Over the past decade dental implants have been proven to be an effective and reliable alternative for the replacement of missing teeth.
We now have the ability to replace missing teeth without changing your natural teeth.

Diagnosis

The key to the ultimate success of the restoration is effective diagnosis and planning of treatment prior to placement of the implant. These diagnostic aspects may include a medical and dental history, dental x-rays, CT scan x-rays, diagnostic models of your mouth, and laboratory mock-ups of projected treatment.

Implant Placement [slide series]

The procedure needed to place the implant is a meticulous and time consuming process. Usually performed in the office with a local anesthetic, the procedure will take at least 1 1/2 hours to place the first implant. Additional implants placed at the same time will add about 45 minutes each to the procedure. You can expect some mild postoperative soreness and swelling of the treated area. This usually dissipates within the first week after surgery. Discomfort is generally moderate for the first day or two. Healing time prior to the restoration of missing teeth is approximately 3 months on the lower jaw, and 6 months on the upper jaw. During this period of time bone grows into the pores of the implant to anchor it to the jaw bone.
Click here to see the sequence of events

Restoring implants

A reevaluation of the area will then be made to determine the stability and usefulness of the implant, as well as reviewing the details of the reconstruction of your mouth. Although your treatment plan was prepared prior to implant placement, modifications to this plan may be needed. These issues will be discussed with you at the re-evaluation stage. Once the details of the reconstructive plan are finalized, restoration of the missing teeth will begin.

Types of restorations

Stability and retention of lower dentures will be markedly improved

Eliminate removable tooth replacements

Replace missing teeth with altering the adjacent natural teeth

Benefits

• non-removable tooth replacements that feel and function like natural teeth, without modification of adjacent natural teeth
• increased stability of removable full and partial dentures
• capability of replacing removable dentures with non-removable bridgework

Risks

• soreness, swelling, potential infection, and other risks normally associated with a surgical procedure
• potential for failure of bone integration resulting in loss of an implant
• potential for loosening of an implant after restoration of the teeth