Dental Implants

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are artificial replacement of the roots of your teeth. Once placed, they fuse to your jawbone and can support a tooth. Dental implants are the best treatment option if you’re missing one or multiple teeth. Drs. Barack and Gupta have placed over 13,000 dental implants over their career.

What are the steps for a dental implant?

Drs. Barack and Gupta will review your treatment options during a consultation, which will include a 3D x-ray to plan your surgery virtually. Dental implants get placed into the jawbone and fuse to it over two to three months. The actual surgical time is between 30 to 90 minutes depending on how many implants are being placed. Many times, Drs. Barack and Gupta are able to remove a tooth and place the dental implant immediately in the same visit, which can shorten your treatment time. If you have been missing a tooth or teeth for many years, you may be missing jawbone and/or gum tissue. Drs. Barack and Gupta specialty training can provide you with a solution to reconstruct the lost tissue.

Who is a candidate for dental implants?

With modern advances in bone grafting and gum grafting, anyone is a candidate for dental implants. If you have been told you are not a candidate for dental implants, Drs. Barack and Gupta specialize in bone reconstruction procedures and can offer you a fixed, permanent solution utilizing dental implants.

What if I am missing multiple teeth?

Treatment options with dental implants are tailored to your needs. Drs. Barack and Gupta work closely with your restorative dentist to develop a custom treatment plan to replace your missing teeth and restore function. Drs. Barack and Gupta and your restorative dentist may suggest fabricating a bridge utilizing dental implants in order to replace multiple teeth. If you are missing all of your teeth, four to six dental implants can be used to secure a fixed, permanent bridge.

What is the recovery like after dental implant surgery?

There is minimal post-operative pain associated with dental implant surgery. Most patients take an antibiotic and a pain medication for a few days and are able to go back to work the next day. We strongly advise you to avoid strenuous activity for approximately 72 hours so the surgical site is not impacted.

How long do dental implants last?

Dental implants can last a lifetime, however they need to be maintained. Drs. Barack and Gupta will review strategies for how to protect and maintain your dental implant over its lifetime. This may include more frequent cleanings during the year and a night guard to help protect the implant.