Dental Implant Placement

What are Dental Implants?

If you are missing a single tooth, a dental implant and a crown can often be used to replace it. A dental implant replaces both the lost natural tooth and its root. Dental implants are a permanent restoration and are a great way for those with missing teeth to improve their smile and restore proper chewing function. When properly placed and restored, dental implants can drastically improve the cosmetic appearance of your smile. Additionally a dental Implant looks and feels like your own natural tooth.

What are the steps involved?

All treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan.  Using a digital panoramic x-ray system we are able to get a full image of both the upper and lower jaws, allowing for accurate planning and placement of your new dental implant. After this initial exam, there are 3 steps involved in successful implant restoration

1. The first step is the surgical placement of the implant in the jaw.  An implant is a tiny titanium screw or cylinder being placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. This procedure is done under anesthesia and is completely painless.  Once these posts are placed, bone will begin to bond with the titanium post creating a strong foundation. 
2. The implant is then given time to heal, and once the healing process is complete an abutment is placed in order to prepare for crown or bridge placement.
3. Finally an individual tooth crown, implant supported bridge or dentures with multiple teeth are attached to the abutment.

Why get dental implants?

Dental Implants are the optimal choice for replacing missing teeth because they are permanent, they look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Ultimately Implants allow us to return proper chewing function.

When multiple dental implants are placed it opens up treatment possibilities that were previously unavailable. When placing two or more implants we are able to create abutments for dental bridges or to create a solid platform for patients that need dentures.

In this example you can see how a dental bridge is placed on two implants.  If implants were not placed, the only other treatment would have been denture fabrication.

Implants are an ideal replacement of missing teeth. Dental implants integrate with your jawbone, helping to keep the bone healthy and intact.