Know what to expect.
Implants are the most involved treatment in dentistry and the one with the most questions attached. These are the ones the practice hears most, answered plainly.
A dental implant is three parts: a titanium or ceramic post, an abutment, and a restoration. Built to work like a root, it supports a crown, a bridge, a denture or a whole arch.
Everything else is detail. The details are below.
Five numbers that frame it.
- 01Three partsA post, an abutment and a restoration make one implant.
- 02Over 95 percentThe success rate implants have held since their introduction.
- 03Three months or moreThe integration period before the final tooth goes on.
- 04DecadesHow long a well-placed implant is designed to last.
- 05One yearThe warranty on the materials of every implant placed here.
What they are.
A titanium or ceramic post placed in the jawbone, an abutment that connects to it, and a restoration on top. Built to function like a natural root, it gives bone support and a stable foundation for a crown, a bridge, a denture or a full-arch prosthesis.
They are the only permanent tooth replacement and are designed to last decades. Because they sit in the jawbone, they give health and functional benefits comparable to natural teeth, including keeping the bone alive.
Consistently over 95 percent since their introduction decades ago. Surgical technology, high-quality materials, clinical experience and long-term maintenance all push it higher.
Many patients already are, or can be after preparatory treatment such as bone grafting or extractions. Candidacy is decided after a comprehensive consultation and a 3D scan with an implant dentist.
What it is like.
With modern surgical technology, placement is efficient and precise, often completed in a few hours with patient-fitted guides or robotic guidance. The length depends on the case; your comfort does not.
It is completed under sedation. You feel no pain and may sleep lightly through it; most patients have no memory of the appointment or the procedure.
Rest for a few days. Minor discomfort, handled with over-the-counter medication, and normal activities after about a week. A soft diet for the following months while the implants integrate.
From a few months to over a year. Implants are often placed soon after the plan is complete. Bone grafting, when needed, is a separate procedure with several months of healing first. After placement, three or more months of integration before the final restoration, usually with a temporary in place.
What comes next.
It depends on how many teeth are missing and for how long, the materials, and any additional procedures. The practice helps you apply for financing and files insurance claims on your behalf. The full answer is on the implant cost page.
Like natural teeth: brush twice a day, floss once. Depending on the restoration, a water flosser helps clear everything beneath it.
Yes. Implant restorations do not decay, but the gums around them can develop peri-implantitis from plaque and tartar. Keep your routine and see the dentist every six months.
They are designed to last decades and can last a lifetime. Surgical technology, clinical experience and your own habits decide it, which is why an experienced implant team matters. Every implant the practice places carries a one-year warranty on the materials.
Before
AfterThe answer that counts.
“Full Arch All-On-4 gave me my confidence back.”
Leslie, Emily and Michael tell their stories on the practice’s channel.
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