Dental Implants In Three Easy Steps

For most patients, dental implants require a simple, minimally-invasive surgical procedure. First, implants are gently placed within your jawbone. The jawbone has no nerves. No nerves… no pain! What used to be a two stage surgical procedure taking several months, has now been simplified from two procedures to one. Once the implants are placed, they bond to the jawbone in a manner of weeks. You should be able to function normally and eat a normal diet during this time. While the implants are fusing to the bone, your dentist is simultaneously creating your new replacement teeth.

After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Dr. Brown will attach small posts which act as attachments for the artificial teeth. When the teeth are placed, these posts are invisible. The entire procedure generally takes less than 90 days. Most patients experience virtually no disruption in their daily routine.

In step three, a single prosthesis (crown) is used to replace one missing tooth – each tooth attaches to its own implant. However, a fixed bridge can replace two to four teeth with as few as two implants, one at each end. With adequate planning and a sufficient number of implants, all the missing teeth in your upper or lower jaw can be easily replaced. The number of implants varies depending upon whether the teeth are fixed and permanent or removable. A removable prosthesis is secured by attaching it to as few as two implants, whereas a fixed prosthesis requires additional implants, is permanent, and only be removed by the dentist.

Dr. Brown has helped to pioneer new and improved implant techniques that allow some candidates to have an implant/s immediately placed and receive their new teeth the same day. Ask us about these innovative methods. CLICK HERE to learn more about how implants are placed, then call Dr. Stephen Brown.