Thomas G. Hopkin, DDS, FAGD

Implants offer the comfort, appearance, and function of natural teeth.

Dental implants are rapidly changing the way people live and are one of the most important advances in modern dentistry. They offer a patient, who is missing one, several, or all of their teeth, an excellent alternative to partials or complete dentures. Implants offer the comfort, appearance, and function of natural teeth.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a small titanium cylinder that is surgically placed into the upper or lower jawbone and serves as a root substitute for a natural tooth. During a 4-6 month healing period the bone will fuse to the implant and anchor it in the mouth. These anchors provide a strong foundation for replacing single or multiple teeth.

For over 30 years implants have resulted in beautiful smiles for patients. They result in a more natural type of tooth replacement that can restore your previous chewing ability, improve appearance, and renew self-confidence.

Click here for Before & After Photo in our Make Over section

What Can Implants Do for You?

Eliminate the embarrassment caused by the instability of removable false teeth.
Improve your appearance by eliminating the sunken denture look, and lines and wrinkles around your mouth and nose.
Eliminate pain when chewing, caused by food that is caught under your dentures or sore irritated gum tissue.
Allow you to eat and chew foods you have been avoiding such as steak, fresh whole apples, corn-on-the-cob, and the like.
Improve your ability to speak with confidence and control.
Improve your sense of taste.
Fill in any gaps between your teeth.
Make you look and feel younger by having fixed, secure teeth, which are associated with youth.
Strengthen loose or weak teeth. Allow you to smile with confidence.
Regain your self esteem.

The Surgical Procedure

The placement of dental implants most often involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. The implants remain below the surface of the gum for a four to six month healing period and gradually fuse to the jawbone. You can continue to wear your dentures or temporary teeth during this time.

After the implant has bonded to the bone or "osseointegrated", we will perform a minor procedure to uncover the implants. Small posts are attached to the implants. These posts project through the gums and will serve as anchors for the replacement teeth (Photo A Below). The entire procedure takes six to eight months. Most patients experience very little disruption from their normal life patterns. Cases that require bone grafting due to inadequate bone for implant placement would require additional healing time.