Crane Family Dental

Phone: 715-723-7175

David D. Crane, DDS, S.C.

We are members of:
American Dental Association
Wisconsin Dental Association
Chippewa Valley Dental Society
Chippewa Co. Dental Group

Implants

Crown prepared for a dental implant.

A dental implant is a small "anchor" made of titanium. It is inserted into the jawbone to take the place of your missing tooth root. After Osseointegration, or when the surrounding bone has attached to the implant, a replacement tooth is secured to the top of the implant. The new tooth looks, feels, and performs just like your natural teeth.

Dental implants can be used in a variety of situations, whether you need to replace a single missing tooth or many teeth. They can even be used to replace a full denture. As anchor points, implants can also securely attach a partial denture or bridge.

As an alternative to bridgework, dental implants eliminate the need to grind down healthy teeth when replacing one or more adjacent teeth. The dental implant process involves several steps that take place over a time period that averages from four to nine months. The typical process will include:

Initial implant placement: This procedure is typically performed by an oral surgeon under either a local or a general anesthesia. Over the next several months, bone will attach to the surface of the implant anchoring it into position. Depending on your particular case, an additional minor procedure creates an opening through which your artificial tooth will emerge. Sometimes additional bone is grafted into the implant area.
Implant prosthetic attachment: During this phase, a prosthetic "post" is connected to the implant. A simple impression will be taken and over the next two weeks an artificial tooth will be created for a functional natural restoration. The permanent restoration is then cemented or screwed into place.

Since dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, they naturally enhance your appearance. More importantly, the securely attached implant gives you the confidence of eating what you like, speaking easily and clearly, and freedom from embarrassment. And, by following a regular routine of careful oral hygiene and regular checkups, your implants can last for many years.

In our office we use implants manufactured by Zimmer Dental Inc. Much of the above information is from their company.