Dental Implants: An Overview

Dental implants are revolutionizing the way we are treating missing teeth. Are you missing a tooth and struggling with feelings of anxiety and embarrassment? You are not alone. Over 125 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, and most are excellent candidates for dental implant placement.

What is a dental implant?

Implant teeth consist of three parts: a titanium screw that we place in the jawbone, an abutment that connects the screw to the crown, and the crown which is the final piece that looks like a tooth. Creating a natural look, implants restore both the cosmetic and restorative function of your natural teeth.

How safe are dental implants?

We use computer-guided implant surgery because precision, accuracy, and safety that ensure optimal results is our top priority. Beginning with cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) scans that we analyze for implant placement planning and continuing to the intraoperative procedure itself, we go above and beyond. We use our CBCT scans to:

  • Study bone and vital structures
  • Verify sufficient bone exists for implant placement
  • Ensure the safety of vital structure and nerves
  • Create a surgical template to determine the best locations for implant placement

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

There are a variety of factors that can indicate implant placement candidacy. Our expert implantologist, Dr. Fort, thoroughly evaluates your mouth and determines the health of your jaw before moving forward with the process. You may benefit from dental implants if you have:

  • Fillings or crowns that do not stay in place
  • A tooth that has significant decay
  • Cracked or broken teeth
  • A partial denture or full dentures

Why should I have a specialist place my implants?

Choosing an implant specialist to place your dental implants is seeking out the most qualified and highly trained doctor within a specialty. For oral surgeons, this is the mouth, face and jaw region. Going with an implant specialist ensures you receive the best treatment possible while having the confidence that you are truly in the hands of an expert.

Why are bone grafts used before dental implants?

Your jawbone must have enough mass and structure to support an implant. Without sufficient bone, dental implants have difficult integrating with the jawbone and sometimes even fail.

Upper jaw with all normal teeth
1. Normal
Upper jaw missing a tooth with the jaw bone unhealed
2. Tooth Loss
Healed upper jaw bone after losing a tooth
3. Healed Bone
Initial dental implant placed in the jaw bone
4. Implant Placed
Healed jaw bone after placement of the dental implant
5. Healing
Fully restored tooth using a dental implant
6. Implant Restored

How much do dental implants cost?

Dental implants are often the most cost-effective option because they outlast other tooth replacement approaches, such as bridges and dentures, by several decades. We believe their longevity makes them the better option in the long run. We are ready to discuss with you our available financing options and your insurance benefits at your consultation.