To begin, our dentist and dental hygienists will get a thorough picture of your dental and oral health. We will use X-rays and scanners to determine any areas of need, such as gum disease and tooth decay. Before we can begin the implant process, we will need to make sure all of these health concerns are addressed.

Your bones must be strong and dense enough to support an implant, so if there isn’t enough bone tissue, we may graft weakened bone with bone tissue to help it regrow. Bone grafting should be performed by a periodontist. Thankfully, our on-site periodontist is qualified to perform this procedure.

Once you’re cleared for implants, the process will go something like this:

• More than likely, you will choose which type of sedation you’d like to make you comfortable during the surgery.
• Next, your dentist will create an incision and place the implant post, which is typically made of titanium or zirconia. These posts extend into the jaw bone for stability.
• Over the next 3 to 6 months, we will monitor your healing and treat any developing problems. Your gums should recover relatively quickly, however, the bone will need time to integrate with the post to create a strong hold.
• Next, we will place the abutment (a tiny piece of metal that connects your dental crown to the implant post. Some people prefer to do this during their first surgical appointment as the gums will have to be re-opened for this step.
• Finally, the posts and abutment have healed and it’s time to place your dental crowns. The crowns can be permanently affixed to the abutment, or they can be removable (snap-on dentures).