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Missing teeth change more than just the way your smile looks — they alter how you chew, speak, and how your face ages over time. Whether a single tooth is gone or several are missing, modern implant dentistry offers a way to rebuild both function and aesthetics with results that integrate seamlessly into daily life. Our approach focuses on predictable outcomes that respect your oral health, your lifestyle, and your goals for appearance and comfort.
Dental implants act as long-term anchors that support replacement teeth without relying on neighboring natural teeth for stability. Because implants are fixed into the jaw, they restore biting forces and preserve the shape of the jawbone, which helps maintain facial structure. For many patients, the implant option brings back the freedom to eat a wide variety of foods and speak without concern.
Every treatment begins with careful evaluation. We look at your overall health, the health of surrounding teeth and gums, and the condition of your jawbone before recommending a personalized plan. When appropriate, imaging and diagnostic tools let us map the most efficient and conservative path forward, minimizing surprises and setting clear expectations for each stage of care.
Unlike removable prosthetics, dental implants replace the missing root as well as the visible tooth. The implant post is made from biocompatible materials that integrate with bone — a process called osseointegration — creating a stable foundation for crowns, bridges, or full-arch restorations. This root-like support is what gives implants their strength and functionality.
Because the restoration sits on a firmly anchored implant, prosthetic teeth feel more like natural teeth and behave accordingly. Patients typically notice improved chewing efficiency and clearer speech compared with removable options. The result is a restoration that’s designed to work with your mouth, not around it.
Implants are valued for their durability and the role they play in preserving oral health. By restoring the missing tooth root, implants help slow the bone loss that follows extractions. This surgical foundation supports a range of prosthetic designs and can prevent the shifting of adjacent teeth, helping preserve a balanced bite and long-term dental stability.
Because implants don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support, they avoid the need to alter healthy teeth — a common requirement for traditional bridges. That conservative aspect helps maintain tooth structure and reduces the risk of future decay or structural compromise in adjacent teeth.
Implant restorations are also low-maintenance in everyday life: routine brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups are usually all that’s required to keep them healthy. With proper care and periodic professional assessments, many patients enjoy years of reliable function.
Implant dentistry is not one-size-fits-all. Solutions range from a single implant with a crown to implant-supported bridges, and full-arch prostheses that replace every tooth in an upper or lower jaw. The right choice depends on how many teeth are missing, the quality and quantity of bone, and your personal priorities for stability and appearance.
For a single missing tooth, a solitary implant and custom crown recreate the form and function of a natural tooth without touching neighboring teeth. For multiple missing teeth, strategically placed implants can support a bridge that restores chewing power and helps maintain jawbone volume. When nearly all teeth are gone, full-arch options provide fixed or removable prostheses that dramatically improve stability compared with traditional dentures.
When planning a full-arch restoration, some patients are candidates for systems that use four to six implants to support a complete set of teeth. These designs can often provide interim prosthetics immediately after surgery, and permanent restorations once healing is complete. Your clinician will explain which approaches match your anatomy and goals.
Successful implant care begins with thorough planning. Diagnostic imaging and a comprehensive exam allow the treatment team to determine optimal implant locations, assess bone quality, and identify any preparatory steps that might be necessary. A clear timeline helps patients understand when each phase will occur and what to expect during recovery.
Implant placement is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, with sedation options available for patient comfort. Depending on your case, placement may be straightforward or combined with preparatory procedures like bone grafting. Where possible, techniques that minimize disruption to surrounding tissues are used to enhance healing and reduce downtime.
After the implant is placed, a healing period follows to allow osseointegration. During this time, temporary restorations can provide function and appearance while the implant integrates. Once the implant is stable, a final custom restoration is fabricated to match your bite and aesthetics, completing the process.
Sometimes, the optimal implant outcome requires additional steps to rebuild or preserve the jawbone. Bone grafting replenishes lost volume and creates a stable environment for implant placement. These procedures are common and predictable when performed by clinicians experienced in implant care, and they significantly broaden the pool of patients who can benefit from implants.
Soft tissue health is just as important. Managing gum tissue and ensuring healthy margins around the implant-supported crown or bridge contributes to both aesthetics and long-term maintenance. Our treatment plans include steps to support gum health before, during, and after restoration.
Once placed and restored, implants respond well to routine care. Regular dental visits allow the team to monitor bone levels, check occlusion, and ensure restorations remain secure. Patients should maintain consistent home hygiene and report any changes in comfort, fit, or function promptly so issues can be addressed early.
With attentive care and periodic professional assessments, implant-supported restorations can remain a durable and reliable part of oral health. The predictable biology behind osseointegration and the strength of modern materials make implants a long-term solution when placed and maintained appropriately.
Deciding whether implants are the best option for your smile starts with a conversation and a careful exam. Our office will review your health history, examine your mouth, and outline the treatment choices that match your goals. We prioritize clear explanations so you can make informed decisions about your care.
Frankford Dental Group brings experience, technology, and a patient-focused approach to implant dentistry. If you’re interested in exploring implant-based solutions for missing teeth, contact us to learn more or to schedule a consultation. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how implant dentistry can restore function, comfort, and confidence to your smile.
If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.
Dental implants are placed into the jawbone and mirror the same function as the root of a tooth. The procedure for dental implants is usually performed while a patient is sedated. Patients who undergo IV sedation must have an empty stomach and transportation home following the procedure. Most sedation patients will have little to no memory of the procedure occurring.
Generally, dental implants are made out of a biocompatible metal such as titanium. Biocompatible metals are also used for other common bone implants (such as shoulder, hip, and knee replacements). The visible portion of the implant is usually made out of porcelain and is custom-made to match your existing teeth.
Dental implants are designed to fuse to the bone, which makes them become permanent fixtures. Typically speaking, the success rate is nearly 100%. There are few cases in which the implant will not fuse as intended and must be removed. If this happens to occur, the procedure can be attempted again a few months later.
Dental implants are not usually covered by dental insurance, but may be covered under a patient's medical insurance. Our office and your insurance company can discuss coverage options with you based on your individual case and treatment plan.
It's easy... just take care of an implant as if it's a natural tooth! This involves regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. If you have any concerns about your implant, contact us immediately.
Implant dentistry is the specialty of replacing missing teeth with artificial roots and restorations that function like natural teeth. Dental implants are small posts, typically made from biocompatible materials, that are placed in the jaw to support crowns, bridges, or full-arch prostheses. This approach restores chewing function, preserves jawbone structure, and improves long-term oral stability.
Careful planning and imaging guide implant treatment so restorations integrate with your bite and facial form. Implant dentistry prioritizes predictable biological healing and mechanical support to recreate both the root and visible portions of a tooth. Many patients choose implants because they provide a fixed, tooth-like solution that works with the mouth instead of relying on adjacent teeth.
Dental implants replicate the role of a tooth root by anchoring into the jawbone and supporting a prosthetic tooth above the gum line. Over time the implant fuses with bone through a natural process called osseointegration, creating a stable foundation that transmits chewing forces to the jaw. That root-like support helps preserve bone volume and maintain facial contours that can otherwise change after tooth loss.
The visible portion of the replacement is a custom restoration that is attached to the implant and shaped to match neighboring teeth. Because the restoration is secured to a fixed implant, it behaves more like a natural tooth than a removable prosthesis and typically improves chewing efficiency and speech. Properly planned implant restorations are designed to respect occlusion and long-term function so they integrate seamlessly into daily life.
Candidacy for implants depends on overall health, oral hygiene habits, and the quality and quantity of jawbone at the intended site. Many adults who are free of uncontrolled systemic conditions and maintain reasonable periodontal health are potential candidates, but each case requires an individualized assessment. Smoking, certain medical conditions, and untreated gum disease can affect candidacy and are considered during evaluation.
A dental exam and diagnostic imaging determine whether the jawbone can support an implant or if preparatory procedures are needed to build adequate volume. Clinicians also evaluate adjacent teeth, bite relationships, and aesthetic goals to recommend the most appropriate restorative option. When additional procedures are recommended, they are planned to increase predictability and expand the pool of patients who can benefit from implants.
Treatment begins with a comprehensive consultation that includes a medical history review, oral examination, and imaging to map anatomy and plan implant positions. A personalized treatment plan outlines any preparatory steps, recommended implant types, and the timeline for surgery and restoration. In many cases computer-guided planning helps enhance precision and minimize surprises during surgery.
Implant placement is most often performed as an outpatient procedure with local anesthesia and, if appropriate, sedation to enhance comfort. After placement a healing period allows osseointegration to occur, and temporary restorations can be provided where needed to maintain function and aesthetics. The team at Frankford Dental Group coordinates each phase so patients understand recovery expectations and the sequence of care.
Healing time varies based on the implant location, bone quality, and whether supporting procedures like bone grafting were performed. Typical integration time ranges from a few months to several months while bone bonds to the implant, though some protocols may allow earlier loading in select cases. Your clinician will provide a timeline tailored to your anatomy and the specific implant system used.
Temporary restorations can often be used during healing to maintain appearance and chewing function, and the final custom restoration is placed once the implant demonstrates stable integration. Periodic checkups during this period monitor healing, occlusion, and soft tissue health to ensure the long-term success of the restoration. Clear communication about milestones and expected follow-up visits helps patients plan for each stage of treatment.
Some patients require preparatory procedures to create a stable foundation for implants, the most common being bone grafting to restore lost jaw volume. Bone grafts are predictable and can be performed before or at the time of implant placement depending on the situation, and they significantly increase the likelihood of successful integration. Sinus augmentation is another commonly used procedure when implants are planned in the upper posterior jaw and additional vertical height is required.
Soft tissue management is also important to achieve healthy gum margins and an aesthetic result, especially in the smile zone. Procedures to augment or reposition tissue may be recommended to improve long-term maintenance and visual outcomes. Your clinician will discuss which adjunctive steps are necessary and how they fit into the overall treatment plan to optimize both function and appearance.
Implants require the same attention as natural teeth, including daily brushing and interdental cleaning to control plaque and protect surrounding gums. Using appropriate brushes and techniques around implant restorations helps prevent peri-implant inflammation and supports tissue health. Maintaining a consistent home care routine is one of the best ways to preserve implant function over time.
Regular professional visits are important to monitor bone levels, evaluate occlusion, and examine the condition of prosthetic components. Your dental team will recommend a recall schedule and may perform specialized cleaning around implants to remove deposits in hard-to-reach areas. Promptly reporting any changes in comfort, looseness, or gum health allows early intervention if problems arise.
Restorative options range from a single implant with a custom crown to implant-supported bridges and full-arch prostheses, allowing solutions that match the number of missing teeth and patient priorities. A single implant replaces one tooth without altering neighboring teeth, while two or more implants can support a bridge to restore multiple adjacent spaces. For patients missing most or all teeth, fixed or removable full-arch solutions supported by multiple implants provide substantial improvements in stability compared with conventional dentures.
The choice between fixed restorations and removable implant overdentures depends on factors such as hygiene access, aesthetics, and preference for a permanent-feeling prosthesis. Some full-arch protocols use four to six implants to support a complete set of teeth and can include interim prosthetics during healing. Your clinician will review the pros and cons of each option and tailor the plan to your anatomy and lifestyle.
Dental implants are a well-established treatment with a favorable safety profile when placed and maintained by experienced clinicians using appropriate diagnostics. Common risks include infection, insufficient integration, and complications related to supporting procedures such as grafting, though thorough planning and careful technique reduce these occurrences. Smoking, uncontrolled systemic disease, and poor oral hygiene can increase the likelihood of complications and are addressed during treatment planning.
Many risks are identifiable and manageable with early detection, which is why diagnostic imaging and follow-up visits are critical components of care. When complications occur, timely intervention can often preserve the implant or guide alternative treatments. Choosing clinicians who follow evidence-based protocols and who provide clear aftercare instructions improves the predictability of outcomes.
Deciding on implants starts with a comprehensive consultation that considers your health history, oral condition, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle priorities. Diagnostic imaging and a clinical exam help determine bone availability, the health of surrounding tissues, and any preparatory steps required for a successful outcome. A thoughtful discussion about expectations, alternatives, and the sequence of care ensures you understand the practical aspects of treatment.
The team at Frankford Dental Group can review your case, explain recommended options, and outline a personalized plan that aligns with your goals and anatomy. This collaborative approach emphasizes clear explanations so you can make an informed choice about implant-based solutions. If you are considering implants, scheduling an exam is the best next step to learn which approach will deliver reliable function and a natural-looking result.
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