Definition and objectives

The implant surgery technique is highly standardised and very reliable. It has become a very common surgical operation consisting of three steps:

- The gum is incised and released to allow access to the bone site where the implant is to be inserted,

- Drills of different diameters are successively used to prepare the space,

- The implant is screwed in.

Prior to surgery

Insertion of an implant is usually carried out under local anaesthetic. It is important to eat prior to surgery. Have breakfast or lunch as usual. In the case of general anaesthesia, follow the advice given by your anaesthetist. You will normally be asked to fast.

Take your usual medication unless instructed otherwise.

Take you premedication, decided on in the course of your preoperative consultation, and follow the instruction provided by your dental surgeon.

If your dental surgeon gives you medication to stop anxiety, you must not drive as the medication may cause drowsiness.

The operation

The implant is inserted in the course of one or two operations.

Positioning of the implant is carried out in two operations.

After insertion, the implant is covered and protected by the gum. It is then necessary, 2 to 4 months after healing takes place, to uncover this during a second operation and to insert a titanium ring around which the gum heals.

Positioning of the implant is performed in a single operation.

At the end of surgical positioning of the implant, a titanium ring is screwed directly onto the implant. Another operation is not needed to uncover the implant.

A single operation technique is not always possible and it is up to your dentist to make the decision.

Additional surgery (bone filling) may be necessary in some cases.

After the operation

There are a number of activities that must be avoided after surgery:

You have just had surgery. It is important to follow the advice below:

- After the operation, be careful not to bite numb sites: cheeks, lips, tongue.

- Avoid smoking.

- Avoid extreme physical exertion.

- Do not consume hot food or drinks.

- Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

- For the first two nights, sleep in a semi-upright position to help overnight drainage from the operated area.

If you feel pain, take the prescribed analgesics at regular intervals.

Swelling and oedema may appear 2-3 days after surgery and can last for a week. This is a normal postoperative reaction and varies from one person to another. External application to the cheek of ice wrapped in a towel for several hours after the operation will help reduce this swelling and possibly even the pain.

Haematoma (red patches) can also occur a few days after surgery and disappears in 5 to 10 days. It will change colour during this period and take on a brown or green shade of colour.

Finally, there may be a slight discharge for a few days after surgery. In the case of real bleeding, only compression for 30 to 60 minutes, precisely timed, applied to the haemorrhaging zone will allow a blood clot to form.

If possible, do not work the day after surgery and rest at home.

Result

Insertion of an implant is a benign procedure.

It is carried out under rigorous asepsis conditions,

Follow the postoperative advice to optimize the healing process.