quickly, usually before your surgeon has finished counting down from ten. This will ensure that you're not in any pain during the procedure.

While You're Under

Once you're unconscious, your dental surgeon will get to work. The implants will be prepared by sanitizing them completely to ensure that they're not going to introduce an infection into your gums.

Next, your dental surgeon will inject Novocaine into your gums. This is to ensure that your pain is completely blocked even once you wake up.

Then, your dental surgeon will make a small incision in the gums where the implant will be inserted. This incision will be fairly deep, as they have to reach to where the bone of your jaw is. Once the incision is deep enough, the implant will be carefully inserted where your tooth used to be. If your tooth was recently pulled, it may be possible to insert the implant without any additional steps. However, if it's been a while since you lost your tooth, your dentist will drill a small hole into your jaw bone to insert the implant into. This is a necessary step because your bone has to grip onto the implant in order to keep it steady and in place.

Once the implant has been seated, your dentist will use sutures to close up the gums around the top of the implant. A small metal nub will be visible above the surface of your gums; this is completely normal. That's where your crown will eventually be attached.

Waking Up

Once the procedure is complete, your dental surgeon will stop the IV and you'll gradually start to regain consciousness.

You will feel groggy and may be a little dizzy when you wake up. Take all the time you need to get to your feet. Your dental surgeon may provide you with a wheelchair so you can safely get out to your car. Keep in mind that you won't be able to drive yourself home, so plan on having someone to take you to and from the dentist's office.

From there, you just need to recover from the operation. Your surgeon will give you pain relievers to ensure that you're comfortable during your recovery. Follow the directions and you shouldn't experience any significant discomfort.

Looking to get dental implants? Talk to a local dentist today.