When an adult experiences the loss of a tooth, whether from injury, tooth decay or gum disease, the resulting empty space can be more than just embarrassing. The tooth loss can make it difficult for the person to talk or eat and can even lead to a collapsed jawbone. While dentures and bridges can be implemented to correct these empty spaces, they have disadvantages, such as damaging existing healthy teeth, leading to bone loss or resulting in denture slippage.

More and more patients are turning to surgical dental implants as an alternative, permanent way to correct a missing tooth or even several teeth. Rather than relying on existing healthy teeth to anchor bridges, dental implants incorporate a titanium metal implant that is placed directly into the jawbone. This implant operates like a tooth root and extends just above the gumline where an extension (or abutment) is attached. This extension makes it possible to permanently attach an artificial tooth or crown that is designed to match your smile. Over time the implant becomes part of the jawbone making dental implants almost as good as having your own teeth.

What considerations go into dental implants?

A qualified cosmetic dentist can evaluate your smile to determine whether or not you are a candidate for dental implants. Comprehensive x-rays and exams will identify if you have:

· Generally healthy gums and tissues

· Sufficient, mature jawbone in which to position the implants*

· Satisfactory overall health to ensure proper healing

*Patients who do not have sufficient jawbone can still be candidates for dental implants. Bone grafting allows these patients to undergo a preliminary surgery to create a thicker or stronger base to which the implant can be attached. In bone grafting, new bone material is placed into the gum and secured with titanium screws. The bone material can be part of the patient's own body, such as the chin, lower jaw or hipbone. Or the bone material can come from an external source, such as cow bone, cadavers or synthetic materials. The new bone material is packed with bone marrow and other materials, covered with a barrier membrane to promote healing and stitched closed.

How long does the dental implant process take?

Regardless of how healthy your jawbone is, dental implant surgery requires the patient to devote 7-12 months of time to complete the process. The surgical process of placing the titanium metal implant into the jawbone can be done in a cosmetic dentist's office. Once the implant is in place, the jawbone needs time to fuse with the implant in order to create a strong root for the crown. Every patient's healing time is different, but generally it will take approximately six months for the root to be ready for the extension.

During this waiting period, the cosmetic dentist may provide the patient with a temporary denture to use until the permanent tooth is attached.

Some cosmetic dentists will place the dental implant extension (the unit to which the crown is attached) at the same time as the implant. However, it is not uncommon for the extension placement to be a second surgery. The healing time of this minor surgery is generally two weeks.

When your gums and jawbone are properly healed and ready for the new tooth, more impressions will be made of the existing smile so the new tooth can be made. Once the new tooth (crown) is made, it is permanently attached to the extension.

If a bone graft is required, this process may take an additional 6-12 months for the new bone to be strong enough for the implant to be placed.