A dental implant is a titanium rod that acts like the root of a missing tooth. It’s surgically implanted into your jaw, where the surrounding bone fuses with it for support. The implant is then topped with a porcelain crown, which is the part of your tooth that shows above the gum line. This crown is attached to the dental implant with a connector (the abutment).

Unlike other methods of replacing missing teeth, dental implants are designed to last a lifetime. A dental implant with a porcelain crown looks and functions just like a natural tooth.

If you have more than one missing tooth, you may receive a dental implant for each. Or, multiple missing teeth can also be replaced with one or two implants that support a dental bridge. Dr. Sabrina Salim’s dental office features the X-Guide™ Dynamic 3D Navigation for faster, more precise results while placing your implant. Ask our team for a specific solution for your situation.

The gap in your gum and jawbone caused by a missing tooth creates serious functional and health problems. When one or more teeth are missing, the other teeth can shift out of alignment and complicate chewing. You may develop jaw pain, digestive issues, and speech impediments.

Without the healthy stress of a tooth pressing on the jawbone, the bone underneath and surrounding the gap begins to shrink. If you have more than one tooth missing, your face changes shape and may look older.

At Faircourt Dental Smile Studio, Dr. Salim oversees your entire dental implant process in the comfort of her office. The dental implant procedure requires several appointments.

First, she performs a complete exam to be sure your teeth and gums are healthy and that you have enough bone to accept the implant. A CT scan is taken. This 3D x-ray allows Dr. Salim to visualize your sinuses, nerves, and bone height and width to ensure safe implant placement.

Then, a small hole is drilled into your jawbone at a precision depth and angle. In this, a titanium implant is inserted. You are fitted with a temporary dental crown while your jawbone fuses to the implant over the next 2-6 months.

Once your dental implant is stable, Dr. Salim cements it with a permanent dental crown that matches the shape and color of your natural teeth.

In cases where there is insufficient healthy bone to support dental implants, you can opt for All-on-4. In this, four to six dental implants are inserted into the healthiest portions of your bone with a dental bridge or a complete denture attached. A primary advantage of All-on-4 is that you can have all of your missing teeth replaced more economically than other techniques. And, because of their unique design and placement protocol at specific angles, they can be placed in more-shallow bone than many other implant types.