Dental Implants

A dental implant is a small titanium post that is surgically inserted into the bone of the upper or lower jaw to support a crown (cap) or denture. In many ways, dental implants are the best means of artificially replacing one or more missing teeth. Following placement, the bone surrounding the implant post grows to attach to the surface of the implant, in effect making the implant a part of the bone structure. This process is referred to as osseointegration, and has been the subject of much research for several decades at this point. The process of osseointegration has become more predictable as implant technology and our understanding of the process have improved, and the total treatment time has shortened as a result.

Drs. Pearson, Jefferson and Camp perform dental implants surgery in our Raleigh, Cary and Smithfield, North Carolina.

Dental Implant Presentation

To provide you with a better understanding of dental implants, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to dental implants are discussed.

Dental Implants - Raleigh, Cary & Smithfield, NC

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Dental Implant Overview

For a brief narrated overview of the dental implant process, please click the image on the right. It will launch our flash educational MiniModule in a separate window that may answer some of your questions about dental implants.

Having trouble? Please make sure you have version 7 of the Flash browser plugin in order to correctly view this presentation. This software is available as a free download.

Dental implant treatment as carried out by our doctors requires a team approach. The surgical portion of the treatment plan (implant placement into bone) is performed by one of our doctors, and the restorative portion (attachment of a crown/cap or denture) is then performed by another dental provider who is familiar with such treatment. Usually the patient’s general dentist or a prosthodontist – a dental specialist who has had additional training in crown, bridge and denture treatment – carries out this final phase of implant treatment.

Traditionally, implants were allowed to remain in place for at least six months before beginning the restorative phase of treatment that puts the implant(s) into use. Today, some clinicians are placing an implant into a tooth socket immediately after removal of the tooth, followed by same-day placement of a crown or denture on the implant. This type of procedure must be attempted in very specific cases, however, or unfavorable results can occur. Our doctors typically follow a more conservative protocol for dental implant treatment, allowing several months for osseointegration between the time of implant placement and subsequent restoration.

Many factors must be considered when dental implant treatment is contemplated, and every situation requires individualized decision-making. A particular implant technique or protocol that may work well in some situations is not necessarily appropriate for every patient. For this reason, every potential implant patient in our practice meets with one of our doctors for a pre-surgical evaluation and consultation appointment to discuss the various treatment options along with the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.