The Ultimate Guide to Dental Implants

A confident smile can light up a room and boost your self-esteem, but missing teeth can hinder that confidence. Fortunately, dental implants have become a revolutionary solution for people with missing teeth. Dental implants not only restore your smile but also provide long-lasting, functional, and natural-looking results. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through what dental implants are, the process involved, and what patients can expect from this life-changing procedure.

Understanding Dental Implants

Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into your jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots. They provide a strong and stable foundation for replacement teeth. Dental implants offer several advantages over traditional tooth replacement options, such as bridges and dentures:

1. Natural Look and Feel: Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, enhancing your smile's aesthetics and functionality.

2. Longevity: With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, making them a cost-effective solution in the long run.

3. Bone Health: Implants stimulate bone growth in the jaw, preventing bone loss that often occurs when teeth are missing while also preserving your facial structure.

4. Improved Speech and Chewing: Unlike removable dentures, implants stay securely in place, allowing for confident speech and efficient chewing.

The Dental Implant Procedure

The dental implant process typically involves several steps:

1. Consultation: The journey begins with a consultation with Dr Fisher. During this visit, she will evaluate your oral health, discuss your medical history, and determine if you're a suitable candidate for dental implants.

2. Planning and Evaluation: Dr Fisher will use X-rays, scans and 3D imaging to assess your jawbone's health and density, which is crucial for implant success. In some cases, bone grafting may be necessary to ensure there is enough bone to support the implants.

3. Implant Placement: Once Dr Fisher determines you are a suitable candidate and your jawbone is ready, the dental implant surgery takes place. Under local anesthesia, the titanium implant posts are surgically inserted into the jawbone. The gum tissue is then stitched back over the implants.

4. Healing and Osseointegration: Over the next few months, a process called osseointegration occurs, during which the bone fuses with the titanium implants, creating a strong bond. This healing period is crucial to ensure the stability and success of the implants.

5. Abutment Placement: After the osseointegration process is complete, an abutment, a connector between the implant and the replacement tooth, is attached to the implant post. This step prepares the implant for the final restoration.

6. Restoration: Dr Fisher will place the custom-made crown, bridge, or denture onto the abutment, creating a lifelike replacement tooth or set of teeth. The result is a smile that looks and functions just like natural teeth.

What Patients Can Expect

1. Improved Self-Confidence: Dental implants will provide you with a restored smile that looks and feels natural. You'll no longer feel self-conscious about missing teeth or removable dentures.

2. Enhanced Oral Function: Implants allow you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence, just as you would with your natural teeth.

3. Easy Maintenance: Caring for dental implants is straightforward. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are all that's needed to keep your implants in top condition.

4. A Personalized Solution: Each dental implant treatment plan is tailored to the patient's unique needs, ensuring a customized and natural-looking result.

Dental implants have revolutionized the field of dentistry, offering patients a permanent and effective solution to missing teeth. With advancements in technology and skilled professionals, the process of getting dental implants has become safer and more predictable than ever before. Here at Kelley Fisher DDS, we have specialized in dental implants for over 20 years and we pride ourselves on our one of kind patient care. If you're considering dental implants, please email us to determine if they are the right choice for you. Say goodbye to missing teeth and hello to a brighter, more confident future with dental implants!

A titanium implant post and abutment is shown in a mock up of the jaw

We take a full 3 D scan of your tooth and custom design your replacement right here in the office.

Once we have your tooth scanned, we export it to our Cerec milling machine for the production of your implant crown.