Dental implants are a breakthrough in the world of dentistry for patients with failing or missing teeth and, depending on the patient’s specific circumstances, can be a much better alternative than conventional bridges or dentures.

There are three parts to a dental implant: the implant itself, the crown that is placed on top to look like a normal tooth, and the abutment that attaches to the implant and holds the crown in place.

After it is determined that a patient is a good candidate for a dental implant, the implant is placed at the site of the missing tooth. At a follow-up post-operative appointment over the next couple of months, Dr. Sala will assess the patient’s healing process and make sure everything is going according to plan. Once the tissue is healed at the implant site, impressions will be taken for the implant crown. A crown of the highest quality is then custom-made to match the existing natural teeth, a process that typically takes about ten days, by our experienced lab technicians.

Once the implant crown is back in our office, we will make a short appointment with the patient to cement it in place. At the patient’s future exams (typically during regular cleaning appointments), an x-ray may be taken at the site and Dr. Sala will check in to make sure that all is well with the implant.

Interested in the possibility of a dental implant or have some unanswered questions? Please contact our office and a member of our office staff would be happy to help.