What is dental implants?
A dental implant is a small titanium or zirconia post that is surgically placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Over 3–6 months it integrates with the bone (osseointegration), at which point a custom crown is attached to function as a natural tooth. Multi-decade studies show implant survival rates above 95% in well-placed, well-maintained cases.
Why an implant
A single missing tooth is a problem with three good solutions: an implant, a bridge, or a removable partial. Implants are the most conservative because they don’t require touching the adjacent teeth, and they’re the only option that preserves the bone underneath the missing tooth — preventing the slow ridge collapse that follows tooth loss.
They also last. Multi-decade studies of well-placed, well-maintained implants show survival rates above 95%. No other tooth-replacement option matches that.
How we plan
Your consultation includes a 3D CBCT scan and a digital impression. We use those together to plan the exact 3D position of the implant — angle, depth, location relative to the nerve and sinus, and the position of the future crown.
For most cases, we then mill a custom surgical guide from that plan. The guide fits over your teeth at surgery and ensures the implant goes exactly where we planned, often through a flapless or minimally-invasive approach.
The surgery
Most single implants are placed under local anesthesia in 45–60 minutes. IV sedation is available for patients who’d prefer to be deeply relaxed. The implant itself is a small titanium (or zirconia) post that gradually integrates with the bone over 3–6 months — a process called osseointegration.
The crown
Once the implant has integrated, we attach an abutment and your restorative dentist places a custom crown on top. The result functions like a natural tooth — you brush, floss, and eat as you would any other tooth. Many patients forget which tooth was replaced.
Common questions
How long does the whole process take?
For most patients: 3–6 months from implant placement to final crown. Same-day temporary teeth are sometimes possible — see our immediate implants page.
How long do implants last?
Multi-decade studies show 95%+ survival rates for well-placed, well-maintained implants. Many last a lifetime.
Will I need a bone graft?
Sometimes — particularly if the missing tooth was lost a while ago and the bone has resorbed. We assess this with the CBCT scan and tell you in your consultation.
Are zirconia (ceramic) implants better than titanium?
Both work well in the right cases. Titanium has 50+ years of data; zirconia is metal-free for patients who prefer that. We discuss the tradeoffs based on your specific case.