Planning starts with the finished tooth
The most useful way to think about an implant is backwards. The final crown determines the ideal implant position; the implant position then determines whether the available bone is sufficient or whether grafting is needed. Planning in this order avoids implants that are technically integrated but awkward to restore and clean.
Three-dimensional imaging is used to evaluate bone height and width, the position of nerves, and sinus anatomy. This is also how alternatives are assessed honestly, because not every gap is best treated with an implant.
What integration actually means
After placement, bone cells grow into direct contact with the implant surface. This process, osseointegration, is what gives implants their stability. It takes time, and rushing it is the most common way to compromise a case.
Healing time varies with bone quality, whether grafting was performed, and individual health factors. This is why one patient finishes in a few months and another takes considerably longer for a superficially similar case.
Factors that influence long-term success
Implants are durable, but they are not immune to problems. The tissue around an implant can become inflamed, and untreated inflammation can lead to bone loss.
- Daily cleaning around and beneath the restoration
- Regular professional maintenance appointments
- Managing clenching and grinding forces
- Smoking cessation, which meaningfully affects healing
- Control of systemic conditions such as diabetes
Questions to raise before you start
Ask what the projected timeline is, what temporary solution you will have during healing, what the plan is if grafting proves necessary, and how the restoration will be maintained. Clear answers at the outset prevent frustration later.
This article is general information and is not a substitute for an examination. To discuss your own situation, request an appointment.