Dental Implants in Westmont, IL

First we sit down together. We review your x-rays, your bone, your health history and your options for restoring your mouth. Nothing gets scheduled until you know the plan.

An implant has three parts. The fixture goes into the bone and replaces the tooth root. The abutment is the connector. The crown sits on top and is the part you see.

In some cases we can place the post into the bone the same day we take the tooth out. If there was an infection, it is often better to wait until the area clears up. The same goes for bone with a defect where an abscessed tooth came out. We usually let the fixture integrate with the bone for a few months before adding the abutment and crown. Think of setting a metal post in wet concrete: you would not want to move it while the concrete sets.

If we need to graft bone first, or lift the sinus for more height, the wait is longer. We tell you the sequence before we start. Some patients get a smaller temporary over the area so the space does not look empty in the meantime.

A titanium post is placed in the jawbone. Bone grows around it and locks it in place. That is called osseointegration, which just means the bone locks onto the post. It is why an implant feels solid.

Because the post replaces the root, it keeps supporting the bone. That helps stop the bone from dissolving away over the years. It also means we leave the two healthy teeth beside the gap alone. A bridge would need those teeth drilled down.

For dentures, one to four implants, and in some cases more, can act as anchors. A connector called a locator snaps the denture into place. You get much more stability, and the denture is still easy to clean.