There are many different ways to replace missing teeth including crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants. Implants are a great option if you want a replacement option that feels most like a tooth. 

Implants are placed surgically below your gums and fuse to your bone. People will often choose implants over partial dentures because with an implant, you can avoid the inconvenience of constantly taking something in and out of your mouth to clean. They are also easier to clean than a bridge because you won’t have to thread any floss under the implant like you would a bridge

For someone who is missing many or all of their teeth, an implant-supported denture is also an option. Implant-supported dentures are much more secure than conventional dentures, and can still be easily removed for cleaning. Several implants will be placed in your jaw and once they heal, a denture will be customized to fit your implants and give you a natural smile.

Before you get an implant, you will need to consult with your dentist and oral surgeon to see if your gums and bone are healthy enough to hold an implant. If there is a lot of bone loss in the area, a bone graft may be required before placing an implant.

What To Expect:

We work with several oral surgeons in the area who will do the actual placing of the implant. Depending on the condition of the area having the implant placed, bone may be added to help retain the implant better. If a tooth needs to be extracted before the implant is placed, the oral surgeon can place bone at the same appointment. Bone may also need to be placed if the area has had a missing tooth or teeth for many years and there has been significant bone loss.

The implant is a post that goes only to your gumline, leaving a space for a crown to be placed after the implant has healed. It takes several months to heal completely. The oral surgeon and your dentist will monitor that process and ensure that the implant will last a very long time before we restore it with a crown. In the meantime, if the implant is replacing a front tooth, we can have an interim partial denture made to temporarily replace the missing tooth. An interim partial denture, or a flipper, snaps gently onto your other teeth and matches your teeth so the missing spot is not noticeable. If an implant is replacing a back tooth, a flipper is not necessary if you are okay with having a small space in your mouth.

After the oral surgeon has determined the implant has healed, we take the impressions for an implant crown. Once the crown is cemented on, you will have a perfectly functioning tooth that looks just like your other teeth. You can brush and floss around it like normal.

Regular cleaning appointments, every six months, are especially important if you have an implant. The hygienist and dentist will check that your gums are healthy around your implant so it will not become loose and fail.

If you have any questions regarding implants, please give us a call!