Getting dental implants in York, PA follows a clear path: a consultation, a short surgery, a few months of healing and a new tooth. Here is what to expect before, during and after, explained in plain language by Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury.
Missing teeth affect more than your smile. They can make it harder to chew your favorite foods, change the way you speak and leave you feeling self-conscious in photos. If you are considering dental implants, you are looking at one of the most reliable long-term ways to replace a tooth. Knowing what happens at each stage makes the whole process feel far less overwhelming.
What are dental implants, and why consider them?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium. The small post is placed in your jawbone, where the bone grows around it and bonds to its surface over time. This process is called osseointegration. Once the implant has healed, a crown is attached that looks and works like a natural tooth.
Unlike a traditional bridge, an implant does not rely on the teeth next to it for support, so your healthy neighboring teeth stay untouched. And because it sits in the bone like a root, it helps keep the jawbone from shrinking after a tooth is lost. With good care, implants can last for many years, and research shows they have a high success rate when they are well planned and placed in healthy bone.
Implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth with an implant bridge, or a full arch with All-on-4 dental implants.
Before your implant: the consultation and planning
Your journey starts with a thorough consultation with Dr. Steven Haywood. This visit is about understanding your mouth, your health and your goals.
Initial assessment
Dr. Haywood will review your medical history and current medicines and ask what you hope to achieve. Your teeth and gums will be examined closely. If you have gum disease, it needs to be treated first, since healthy gums are essential for a healthy implant. Smoking and some health conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes, can slow healing, so be open about your health. That helps the team plan safely.
3D imaging
Southern York Smile Care uses Green CT 3D cone beam imaging and digital X-rays, which use up to 90 percent less radiation than traditional film. A 3D scan shows how much bone you have, how dense it is, and exactly where nerves and sinuses sit. The iTero Element 3D scanner can also capture a digital impression of your teeth without messy putty.
Treatment planning
Every case is different. Some patients have plenty of bone and can move straight to implant placement. Others need bone grafting first to rebuild the area. When precision matters most, Dr. Haywood plans the implant on screen and uses a custom 3D-printed surgical guide. Read more in our article on guided implant surgery.
You will leave with a personal timeline and clear instructions about eating, drinking and medicines before surgery. Following those instructions carefully helps you get the best result.
During your implant surgery: step by step
Most patients are surprised by how manageable implant placement feels. Here is what typically happens on the day:
- Getting comfortable. The area is numbed with local anesthetic so you stay comfortable throughout. If you feel anxious, sedation dentistry with oral sedation can help you relax.
- Preparing the site. A small opening is made in the gum to reach the bone. With a surgical guide, the opening is often very small.
- Placing the implant. A precise channel is prepared in the bone and the titanium implant is gently placed. The time this takes varies with the number of implants and the details of your case.
- Protecting the implant. A healing cap or cover is placed, and the gum is closed with a few stitches if needed.
You go home the same day. If you have oral sedation, plan for someone to drive you home.
After your implant: recovery and what comes next
Recovery is different for everyone, but most patients have only mild discomfort. Some swelling, minor bleeding or tenderness in the first few days is a normal part of healing.
The first week
- Stick to soft foods such as yogurt, soup, eggs and smoothies.
- Avoid smoking, drinking through straws and rinsing hard, since these can disturb the healing site.
- Use cold packs on the outside of your face to help with swelling.
- Take any medicines exactly as directed, and call the office if pain increases after a few days instead of easing.
Our post-op instructions page covers these steps in more detail.
The healing months
While you go about your normal life, the implant is quietly bonding with your jawbone. Brush and floss gently around the area to keep it clean and prevent infection. In many cases a temporary tooth fills the gap during this time, so you are not left with a visible space.
Your final tooth
Once the implant has fully healed, usually after several months, a digital scan is taken for your custom crown. Southern York Smile Care uses all-porcelain crowns shaded to match your natural teeth, so your new tooth blends right in.
Caring for your implant for life
An implant cannot get a cavity, but the gum and bone around it still need care. Brush twice a day, clean between your teeth daily, and keep up with professional cleanings, which are a full 60 minutes at Southern York Smile Care. Regular checkups let Dr. Haywood keep an eye on the implant and the bone around it.
Why choose a local practice for dental implants?
Having your implant care close to home means easy follow-up visits and a team you already know if a question comes up. Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury serves patients from York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD.
Dr. Haywood is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, completed a US Air Force advanced residency, and has more than 35 years in practice. Whether you are replacing one tooth or need a full-mouth solution, your plan is built around you.
The office is out of network with all insurers. You pay at the visit and the office files your claim for reimbursement. Payment plans are available through CareCredit and Cherry; see our financing page.
Your next step toward a new smile
The first step is a consultation to find out whether dental implants are right for you. Call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury. Missing teeth do not have to hold you back.
DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.
Meet Dr. Haywood →
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