Dr. John P. Fox is originally from Romeo, Michigan, a small rural community about fifty miles north of Detroit. He attended the University of Oregon in Eugene and following graduation in 1987, he attended the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry. After earning his DDS degree in 1991, Dr. Fox completed a General Practice Residency at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina and then entered into the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at the University of Chicago. He completed his surgical residency education at Detroit Receiving Hospital in 1997.

Dr. Fox is board certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and is a Fellow in the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. In addition Dr. Fox is a member of the Georgia Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the Georgia Dental Association, and the American Dental Association.

Dental implants are changing the way people live. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.

The implants themselves are small threaded titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts that protrude through the gums are then attached to the implant. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth.

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. At the same time, your dentist is forming new replacement teeth.

After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Dr. Fox will uncover the implants and attach small posts that protrude through the gums and will act as anchors for the artificial teeth. When the artificial teeth are placed, these posts will not be seen. The entire procedure usually takes six to eight months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.

Using the most recent advances in dental implant technology and in select cases, Dr. Fox is able to place single stage implants. These implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them, but do require a minimum of six weeks of healing time before artificial teeth are placed. There are even situations where the implants can be placed at the same time as a tooth extraction further minimizing the number of surgical procedures.

Implant restorations are a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist. While Dr. Fox performs the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary, the restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.

A single tooth (crown) is used to replace one missing tooth each crown attaches to its own implant. A fixed bridge can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants. A complete fixed bridge replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. The number of implants varies depending upon which type of restoration is recommended. A removable prosthesis (denture) can attach to a bar or ball in socket attachments for retention. A fixed prosthesis is permanently retained and can only be removed by your dentist.

Once you learn about dental implants, you finally realize there is a way to improve your life. When you lose several teeth whether its a new situation or something you have lived with for years chances are you have never become fully accustomed to losing such a vital part of yourself.

There are several reasons: Why sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge a space? In addition, removing a denture or a partial at night may be inconvenient, not to mention that dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.

If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If you mouth is not presently ideal for implants, there are ways of improving outcomes such as bone or soft tissue grafting. Dr. Fox is able to evaluate your needs and provide a plan for implant treatment.