Interested in a dental implant from Dr. Naveen Cherukuri at Harrisburg Smiles? The process usually requires several appointments over a period of 3-6 months or longer, depending on your oral health. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what you can expect throughout the treatment process.
Initial Consultation
To begin, you will need to schedule a consultation at Harrisburg Smiles. Dr. Cherukuri will begin by examining your mouth and taking x-rays and images of your teeth to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants. If you’re approved, our team will begin creating your treatment plan right away.
(Optional) Required Pre-Treatment Surgeries
It may be necessary for you to undergo pre-treatment surgeries, such as bone grafting to strengthen your bone for an implant, tooth extraction to prepare for implants, or bone smoothing (alveoloplasty) to prepare for implant placement.
Implant Placement Surgery
Next, you’ll come into our office to have your implant placed. Dr. Cherukuri will clean and numb your mouth, then place your dental implant directly into your gum and jaw tissue. Then, the area will be stitched shut and disinfected to promote healing, and you’ll be sent home.
Healing & Recovery
It usually takes about 1-2 weeks to heal from the initial process of implant placement. However, it will take 3-6 months for your implant to permanently “osseointegrate” and bond with your jaw bone. You will need to come into our office for a few follow-up appointments to check your progress as you heal.
Building The Implant Restoration
While you come into our office for your follow-up appointments, Dr. Cherukuri will take impressions and photos of your teeth and dental implant. They will send this information to an outside dental lab, where your dental crown or other implant-supported restoration will be crafted.
Abutment Placement
Once your implant has healed, you will need to come into our office a few weeks before your final appointment to have an abutment placed on your implant. The abutment is designed to attach to your implant, and connects the implant to your dental crown, allowing it to be locked into place permanently.
Implant Restoration Placement
After your abutment has been placed and the area has healed, you’ll come to Harrisburg Smiles for your final appointment with our team. We will check your implant-supported restoration to ensure that it fits perfectly.
If everything looks good, Dr. Cherukuri will bond your implant into place permanently, restoring your smile and your bite. You’ll get instructions on how to care for your new implant, and then you’ll be sent home with a beautiful, brand-new smile.
Contact Us Now To Schedule Your Initial Consultation Right Away!
If you’re interested in dental implants in Harrisburg, Dr. Naveen Cherukuri and are here to help. With years of combined experience, our doctors can restore your smile and your bite permanently with one or more dental implants. Contact us online or give us a call now to schedule your consultation.
