Dental Implant Surgery Provides a Strong Anchor
for Your Dental Restoration
Precise Implant Dentistry
At Knoxville Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our doctors are highly attentive and proficient in implant dentistry. We use precise planning to guide dental implant placement, and we also take measures to ensure our patients’ comfort throughout the procedure. Although the process requires a significant time investment, many patients deem the result of dental implant surgery at our Knoxville, TN, practice to be worth the wait.
Dental implants provide a stable foundation to which we can permanently attach a wide range of restorations, such as a bridge or dentures. Once your final restoration is in place, you could enjoy superior comfort and stability as well as improved oral health and function.
Potential Preparatory Procedures
Dental implant surgery is a highly individualized procedure. Some patients may require one or more preparatory procedures, while others may not need any. If you have one or more teeth that require extraction, our doctors may need to perform this in advance of your surgery as well as perform any necessary socket preservation treatment. Your gums will need time to heal after an extraction before we can place your implants. Similarly, patients who have suffered significant jawbone recession may require a bone graft to rebuild sufficient bone tissue to support the implants. It can take up to six months to heal after a bone graft.
Our doctors have extensive training and experience in dental implant surgery. We can ensure you receive the highest quality care and that you are completely satisfied with your results.
Other preparatory procedures could include a sinus lift. This procedure may be necessary if you have suffered bone loss and you need some or all of your upper teeth replaced, especially those in the back. A sinus lift rebuilds the bone tissue beneath the sinus cavity to prevent the implants from penetrating that space. This procedure may also require an extended healing period.
What to Expect During Dental Implant Surgery
As with any oral surgery procedure, we will provide appropriate anesthesia to ensure a comfortable experience for our patients. After numbing the treatment area, we will make an incision in your gums to expose the bone. Using advanced surgical guides for precise placement, we will then make a small opening in the jawbone to accommodate the implant post. After the posts are in place, a healing cap is placed on the exposed end of each implant. We will carefully reshape the flaps of gum tissue to fit around the healing cap before suturing them in place. These stitches are typically removed after about 10 days, when your gums have healed.
Healing after Dental Implant Surgery
The time it takes to heal after dental implant surgery is a period of time known as osseointegration. This process can take anywhere from four to six months. During this time, your implants will fuse with your jawbone. This fusion creates a stable foundation for your permanent restoration. Because this is a long period of time to go without teeth, our doctors may place a temporary restoration. This will allow for better functionality and overall comfort. The decision to place a temporary restoration is dependent on the location of the missing teeth and your jawbone health.
Once the osseointegration process is complete, we can take impressions of your teeth and gums for your final restoration. An abutment piece will be affixed to the implant and is the device to which your final restoration will attach. Once your restoration is ready, we will carefully attach it to the abutment(s) and ensure a secure and comfortable fit.
Contact Us to Schedule Your Consultation
Our doctors have extensive training and experience in dental implant surgery. We can ensure you receive the highest quality care and that you are completely satisfied with your results. Contact our dental office today to schedule your dental implant consultation with us or call Knoxville Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at (865) 584-6207 to speak with a member of our staff.
Testimonials From Our Patients
We are proud to be able to provide our patients with access to first-rate surgical care, cutting-edge procedures, and an overall outstanding experience.
Dr. Emery and his staff are so amazing. They really go the extra mile to make you comfortable and Dr. Emery’s bedside manner is like none I’ve ever seen before! He’s one of those doctors you hope you don’t have to go back to, but will be the ONLY one I do go to if it’s ever needed again. My only complaint is that he’s not in general dentistry because i wouldn’t be so terrified to go to a dentist if it was him. Great guy, great staff, great atmosphere!
- Allison Fritz
Awesome Staff, Excellent Doctors, Great Prices! Turned a ‘bad day’ into great experience! Been there twice- almost 2 years apart. Rock solid and highly recommended!
- Max Zimmerman
Painless procedures and quick recoveries. Couldn’t be more pleased. Highly recommend these oral surgeons.
- Robin Hutchins
Dr. Emery did a fantastic job in providing tooth extraction and replacement with a dental implant. I had been anxious and he relieved my concerns immediately. He and his team provided a relatively pain-free experience and were available to answer all my questions quickly and professionally. I was so pleased with them that I took my daughter to Dr. Emery for her wisdom teeth extraction. We were both surprised at how well her pain had been managed and she never had to use opioids! If we need oral surgery again, we know where to go! Thank you, Dr. Emery, Dawn, Amanda, Meghan, Hannah, Wendy, and all the others!
- Lea Alexander
I have been terribly afraid of dentistry/oral surgery since having a very bad experience several years ago. When I learned that I had to have an implant, I was so anxious. However, I literally just walked out of this procedure, performed by Dr. Emery, and it was unequivocally the best experience I have ever had as far as my teeth. He was kind, patient, and gentle. I didn’t need sedation or nitrous oxide. I’m thrilled!
- Kari Hester
Our Office Locations
We have two office locations in Knoxville, TN.
West Knoxville Location
6207 Highland Pl Way, Ste 207
Knoxville, TN 37919
Directions
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Phone: (865) 584-6207
North Knoxville Location
2939 Essary Dr, Ste 1
Knoxville, TN 37918
Directions
Hours:
Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Phone: (865) 240-2977