What are Dental Implants?

Implants are an optimal way to restore missing teeth and provide a base for crowns, bridges and dentures. A dental implant could be compared to the root of a tooth while the restorative crown replaces the visible part of a tooth. All patients with missing teeth are potential candidates for dental implants however; insufficient bone density or other medical conditions could prevent treatment. X-rays and cat scans are used to determine if there is enough bone in the area to start the treatment.

Implant Appointment

During an implant consultation x rays will be taken to determine if the patient has enough bone in the area being restored. Different treatment options, as well as length and cost of treatment, will be discussed and finalized. The next appointment will be implant placement. The placement process takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the difficulty of the case. After placement, a follow up appointment is scheduled to make sure that the implant is integrating into the jaw bone properly.
The restorative process begins about 4-6 months after implant placement. At that time the implant is fully integrated into the jaw bone. An abutment is then placed into the implant, it serves as an anchor for the crown, bridge, or denture that is to follow.

For more information please refer to Consult-Pro, our patient education video program located below.