What it is
An implant is a tooth replacement option made of three parts. The post sits in the jawbone and takes the place of the root. An abutment, the connector, attaches to the post and projects through the gum. The restoration, which is a crown, a bridge, or a denture, fastens to the abutment and performs the chewing.
Implants are also frequently used to retain full-arch prostheses, in which a small number of posts support a complete set of replacement teeth for one jaw. Unlike a bridge, which relies on the neighboring teeth, an implant is anchored in the bone itself.
When you might need it
An implant is indicated when a tooth is missing or has to be extracted, and when a denture slips or rubs and needs a more secure foundation. A bridge or a conventional denture remains a reasonable alternative, and the appropriate choice depends on the condition of the mouth.
Suitable candidates are adults with healthy gums and enough jawbone to hold the post. Smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, and untreated gum disease can impair healing or compromise an implant, as can certain medications, so tell Dr. Itoafa about your health history. Some patients need preliminary treatment first, such as treatment of gum disease or bone grafting. Candidacy is decided at the examination, not from a general description.
What happens at each visit
The first visit is an examination. Dr. Itoafa evaluates the teeth and gums, reviews the health history, and takes X-rays or other images of the jaw. He then explains whether an implant is appropriate and outlines the steps involved.
If it is, the next stage is placement of the post in the jaw. When a tooth still has to be removed, the extraction is planned first, and the implant may be placed at the time of the extraction or later, once the bone has healed. Placement often requires bone grafting and a barrier membrane, a thin layer that protects the graft while new bone forms. If the socket was not well preserved, additional procedures such as ridge augmentation, which rebuilds bone lost from the jaw ridge, or a sinus lift, which adds bone below the sinus in the upper jaw, may be needed first. Dr. Itoafa explains which of these steps your case needs and who will carry them out.
Integration, the process by which the bone grows against the post and holds it firmly, typically takes three to four months. The post cannot carry chewing forces until the bone has bonded to it, and loading it too early can prevent that bond from forming, which is why implant care is spaced across several visits. Once integration is complete, an abutment is placed and a ceramic crown is made and seated over it. A bridge or a denture is fitted to the abutments in the same way, and Dr. Itoafa checks the fit and the bite along the way.
Materials and what to expect afterward
Implant posts are usually made of titanium, a metal that the body tolerates well and to which bone can bond. The crown, bridge, or denture on top is made to match the shape and color of the adjacent teeth.
After the post is placed, soreness, swelling, and light bleeding are expected while the area heals. Eat soft foods, keep the area clean as instructed, and avoid smoking, which slows healing. Call the office if swelling or pain worsens after the first few days, if a fever develops, if bleeding does not stop, or if the post feels loose.
How well an implant holds up depends partly on post-operative care and on the home care that follows. A finished implant is cared for like a natural tooth, with daily brushing, cleaning between the teeth, and regular checkups, because gum disease can affect the tissue around an implant just as it affects the tissue around a natural tooth.
Why Dutch Creek Dental
Dr. Mike Itoafa has owned Dutch Creek Dental since 2018. Implant care is provided in this office, which has been on West Coal Mine Avenue for more than 30 years. When a case calls for a specialist, Dr. Itoafa refers you to one he trusts.
Common questions
Does everyone qualify for a dental implant?
No. Candidacy depends on the gums, the jawbone, and general health, and the examination is how it is determined. Some patients need other treatment first, and some are better served by a bridge or a denture.
Will getting an implant hurt?
The area is numbed with a local anesthetic before the post is placed. After the numbness wears off, soreness and swelling are common while the tissue heals. Call the office if pain increases instead of easing.
Can an implant hold a denture?
Yes. A small number of implants can anchor a denture so that it sits more firmly than one resting on the gums alone. Whether this is an option depends on the bone in the jaw, which the examination and the images show.
Can I get an implant if I have gum disease?
Gum disease generally needs to be treated first, because infected and inflamed gums can damage the tissue and bone around an implant. Dr. Itoafa evaluates the gums at the examination and explains what should come first.