As mentioned earlier, implants require planning not only from the dentist but also from the patient. Dental implants require anywhere from 6-12 months to properly osseointegrate(fully heal and mesh with the bone). Patients must understand dental implants are surgically placed, therefore need proper healing time to maximize its predicabilty and success. Please let us know if you are interested or need more information about dental implants.

In most cases, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for a dental implant. Patients should have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant. They also must be committed to good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Success rates of dental implants vary, depending on where in the jaw the implants are placed but, in general, dental implants have a success rate of up to 98%. With proper care, implants can last a lifetime

Although dental implants are excellent replacements for missing teeth, they require proper screening and planning for success. Planning for dental implants focuses on the overall health of the patient, and the health of the gums, bone, and the adjacent and opposing teeth. Patients with poor oral hygiene, heavy smokers and diabetics are all at a greater risk of gum disease that affects implants called peri-implantitis, which increases the chance of long-term failures. Long-term steroid use, osteoporosis and other diseases that affect the bones can increase the risk of early failure of implants as well.

Dental implants are cylindrical components that are inserted into the upper or lower jaw bone and typically function as "support beams" for crowns, bridges and dentures. They can also be used in orthodontics as an anchor from which the orhodontist can use to move teeth to a desired location in the mouth. Implants consist of three structures: the implant itself, the abutment, and the crown as illustrated below.