Dental implants are now the number one choice to replace missing teeth. With nearly a 98% success rate, dental implants offer a secure missing teeth treatment option. The benefits of dental implants include replacing the tooth at the root, preserving the natural teeth that are left, being a permanent restoration, and delivering a 100% normal chewing function.
Jacksonville dentist, Dr. Donald Alexander offers dental implants to patients missing one or more teeth. He will recommend a single-tooth implant to secure a dental crown if only one tooth is missing. If you have multiple missing teeth, he will recommend denture implants or dental implants to secure a dental bridge. Dental restorations now use the latest in dental materials to blend seamlessly with your natural tooth or teeth.
The dental implant procedure, from the initial consultation to the final restoration, can take from five to nine months. There will be several surgical procedures in the process. We use local anesthesia or oral sedation for your comfort. Most patients don’t experience a disruption in their daily lives. This will, of course, vary for each dental implant patient since no two patients are alike.
Dental Implant Procedure in Jacksonville
Planning Phase
The first step in the dental implant process is an evaluation of your medical history, teeth, gums, and the current state of your oral health with Dr. Alexander. At this initial consultation, he will be able to determine if you qualify for dental implants. We take impressions of your teeth and formulate a personalized treatment plan to replace your missing teeth.
This is actually the most important part of the process. A precise diagnosis and a clear, concise treatment plan guarantee the best possible outcome for each patient.
Pre-Treatments
Dr. Alexander may determine that you do not have sufficient bone mass to hold the implants. If the patient has low bone density, there is a greater chance that the implant will not fuse properly with the bone. In this case, bone grafting will be required before the implant can be surgically placed. A tooth extraction will be necessary if damaged or rotten teeth haven’t already fallen out before the implant surgery.
Placement of the implant
The next step is the surgical placement of the implants into your jawbone. These implants are small, titanium posts that will serve as the new tooth roots. They sit just below the gum line and, through the process of osseointegration, will fuse with the jaw bone to form a stable bond. A surgeon performs the surgical phase of your implant placement in another office. Alexander & Greenburg Dentistry only partners with the top Jacksonville periodontists and oral surgeons.
The healing process takes approximately three to six months. They place a healing cap on the top of the implant, or, depending on the location of your missing tooth, place a temporary dental restoration while the jawbone and gums heal around the implant post.
Placement of the Abutment
Once the bone and gums are healed, and the implant has integrated with the surrounding bone, the cap or temporary restoration is removed. A small piece called an abutment is attached to the implant. This will serve as a foundation for the final restoration (a dental crown, dental bridge, or denture). We take another impression, and the process of creating the final restoration will begin.
Dental Implant Restoration
After a brief healing period, you will return to our Jacksonville dentist office to get the final restoration. The dental crown, dental bridge, or denture is secured to the dental implant(s) for permanent restoration. Your new smile will be complete! With a proper oral hygiene routine and regular visits to Dr. Alexander, your dental implants should last up to 20 years.
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