Free Guide to Dental Implant Options in Roxana

Understanding Dental Implants: What They Are and How They Work

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium that a dentist places into your jawbone. Once the implant bonds with your bone over several months, the dentist attaches a crown (the visible part of the tooth) on top. The crown looks and functions like a natural tooth.

Free Guide to Dental Implant Options in Woodbury →

The process happens in stages. First, the dentist examines your mouth and takes X-rays to see if your jawbone is strong enough. If it is, they surgically place the titanium implant into the bone. This requires local anesthesia, similar to getting a filling. Over the next three to six months, your jawbone grows around the implant in a process called osseointegration. During this healing time, you wear a temporary tooth or nothing at all, depending on which tooth is being replaced.

After healing is complete, your dentist attaches an abutment (a connector piece) to the implant. Then they place a custom-made crown on the abutment. The entire process typically takes four to nine months, though simpler cases might be faster.

Dental implants are different from bridges and dentures. A bridge involves grinding down nearby teeth to support a fake tooth, which damages healthy teeth. Dentures are removable and can slip or cause discomfort. Implants stand alone and don't affect adjacent teeth. They also function more like natural teeth because they're anchored to your bone.

Practical takeaway: Understand that implants require multiple appointments over several months and involve minor surgery. This helps you plan your schedule and know what to expect during treatment.

Types of Dental Implants Available in Roxana

Roxana dental offices offer several implant options, each designed for different situations and budgets. The main types include endosteal implants, subperiosteal implants, and zygomatic implants.

Get Your Free San Jose Dental Implant Cost Guide →

Endosteal implants are the most common type, representing about 90% of all implants placed. These screws or cylinders go directly into your jawbone. They work best when you have adequate bone height and width. Most endosteal implants are made of titanium or titanium alloy. Within this category, different designs exist: screw-type implants have threads like a wood screw, while cylinder implants are smooth. Your dentist chooses based on your bone structure and the location of the missing tooth.

Subperiosteal implants sit on top of the jawbone but under the gum tissue. These are used when patients don't have enough bone height for traditional implants and want to avoid bone grafting. The implant frame is custom-made to fit your specific bone shape. Your dentist makes an impression of your jawbone, sends it to a lab to create the frame, and then surgically places it. Subperiosteal implants are less commonly used today because bone grafting has become more reliable.

Zygomatic implants are longer than standard implants and attach to your cheekbone instead of your jawbone. These are rare and used only in severe bone loss cases where other options won't work. They require a specialist and are typically more expensive.

Some Roxana dentists also offer same-day implants or "teeth in a day" options. With these, the dentist places the implant and attaches a temporary crown in one visit. However, you still need to wait for bone healing before the permanent crown is attached. This option suits patients who want faster cosmetic results but doesn't shorten the actual healing timeline.

Practical takeaway: Different implant types exist for different situations. Ask your dentist which type they recommend for your specific tooth loss and why that option makes sense for your bone structure.

What Makes You a Candidate for Dental Implants

Dental implants work well for many people, but not everyone. Your dentist will evaluate several factors to determine if implants are suitable for your situation. Understanding these factors helps you know what to expect during your consultation.

Learn About Commercial License Requirements →

Bone health is the most important factor. Your jawbone needs sufficient height and width to support an implant. If you've been missing a tooth for years, your jawbone may have shrunk because it no longer supports a tooth root. Your dentist takes X-rays and sometimes CT scans to measure your bone. If your bone is too thin or short, you might need bone grafting before implant placement. Bone grafting adds bone material to your jaw, which takes several months to integrate before implant surgery can happen.

Age matters less than overall health. Children and teenagers shouldn't get implants because their jaws are still growing, but adults of any age can be considered. Elderly patients often do very well with implants if their bone and health are adequate.

Your general health affects healing. Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes make it harder for your body to heal after surgery. Heart disease, immune disorders, or certain medications that thin blood can complicate the process. Smoking significantly reduces implant success rates because it impairs blood flow and healing. Patients who smoke have roughly double the failure rate of non-smokers. Your dentist will ask about your medical history and may request clearance from your doctor before proceeding.

Gum health matters too. If you have active gum disease, your dentist will treat that first. Implants require healthy gums to succeed because bacteria can infect the implant site, causing failure. You'll also need to be willing to maintain good oral hygiene after implant placement, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits.

Realistic expectations help, too. Implants look natural and function well, but they're not identical to your original tooth. Some patients feel disappointed if they expect perfection. A good dentist discusses both the benefits and limitations before starting treatment.

Practical takeaway: Schedule a consultation with a Roxana dentist to have your specific situation evaluated. Bring your medical history and be honest about factors like smoking, so your dentist can give accurate information about your options.

The Implant Process: Step-by-Step Timeline

Understanding the implant timeline helps you plan your life around treatment. The basic process takes four to nine months, depending on your situation.

Free Guide to Understanding Replacement ID Process →

Initial consultation (1 appointment, 1 week): Your dentist examines your mouth, takes X-rays or CT scans, and discusses your goals. They explain what's involved and answer questions. If you need bone grafting, this is identified now. If you proceed, you schedule your surgery.

Bone grafting (if needed; 4-12 months): If your jawbone is too thin or short, the dentist places bone material in your jaw. This can come from your own bone (harvested elsewhere), donor bone, or synthetic bone material. Your body slowly incorporates this bone over several months. You can't have implant surgery until this is complete. Some patients need multiple grafting appointments.

Implant surgery (1 appointment, 1-2 weeks healing): The dentist makes an incision in your gum, drills a hole into your bone, and inserts the titanium implant. The incision is stitched closed. You'll have swelling, bruising, and discomfort for a few days. Pain medication and antibiotics are prescribed. Most people take a few days off work. You can't eat hard or hot foods for about two weeks.

Osseointegration (3-6 months): Your bone slowly grows around the implant. During this time, you wear a temporary tooth or nothing, depending on the location. You return for check-ups every few weeks. You must avoid chewing on the implant site. Many dentists place a temporary partial denture or bridge during this phase so you don't look or feel incomplete.

Abutment placement (1 appointment, 1 week healing): Once bone has integrated, your dentist reopens the gum, removes the temporary healing cap, and attaches the abutment. This is a shorter procedure than the initial surgery. Mild swelling and discomfort last a few days.

Crown placement (1 appointment): The dentist takes an impression of your abutment and sends it to a lab to make your permanent crown. Two weeks later, you return and the crown is cemented or screwed onto the abutment