Dental implants are the optimal solution for replacing missing teeth. They are small, titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots. These implants provide a strong foundation for the attachment of replacement teeth, such as individual crowns, bridges, or even full dentures. Dental implant placement enables a person the ability to eat virtually anything and retain their natural facial contours.
Smile with confidence,
eat your favorite foods again,
and enjoy your life to the fullest.
You should plan to rest for about 2-3 days after your implants are placed.
- If you need a bone graft before your implant, it must heal for a minimum of 4 months prior to implant placement.
- Once an implant is placed, it needs 3-6 months to heal before it can support a crown.
- After a healing abutment is placed and the implant has been deemed healthy to restore by the surgeon, the dentist will make an impression. The lab takes 2-3 weeks to make the crown from the impression.
- Complete our Online Patient Registration form if you have not already done so.
- Read our information on general anesthesia
- Understand what you need to do pre-operatively on the day of surgery
- Do not spit, drink through a straw or smoke for 1 week
- Keep fingers and your tongue away from the surgical sites
- If you smoke you have a higher risk of failure of your implant
- Take all your antibiotics
- Sutures may take 1 month to come dissolve but they will dissolve
- Brush the surrounding teeth but do not brush the cap directly
- Do not use an electric toothbrush in that area
- Notify the office if: If you start having a bad taste or smell in your mouth or new swelling or drainage after the first 4 days.
- If a cap was placed over the implant and it comes off
- If you are still numb after 24 hours
How do Dental Implants Work?
Dental Implants look, feel and function like natural teeth. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown.
In replacing the tooth, we start by placing a small titanium implant into the jawbone which acts as the new root. We then allow some time for the jawbone surrounding the dental implant to heal.
Next, an abutment (support post) is placed on top of the implant
Then a new replacement crown (part that you eat with) is placed on top of the abutment.
Roll over the hot buttons on the image to get a better understanding of the anatomy of a dental implant.
Titanium Implant
Dr. Gayed places this piece into your jawbone. It acts as your new tooth root.
Abutment
This is the support post, connecting the implant to the crown.
Crown
Your dentist will create this crown, designed to match the rest of your teeth in color and size for the most natural appearance.
7 Benefits of Dental Implants
- Natural Appearance: Dental implants closely resemble natural teeth, providing a seamless and aesthetically pleasing smile.
- Improved Chewing Ability: Dental implants allow for comfortable and efficient chewing, enabling you to enjoy a wide range of foods.
- Longevity: With proper care, dental implants can last for many years, making them a durable and long-lasting tooth replacement option.
- Preservation of Jawbone: Dental implants help preserve the jawbone’s structure and prevent bone loss, maintaining oral health.
- Convenience: Dental implants are a permanent solution that doesn’t require removal, adhesives, or special cleaning routines like removable dentures.
- Improved Oral Health: Unlike dental bridges, dental implants do not require modification of adjacent teeth, preserving the integrity of natural teeth.
- Enhanced Confidence: Restoring your smile with dental implants can boost self-confidence and self-esteem, allowing you to smile and speak with assurance.
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This office is nothing short of the best. The ladies are great and Dr. Marc is wonderful. I recommend everyone to go to here. They will take the best care of you. Ashley is great with my insurance and Abby was so sweet. Thank you!!!
What is the Timeline for Dental Implants?
Why Choose to Replace Teeth with Dental Implants?
First and foremost, they restore your ability to chew and speak comfortably, just like natural teeth. They are designed to look, feel, and function like your own teeth, enhancing both your smile and your overall oral health.
Another significant benefit of dental implants is their ability to preserve the structure and integrity of your jawbone. When a tooth is lost, the underlying bone can start to deteriorate over time. By replacing the missing tooth root with a dental implant, it stimulates the surrounding bone, preventing further bone loss and maintaining facial harmony.
What Should I Expect During Dental Implant Procedure?
Initially, Dr. Gayed will conduct a comprehensive examination of your mouth, including digital imaging, to assess your suitability for dental implants. If you’re a good candidate, the procedure can typically be broken down into three main phases:
Placement of the implant: Under local anesthesia, the titanium implant is precisely positioned in the jawbone during a minor surgical procedure. The medical screw (implant) has to be surrounded by bone on all sides, top to bottom, left to right and front to back. We have to have enough bone for it to get go in tightly.
Osseointegration: Over the next 3 – 6 months, a process called osseointegration occurs. This is when the implant fuses with the jawbone, creating a solid and stable foundation. During this time, a temporary restoration may be placed to maintain aesthetics and function.
Restoration: Once the implant has integrated with the bone, an abutment is attached to the implant. This abutment serves as a connector between the implant and the replacement tooth.
Once you have passed our final checks, we send you to your dentist so you could have the crown made and the process completed! As with anything, utmost care has to be taken to maintain your investment in your teeth to prevent it from failing in the future. This primarily happens with your general dentist who will work with you on this process.
What if I need an Extraction and an Implant?
If we have to extract teeth, then sometimes we can place the implant the same day and sometimes we have to graft bone, wait for it to heal 3-4 months, then do a separate surgery to place the implant. This decision depends on the position of your teeth, the quality of the bone and what our goals are. This will be discussed in your consultation.
What if I Don't Have Enough Bone?
If we don’t have enough bone then sometimes we have to do procedures such as bone grafting, ridge augmentation or sinus lifts to add more bone to make it wider, or taller to be able to fit an implant into that space. This can affect the length of time it takes for the implant to heal but is necessary if there is insuffient bone.
What Can I Expect During the Healing Phase?
Once the implant is in and healing, we have to ensure there is the correct gum tissue surrounding the implant to protect it from the rest of your mouth. Sometimes procedures such as gingival/gum grafting need to be done.
We typically check in with you multiple times during the healing process and follow you with radiographs to ensure no issues are occurring. If there is lack of integration or rejection from your body or any sort of infection we have to remove the implant and let the area heal. This happens about 3-8% of the time because your mouth is a non sterile place and bits of food, bacteria, and medical conditions such as diabetes, dry mouth or habits such as smoking affect your healing.
How is the Recovery after Dental Implant Surgery?
Recovery from a dental implant procedure is typically smooth and well-tolerated. Any discomfort can be managed with prescribed pain medication. It is normal to experience some minor swelling and temporary dietary restrictions, such as sticking to soft foods for a few days. Our team will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions to ensure a successful recovery.
Choosing dental implants is an investment in your long-term oral health and quality of life. They provide a durable and natural-looking solution that can last a lifetime with proper care. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing you with personalized care, ensuring your comfort, and delivering exceptional results.
