Stage 3: Restoration

The healing abutments placed during the second stage are removed. Your mouth will need to completely heal around your implants and abutments for approximately one to two weeks. Afterwards, the final abutments are then placed on the posts. The process to create your new teeth may now begin.

How are the new teeth created?

Impression posts are temporarily placed on the posts and the dentist takes impressions (molds of your mouth) and bite registrations (imprints of how the jaws and teeth fit together). They are used to fabricate a model of your jaw and any remaining teeth a s well as the abutments themselves.

How are the new dentures made?

To ensure the best possible fit, a trial set of teeth is set in wax for a fitting. Then the final prosthesis is made and fitted onto a cast metal framework, which may have artificial gum tissue added. A bridge can be constructed from porcelain or composite and screwed or cemented onto the abutment. When appropriate, a bar is made to connect two or more implants, with a clip within the denture to provide retention.

What types of prostheses are available?

A prosthesis can be removable or fixed, or a combination of both. Fixed means only the restorative dentist can take it out.

A removable prosthesis often replaces a full set of teeth. It attaches firmly to the abutments with a retaining device but can be take out for ease of cleaning.

Abutments for the Removable Overdenture.	The Bar is cemented to the Abutments.
A Model of the Denture with clips which attach it to the Bar.

A fixed prosthesis can replace one (as shown on the first page of this FAQ), several or the full set of teeth. For several teeth, the entire metal frame must be carefully fitted to the mouth. For this reason, the fixed prosthesis may be worn during an adjustment period before it is permanently attached to the abutments. Once attached, the fixed prosthesis can only be removed by a dentist.

Precautions after receiving the new teeth

You should not eat hard or crunchy foods for the first few weeks after the prosthesis is installed. To avoid damaging the prosthesis, never chew on ice, pencils, pens, metal or other hard objects.

Symptoms to report immediately

Call your surgeon or dentist if:

• You have pain or discomfort in your jaws;
• Your new teeth are loose;
• Your new teeth do not fit together correctly;
• The prosthesis chips or breaks.

Stage 1: Placing the Implants

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