Gum care
Implants and the gum around them
An implant is a small post that replaces a tooth root. A crown on top replaces the tooth. We place implants and look after the gum and bone around them, and your own dentist usually makes and fits the crown.
Gum health comes first. If the gums around a missing tooth are inflamed, we treat that before an implant is placed, and we keep checking the gum around an implant afterward.
Who it is for
A missing tooth
A tooth that can't be kept
An implant that needs its gum looked after
What happens
From the first exam to the finished crown usually takes several months, and Dr. Wade gives a range for your case.
- 01
Step 1: Exam and scan
We look at the gum and bone, and take a 3-D scan if it is needed to plan the implant.
- 02
Step 2: Planning with your dentist
We agree who does what, so the crown and the implant fit together.
- 03
Step 3: Placement
The area is numbed. Plan on a visit of an hour or two.
- 04
Step 4: Healing, then the crown
The bone needs a few months to hold the implant. Your dentist then makes the crown.
Some people need a graft to build up bone or gum first. That is explained, and estimated, separately.
Comfort, choices and care
Comfort
The area is numbed with a local anesthetic, and we stop whenever you ask. Most people feel pressure during the visit and soreness for a few days afterward.
If you wait
A missing tooth lets neighboring teeth drift and the bone under it shrink slowly. There are other ways to replace a tooth, such as a bridge or a partial denture, and you can choose to leave the space. Dr. Wade explains each.
Risks and after-care
Risks include infection, swelling, nerve irritation and an implant that doesn't fuse with the bone. Smoking and untreated gum disease raise them. Dr. Wade goes through the risks for your case before you decide.
How it's billed
Plans cover implants in different ways, and many don't. Our estimate covers our part, and your dentist's office bills the crown.
How fees work
Questions about implants
Who makes the crown?
Usually your own dentist. If you don't have one, we can suggest a few offices.
How long does it take?
From placement to crown it is usually several months. Dr. Wade gives you a range after the exam.
What if I have gum disease?
We treat it first. An implant placed in inflamed gum has a higher chance of trouble.
Will you look after the implant later?
Yes. Maintenance visits include measuring the gum around each implant.
Provided by a periodontist
Dr. Etta Wade, DDS, licensed in Missouri. The practice is limited to periodontics.