How Dental Implants Work

A dental implant consists of three main components working together. The implant post—typically made of titanium—is an artificial tooth root that integrates with your jawbone. An abutment connects to the top of this post and extends through your gum tissue. Finally, a custom crown attaches to the abutment, completing your new tooth.

The magic happens during a process called osseointegration. Your jawbone grows around the titanium post, fusing with it and creating a rock-solid foundation. This biological process takes several months but results in stability that rivals or exceeds natural tooth roots. Once integrated, your implant becomes a permanent part of your jaw structure.

Dr. Kim carefully plans each implant placement using detailed imaging and measurements. Precision matters enormously because proper positioning affects both function and aesthetics. The implant must emerge through your gum tissue at exactly the right angle and location to support a natural-looking crown and maintain healthy gum contours.

Why Choose Dental Implants Over Other Options

Dental implants offer distinct advantages compared to traditional tooth replacement methods. Bridges require grinding down adjacent healthy teeth to serve as anchors—permanently altering those teeth even though they had nothing wrong with them. Dentures rest on your gums and can slip during eating or speaking, plus they don’t prevent the bone loss that occurs after tooth loss.

Implants stand alone without involving neighboring teeth. They stimulate your jawbone just like natural tooth roots, maintaining bone volume and facial structure. You brush and floss them normally—no special cleaning solutions or adhesives required. Most importantly, they feel like your own teeth because they’re anchored in your jaw rather than sitting on top of your gums.

The investment in implants pays dividends over time. While the upfront cost exceeds other options, implants typically last decades or even a lifetime. Bridges need replacement every 10-15 years, and dentures require adjustments and eventual replacement as your jaw changes shape. Dr. Charles Kim helps patients understand the long-term value when comparing tooth replacement options.

The Dental Implant Process

Getting dental implants unfolds in stages, allowing your body time to heal between procedures. During your initial consultation at Caldwell Dental Care, Dr. Kim evaluates your oral health, takes X-rays and scans, and determines whether you’re a good candidate for implants. Adequate bone volume and healthy gums are essential prerequisites.

The first surgical procedure involves placing the implant post into your jawbone. Dr. Kim creates a small opening in your gum tissue, prepares a precise space in the bone, and positions the implant. Your gum tissue closes over or around the implant, and then the waiting begins. Osseointegration typically takes three to six months, during which the bone gradually fuses with the titanium post.

Once integration completes, a second minor procedure exposes the implant and attaches the abutment. Some cases allow placing the abutment during the initial surgery, eliminating this second step. Your gums heal around the abutment for a few weeks.

Finally, Dr. Kim takes impressions to create your custom crown. He matches the color, shape, and size to blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth. Once the crown arrives from the dental lab, he secures it to the abutment. You walk out with a complete, functional tooth.

Who Makes a Good Candidate?

Most adults with missing teeth can receive dental implants, but certain factors affect candidacy. You need sufficient jawbone density and volume to support the implant. If bone loss has occurred—which often happens after losing teeth—Dr. Kim might recommend bone grafting to build up the area before implant placement.

Healthy gums provide the foundation for successful implants. Active gum disease requires treatment before proceeding with implants. Certain medical conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or recent radiation therapy to the jaw area might complicate healing and affect success rates.

Smoking significantly impacts implant success because it impairs healing and osseointegration. Dr. Charles Kim discusses smoking cessation with patients who smoke, as quitting dramatically improves outcomes. Age isn’t typically a barrier—many patients in their 70s and 80s successfully receive implants.

Caring for Your Dental Implants

The beauty of dental implants lies partly in how simple they are to maintain. You care for them exactly like natural teeth—brush twice daily, floss around them, and visit Caldwell Dental Care regularly for checkups and cleanings. No soaking in cleaning solutions, no removing them at night, no messy adhesives.

The crown portion can chip or crack like a natural tooth, though this rarely happens with normal use. The implant itself becomes part of your body and doesn’t decay. However, the surrounding gum tissue requires attention. Poor oral hygiene can lead to inflammation around implants, potentially compromising their stability over time.

Dr. Kim monitors your implants during regular dental visits, checking the tissue health, bite alignment, and overall implant condition. Early detection of any issues allows for simple interventions before problems escalate.

Single Teeth vs. Multiple Implants

Dental implants work for replacing individual teeth or multiple missing teeth. A single implant replaces one tooth. If you’re missing several teeth in a row, Dr. Kim might place individual implants for each tooth or use implants to support a bridge spanning the gap—eliminating the need to alter adjacent healthy teeth.

Implant-supported dentures provide remarkable stability for patients missing all teeth in an arch. As few as four to six strategically placed implants can support a complete denture that snaps securely into place. These dentures don’t slip or require adhesives; they preserve bone by providing the stimulation your jaw needs.