Dental Implant Restorations

A dental implant is a biocompatible post typically made from titanium inserted directly into the jawbone. The implant itself does not replace the visible portion of the tooth but instead acts as an anchor to hold a replacement crown, bridge, or denture in place. As the implant heals, it integrates with surrounding bone and tissue and becomes a permanent mouth part. This process can take three to six months or longer to complete. Before a patient receives an implant at Healthy Smiles of Saint Louis, our dentist will conduct a complete examination to determine if they are a good candidate for the procedure. Patients should be in good general health and have enough healthy bone tissue in the jaw to support an implant.

How Are Dental Implants Placed?

Dental implants are surgically placed into the jaw, making them a permanent fixture in the mouth. The implant first needs to heal to integrate with the surrounding bone. Once the healing process is complete, an abutment is attached to the post, and a crown is placed over the abutment to create a complete tooth replacement.

Depending on how many teeth need to be replaced, patients can have one or several implants placed throughout the mouth. These posts mimic the roots of teeth and are carefully inserted into the jawbone through a surgical procedure. Once the implants are placed and fully healed, our dentist can complete the restoration process by attaching a custom crown to the abutments.