Minimally Invasive Dental Implants
Thanks to modern technology and new surgical techniques, restoring your smile and ensuring your quality of life has never been easier, faster, or more comfortable. Minimally invasive dental implant surgery is now possible, using 3-D imaging (CBCT or cone beam computed tomography) and 3-D printed surgical guides. Dr. Rachel Monteiro is a highly trained implant dentist in Jacksonville, FL 32217. She received her training in implant dentistry through the University of Florida and Implant Educators. Through hundreds of hours of continuing education, she has also earned her fellowship in the I.C.O.I (International Congress of Oral Implantologists). Her advanced training and commitment to excellence means you are in good hands!
What is minimally invasive dental implants?
Minimally invasive guided implant surgery is a technique that improves outcomes and minimizes pain and discomfort. With traditional “free hand” implant placement, a large incision is required to visualize the bone in which the dental implant will be placed. With guided implant surgery, we can use a smaller incision, which means less pain and easier healing. Sometimes we can even place an implant with no incision at all! Using a 3-D image of your jaw bone and an intraoral scan or impression, Dr. Monteiro is able to plan your surgery ahead of time. From these images, she can digitally place your implant in the exact position, depth, and angulation to allow for the most precise surgery and restoration of your smile. This method is also safer than free hand implant placement because we know in advance exactly where important structures, such as nerves and blood vessels are located prior to beginning the procedure.
How is a surgical guide made?
A surgical guide is made using the most modern advances in 3-D printing. Using the data from your 3-D xray (CBCT) and your intraoral scan (impression), a model is fabricated and the surgical guide is printed out of a resin material. The guide rests on your remaining teeth for support, and has a small hole that corresponds to the exact position, depth, and angulation of the implant.
What can I expect from the surgery and recovery?
Most patients are surprised to hear that implant placement is not a painful procedure. In fact, removing the tooth (which you’ve already done at this point), is often more difficult and time consuming.
Like any routine dental procedure, we will numb the area with local anesthetic. We also can provide additional sedation options such as Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation.
Typically the procedure itself is very quick. Because we have done all the planning in advance, there is little to do aside from insert the implant and then place a couple stitches. An x-ray confirms that the implant is in the proper position, and then that’s a wrap!
Recovery after implant placement is usually relatively easy as well. Most patients are back to their normal routines the next day. Over the counter pain medication such as ibuprofen and Tylenol are typically all that is needed for pain control. Depending on your medical history, you may be prescribed antibiotics or a steroid as well.
How do I get started?
The first step to restoring your smile with dental implants is a consultation with Dr. Rachel Monteiro at River Oaks Dental. Please contact one of our helpful patient care coordinators to schedule your appointment. At your consultation, Dr. Monteiro will determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants and will review the procedure with you. We will also be able to provide you with a treatment plan showing the cost of treatment and, if using dental insurance, any insurance benefits you can expect for your procedure. Please give us a call at 904-348-0416 to schedule an appointment today!