Dental Implants

A Long-Term Option for Replacing Missing Teeth

Losing a tooth changes more than the appearance of your smile. A missing tooth can affect the way you bite and chew, and the bone in the area can gradually change after the tooth is gone. Dental implants offer a way to replace missing teeth by recreating both the visible tooth and the support beneath it.

At Foley Family Dentistry, we understand that deciding how to replace a missing tooth is personal. We will take the time to evaluate your oral health, learn what matters to you, and explain whether an implant is an appropriate option for your smile.

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What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a small post, typically made of titanium, that is surgically placed in the jawbone where a tooth is missing. It serves a role similar to the root of a natural tooth.

As the area heals, the implant can integrate with the surrounding bone, creating a stable foundation for a replacement tooth. Once the implant is ready to be restored, an abutment connects the implant to a custom dental crown that replaces the visible portion of the missing tooth.

Because an implant is supported independently within the jaw, replacing a single tooth with an implant generally does not require neighboring healthy teeth to be prepared to support the restoration.

Benefits of Dental Implants

For the right patient, dental implants can offer several advantages:

  • Replace a missing tooth without relying on neighboring teeth for support
  • Provide stability for comfortable biting and chewing
  • Create a natural-looking replacement for a missing tooth
  • Help maintain bone in the area where a tooth has been lost
  • Provide a durable solution designed for long-term function

Dental implants can also be used in different ways depending on how many teeth are missing. In addition to supporting a single crown, implants may be incorporated into other types of tooth replacement.

Are You a Candidate for a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are an excellent option for many people, but they are not automatically the right choice for everyone. Successful treatment depends on having adequate bone to support the implant, healthy gums, and overall health that supports appropriate healing.

We will review your medical and dental history, examine your mouth, and use appropriate dental imaging to evaluate the area where the implant would be placed. We will also consider factors such as gum health, bone quantity and quality, your bite, medications, tobacco use, and other circumstances that could affect treatment or healing.

If additional evaluation or surgical expertise is appropriate, we can coordinate your care with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

What If You Do Not Have Enough Bone for an Implant?

After a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area can gradually decrease in volume because it no longer receives stimulation from the tooth root. In some cases, there may not initially be enough healthy bone to support an implant.

Bone grafting may be recommended to rebuild or preserve the area and create a stronger foundation for future implant placement. Depending on your circumstances, grafting may be performed when a tooth is extracted, before implant placement, or as part of another stage of treatment.

Not everyone needs a bone graft. We will evaluate your individual anatomy and explain whether one is necessary for you.

What Is the Dental Implant Process?

Implant treatment happens in stages, and your specific treatment plan will depend on your needs.

If a damaged tooth is still present, it may first need to be removed. In some situations, an implant can be placed at the same time as the extraction. In others, the area needs time to heal, or bone grafting may be necessary before implant placement.

During implant surgery, the implant is carefully positioned within the jawbone. The area is then given time to heal so the implant can integrate with the surrounding bone. Once healing and integration have progressed sufficiently, the implant can be restored.

The final restoration is designed to fit your bite and complement the appearance of your natural teeth. For a single missing tooth, this generally involves attaching a custom dental crown to the implant with an abutment.

How Long Does the Dental Implant Process Take?

Dental implants are not typically an immediate process. Healing is an essential part of treatment, and the overall timeline can vary significantly from one person to another.

Factors such as whether you need an extraction or bone graft, the location of the implant, your bone health, and how your body heals can all influence the timeline. Treatment may take several months from beginning to completion.

Rather than giving you a one-size-fits-all timeline, we will explain the anticipated stages of your treatment so you know what to expect along the way.

Will You Be Without a Tooth While Your Implant Heals?

Depending on the location of your missing tooth and your treatment plan, a temporary restoration may be an option while the implant site heals.

We understand that appearance and function during the healing period can be important concerns. If temporary tooth replacement is appropriate for you, we will discuss your options before treatment begins.

Caring for a Dental Implant

An implant cannot develop a cavity, but the gums and bone surrounding it still require consistent care. Plaque and bacteria can accumulate around an implant just as they do around natural teeth and can contribute to inflammation and loss of supporting tissue.

Daily brushing, cleaning carefully around the implant, and keeping up with your recommended professional dental visits are important for its long-term health. We will show you how to care for your restoration and monitor the implant as part of your ongoing dental care.

Is a Dental Implant Right for You?

There is more than one way to replace a missing tooth. Depending on your oral health, needs, and goals, your options may include a dental implant, bridge, or removable restoration.

Our role is to help you understand those choices. We will evaluate your smile, explain the advantages and considerations of the options available to you, and help you make a decision you feel comfortable with.

Call for more information or to schedule an appointment with Foley Family Dentistry in Foley, AL.

Call (251) 257-7009