Dental Implants

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are tiny titanium posts which are inserted into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. They are surgically placed into the jawbone. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts are then attached to the implant which protrude through the gums. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth. Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing. Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch.

Dental Implant Treatment Timeline:

Every patient’s treatment plan is unique and the amount of time between your fist visit and your final crown can vairy greatly depending on your case. You will need a consultation with one of our surgeons to discuss your dentist’s treatment plan. At this consultation, your surgeon will review your X-Rays, health history, and any medications you are taking as well as do a complete oral examination to evaluate the tooth or teeth areas where dental implants are needed.

In many cases a patient can have an extraction done and dental implant placed at the same surgical visit. In other cases, a tooth needs to be removed and the area needs to fully heal before a dental implant can be placed. In either scenario, after a dental implant is placed a minimum of eight weeks of healing is needed before you will be released to your dentist for your final restoration. Some patients require a longer amount of healing and your surgeon will check your progress and tailor your timeline to your specific case.

You will have multiple postoperative visits to follow healing after surgery. One of those visits is called a Torque Test. At this visit, your implant will be “tested” to prove that it is fully integrated into your bone and ready to take the chewing forces of a permanent crown. After this, you will be released to your dentist to get your final restoration. Then you can use your new tooth!

We will then see you about one year later for a check up on your implant. Your surgeon will take an X-ray of the implant and check your occlusion (bite) to monitor the long-term stability of the implant.

Bone Grafting

Some, not all, dental implant patients require a grafting procedure. Grafting is needed when the jawbone needs to be built up to create a suitable environment for the placement of dental implants. Grafting may happen prior to your implant being placed followed by an interval of healing, or in many cases, it can be done in conjunction with the dental implant being placed.

How can I tell if grafting is needed?

Your surgeon will use Panoramic or Cone Beam CT imaging to measure your bone in the area associated with placement of the dental implant. If there is not enough bone or your sinus cavity is too close to the socket, a grafting procedure may be indicated. You may not know if grafting is needed until our doctor meets with you at your consultation.

The most common grafting procedures used by our office are:

• Sinus Lift: This procedure involves elevating the sinus membrane and placing the bone graft onto the sinus floor, allowing implants to be placed in the back part of the upper jaw.
• Socket Reconstruction/Preservation: This procedure is typically done at the same visit as an extraction and uses grafting material to prepare the socket for dental implant placement.
• Ridge Preservation: This procedure involves placing a bone graft to build up bone in the gums to create stability for dental implant placement.

Dental Implant Presentation

To provide you with a better understanding of dental implants, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to dental implants are discussed.