Safe, Advanced Dental Implant Surgery

If you are suffering from tooth loss, dental implants can provide you with a stable, secure base for restorations such as crowns, bridges, and dentures. In combination, dental implants and restorations can help restore proper form and function to your smile. With advanced training in implant placement and sedation dentistry, Dr. Danny O'Keefe can perform your dental implant surgery with precision and accuracy, resulting in minimal discomfort and improved results. At our Flowood, MS, office, we can provide you with the highest-quality care from your initial consultation to implant surgery and restoration placement.

Planning Your Treatment

Before your procedure, Dr. O'Keefe will conduct a comprehensive examination to evaluate your overall health and medical history. He may request digital x-rays or other advanced images to assess the structure of your teeth and jaw and the extent of damage to any soft or hard tissue. These scans help him to design an appropriate implant strategy for your needs. Before receiving your dental implants, our team will also address any signs of infection or decay with proper restorative and periodontal care.

Some patients may also require one or more preliminary treatments before they can proceed with dental implants. If you have suffered jawbone recession, you may first require a sinus lift or bone graft in order to ensure you have sufficient bone tissue to support implants. Before Dr. O'Keefe can place your dental implants, your gums must fully heal from any prerequisite procedures. This process can take three months or longer.

Implant Placement

After you have fully recovered from any preliminary procedures, you will return to the office for your dental implant placement. Before the procedure, Dr. O'Keefe will administer a local anesthetic and sedative for optimal comfort. He will then create a small incision in the gum at the site of the missing tooth. Once your jaw has been exposed, he will use advanced, gentle techniques to create space in the bone for your implant post. Dr. O'Keefe will then carefully embed the dental implant into the jawbone using your detailed scans to ensure accurate placement. He may also place an additive at this time to promote improved healing before closing the incision with sutures.

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Implant Surgery Creates a Stable Base for Permanent Restorations

Some patients may receive temporary restorations on the day of surgery. However, as Dr. O’Keefe also offers same-day crowns, the right candidates may be able to receive an implant-supported restoration on the same day as their implant placement.

Using advanced technology and unique expertise, our team can provide patients with long-lasting solutions for missing teeth. 

Phase Two

If you do not receive a same-day restoration, Dr. O’Keefe will need attach an abutment to your implant once you have fully healed. An abutment will connect your dental implant with your custom-made restoration. After Dr. O'Keefe places the abutment, your gums will heal over a period of about two weeks, and then you can receive your final restorations.

Sedation Options

The type of sedation you receive depends upon the extent of your procedure. For patients undergoing a single implant procedure, Dr. O'Keefe may recommend oral conscious sedation to place you in a very relaxed, but responsive state. Those receiving multiple implants to replace a full dental arch may need intravenous (IV) sedation. You will be monitored throughout your procedure by our team and an anesthesiologist to ensure your health and safety.

Recovery and Healing

You will be able to return home the same day as your surgery. However, because of any sedation you received you will need a family member or friend to drive you home from our office. Most patients will require a couple days of downtime, but many are able to return to their full normal activities within a week. Some swelling, mild discomfort, and bruising may occur. These side effects can usually be easily managed with over-the-counter medications and any prescriptions that we provide. 

During your long-term recovery, your body will undergo osseointegration, in which the dental implant will fuse with your jawbone. This process can take about three to six months. During this time, it is important to be extra careful while eating certain foods so as to avoid aggravating the surgical site and preventing fusion between the bone and jaw.

Learn More about Your Candidacy

Using advanced technology and unique expertise, our team can provide patients with long-lasting solutions for missing teeth. If you are suffering from tooth loss, contact our office by calling (601) 936-2526 or filling out our online form to see if you are a candidate for dental implants.