Dental Implants
A dental implant is a titanium root form or fixture that is placed into a surgically prepared site in your jaw bone. The body will allow the bone to heal directly to the implant surface so the implant becomes fixed to the jaw and is stronger than the natural tooth. After the healing phase, the implant(s) are fitted with either a crown, bridge or implant denture.
Dental implants are a permanent and appealing solution to replace missing or extracted teeth. They are better than other alternatives like bridges. Dental implants don't sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a bridge does because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long‐term benefit to your oral health.
Implants have become more cost effective versus crowns and bridges in the long run. Because crowns and bridges are not built to last a lifetime, you may end up replacing these. Dental implants are made to last! A single tooth dental implant and implant crown may initially cost more than the traditional crown or bridge, but this cost differential will be equalized in about seven years. Invest in your good health!
Implant Procedures
We will examine your current condition to find the best treatment.- Depending on multiple factors (number of tooth, presence of infection, etc.), your tooth may need to be extracted and grafted with bone prior to the day of implant surgery. In that case, we will wait about 4-6 months for bone to heal since a good foundation is a key to success.
- Implant Surgery: an implant body (similar to a root of natural tooth) will be placed into the jaw bone. Multiple implants can be placed at once if necessary. After the implants are placed the gums are sutured.
- During this healing time you can have temporary crowns installed so that you can eat and speak normally. You will come back in 2 weeks for us to exam on healing process.
- You may return in 4 months - 8 months from the surgery day depending on your health, the bone density and other different factors for impression to make your crown.
- After 2 weeks of impression day, your final crown will be delivered!
- Your smile will look just like it used to, and after a short period of getting used to the implant it will feel just like one of your own teeth.