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Dental Implants 

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A dental implant is a titanium cylinder usually coated with a white material, which is placed surgically into the jawbone to substitute for a missing tooth root.

A dental implant can be used  to replace a single tooth. This is accomplished by  fabricating a crown or "cap" and attaching it to the dental implant "root".

Multiple missing teeth can be replaced by having two or more dental implants support a non-removable bridge. This type of replacement can be used for two or more teeth. This method can be used to replace all 12 teeth in the dental arch.

Those of you who have complete dentures can benefit by having dentures that "snap" onto attachments construced on dental implants. This not only provides a stable base to bite down on, but also keeps the dentures from "floating-up" or "dropping-down".

Dental implant placement is usually an office procedure using local anesthetic and IV sedation by an Oral Surgeon. A small amount of gum is moved and the bone exposed where the dental implant is to be placed. A hole, just a little larger than the diameter of the dental implant, is prepared in the bone. The dental implant is placed in the hole and the gum is returned to its original position and covers the dental implant and is allowed to heal. The dental implant heals for four to six months. Then it is uncovered and is ready to be used.