We Can Coordinate Your Treatment for Dental Implants

Dr. Jason Thompson may recommend dental implants as a treatment for missing teeth to help you achieve numerous long-lasting benefits. He does not place the implants himself, but he works closely with a trusted oral surgeon during your treatment planning and can create a restoration that functions seamlessly with your smile. Our office in Muskego, WI, can guide you through preparatory procedures, surgery, and recovery to help you ensure that your new implants heal and fuse successfully. Once your implants are healed, Dr. Thompson can help you choose a custom restoration that transforms the form and function of your smile for years to come. 

What Are Dental Implants? 

Dental implants are titanium posts that are used to replace the roots of missing teeth. They are topped with an abutment, or anchor, to secure dentures, bridges, or crowns directly to your jawbone and help them function just as effectively as your surrounding teeth. To receive dental implants, patients should: 

• Be in good overall health
• Have single or several missing teeth 
• Have sufficient jawbone, or undergo a bone graft or sinus lift 

During your consultation, Dr. Thompson will help you determine whether you are healthy enough to undergo oral surgery. He will also explain the benefits of dental implants and help you decide whether they are a good choice for you. 

Implant-supported restorations are widely considered the most advanced, functional option for replacing missing teeth

Preparing for Surgery

If you are comfortable with your proposed treatment plan, Dr. Thompson will coordinate your treatment with a trusted, local oral surgeon. Dr. Thompson will help the surgeon plan your treatment using your history, images, and desired outcomes. If you have bone loss due to delayed treatment for missing teeth, you may not have sufficient healthy bone tissue in your jaw to support dental implants. Dr. Thompson and the oral surgeon performing your surgery may recommend a bone graft or a sinus lift prior to your implant surgery to help restore your candidacy and improve the success rate of your implants. 

Placing Your Implants

On the day of your surgery, the oral surgeon will create an incision in your gums where your implant will go. The number of implants you receive will depend on the number of teeth you are replacing and the type of restoration you choose. The surgeon will then place a biocompatible titanium post in your jawbone and suture the gum back together. Once your implant is in place, the process of osseointegration begins. Titanium is biocompatible and should fuse with the surrounding jawbone to prevent further bone loss. If you follow recovery instructions and practice good health habits, you can expect to be fully healed and ready for your restoration in four to six months.