The implant itself is the titanium threaded screw. After this heals, an abutment is placed. Over the top of the abutment, a crown is either cemented or screwed into the abutment. It takes approximately 3-5 months for an implant to integrate into the mandible or maxilla.

It depends on how much stability we have when we place the implant initially. It also depends on the quality of the bone; the posterior maxilla generally has the poorest quality bone (very thin and porous) while the posterior and anterior mandible usually has the thickest, most dense bone.

After a tooth is extracted, the hole or socket fills in with soft tissue. Similar to the other factors stated above, the typical time frame is 3-6 months. I usually wait around 4 months for a single extraction socket.

Very simply, it comes from a human cadaver (allograft), the same persons mouth (autograft or autogenous) or hip, or comes from a cow or pig (xenograft). By far and away, the allograft is the most commonly used material. This is a very safe substance. The donors are screened for diseases, the material is cleaned and sterilized (usually via radiation), and it is all FDA regulated. They use this material in other areas of medicine such as orthopedic surgery.

Generally speaking, most people will usually say, It was fairly sore for a week or so, but the ibuprofen helped for the most part. Maybe 10% say it didnt hurt at all, and another 10% say it hurt like hell. Most people do fine with ibuprofen and Tylenol.

The large corporate chains have popularized this term with their marketing to get people in the door. Another popular term for this same type of procedure is called all on four (or six). Basically, this is when you would typically remove someones teeth, place implants and then deliver them a fixed hybrid bridge (an acrylic type of bridge like a denture with the palate cut out) and screw in the bridge the same day. They wear this for approximately 6 months, then come back and have impressions for a final zirconia bridge. This is time-consuming and expensive but is very popular these days because its the closest thing to natural teeth that we have, and the patient gets something fixed in place from the get-go. The bridge here is completely supported by the implants. The patient comes in 2-3 times per year (or more), and depending on their oral hygiene, the dentist then unscrews the bridge and the hygienist cleans around the implant abutments. An H2O pik is a must here and the hygiene must be meticulous.

Another term that we are hearing more and more about since more implants are being placed, is peri-implantitis. This is nothing more than periodontal disease around an implant. Although implants cannot decay, they can and will develop inflammation, pocketing, and destruction of the tissue and bone surrounding them. In fact, they are more susceptible to this than teeth, since there is no true attachment of tissue around an implant like the sulcus around a tooth. So, it is wise to tell someone that if they have destroyed their teeth through neglect, the same thing can and will happen to their expensive implants. Other causes of peri-implantitis include cement stuck around the implant, and occlusal issues (hitting too hard on the implant crown).

A temporary abutment can be placed and a temporary crown can be fabricated to wear during the healing process; this is the best choice. If this cannot be made then an essix style temporary can be made. An essix retainer is just a clear tray (like a bleaching tray) with a resin tooth in it. The last choice would be an acrylic flipper, but I dont like these because they place pressure on the surgical site, which is a no-no.

The short answer is no. Although many times it is quite necessary and can lead to a better long term outcome, a bone graft is not always necessary prior to placing an implant. There are times when a tooth can be extracted and if there is enough bone present, the implant can be placed immediately. Even in this case, a bone graft is typically added around the implant and then allowed to heal. Sometimes a patient will present with a missing tooth, and there is plenty of residual bone left to just place the implant without the need for a bone graft.

Bonding is a popular method to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. Bonding can be used to correct cracks or gaps in teeth, as a filling after a cavity has been removed, or to cover up stains or discolored teeth.

A composite resin is used on the affected tooth or teeth. It is molded and sculpted over an adhesive gel that is placed on the tooth. After the resin has been applied an ultraviolet light is used to harden the resin, which is then polished to give you a fresh, new smile.

Bonding is an obvious improvement over unsightly silver amalgam fillings. With the advancements in dental technology, bonding usually lasts for over 10 years. It is a safe, affordable, and attractive solution.

If you have crooked teeth that youve always wanted to straighten out for a more attractive, youthful smile, you have multiple choices. Whether traditional metal or enamel-colored ceramic braces that are affixed to the teeth or removable clear braces (such as Invisalign), this is the most conservative way to get your smile in line.

Lindas teeth had shifted over the years after braces, and wanted a straight smile again, along with no gaps showing. Treatment consisted of clear aligner therapy (invisalign) to move the teeth into the correct alignment and eliminate the gaps.

Veneers are an excellent way to redesign and reshape your entire mouth. Veneers are a very thin ceramic shell that covers your existing tooth structure. In placing these new veneers on your teeth, you are able to fix the look of issues such as staining, cracked teeth, spaces, misaligned teeth, chipped teeth and many other issues.

In terms of the process to place veneers, it is a process that takes approximately two to three visits. In the first visit, we will discuss the new shape and look of what we are going to accomplish by placing the veneers. Once we have put a plan in place, we will carefully prepare the teeth for the placement of the new veneers. As we complete this piece of the process, the next step is to take an impression of the newly prepared teeth. This impression will be sent to our laboratory for the final product to be fabricated. We only utilize the highest standard laboratory for fabrication of all of our work. This process at the laboratory takes between 10-14 days. While the new veneers are being fabricated at the lab, we will provide you with a beautiful temporary solution to wear for this time.

As the veneers are finalized, we will make every effort to make sure that your new veneers will feel just like your natural teeth. We will bond them into place ensuring that you can enjoy your new smile for a very long time!

Keeping our teeth their whitest is a lot harder than it sounds. With all the coffee, wine, smoking and other foods that have the ability to stain our teeth on a daily basis, even proper maintenance sometimes leaves them a little lackluster.

To accomplish the whitening of your teeth, we utilize a tray whitening system. This tray whitening system is completed in 2 steps. The first step is to make an impression of your teeth. With this impression, well craft you custom whitening trays that you can use over and over. Finally, you will take the whitening gel and put it in the gel for a short period of time over a period of a few days. This often results in a whiter smile of 4 8 shades!

Nathan presented to us with misshapen upper lateral incisors (peg shaped). Treatment consisted of cosmetic bleaching, followed by veneers. He is very pleased with the results, in a short amount of time.

Everyone is very professional, friendly, and skilled. I am amazed what Evie, who worked on my case, can do. She not only is very skillful but helpful in every way. Both Dr Walton and Evie definitely put the patient first. Thanks to both of you.