Implant Dentistry

If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.

Dental implants are placed into the jawbone and mirror the same function as the root of a tooth. The procedure for dental implants is usually performed while a patient is sedated. Patients who undergo IV sedation must have an empty stomach and transportation home following the procedure. Most sedation patients will have little to no memory of the procedure occurring.

Generally, dental implants are made out of a biocompatible metal such as titanium. Biocompatible metals are also used for other common bone implants (such as shoulder, hip, and knee replacements). The visible portion of the implant is usually made out of porcelain and is custom-made to match your existing teeth.

Dental implants are designed to fuse to the bone, which makes them become permanent fixtures. Typically speaking, the success rate is nearly 100%. There are few cases in which the implant will not fuse as intended and must be removed. If this happens to occur, the procedure can be attempted again a few months later.

Dental implants are not usually covered by dental insurance, but may be covered under a patient's medical insurance. Our office and your insurance company can discuss coverage options with you based on your individual case and treatment plan.

It's easy... just take care of an implant as if it's a natural tooth! This involves regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. If you have any concerns about your implant, contact us immediately.

Dental implants are biocompatible posts, commonly made from titanium or high-strength ceramic, that are placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Once an implant integrates with bone through a process called osseointegration, it provides a stable foundation for an abutment and a visible crown, bridge or denture. Together these components restore the root-to-crown relationship and reproduce much of the look, feel and function of a natural tooth.

Because implants transfer chewing forces into the jaw, they help preserve bone volume and facial contours that can otherwise diminish after tooth loss. Implants do not rely on adjacent teeth for support, which often allows healthy neighboring teeth to remain intact. When planned and placed correctly, implant restorations improve chewing efficiency, speech clarity and long-term oral function.

Good candidates for dental implants are patients who are in generally good health, maintain reasonable oral hygiene, and have sufficient bone volume at the site of the missing tooth or are willing to consider bone rebuilding procedures. Certain medical conditions and medications can affect healing, so a thorough medical and dental history is needed to evaluate risk and plan care safely. Active gum disease or uncontrolled systemic conditions are addressed first to improve the chances of a successful implant outcome.

Age alone is rarely a limiting factor; rather, bone quality, oral health and lifestyle factors such as smoking are important considerations. When bone is lacking, predictable grafting techniques often make implants possible for more people than might initially appear to be candidates. A comprehensive evaluation including imaging and clinical examination helps determine whether implants are an appropriate long-term solution.

The implant process begins with a detailed consultation that includes clinical examination, imaging and treatment planning, and the timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case. If no additional procedures are required, implant placement is followed by a healing period for osseointegration that commonly ranges from a few months to about six months, after which the final restoration is attached. Cases that require bone grafting, soft tissue augmentation or staged extractions will extend the overall timeline to allow predictable healing.

In select situations, immediate or same-day provisional restorations can be provided to restore appearance and function during healing, but the definitive prosthesis is delivered only after the clinician confirms stable integration. Regular follow-up visits are scheduled throughout the process to monitor healing and make any necessary adjustments. Your treatment plan will outline the expected sequence and approximate timing so you know what to expect at each stage.

Implant restorations can replace a single tooth with a crown, span multiple missing teeth with an implant-supported bridge, or restore an entire arch with a full-arch fixed prosthesis supported by four to six implants. For patients who prefer removable solutions, implant-retained dentures snap onto attachments or bars for significantly improved stability compared with conventional dentures. The restorative design—fixed or removable, staged or immediate—depends on anatomy, patient goals and clinical judgment.

Material choices and prosthetic designs are selected to balance esthetics, strength and hygiene access so the restoration performs well and can be maintained over time. Zirconia and porcelain are commonly used for visible crowns and bridges, while acrylic or hybrid frameworks are often used for provisional and full-arch prostheses. A coordinated surgical and restorative plan ensures the final result meets functional and esthetic expectations.

Bone grafting becomes necessary when the jaw lacks sufficient volume or quality to support an implant safely and predictably, which can occur after long-standing tooth loss, extractions or periodontal disease. Grafting procedures use bone-like materials, growth factors or a patient’s own bone to rebuild the ridge and create a stable foundation for implant placement. Depending on the situation, grafting can be performed at the time of extraction, before implant surgery, or concurrently with implant placement to optimize outcomes.

Healing times for grafts vary based on the material and the size of the defect, and a period of months may be required before implants are placed or loaded. Modern grafting techniques and biologic adjuncts improve the predictability of bone regeneration and expand implant options for patients who might otherwise not be candidates. Your clinician will explain the recommended approach and expected healing timeline as part of the treatment plan.

Implant surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, and sedation options are available for added comfort when needed. The procedure length depends on the number of implants and any adjunctive work such as grafting, and careful surgical technique is used to protect surrounding structures. After placement, the surgical site is monitored and temporary restorations can often be provided so patients do not need to be without teeth during healing.

In the days following surgery patients can expect some soreness, swelling and mild bruising, which are normal parts of the healing process and usually managed with prescribed or over-the-counter analgesics and simple self-care measures. Clear post-operative instructions help minimize complications and support healing, and follow-up visits allow the team to check integration and tissue health. Most patients return to normal activities within a few days while following the clinician’s guidance for diet and oral hygiene.

Long-term implant success depends on consistent home care and regular professional maintenance. Daily brushing, interdental cleaning with floss or brushes designed for implants, and routine dental visits for professional cleanings and exams are essential to prevent plaque buildup and peri-implant inflammation. Maintaining healthy gum tissue, controlling risk factors like smoking, and addressing bruxism or bite issues all contribute to longevity.

Clinicians also schedule periodic assessments to evaluate the prosthesis, check occlusion and monitor bone levels around implants using clinical and radiographic examinations. Simple maintenance and timely management of any signs of inflammation help protect the investment in oral health and keep implant-supported restorations functioning well for many years.

While dental implants have a high success rate, potential risks include infection, inadequate osseointegration, peri-implant mucositis or peri-implantitis, nerve irritation and, in the upper jaw, sinus complications when implants are placed too close to the sinus floor. Risk is reduced with thorough planning, good surgical technique and strict attention to oral hygiene before and after surgery. Patient-specific factors such as smoking, uncontrolled systemic disease and poor oral hygiene can increase the likelihood of complications.

Early signs of trouble include persistent pain, increased swelling, bleeding, unusual discharge or mobility of the restoration, and these symptoms should prompt a timely evaluation. Many complications can be managed successfully when detected early through clinical care, and your treatment team will explain warning signs and recommended follow-up so you know when to seek attention.

Implants restore mechanical stimulation to the jawbone by transmitting chewing forces into bone, which helps maintain bone volume and preserve facial contours that can otherwise diminish after tooth loss. Replacing a missing tooth with an implant avoids the need to alter adjacent healthy teeth for traditional bridgework, supporting a more conservative approach to long-term oral health. By stabilizing the bite and preserving bone, implants can help maintain proper function and the health of neighboring teeth.

Although implants themselves are not susceptible to decay, the surrounding soft tissues and bone require attention to prevent inflammatory conditions that can compromise support. Regular monitoring and good oral hygiene around implant restorations are essential to protect both the prosthesis and the tissues that sustain it. When managed proactively, implants offer durable functional and health advantages for many patients.

At Nova Dental, implant care begins with a comprehensive evaluation that includes a clinical exam, detailed imaging when indicated and a review of medical history to create a personalized treatment plan. Our approach emphasizes coordinated surgical and restorative planning so implant position, prosthetic design and long-term hygiene access are aligned from the start. We involve the appropriate specialists when needed and explain each phase of care so patients understand the sequence and expected outcomes.

Treatment is tailored to each patient’s anatomy and goals, whether the case requires single-tooth replacement, an implant-supported bridge or a full-arch solution, and we use modern diagnostic tools and implant systems to improve predictability. Follow-up care and patient education are central to our process so that implants are maintained effectively and any concerns are addressed promptly at our North Haven or Cromwell offices.