Implants

When a tooth is lost, a dental implant and crown can be used to replace the missing natural tooth and its root.

A dental implant-supported crown consists of three parts: Dental Implant, Abutment, and Crown. A dental implant preserves the bone and prevents the need for cutting down (preparing) the natural teeth for a bridge. For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two procedures.

The First Phase involves the placement of the dental implant into your jawbone. Healing time following surgery varies from person to person, based on a variety of factors that include hardness of bone and medical history. A typical healing period is 3-6 months. For the first three-to-six months following dental implant placement, the dental implants are beneath the surface of the gums, gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear a temporary partial during this healing time. After the dental implant has bonded to the jawbone, the Second Phase begins. Your dental implant will be uncovered and will attach a small healing collar or an abutment to the implant. After two weeks, your general dentist will be able to start making your new teeth.

Dental implants can also stabilize loose dentures.

If you have a denture already or not, Dr. Richards can assist you in attaching your denture to implants. An implant-supported denture gives optimum stability and retention and allows you to avoid used adhesive to help the denture stay in place.

Like traditional dental implants, the First Phase involves the placement of the implant into your jawbone. A typical healing period is 3-6 months. For the first three-to-six months following dental implant placement, the dental implants are beneath the surface of the gums, gradually bonding with the jawbone. After the dental implant has bonded to the jawbone, the Second Phase begins. Your dental implant will be uncovered and will be attached to your denture.