My Dental Implant Journey Step by Step
Okay so my back molar got wrecked from ignoring a cavity too long – stupid I know. Dentist said extraction then implant. Honestly thought it’d be quick but boy was I wrong.
Stage 1: Yanking the tooth out
First visit took maybe 45 minutes total? The numbing shots made my cheek feel like a balloon. Actual pulling took five minutes tops. Left with gauze and a sad gap. Easy part done – healing took three weeks before they’d even touch me again.
Stage 2: Screwing in the implant post
This part freaked me out – sounds like construction work right? They cut my gum open like peeling a banana, drilled into my jawbone. Actually felt pressure but zero pain. Whole surgery took under an hour. Here’s the crappy part:
- Walked out looking like I stored nuts in my cheek
- Ate mashed potatoes for two weeks
- Waited THREE MONTHS just for bone to grab the post
Stage 3: Adding the connector piece
After x-rays showed bone finally hugged the metal, they unscrewed the gum plug. Took impressions of my teeth using goopy Play-Doh stuff that made me gag. Temporary fake tooth got glued on that day – took maybe 20 minutes. Felt weird but better than a black hole when I smiled.
Stage 4: Getting the permanent crown
Waited another two weeks while some lab cooked up my ceramic tooth. Final visit was anticlimactic – dentist popped off the temp tooth, screwed on the custom crown. Whole adjustment took ten minutes. Bit down on weird paper to check the fit. Done!
Total time from first visit to last?
Roughly five months start to finish. Honestly felt longer waiting than doing stuff. The actual dentist chair time was maybe two hours total? But all that healing and waiting between steps dragged forever. Worth it now though – can finally chew nuts on that side again!
