Dental Procedures

 

Implants

Replacing the roots of teeth, dental implants can serve to replace one or many teeth to being used as an effective way to secure dentures.  Final restorations using implants can almost be like having missing teeth back.

Implant placement depends on the quality and quantity of bone at implant site. When extracting a tooth and planning for a future implant, socket preservation must be considered.

 

Single Tooth -

Two Stage Procedure

Bone Grafting -

Socket Preservation

Implant vs. Bridge

 
 

 

  
   

 

Procedure

Replacing a Missing Tooth

Implants are used to replace the roots of missing teeth. They are a fixed solution to a single missing tooth or an entire jaw of missing teeth.

Placing the Implant

After an implant is placed into the jaw bone, it may either be restored almost immediately or it is allowed to heal for several months to become integrated within the bone. After healing, a post is attached to the implant using a screw.

Fitting the Crown

A crown is then made to attach to the post. The crown is made using metal and/or porcelain and is made to closely replicate the shape and color of the natural tooth. This diagram shows how the crown fits over the post.

Attaching the Crown

The crown is screwed or cemented onto the post. Implant therapy usually takes a few months and several appointments to complete, however, the final restoration can be almost like having your own tooth back!

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Natural Tooth vs. Implant Comparison

An implant is used to replace the root of a missing tooth. This diagram demonstrates the similarity between a natural tooth and an implant. The root of the tooth is fixed in the jaw bone and the top of the natural tooth has been prepared to receive a crown. Similarly, the implant is fixed within the jaw bone and replaces the root of the natural tooth. The post attached to the implant is similar to the top of the prepared tooth. It too, is ready to receive a crown.