3 Phases of Dental Implants

Why choose Dental Implants?

If you are self-conscious because you have missing teeth, wear dentures that are loose or uncomfortable or you don’t want to have good tooth structure removed to make a bridge we would be happy to discuss if dental implants are a good option for you to replace your missing teeth.

Dental implants are a popular and highly effective way to replace missing teeth. They are an excellent long-term option for restoring your smile. In fact the development and use of implants is one of the biggest advancement in dentistry in the past 40 years. Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. They can also be used to give a much better fit to dentures. Dental implants are made of titanium and other materials that are compatible with the human body. They are posts that are surgically placed into the jaw where they function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth.

Most patients find that a dental implant is secure, stable and a great replacement for their own tooth.

There are generally three phases to getting an implant:

The first step is to surgically place the implant into the bone. Most often this is done at the time of the extraction of the tooth, but occasionally we will need to extract the tooth and place some bone grafting material before the implant itself can be placed. If bone grafting is placed we will need to wait approximately for months before the implant can be placed into the bone.

Next the bone around the implant heals in a process called osseointegration. What makes an implant so strong is that the bone actually grows around it and holds it into place. Osseointegration means “combines with the bone” and this process takes time. This process usually takes three months. Once the healing is complete we will take a digital scan or an impression so that we can customize a tooth for you. The crown will be based on the size, color and shape of your other teeth.

Next steps to see if you’re a good fit

Some chronic illnesses such as diabetes or leukemia may interfere with healing after surgery so be sure to discuss your complete health history with Dr. Saleki or Dr. Hawkins to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Using tobacco can also slow healing.

If you feel that dental implants may be a good fit for your missing teeth Dr. Saleki or Dr. Hawkins would be happy to discuss them with you.