An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries, diseases and other problems of the mouth, jaw and face. A treatment plan is tailored to your particular situation. You may have one tooth replaced with dental implant surgery or many. That may sound daunting, but a lot of that time is spent on healing and waiting for the growth of new bone in your jaw. If you have gaps in your smile where your permanent teeth used to reside, you may find that more is missing from your life than just teeth.

In general, the dental implant cylinder is first implanted in your jawbone, and then you must sit through a period of healing for several months. Your financial situation also might be a factor in determining whether dental implants are a good option. Dental implants along with artificial teeth are often a good option to fill the gaps left by tooth loss. Specifically how dental implant surgery is performed depends on the type of implant used and the condition of your jawbone. When bone grafting is required If your jawbone isn’t thick enough or is too soft, you may need bone grafting before you can proceed with dental implant surgery.

An artificial tooth (crown) is placed on an abutment on the dental implant, giving you the look of a real tooth. Just as with your natural teeth, implants, artificial teeth and gum tissue must be kept clean. Dental implants aren’t the same thing as artificial replacement teeth. Your dentist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon or periodontist can help you decide if dental implants are a good option for you. This plan takes into account such factors as how many teeth must be replaced and the condition of your jawbone.

Many people find that dental implants are more comfortable, efficient and secure than are dentures or bridgework. A dental implant is a threaded metal cylinder that replaces the root of a missing tooth. Some people may require bone grafting before the initial dental implant surgery, which lengthens the whole process.