Dental Implants

Essentially, an implant is an artificial replacement of the tooth root made of titanium. When replacing a single tooth, a crown is cemented on top of the titanium implant. In other cases, 2 or more implants may help replace multiple teeth by functioning as anchors to hold a denture in place.

What does having the implant procedure involve?

The titanium implant itself is placed by either an oral surgeon or periodontist. After the healing period that allows the implant to become ossseointegrated in the bone (usually 4-6 months), the implant will be ready for the restorative phase. The restorative phase varies depending on the final treatment goal. A single implant to be replaced with a crown usually requires 2-3 appointments during which various impressions and measurements are taken and then the final crown is cemented. Implants placed to function as anchors for a denture essentially require only the same procedural steps required for fabricating any denture.  

How long will an implant last?

Implants are a great way to replace your missing teeth, and if properly maintained with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, can last a lifetime!