Dental Implants
Dental implants, or 'implants', are tooth root replacements designed to provide a strong, stable foundation for replacing missing teeth.
This is an important distinction, as many people think of a dental implant as a post with a tooth attached to the top. In reality, the implant itself is the portion you don't see, it is placed beneath the gums to replace the root of the missing tooth. The visible replacement tooth, called a crown, is a separate component that is secured to the implant to restore the appearance and function of your natural tooth.
What Is A Dental Implant?
The three main components you can expect to receive as part of having a dental implant placed are:
1) The Implant: The dental implant is the tooth root replacement.
2) The Abutment: The abutment is the connector between the dental implant and the crown. During treatment, you may receive two types of abutments: a healing abutment, used while the implant site heals, and a final abutment, which support the finished crown.
3) The Crown: The crown is the part that looks and function like your natural tooth. Like the abutment, you may receive a temporary crown during treatment before your final crown is placed.
What to expect the day of surgery
The three main components you can expect to receive as part of having a dental implant placed are:
1) The Implant
a dental implant is the tooth "root" replacement
2) The Abutment
An abutment connects the crown to the dental implant. There are two types of abutments you need to be aware of: Healing and Final
3) The Crown
The crown is what you most likely think of when you think "tooth". There are two types of crowns you need to be aware of: Temporary and Final
Terms Defined
Fabrication
the process of a specialized dental laboratory manufacturing custom dental prosthetics including single crowns, traditional or fixed dentures, mouth guards, etc.
the process of a specialized dental laboratory manufacturing custom dental prosthetics including single crowns, traditional or fixed dentures, mouth guards, etc.
the dental industry term for providing a patient with a prosthesis
the term used to refer to teeth and tissue towards the front of the mouth; for teeth in the maxilla 6-11, and for teeth in the mandible 22-27
the upper jaw; or, referring to the upper jaw
the lower jaw; or, referring to the lower jaw
Terms Defined
The process of a specialized dental laboratory manufacturing custom dental prosthetics including single crowns, traditional or fixed dentures, mouth guards, etc.
The dental industry term for providing a patient with a prosthesis
The term used to refer to teeth and tissue towards the front of the mouth; for teeth in the maxilla 6-11, and for teeth in the mandible 22-27
The upper jaw; or, referring to the upper jaw
The lower jaw; or, referring to the lower jaw
Terms Defined
Terms Defined
From Consultation to Restoration | The Dental Implant Process
A seamless approach to implant placement
STEP 1
Identifying the Need for a Dental Implant
Your path to a dental implant begins with determining whether replacing a tooth is the right choice for your oral health. You may be considering an implant because:
1. A tooth cannot be predictably saved, and your dentist or dental specialist has recommended extraction and replacement.
2. A previously treated tooth is failing, including a tooth that has undergone a root canal therapy.
3. You are already missing a tooth and would like to restore its appearance, function, or both.Schedule A Consultation with an Oral Surgeon
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STEP 2
Schedule A Consultation with an Oral Surgeon
Every dental implant treatment plan begins with a comprehensive evaluation. During your consultation, your oral surgeon will review your medical history, examine the site being treated, and discuss your goals for replacing the missing or failing tooth.
Advanced 3D imaging, such as a CBCT scan, allows your surgeon to evaluate the available jawbone and surrounding anatomical structures and precisely plan the position of your dental implant.
Your surgeon will then discuss your treatment options, whether procedures such as bone grafting may be needed, and what you can expect throughout the dental implant placement and healing process.
STEP 3
Schedule Surgery
Once you and your oral surgeon have established a treatment plan, our team will help you schedule your dental implant journey at a time that works for you.
Before surgery, we'll review what to expect, provide any necessary pre-operative instructions, and make sure you understand each step of your treatment plan. Depending on your individual needs, treatment may include tooth extraction, bone grafting, and dental implant placement, sometimes during the same appointment.
Your treatment is carefully planned around your health, anatomy, and long-term restorative goals to create the strongest possible foundation for your new tooth.
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What to Expect the Day of Surgery
Every dental implant procedure is a little different, but single implant placement is often relatively quick outpatient procedure, with surgery commonly completed in about 30-45 minutes.
Before your procedure begins, your surgical team will review your treatment plan and make sure you are comfortable. After surgery, you'll receive detailed instructions for managing swelling and discomfort, caring for the surgical site, and protecting your implant as it begins to heal. Most patients are able to return to normal activity same-day or next-day with a modified diet.
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Excessive Bleeding
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Implant Failure
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Sinus Communication
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Generalized Discomfort
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Nerve Involvement
Understanding Potential Risks
Dental implant surgery is a predictable procedure with a high rate of success and complications are rare, but as with any surgery, there are potential risk. Potential complications may include:
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Excessive or Prolonged Bleeding
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Infection
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Implant Failure
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Sinus Communication
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Nerve Involvement or Altered Sensation
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Excessive
THE EXPERTISE BEHIND EVERY SUCCESSFUL IMPLANT
Dental implant placement is a surgical procedure, and the experience of your surgeon matters.
As a Board-certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Eisenberg completes hundreds of implant surgeries each year, she brings advanced surgical expertise, a deep understanding of facial anatomy, and the skills to manage even the most complex cases. The result? Greater, faster recovery, and long-term success you can trust.
Exceptional implant care takes more than a skilled surgeon. At New Albany Oral & Facial Surgery, an experienced team supports every step of your treatment, from advanced imaging and personalized surgical planning to coordination with your dentist and care throughout recovery. The result is a seamless experience built around precision, communication, and an exceptional outcome.
From Consultation to Confidence | in 3 Steps
Understand Your Case
Our administrative team supports our surgeon in ensuring that you understand your treatment options prior to considering surgery. This begins with capturing the best x-ray imaging to diagnose and plan your surgical care. Your surgeon and patient care coordinator are experts, so be sure to use your consultation as an opportunity to ask any questions you may have after the surgeon completes her exam, Successful surgeries start with understanding your case.
Create A Financially Comfortable Treatment Plan
Before moving forward with treatment, we want you to have a clear understanding of the anticipated coast of your care. Your patient care coordinator will prepare a personalized treatment estimate based on the options you discussed with your oral surgeon.
If you provided dental insurance when scheduling, our team will verify your benefits and apply any estimated coverage to your treatment plan. This allows us to provide an estimated out-of-pocket cost before treatment begins, including services that may not be covered in part or in full by your insurance.
If cost is a concern, your patient care coordinator can review available financing and payment options with you. In some cases, treatment may also be completed in phases to make the overall investment more manageable.
Our goal is to make the financial side of dental implant treatment as transparent as possible. Because payment is due at the time of service, we discuss anticipate costs with you before treatment begins, so you can make an informed decision about your care without unexpected expenses later.Smile Again
If successful surgeries start with understanding your case, then they certainly conclude with understanding your post-operative care. Our clinical team works with your surgeon to provide the most detailed pre- and post-operative care instructions so that healing from surgery isn't holding you back from returning to daily life. Dental treatment, especially oral surgery, can unexpectedly put a stop to your routines and comfort. Completing surgery with New Albany Oral and Facial Surgery mean that you'll be back to smiling again in no time.
