While your surgeon is preparing for your implant surgery through the use of high-tech computer models and software, you will need to take steps to be ready for your procedure as well. Following these instructions will help ensure that your oral surgery and recovery proceed as smoothly and quickly as possible.

• Do not smoke for at least one month prior to surgery
• Avoid alcoholic beverages for a week before the procedure
• Do not eat or drink for 6-8 hours prior to surgery
• Be sure to arrange a ride home after surgery
• Have someone stay with you for the first hours of recovery

Once your surgeon has completely mapped out the guided dental implant surgery on a virtual basis, the dental implant treatment plan can ensue. Because all the assessments have been made prior to surgery, the implant procedure can be performed in a relatively short time period.

Depending on the number of implants you are receiving, either local anesthesia or IV sedation will be used to make you comfortable during the in-office surgery.

Because the exact placement location is predetermined, no incision needs to be made in the gum tissue, making the process more comfortable and less invasive. Post-operative swelling and pain are minimized, and recovery time is shortened. In most cases, guided implant surgery can be completed in less than an hour, even with multiple implants involved.

Once the implants are placed, the abutments, as well as the crowns, can be integrated into the mouth immediately thanks to the digital pre-planning. Because so many aspects of the guided dental implant surgery can be done in advance, the entire process can now be completed in hours rather than months.