The first step in dental implants is deciding what the finished product should look like. If ALL teeth are missing, then an implant supported denture or bridge is considered. If only a single tooth is missing, the complexity goes down, there are fewer choices.

The main determining factor is bone. Dental implants fuse to bone to then be restored, by a process called “osseointegration”. Most dental implants are made from pure titanium, which the body does not recognize as foreign. If it is not foreign, then the body does not reject the material and integrates it with the bone, or fuses. This process takes time, from 3-6 months on average.

If not enough bone exists, whether from thickness or height, then an augmentive surgery may help. Again, this will take time, usually 3-6 months.

So, to know if you are a candidate for dental implants, adequate bone must be determined. Dr Timmerman can help.