Guiding You through the Dental Implant Procedure 

To ensure the success of your dental implants, Dr. Len Gerken will carefully plan your dental implant procedure and educate you on what to expect during each phase of treatment. With almost two decades of experience in planning treatment for dental implants, Dr. Gerken can lay the groundwork for long-lasting benefits at his office in Oro Valley, AZ,  and refer you to a trustworthy, experienced surgeon for placement and any preparatory procedures. 

Before Implant Surgery

To determine whether you are a good candidate, the surgeon will use advanced imaging to assess the quality and quantity of your bone tissue and the position of biostructures within your mouth. Prior to surgery, you will be asked to maintain certain healthy habits. For example, smoking can undermine healing and the success of dental implants. Furthermore, since uncontrolled diabetes can slow down your healing and increase the risk of complications, patients with diabetes may need to seek treatment to manage their condition.

Preparatory Procedures

If you require a bone graft, this procedure is usually performed three to four months in advance of implant placement surgery. The surgeon will take biocompatible grafting material place it in the jaw. Over the next four months, your new bone tissue will fuse with the surrounding jawbone and encourage new growth. When successful, you can move forward with your implant placement. Thanks to the help of local anesthetics, you should experience minimal discomfort during and after surgery. Patients are usually able to resume normal activities with only certain limitations.