Dental Implants

Dental implants are screws made of titanium and placed into the jawbone. They are used as the foundation to support artificial teeth. Titanium is one of the most biocompatible materials and allows for a process known as osseointegration where the bone fuses onto the implant surface and locks it in place. This is what gives dental implants their great stability and allows them to function as replacements for missing teeth. This process occurs during healing and requires several months to occur depending on various factors.

Implants can be used to replace one, several, or all teeth in the mouth by supporting single crowns, bridges, or complete dentures. Your dentist may refer you to a specialist who has further training in this area for this procedure.

Periodontists are experts in the surgical aspect of dental implant placement and are also uniquely positioned to help you maintain your implants and the adjacent gums in a healthy state. Long-term follow-up care including good oral hygiene are critically important in maintaining your implants for a lifetime. Dr. Fokam prefers the prosthetically guided approach using Computer Aided Designs for implant surgery planning. This improve aesthetic and functional outcomes as well as longevity of the implants placed.

We focus our efforts on proper positioning and long term supportive care, which in turn will facilitate later maintenance and hygiene. After proper planning and positioning, your dentist will then provide you with a crown placed onto the implant in order to replace the missing tooth or teeth.

Download our pre-operatory and post-operatory instructions for your dental implant procedure.