Dealing with tooth loss can happen to anyone at any age and typically results in feelings of embarrassment. Whether you shy away from allowing others to see your smile, or if you suffer from difficulty with daily functions like chewing or speaking, we encourage you to consider dental implants. Restoring your tooth or teeth from the roots up, implants provide unsurpassed stability.
A dental implant is a screw-like device that replaces your tooth’s roots, and on which your dentist will place a restoration, or dental prosthetic. The “implant” portion of your tooth replacement includes a titanium post that Dr. Lathrop will surgically place within your jawbone.
Healing will take approximately three to four months. During this time the implant will undergo osseointegration, a process through which the post fuses with your jawbone. Once you heal, Dr. Lathrop will place a small piece called an abutment onto your implant, which will fit securely into one of our restorations for incredible support.
Dental implant requirements vary from patient to patient. One patient may be missing a single tooth, while others are missing two teeth side-by-side, teeth scattered across an arch, or a full arch of teeth. To ensure we can accommodate the diverse needs of our patients, we offer the following restoration options for your dental implants:
If you feel disappointed in your smile and wish to replace your missing teeth through a method that mimics your original natural teeth, you may make a good candidate for dental implants. You should also have gums that are free of disease and an adequate amount of strong jawbone tissue.