Single Stage Implant Therapy

“Single Stage Implant Therapy”

As the name implies, a Titanium dental implant is placed into the bone and a healing abutment (a small cylinder) is fitted on the implant at the same time. This healing abutment perforates the gum and can just be seen in the mouth. The gum is then left to heal around the healing abutment until the implant has integrated into the bone.  In other words, the implant and the healing abutment are placed in one procedure.

Integration of the implant into bone 

The word integrated is used to describe the growth of your own natural bone onto the Titanium metal surface of the implant and at the same time the gum tissue tightens up around the healing abutment creating a seal. This healing period can take varying time in different patients and in different areas of the mouth.

Healing abutment cleaning is very important

Cleaning of the healing abutment is very important.  Just for the first 7 days the healing abutment is kept clean using a mouthwash containing Chlorhexidine (either Savacol or Curasept) and after 7 days a very soft toothbrush can be used gently around the healing abutment to prevent the formation of any dental plaque. After 10-14 days healing, normal brushing must be resumed and the healing abutment kept perfectly clean to prevent the development of inflammation in the surrounding soft tissue.

When is single stage implant therapy possible?

Single stage implant therapy is the ideal way in which to carry out implant treatment but it can only be achieved if there is sufficient bone with sufficient strength to allow the implant to be screwed in tight. If the bone is poor quality or if a bone graft has been required, then it is not possible to offer single stage surgery.

How is treatment provided?

Surgery can be provided under both local anaesthetic, with or without additional intravenous sedation, in the chair here at the practice for single implants or under general anaesthetic in the Hyde Park Mater Day Surgery Unit under general anaesthetic if multiple implants are required.

Follow-up….

After surgery to place an implant, a post-surgical review is arranged to check the healing site and make sure that there have been no post-surgical complications. Such problems may include infection and or excessive swelling.

Post-surgical medication….

It is normal practice to ensure that after surgery patients use a Chlorhexidine mouthwash (Savacol or Curasept) for around 10 days to prevent or at least reduce the formation of dental plaque thereby minimising the potential for an infection. In addition patients are given antibiotics to avoid post-surgical infection and some pain killers, though post-surgical pain is usually fairly minimal. It is advised that patients should avoid any anti-inflammatory drugs after implant surgery for around 12 weeks.

Contact the friendly team at NQ Surgical Dentistry today on (07) 4725 1656 or call in to see us at 183 Kings Rd, Pimlico QLD 4812