Dental Implant Procedure: 7 Steps to Restoring Your Beautiful Smile!

Getting implants is a major step toward resolving tooth loss issues. Contrary to popular opinion, the dental implants procedure isn’t as complex as people think. At Swanson Family Dental in Ames, Iowa, you work with an experienced dental implant team consisting of Drs. Rob Swanson, Jessica Swanson, and Taylor Steffans to help you navigate the implant process from start to finish.

For your convenience, we’ve broken down the implant procedure into seven easy steps you can follow to restore your beautiful smile!

Step 1 Consultation & Assessment

The first step is a consultation and assessment of your oral health to determine if you’re a viable candidate for implants. This assessment will include an oral exam, x-rays, and digital imaging to evaluate the condition of your teeth, gums, and jaw, and to ensure you have sufficient bone density to support implants. We’ll also review your medical history and discuss health issues or lifestyle habits that could impact the success of your treatment.

Step 2 Planning Your Treatment

Every implant treatment is unique and requires customization to achieve the desired results. During this planning stage, we’ll review your implant options, discuss the details of your surgery, address any concerns you may have about this treatment, and establish goals for your procedure, so you’ll know what to expect.

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Step 3 Prep Work (If Needed)

Sometimes, preparatory procedures are needed prior to implant surgery. If you’ve experienced severe bone loss since losing your teeth, you may need a bone graft to shore up your jawbone for implant placement. Strengthening your jawbone will ensure the implants integrate successfully into your system to support your new smile. You may also need tooth extractions to remove non-restorable teeth that are in the way of placing your implants.

Step 4 Implant Placement

Implants are small titanium screws that are surgically placed inside your jawbone to take the place of lost tooth roots. Local anesthesia and sedation are used to keep you calm, comfortable, and relaxed for this phase of your treatment.

Step 5 Osseointegration and Healing

Once in place, implants start to fuse with surrounding bone tissue. This is the process of osseointegration, which permanently secures the implants in place so they can support your new teeth. Osseointegration and healing can take from three to six months to complete, depending on the complexity of your treatment.

Step 6 Placing Abutments

Abutments are small connectors that link your implants to your restorations. They’re attached to your implants after they heal. We’ll then wait a week or so for the abutments to heal before attaching your new teeth.

Step 7 Attaching Permanent Restorations

After the abutments heal, we’ll take impressions of your mouth and have natural-looking restorations (dental crowns, fixed bridge, or dentures) customized for your use. When these restorations are ready, we’ll attach them to the abutments to finalize your treatment, restoring your smile to health and wholeness.

Dental Implants for Teeth Near Me

To learn more about our implant treatments, contact Swanson Family Dental in Ames, IA, at (515) 233-2174.

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Jessica Swanson, DDS

Jessica Swanson, DDS, is committed to improving dental care access. She earned her bachelor’s and DDS degrees from the University of Iowa, where she received multiple National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research awards. A certified Invisalign provider, her expertise extends beyond her practice as she actively participates in mission trips to Jamaica with the Christian Dental Society and volunteers with local missions. Her extensive experience and dedication highlight her trustworthiness and authority in dentistry.

Rob Swanson, DDS

Rob Swanson, DDS, has been with Swanson Dental since earning his degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. As a member of the American Dental Association, Iowa Dental Association, and Des Moines District Dental Society, he upholds the highest standards of dental care. He is committed to ongoing education, ensuring his practice stays current with the latest advancements in dental materials and technology. A certified Invisalign provider, he is passionate about all aspects of dentistry, particularly working with children.

Lona Kouri, DDS

Lona Kouri, DDS, is strongly committed to patient care. After graduating from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, she completed advanced training through a General Practice Residency at Loyola University Hospital. Her dedication to dental health is evident in her volunteer work, including missions to Jamaica and local initiatives in Iowa. As a certified Invisalign provider, she delivers high-quality care in a relaxed setting for patients.

Taylor Steffans, DDS

Dr. Taylor Steffans was inspired by her grandfather’s legacy in dentistry to improve smiles and promote oral health for people of all ages. She completed her bachelor’s in Human Physiology and dental degree at the University of Iowa. While practicing in Dallas, TX, she gained valuable experience in implants, sedation dentistry, and Botox injections. She excels in crowns, extractions, and implants. Her compassion and commitment to patients make her a trusted professional in her field.