Dr. Luther and your professional dental staff at Timbercrest Dental Center believe that nothing takes the place of healthy natural teeth. That being said, dental implants run a very close second to your own teeth and are a very viable option for patients who are looking to replace a lost tooth or fill a space from a congenitally missing tooth.
Implants are actually metal (usually titanium) posts that are surgically placed in your jaw bone to replace the root of your tooth. This post fuses with your jawbone and becomes a very secure support for artificial custom-made teeth (single teeth, dentures or bridges).
Implant placement requires three phases or stages:
- Placement of the Implant – where Dr. Luther surgically places the Implant into your jawbone.
- Healing Process – this is where the jawbone grows around the implant and holds it in place (called osseointegration) and can take several months to complete
- Placement of the Prosthesis (placing the artificial custom-made crown on the tooth)
Dr. Luther will determine if your jawbone is in good health and can support an implant, or if you are a good candidate for surgery to build up the bone where the implant will be positioned.
Implants can last a lifetime with proper care – regular dental checkups will be required.
Feel free to contact our office with any questions or concerns you may have regarding implants, or to learn about other missing tooth replacement options.
