P Precision Dentalof Windsor
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Dental implants: replacing a missing tooth

Our first question is always whether a damaged tooth can be predictably preserved. Before recommending removal, we assess the tooth, show you the photos and radiographs behind that assessment, and discuss what we find with you. Replacement comes after that decision, not before it. When a tooth truly cannot be saved, or is already missing, a dental implant is one of the options we plan with you.

What an implant is

A dental implant is a small post, usually titanium, placed in the jawbone where the root of the missing tooth used to be. After the bone heals around it, a connector called an abutment supports the crown. The crown is designed to restore appearance and chewing function. Unlike a conventional tooth-supported bridge, an implant does not depend on the neighboring teeth, and those teeth do not need to be shaped to hold it.

Who an implant is right for, and the risks

An implant is not the right choice for every situation. Planning includes your gum health, the bone available, your medical history, your medications, and whether you can clean the area well. Smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, and a history of gum disease can affect healing or raise the risk of complications, so they are factors we assess, not automatic exclusions. Some patients need gum treatment or bone grafting first.

An implant may not heal into the bone as intended, and problems can develop later. Depending on the location, possible complications include infection and injury to nearby teeth, nerves, or sinuses. We and the surgical specialist will discuss the risks that apply to you.

How the process works here

It starts with an examination and imaging of the area: the bone, the gum, the neighboring teeth, and your bite. We talk through whether an implant fits your goals and your budget, and what the alternatives are. Placement of the implant post is surgery, and we coordinate that step with the specialists we trust. The area then heals for a period of months while the bone integrates with the post. The surgeon then checks the implant with a torque test to confirm it is stable. Only after that do we make and seat the final crown here, which completes the tooth.

While the implant heals

The healing period varies. The months between placement and the final crown are typical, and some cases move faster or slower. When bone grafting is needed, it builds or preserves bone so the implant has enough bone to hold it securely. Bone can be lacking for several reasons, including shrinkage after a tooth is lost. It also adds healing time and cost. A temporary tooth may be possible while you heal, depending on where the implant is and how stable it is at placement. The surgical specialist will tell you what is realistic in your case, and will explain anesthesia, expected soreness, and recovery before the procedure.

Two procedures we do not perform in this office are tooth removal and root canals. If the failing tooth still needs to come out, that step is also part of the coordinated plan, and we will tell you exactly who does what before anything is scheduled.

The alternatives

An implant is not the only option, and sometimes it is not the right one. A conventional tooth-supported bridge uses the neighboring teeth to support a replacement tooth. A removable partial denture is an option for some patients; we do not make dentures in this office, so that option is arranged through referral. Leaving the space and monitoring it is also a real option in some positions. Neighboring teeth can shift over time in some cases, and we will tell you honestly whether that is a concern in yours. We lay out the expected lifespan, the maintenance, and the cost of each option before you decide.

What it costs

An implant case has several stages, and they are usually billed separately: imaging, removal of the tooth if it is still present, bone grafting if it is needed, placement of the implant, the abutment, a temporary tooth if one is used, and the final crown. Some stages are billed by the specialist's office and some by ours, so ask which office bills for each stage and what your plan is expected to cover. We cannot give an accurate figure until we have examined the area. After the examination, we give you our estimate for the parts done here before any treatment begins, and we sequence work when that helps financially. Our insurance page explains the plans we work with.

Caring for an implant

An implant needs daily brushing and cleaning around the restoration with the tools we recommend for you, along with regular professional maintenance. The implant itself cannot get a cavity, but the gum and bone around it can develop disease. The crown is a separate component from the implant, and over time it may need repair or replacement. Tell us if you notice persistent bleeding, swelling, pain, or looseness around an implant. Our post on bone loss around teeth explains what we watch for.

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Missing a tooth, or told one cannot be saved? Call us at (970) 237-4313, and let's talk.