Dental Implants in Wilkes-Barre, PA

If you want to get an implant to replace a tooth, our dentist near you at NEPA Dental Group will need to examine your teeth and jawbone. Tooth decay will not only ravage teeth, but it can cause deterioration of the jawbones too. Our dentist will order images to measure the jaw’s length and depth to determine if it can support an dental implant.

If the bone isn’t long or deep enough, bone grafting may be needed to get the bone ready. However, you may need to select another option for replacing your tooth if a graft doesn’t work. Our dentist can schedule the dental implant procedure if the bone is long and thick enough for an dental implant.

Parts of an Dental Implant

Getting an dental implant requires at least two surgeries, sometimes three, since the replacement tooth comes in three parts. The bottom part, or the root, is a titanium screw that our dentist in Wilkes-Barre, PA embeds into the jaw. Next is an abutment that connects the root to the dental crown of the tooth. Finally, there is the porcelain crown that fits onto the abutment.

The initial surgery involves drilling the root into the jawbone. The surgery is brief if everything goes as planned, but recovery can take three to four months. This amount of time allows the titanium root to fuse with the jawbone. Some dentists place the abutment on after the screw is in place, which can add about three weeks or so to the recovery time.

After you’ve recovered from the first surgery, you will either have a second one for placing the abutment or a final one to put the crown on and complete the tooth. Altogether it takes six to nine months before the dental implant can start chewing soft foods.

If you’re interested in getting dental implants near you for replacing teeth, schedule a time with our dentist at NEPA Dental Group to find out if you are eligible.