Dental Implant Services
Dental implants are replacements for natural teeth. When tooth loss happens due to gum disease or decay, Dr. Joseph is able to replace them in many ways. One of those ways is to use Dental implants. Some times patients visit our office specifically asking for dental implants to replace a missing tooth. There is a perception that dental implants are complicated procedures with questionable outcomes. But when an experienced Dentist or surgeon, such as Dr. Joseph performs the procedure, Implants are generally routine procedures with very predictable outcomes. The major advantages to dental implants is that they avoid the unnecessary drilling of adjacent teeth and also help with bone preservation (bone which will otherwise be lost when the natural tooth is lost).
Parts of a Dental Implant
Dental implants are composed of a metal screw (placed into bone and made of titanium), a connector or abutment that sits on the implant and projects into the mouth and can be seen by the patient and finally a crown that is screwed onto the connector. The crown will be fashioned to look very natural and will be hard to distinguish from natural teeth, even in the front of the mouth.
Dental Implant Procedure
Dental Implant procedures actually start with the removal of a tooth. And then are followed by the following steps.
- Removal of tooth with Bone grafting to preserve as much bone as possible.
- Healing for about 3 to 4 months based on the circumstance.
- Minor surgery to place the implant screw into the bone.
- Healing time of about 3 to 4 months
- Impressions
- 2 weeks after impressions –crown delivery.
The whole process may take up to 6 months to a year based on the particular situation. In many cases the time line may be much shorter, again based on the particular situation.
How difficult is the surgery and will it hurt?
Surgery for implant placement and subsequent impressions is considered a minor surgical procedure. Dr. Joseph will discuss all of your options and in many cases may provide mild sedation to help to go through the procedure smoothly. The procedure involves freezing after which you will not feel any pain during the procedure and only mild discomfort after the procedure for a few days. Dr. Joseph makes himself available 24/7 for calls regarding concerns that the patient may experience during the healing phase. Generally Post Operative complications following implant procedures are mild to non existent.
Having a valuable and dependable resource Such as Dr. Joseph to call at any time during the day or night as opposed to waiting for the office to open in the morning, will ensure a complete and satisfying experience for our patients.