Considered the permanent solution for tooth loss, dental implants are artificial tooth roots placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants can replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth; support a bridge and eliminate the need for a partial denture, or provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

“Getting a dental implant is a team effort between myself and your general dentist,” explains Dr. Greco. “Once I place the implant and it heals, the dentist finishes the smile.”

According to Dr. Greco, getting dental implants can be a “life-altering experience.” Patients say they are so happy to have their own teeth to chew on again, she explains, “It’s hard when you lose a tooth to injury, or whatever reason. Once you get your smile back, you feel good about yourself and confident again.”

With the motto, “quality patient comfort and care,” Dr. Greco’s staff helps patients file insurance claims and handles insurance questions on behalf of patients.

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. At the same time, your dentist is forming new replacement teeth.

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. At the same time, your dentist is forming new replacement teeth. After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Dr. Greco will uncover the implants and attach small posts, which will act as anchors for the artificial teeth. These posts protrude through the gums. When the artificial teeth are placed, these posts will not be seen. The entire procedure usually takes six to eight months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.

Using the most recent advances in dental implant technology, Dr. Greco is able to place single stage implants. These implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them, but do require a minimum of six weeks of healing time before artificial teeth are placed. There are even situations where the implants can be placed at the same time as a tooth extraction - further minimizing the number of surgical procedures. Advances in dental implant technology have made it possible, in select cases, to extract teeth and place implants with crowns at one visit. This procedure, called “immediate loading,” greatly simplifies the surgical process.

Implants are a team effort between an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and a Restorative Dentist. While Dr. Greco performs the actual implant surgery, and initial tooth extractions and bone grafting if necessary, the restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.

A single prosthesis (crown) is used to replace one missing tooth – each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant. A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants. A complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge) replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. The number of implants varies depending upon which type of complete prosthesis (removable or fixed) is recommended. A removable prosthesis (over denture) attaches to a bar or ball in socket attachments, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and removable only by the dentist.

Dr. Greco performs in-office implant surgery in a hospital-style operating suite, thus optimizing the level of sterility. Inpatient hospital implant surgery is for patients who have special medical or anesthetic needs or for those who need extensive bone grafting from the jaw, hip or tibia.

Once you learn about dental implants, you finally realize there is a way to improve you life. When you lose several teeth – whether it’s a new situation or something you have lived with for years – chances are you have never become fully accustomed to losing such a vital part of yourself.

Dental implants can be your doorway to renewed self-confidence and peace of mind.

A Swedish scientist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, developed this concept for oral rehabilitation more than thirty-five years ago. With his pioneering research, Dr. Branemark opened the door to a lifetime of renewed comfort and self-confidence for millions of individuals facing the frustration and embarrassment of tooth loss.

Why would you select dental implants over more traditional types of restorations?

There are several reasons: Why sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge a space? In addition, removing a denture or a “partial” at night may be inconvenient, not to mention that dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.

If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If you mouth is not ideal for implants, ways of improving outcome, such as bone grafting, may be recommended.

The majority of dental implants and bone graft can be performed in the office under local anesthesia, with or without general anesthesia.

Once the implants are in place, they will serve you well for many years if you take care of them and keep your mouth healthy. This means taking the time for good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and keeping regular appointments with your dental specialists.

Implants have been so successful in my practice that I can easily say, if an implant should fail within a 10 year period, I will be happy to remove the implant, allow the area to heal and then replace it, at no cost to you.

This will include the implant only. If the bone needs to be grafted, which is not something I will have had no control over, the grafting procedure would not be covered by this warranty.

If the implant fails, and you chose not to replace it, this warranty is not good, in equal value, towards any other procedure in my office, nor for any other family member.