Restorative

Dental Implants

A titanium post placed in the jaw replaces the root of a missing tooth, and a custom crown on top restores the tooth itself — fixed in place, cleaned like a natural tooth.

Call 770-995-0538 Request an appointment

What are implants?

The closest thing to a natural tooth

A dental implant is a titanium post placed in the jawbone where a tooth root once existed. Over several months the implant fuses with the bone through a biological process called osseointegration, creating an anchor as strong as natural bone.

Once integrated, a custom porcelain crown is attached, shaped and shaded to blend with your surrounding teeth. The result is indistinguishable from a natural tooth in appearance and function.

Unlike bridges or dentures, implants preserve the jawbone, prevent adjacent teeth from shifting, and require no alterations to surrounding healthy teeth. With proper care they can last a lifetime.

Full arch restoration supported by dental implants — Anchored into the jaw, just like natural roots

Dental ImplantsRecommended

✓Preserves jawbone density

✓Permanent, can last a lifetime

✓Functions like a natural tooth

✓No adhesives or removal

✓No impact on adjacent teeth

Traditional Dentures

—Bone loss continues over time

—Replacement every 5–8 years

—Slippage and discomfort common

—Adhesives or clasps required

—Bridges affect adjacent teeth

The process

Your implant journey

The implant process is staged deliberately. Each step is planned around how your own bone and tissue are healing, not a fixed calendar.

Consultation & 3D imaging

A comprehensive assessment including digital X-rays evaluates bone density, anatomy and candidacy. You leave with a written treatment plan, transparent costs and a realistic timeline.

Implant placement

The titanium post is placed in the jawbone under local anesthetic. IV sedation is available with Dr. Fisk for patients who would rather sleep through it.

III

Osseointegration

Over roughly three to six months the implant fuses with the surrounding bone, creating a permanent foundation as strong as a natural tooth root. You feel nothing during this stage.

Custom crown placement

A porcelain crown, matched to your surrounding teeth in shade, shape and size, is attached to the implant and your restoration is complete.

Your options

One tooth, several teeth, or an entire arch

Implants are not a single procedure. The same technology solves very different problems, and the right approach depends on how many teeth are missing and what condition the surrounding bone and gums are in.

A single tooth

One implant, one crown. The neighboring teeth are never touched, which is the significant advantage over a traditional bridge — a bridge requires the healthy teeth on either side of the gap to be filed down. A single implant stands on its own and is brushed and flossed like any other tooth.

Several teeth

When several teeth are missing in a row, you rarely need one implant per tooth. Two well-placed implants can support a fixed bridge spanning three or four teeth, keeping treatment time and cost proportionate while still anchoring everything to bone.

A full arch

An entire upper or lower arch can be restored on as few as four to six implants supporting a fixed set of teeth. Nothing rests on the gums, nothing shifts while eating, and there is no adhesive.

Real results

Before and after

Bone & candidacy

Told you don't have enough bone?

It is one of the most common reasons patients are turned away elsewhere, and it is far less often a dead end than people are led to believe. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone that held its root begins to resorb because nothing is stimulating it any longer.

A bone graft rebuilds that foundation. Graft material is placed where the bone has receded and, over a period of months, your body replaces it with your own new bone. For upper back teeth, a sinus lift raises the sinus floor to create the height an implant needs.

Both are routine procedures. They add time, which is the honest trade-off, but they open the door for patients who were told implants were not an option. A 3D scan shows exactly how much bone is present and where.

What we look at

Bone volume & density

A 3D cone beam scan measures the height and width of bone at the exact site, and whether a graft is needed before placement.

Gum health

Active gum disease is treated first. Implants can develop the same inflammation around them that natural teeth do, so healthy tissue comes before anything else.

General health & habits

Uncontrolled diabetes, and smoking in particular, slow healing and raise the risk of failure. Neither automatically rules you out, but both change how we plan the case.

Bite & opposing teeth

How your teeth meet determines the forces an implant absorbs for decades. Grinding or an uneven bite is addressed as part of the plan, not after the fact.

Recovery

What healing actually feels like

Most patients tell us afterward that they had braced for something far worse. Placement is done under local anesthetic, and recovery is generally described as milder than having a tooth pulled.

The first 48 hours

Expect some swelling and tenderness, usually peaking on the second day. Over-the-counter pain relief is enough for most patients. Cold compresses help and soft foods make the first days easier.

The first two weeks

Soreness fades steadily. You keep the area clean with gentle rinsing and careful brushing around, not directly on, the site. Avoiding smoking during this window matters more than almost anything else you can control.

III

Osseointegration

The quiet part. Over three to six months, bone grows into the surface of the titanium post and locks it in place. In many cases a temporary tooth bridges the gap so you are never without something in the space.

Living with it

Brush twice daily, floss around it, keep your checkups. Implants cannot decay, but the gum and bone supporting them still need looking after. Patients who maintain them well often keep them for decades.

FAQ

Implant questions, answered

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

Most healthy adults with adequate bone density are excellent candidates. Uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking or insufficient bone may require additional evaluation or preparatory procedures. A consultation determines your specific candidacy.

Is the procedure painful?

Placement is performed under local anesthetic and most patients report significantly less discomfort than anticipated. IV sedation is available. Post-operative soreness is typically managed with over-the-counter pain medication for a few days.

How long does treatment take?

From placement to final crown is usually three to six months, most of which is healing time. If a graft is needed, add several months. A temporary tooth can fill the gap throughout.

How long do implants last?

With good hygiene and regular checkups, implants frequently last decades. The post itself cannot decay; the gum and bone around it still need care.

Have a question that isn't here? Call 770-995-0538 and we'll answer it directly.

Real results