Dental Implants
If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental implants are considered the gold standard for long-term tooth replacement. At Main Street Dental Center, we offer dental implant solutions that can give you back a complete, confident smile that looks and feels natural. Implants are a popular choice because they are permanent, stable, and help maintain the health of your jawbone over time.
A dental implant itself is a small titanium post that serves as an artificial tooth root. It is surgically placed into the jawbone beneath your gums in the area of a missing tooth. Over the course of a few months, the implant fuses with the bone (a process called osseointegration) – essentially becoming a part of your body. This creates a solid foundation, much like a natural tooth root.
The typical dental implant restoration has three parts:
Implant Post
Abutment
Crown (Prosthetic Tooth)
Why choose dental implants over other options?
Stability & Comfort
Bone Health
Protecting Other Teeth
Longevity
Implants are designed to be a permanent solution. With good care (brushing, flossing, regular dentist visits), an implant can last decades or even a lifetime, often making it more cost-effective in the long run.
Natural Function & Appearance
Dental implants are incredibly versatile. We can use a single implant to replace one missing tooth with one crown. For multiple missing teeth, implants can support a fixed bridge or even a full denture. For example, if you’re missing all teeth in a jaw, as few as four to six implants might be placed at strategic points to anchor a full arch denture (this is often called an implant-supported denture or “All-on-4” technique). These solutions are much more secure and functional than traditional removable dentures.
The dental implant process does take longer than getting a bridge or denture, because of the healing time required. Typically, from placing the implant to affixing the final crown can take a few months. However, during this time you’ll usually have some type of temporary tooth or solution, so you’re not left with a gap. We will discuss the timeline and what to expect in detail during your consultation. In some cases, under the right conditions, immediate implants can be placed with a temporary crown on the same day as a tooth extraction, but this depends on individual factors like bone health.
At Main Street Dental Center, we work with you every step of the way in your implant journey. The first step is a thorough evaluation, including X-rays or 3D imaging, to make sure you have sufficient bone and are a good candidate for implants. Most people who are in good general health can get implants. If you’ve been missing a tooth for a long time and have some bone loss, we might recommend a bone graft to build up the area. We’ll also review your medical history; conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or habits like smoking can affect healing, but that doesn’t always rule out implants — it’s just something we manage carefully.
The implant placement procedure itself is done under local anesthesia so you’ll be numb and comfortable. Many patients are surprised at how quick and painless the surgery is – often comparable to a tooth extraction. Minor soreness afterward is usually managed with standard pain relievers. Over the healing months, we’ll check in with you to ensure everything is on track. Once healed, we’ll attach the abutment and take impressions to craft your final crown or denture that attaches to the implants.
In the end, when you see and feel your new implant tooth, most patients say it’s absolutely worth it. You’ll have a complete smile again, can speak clearly (missing teeth or loose dentures can cause slurring or mumbling), and you can eat foods like corn on the cob, steak, or apples with no fear. Perhaps just as importantly, implants help maintain your jaw structure, so your face retains its natural shape.
If you’re considering dental implants, we’re happy to answer all your questions. We understand it’s a big decision and investment, and we want you to feel informed. Our team will guide you through financing or insurance questions as well. We take pride in restoring not just teeth, but quality of life. Imagine having a strong, secure smile for life – that’s what implants can offer. Let us help you restore your smile to full health and beauty with our advanced implant dentistry services.
Your Smile, Our Passion
Personalized, gentle dental care for the whole family — right here on Main Street.