Dental Implants at Total Health Dental Care

Dental implants are a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. They consist of a titanium post that acts as an artificial tooth root, an abutment, and a custom-made dental crown. The titanium post fuses with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, providing a strong foundation for the crown and restoring the look and function of your natural teeth.

Ideal candidates for dental implants have healthy gums, sufficient bone density, and good overall oral health. Certain medical conditions or habits, like uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, or gum disease, may affect your eligibility for dental implants. A thorough evaluation by our dental team will determine if dental implants are the right option for you.

First, there needs to be a space in which to place a dental implant. So, in some cases, there may need to be an extraction first. In other cases, there may already be a space. Typically, a CBCT (cone beam CT scan) is done to evaluate the site in three dimensions. If there is not adequate bone present for an implant, then sometimes a bone graft is needed first. Once the dental implant is placed, there is a healing time, typically several months. If the dental implant is in an area that can be clearly seen, a temporary restoration can be placed. If it can’t, the area will be left alone to heal. Once the dental implant attaches to the bone, impressions are taken, and a permanent crown is fabricated to attach in one of several ways to the implant.

Dental implants have long-term success rates of up to 95%. Once they are “integrated” into your bone, they will function just like natural teeth. They also cannot decay. And they don’t require any special at-home care.

In dentistry we never say “forever,” but implants can last for many, many years if the patient remains healthy, does not smoke, and continues a regular schedule of dental visits.

“Integration” with the bone typically takes three to six months, and the rest of the process can take as little as two visits for a simple case, but could require additional visits for a more complicated situation.

A dental implant can replace anywhere from one single tooth, to an entire arch of teeth.

Some dental insurance plans partially cover dental implant procedures, while others may not. It's important to review your specific insurance policy to determine your coverage. Our team can help you navigate your insurance benefits and provide alternative financing options if needed.