Dental Implants

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a long-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth. They consist of small titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone, where they fuse naturally with the bone during healing. This creates a strong, stable foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. When properly planned and restored, dental implants offer excellent durability and help preserve jawbone structure. We work closely with your restorative dentist to ensure the final result meets both functional and aesthetic goals.

Treatment Planning

Careful planning is essential for successful implant placement. Your evaluation includes digital imaging and a comprehensive exam to assess bone quality, gum health, and overall oral condition. In some cases, advanced imaging such as a cone beam CT scan is used to create a precise surgical plan. If additional preparation is needed, procedures such as bone grafting or gum treatment may be recommended to ensure optimal implant stability.

Impant Surgery

Implant placement is typically completed using IV sedation to keep you relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure. After sedation, the treatment area is carefully numbed, and a small opening is made in the gum tissue to access the jawbone. Specialized instruments are then used to prepare the site, allowing the implant to be precisely positioned into the bone.

Based on your individual treatment plan, a healing abutment may be placed above the gumline in a single-stage approach, or the gum tissue may be closed over the implant to allow for protected healing in a two-stage process. After surgery, patients are given detailed post-operative instructions, which may include prescribed medications, maintaining proper oral hygiene, and avoiding pressure or chewing near the implant site during recovery.

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Healing/Uncovery

For the implant to properly bond with the jawbone, it must remain stable during the initial healing period. This healing phase typically lasts about three to four months in the lower jaw and four to six months in the upper jaw, as bone density varies between the two areas. If aesthetics are a concern, your dentist may provide a temporary denture to wear while healing takes place.

Once this phase is complete, implants placed using a two-stage approach are ready to be uncovered. This brief procedure is usually done with local anesthesia and involves making a small opening in the gum tissue to access the implant. A healing abutment is then attached, allowing the gum tissue to form properly around the implant.

Final Restoration

Once the implant has fully healed, your dentist will create the final restoration to complete your smile. A final abutment is placed on the implant to serve as the connection between the implant and the crown. Abutments may be prefabricated or custom-made, depending on the location and complexity of the restoration.

Prefabricated abutments are manufactured in standard shapes and are commonly used for routine cases, particularly for back teeth. Custom abutments are designed specifically for your mouth using impressions and are often recommended for more complex cases or highly visible areas, such as the front teeth. The abutment may be placed by either your dentist or your oral surgeon before the final crown is fabricated.

Dental implants have an excellent success rate, and our team is committed to guiding you through each step of the process with clarity and care. We look forward to helping you achieve a strong, natural-looking result.

If you’d like to learn more about dental implants, we invite you to visit our Blog for helpful information on treatment timelines, recovery, post-surgical care, and answers to common questions.