Are Dental Implants Considered Oral Surgery? (The Definitive Answer)

Thinking about dental implants? You might wonder, “Is this really oral surgery?” Let’s make things clear: Yes, dental implants are absolutely a type of oral surgery. This isn’t just another trip for a filling. Getting dental implants means you’re having a real, planned procedure. But don’t worry—I’ll explain every step and question. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect, how implants help, and why picking the right team (like a top implant dental laboratory) matters. Ready? Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

What Is Oral Surgery?

Let’s start easy. Oral surgery means any time the dentist or doctor cuts into your mouth or jawbone.

• This covers pulling wisdom teeth, fixing broken jaws, taking a piece out for testing, and yes—putting in dental implants.
• Most of these are done by specialists called oral and maxillofacial surgeons, but sometimes gum doctors (periodontists) or trained general dentists do them too.

Why does this matter?

Because the way a treatment is called affects who you see, what tools are used, and even if your insurance pays. When you hear “oral surgery,” think cuts, bone, stitches, and healing—not just fast fixes.

Is Getting Dental Implants Really Surgery?

Here’s the big question: Are dental implants a kind of oral surgery? Yes, 100%. Here’s why.

• Putting in an implant means cutting your gum, drilling into your jawbone, and placing a titanium post (sometimes made from zirconia) there.
• Sometimes you need extra stuff like bone grafting or a sinus lift—each is also a surgery on its own.
• You’ll need some kind of shot (anesthesia), and there’s healing after.

So, if you see oral surgery as “something serious,” you’re right. Dental implants are in that group.

Step-by-Step: The Dental Implant Procedure

Let’s break down how dental implants happen. You’ll see there’s a lot of surgery involved.

1. First Visit & Planning

First, you’ll see your dentist or surgeon for a visit. They’ll:

• Take X-rays or a 3D scan.
• Check your jawbone.
• Look at your full health history (things like diabetes count).
• Make a full plan, sometimes using a digital guide.

2. Numbing

You can get:

• Local numbing (makes just your mouth numb)
• Sedation (relaxes you)
• Full sleep anesthesia (used for big jobs or if you’re really scared)

3. Removing the Old Tooth (If Needed)

If there’s a bad tooth in the way, they’ll pull it first. Pulling a tooth counts as oral surgery.

4. Bone Grafting (If Needed)

If your jaw is too thin or soft, you may need a bone graft or even a sinus lift.

A bone graft means your doctor adds special material to make the bone thicker.

5. Putting in the Implant

Here’s the main step:

• Makes a small cut in your gums.
• Uses special drills to make a hole in the bone.
• Puts in a titanium or zirconia post.
• Closes up the space, sometimes with stitches.

6. Healing Time (Osseointegration)

Now your bone needs to grow around the new post—a process called osseointegration.

It usually takes 3 to 6 months.

7. Adding the Abutment

When the post is ready, your surgeon makes a small cut to put on an abutment (the part the crown sticks to). This may need a short extra surgery.

8. Adding the New Tooth or Teeth

Now it’s time for your new tooth. The dentist puts on a special dental crown or another piece (like a bridge or denture) on the implant.

!Dental Implant Steps

What Makes Dental Implants a Surgical Process?

Let’s see why dental implants are clearly surgery.

Cuts and Drilling in Bone:

Just like any surgery, your dentist cuts your gum and drills in the bone.

You Need Numbing:

Nobody wants to feel the work! Local numbing is always used. Sedation or deeper sleep is common for bigger jobs.

Healing After:

You’ll have surgery-type aftercare: soft foods, rest, ice, and maybe pain pills or antibiotics.

Special Training Needed:

Oral surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontists have extra years of training for this.

Surgical Risks Are There:

Like other surgeries, rare problems like infection, nerve hurt, and swelling can happen—but they’re not common.

Table: Surgery vs. Everyday Dental Care

Who Performs Dental Implant Surgery?

“Can any dentist do implants?”

Not really. Let’s see who does them.

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons:

The top pros for anything with your jaw and face. They do the hardest cases.

Periodontists:

Experts in gums and jaw bone. If you need gum work or bone added, they’re the ones.

Prosthodontists:

These folks know all about tooth replacement. They do tough cases, often working with other surgeons.

Trained General Dentists:

Some general dentists learn more and can do simple implants.

But jobs with trouble go to the specialists.

Picking the right team is super important. For expert help, many choose labs like china dental lab for careful, computer-planned work.

How Does Oral Surgery Affect Insurance and Costs?

Let’s talk about money. When something is called “oral surgery,” insurance and how you pay can be different.

• Dental Insurance: Most plans do not pay for all of the implant. They might cover pulling the tooth or some of it—but not all.
• Medical Insurance: Sometimes, if you need a bone graft or jaw repair, or if your implant is needed after an accident, medical insurance might help.
• Payment Plans: Implants can cost $3,000–$6,000 or even more for one tooth, so most offices have ways to spread out payments.

For more tips, check special guides on implant insurance to plan your costs.

What About Recovery and Healing?

Healing from dental implant surgery isn’t too bad, but it does take some time.

How Will You Feel After?

• Some pain for a few days (pain pills help)
• Swelling and maybe some bruises
• You might need to eat soft foods (no hard, chewy stuff for a bit)
• Take it easy and keep your mouth clean

Healing Time:

• First part: a few weeks to feel better
• Osseointegration: bone sticking to the post takes 3–6 months
• Then, the final parts go in.

If you follow the dentist’s rules, it works great—about 98% of the time for healthy people.

Common Myths About Dental Implants

Let’s clear up some wrong ideas.

Myth 1: “It’s just like a filling.”

No way! Fillings are small fixes. Implants need cuts, bone work, and a lot of planning.

Myth 2: “Any dentist can do it.”

Actually, most are done by specialists. Hard cases always go to experts.

Myth 3: “You’ll heal super fast.”

Healing takes a while. Swelling, care, and check-ups are part of it.

Myth 4: “Implants only last a few years.”

With good care and checkups, many last 20 years or more!

From First Visit to Final Smile: Your Implant Journey

So, what’s the whole process, start to end?

1. First Visit: Talk about your needs and health.

2. Pictures and Planning: Dentists use 3D dental pictures (like special scans or digital dental lab help) for the best fit.

3. Surgery: Pull out the bad tooth (if needed), add bone if needed, and put in the implant.

4. Healing: Be patient. Care for it, and the bone grabs the new post.

5. Second Tiny Surgery: Sometimes needed for the abutment.

6. Attach the New Tooth: Custom-made match—ready for eating and smiling.

7. Long-Term Care: Keep brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist.

Working with a strong lab, like a good crown and bridge lab, makes your new teeth look and feel real.

Summary: Key Takeaways

• Dental implants ARE oral surgery. This means cuts, drilling, numbing, and aftercare.
• Experts usually do the job: oral surgeons, periodontists, or well-trained general dentists.
• There are a bunch of steps: from planning, to surgery, healing, and final fit.
• Insurance is tricky. Most dental plans pay for some parts; medical may help in some rare cases.
• Healing takes time, but works super well. With care, your implants can last many years.
• Pick the right lab and team. Good, custom teeth make a big difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the dental implant surgery hurt?

A: Most people feel pressure but not pain during the surgery, because of numbing. There’s some pain after, but it’s not bad and goes away in a few days.

Q: How long do dental implants last?

A: With brushing, flossing, and checkups, many go 20 years—or even forever.

Q: Who shouldn’t get dental implants?

A: Some people with certain health problems (like bad diabetes or a weak jaw) may not be good for them, but your doctor will know for sure.

Q: Will insurance pay for my dental implants?

A: Some is common, but rarely all of it. Always ask your insurance, and check if medical insurance can help in certain cases.

Q: What’s the success rate for dental implants?

A: About 95-98% for healthy people who listen to their dentist.

Knowing more helps you choose better for your smile. If you’re ready for a long-lasting, safe tooth fix, dental implants are the best you can get. Want more info? Call your local dentist or an expert—get a plan that fits you and get ready for a better, happier bite!