Restorative Dentistry
Dental Implants
A permanent replacement tooth, rooted the way a natural tooth is rooted.
What this is, in plain language
A dental implant replaces the whole tooth, not just the visible part. A small titanium post takes the place of the root, your bone gradually fuses to it over a few months, and a custom porcelain crown is attached on top. The result stands on its own: it does not lean on neighboring teeth, it does not come out at night, and you brush and floss it like any other tooth.
The process unfolds in unhurried stages. Placing the post is a shorter and gentler appointment than most people expect, typically under an hour, done with thorough numbing. Then comes a quiet healing period of three to four months while the bone bonds to the post. Once that foundation is solid, we take a digital scan and craft the crown that completes the tooth.
Dr. Holt plans every implant with 3D imaging, so the position of the post is decided precisely before the day of placement. That planning is why the appointment itself is calm and predictable. We also talk honestly about whether an implant is right for you: your bone, your health history, and your timeline all shape the recommendation.
This might be right for you if
- I lost a tooth and want a fix I never have to think about
- I do not want my healthy neighboring teeth ground down for a bridge
- My bridge or partial denture has reached the end of its life
- A tooth is failing and I want to plan its replacement calmly
- I want something permanent that I can brush like a normal tooth
What to expect
An implant is placed and restored in unhurried stages, planned in 3D beforehand. It involves:
- A 3D scan to plan the exact position of the post before placement day
- The titanium post set into the jaw under complete numbing, usually under an hour
- A quiet healing period of three to four months while bone fuses to the post
- A digital scan once the post is solid, and a porcelain crown crafted to match
- The crown secured to the post, with the bite adjusted until it feels natural
How it unfolds, step by step
3D planning
A quick 3D scan maps your bone and nearby structures. Dr. Holt plans the exact position, angle, and depth of the implant on screen before your placement visit, so nothing is decided in the chair.
Placing the post
With the area completely numb, the titanium post is set into the jaw. Most placements take 45 to 60 minutes, and most patients say the appointment was easier than a filling. Soreness afterward is mild and brief.
Quiet healing
Over three to four months, bone grows onto the post and locks it in place. You will not feel this happening. You come in once or twice so we can confirm healing is on track.
Scanning for the crown
Once the post is solid, a small connector is attached and we take a digital scan. Our ceramist uses it to build a porcelain crown shaded to match your neighboring teeth.
Attaching the tooth
The finished crown is secured to the post and the bite is adjusted until it feels natural. From this visit on, it is simply your tooth: brush it, floss it, forget about it.
Caring for it afterward
Healing is mostly quiet, and a little care in the first days sets the implant up to last:
- Expect mild soreness for two or three days, managed with over-the-counter pain relief
- Use a cold compress for swelling and keep to soft foods for the first few days
- Avoid smoking, which slows implant healing more than almost anything else
- Rinse gently with warm salt water and keep the area clean as directed
- Once restored, brush and floss the implant like any tooth; the gum around it still needs daily care
Questions everyone asks
The placement itself does not, because the area is fully numbed and the procedure is smaller than most people picture. Afterward, expect mild soreness for two or three days, usually managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Many patients return to work the next day.
Typically four to six months from placement to finished tooth, most of which is quiet healing time while bone fuses to the post. If a tooth needs to be removed first or bone needs building up, the timeline extends. Dr. Holt maps out your specific schedule before anything starts.
The titanium post can last a lifetime with good home care and regular checkups. The porcelain crown on top typically lasts 10 to 15 years before it may need replacing, much like a crown on a natural tooth. Implants do not decay, but the gum around them still needs daily care.
Most healthy adults are. What we assess is the amount and quality of bone where the tooth is missing, your gum health, and medical factors like uncontrolled diabetes or smoking that slow healing. If bone has receded, grafting can often rebuild it. A consultation with 3D imaging gives you a clear yes, no, or not yet.
Not if the gap shows when you smile. We can make a temporary tooth, either a small removable piece or one bonded to neighboring teeth, that fills the space during healing. You will not walk around with a visible gap.
Often explored together
Wondering if dental implants is right for you?
Bring us the question. A conversation costs nothing and you will leave with a straight answer either way.