Dental Implants & Dentures

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. A titanium post is placed in the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over time. A custom crown is then attached to the post, creating a permanent, natural-looking tooth.

Permanent and long-lasting

Look and feel like natural teeth

Preserve jawbone health

No dietary restrictions

Easy to clean and maintain

Dentures

Full and partial dentures are a removable option for replacing multiple missing teeth. We custom-make dentures to fit comfortably and look natural.

Full and partial dentures available

Custom-made for comfort and fit

Natural-looking appearance

Affordable option for tooth replacement

Implant-supported dentures also available

Implant & Denture Questions

How long do dental implants last? +

With good oral hygiene, the titanium implant post can last a lifetime. The crown on top typically lasts 10 to 15 years before it may need replacement. Implants are the most durable tooth replacement option available.

Does getting an implant hurt? +

The placement procedure is done under local anesthesia and most patients report less discomfort than they expected, often comparing it to a tooth extraction. Mild soreness for a few days afterward is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.

How long does the implant process take? +

From placement to final crown, most cases take 3 to 6 months. The implant needs time to fuse with your jawbone before the permanent crown is attached. Dr. Peterson will give you a personalized timeline at your consultation.

Am I a candidate for dental implants? +

Most healthy adults with adequate jawbone are candidates. Factors like gum disease, smoking, or certain medical conditions can affect eligibility. A consultation with X-rays is the best way to find out.

What is the success rate of dental implant surgery? +

Published data from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry puts the success rate of the implant restoration process above 95 percent, which makes it one of the more predictable procedures in dentistry when performed by an experienced clinician.

What happens if I do not have enough bone for an implant? +

If the jawbone is too thin or too soft to hold an implant securely, a bone graft may be recommended first. Grafting transplants bone or bone-like material to build a stable foundation. Minor grafting is sometimes done at the same appointment as placement, while more extensive grafting can add several months to the timeline.

Do dental implants require special care? +

Yes. The implant itself cannot decay, but the surrounding gum and bone can develop an inflammatory condition called peri-implantitis, which behaves much like gum disease around natural teeth. Daily brushing and flossing plus professional cleanings every three to six months are what protect the investment.

What is peri-implantitis? +

Peri-implantitis is inflammation of the gum and bone tissue surrounding an implant, driven by bacterial plaque. Left untreated it causes progressive bone loss and can lead to implant failure. Because it is often painless early on, routine monitoring with periodic X-rays is how it gets caught in time.

How long do dentures last? +

The average lifespan of a denture is seven to 10 years, after which most people need a replacement. Separately, a reline is generally recommended every one to two years, or sooner if the fit changes, because the jawbone continues to change shape after tooth loss.

Should I take my dentures out at night? +

Yes. Leaving dentures out for at least eight hours a day gives the gum tissue a rest, reduces harmful oral bacteria, and helps preserve jawbone. Most dentures also need to stay moist overnight, so soaking them in water or a mild denture solution keeps them from losing shape.

Why do my dentures feel loose over time? +

The jawbone gradually shrinks after teeth are lost, so a denture that fit well initially can begin to shift, wobble, or slip. This is expected rather than a sign of a bad denture, and it is corrected with a reline in which material is added to restore a comfortable fit.

How long does it take to get used to new dentures? +

It commonly takes weeks and sometimes months. Several adjustment appointments during the first couple of weeks are normal, because the soft tissues need time to adapt and pressure points have to be identified and relieved.

Missing one tooth instead of several? A crown or bridge may be a fit. See our financing options for payment plans.

How It Works

Why Titanium Fuses With Bone

A dental implant is a small screw-like post placed into the jawbone to take the place of a missing tooth root. Titanium is the standard material because it is highly compatible with the human body and has the unusual property of fusing directly with living bone.

That fusion is what separates an implant from every other replacement option. Because the post integrates into the bone rather than resting on top of the gums, it creates a foundation that does not slip or shift while eating or speaking.

The post

A threaded titanium post is placed into the jawbone, taking the structural role of the natural tooth root.

The abutment

A connector attached to the top of the post, which links the implant below the gumline to the visible tooth above it.

The crown

A custom artificial tooth matched to the size, shape, and color of the surrounding teeth, secured to the abutment.

The bone preservation difference

When a tooth is lost, the bone that used to support it begins to resorb. Implants are the only tooth replacement option that stimulates bone and helps prevent that loss, which is why they are often discussed in terms of long-term jaw health rather than appearance alone. Traditional dentures do not provide that stimulation, and ongoing shrinkage of the jawbone is what eventually produces the sunken facial appearance associated with long-term tooth loss.

Candidacy

Who Implants Work Well For

Overall health tends to matter more than age when evaluating implant candidacy. What the evaluation is really assessing is whether the bone can hold an implant and whether the body can heal predictably around it.

Often a good fit

Needs evaluation first

Inadequate bone density, which may call for a bone graft first
Active periodontal disease, which must be treated and controlled beforehand
Tobacco use, which reduces blood supply and raises the risk of failure
Uncontrolled diabetes or conditions that impair healing
Leukemia and other chronic illnesses affecting infection resistance
Untreated bruxism, which can overload the restoration

None of these are automatic disqualifications. Several are conditions to address first rather than permanent barriers, which is why an exam with imaging is the starting point.

Treatment Sequence

What the Implant Timeline Looks Like

Implant treatment unfolds in stages across several months. Most of that time is not active treatment, it is healing, because the bone has to grow into the implant surface before the tooth can be loaded.

1 Comprehensive evaluation and planning A full exam with X-rays and 3D imaging assesses jawbone volume, the position of nerves and sinuses, and the condition of neighboring teeth. A treatment plan is built from that imaging.
2 Extraction and bone grafting if needed A damaged tooth still in place is removed. If the jaw lacks volume, grafting builds up the site. Minor grafting can sometimes accompany placement, while extensive grafting may need several months of healing first.
3 Implant placement The gum is opened to expose bone, a channel is prepared, and the titanium post is seated into the jawbone. This is a surgical appointment performed with anesthesia.
4 Osseointegration Over the following months the jawbone grows into the implant surface and locks it in place. This healing phase is what creates the stable base, and it cannot be rushed.
5 Abutment placement Once integration is confirmed, the connector is attached to the post. The gum tissue is then allowed to heal for at least two weeks around it.
6 Final restoration Impressions are taken and the custom crown, bridge, or denture is fabricated and secured to the abutment, completing the tooth.

Configurations

Replacing One Tooth, Several, or a Full Arch

Implants are not limited to single teeth. Because they are strong, a smaller number of posts can support a larger restoration when they are bridged together.

Single tooth

One implant post supports one custom crown, replacing an individual tooth without involving the teeth on either side.

Multiple teeth

Implants can support a custom bridge across a span. Because implants are very strong, one implant can often help replace several teeth when they are bridged together.

Full arch

For a jaw missing all its teeth, a full arch of replacement teeth can be supported by several implants, including approaches such as All-on-4. These may be fixed permanently or designed to be removable.

Outcomes

Success Rates and Longevity Data

The figures below come from published clinical literature and patient education from national dental organizations. They describe implant dentistry generally, not the results of any single practice.

	What the data shows	Context
Implant success rate	Above 95 percent for the implant restoration process.	Reported by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, which describes it as among the safest and most predictable procedures in dentistry.
Very long-term survival	A 96 percent survival rate for implants placed between 1982 and 1985.	Data from the Branemark Clinic in Sweden, indicating implants can function for 38 to 40 years or more.
Overall timeline	Generally several months from start to final restoration.	Varies with the need for grafting and individual healing rate.
Denture lifespan	Average of seven to 10 years before replacement.	Separate from relines, which are typically needed every one to two years.
Overdenture on implants	The denture portion is generally replaced every 15 to 20 years.	The implants themselves can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.

Published outcome data compiled from AAID and Cleveland Clinic patient education. Individual results depend on health history, hygiene, and bite forces.

Denture Options

Four Types of Dentures and How They Differ

Dentures replace missing teeth with artificial teeth set into a gum-colored base. What distinguishes the types is how the appliance stays in place, and that difference drives how stable it feels day to day.

The terminology is easy to confuse, particularly between implant-retained and implant-supported, so the distinction is worth understanding before a consultation.

Full dentures

Rest on the gums and rely on the palate or the lower jaw ridge for support. Denture adhesive is often needed to hold the appliance firmly in place.

Partial dentures

Also rest on the gums and underlying bone, but include clasps that hook around remaining natural teeth for additional stability. Used when some natural teeth remain.

Implant-retained dentures

Snap onto implants placed in the jawbone, which generally offers more stability than a traditional denture. No denture adhesive is needed. Still removable by the patient.

Implant-supported dentures

Sometimes called permanent or hybrid dentures. These do not snap in and out, and only a dentist can remove them.

How a denture is made

Fabrication begins with impressions of the upper and lower jaws, including gums and any remaining teeth. Often two impressions are taken, a preliminary and a final. Those go to a dental laboratory, where a technician creates a stone model of the mouth.

The technician then uses wax registration blocks to determine tooth position, builds the base from materials such as acrylic, nylon, or resin, sets the artificial teeth, verifies that upper and lower teeth meet correctly, and polishes the finished appliance. Expect several fitting visits, because soft tissues need time to adjust and pressure points have to be relieved as they appear.

Aftercare

Caring for Implants and Dentures

Implant maintenance

Brush and floss every day

Implants cannot decay, but plaque biofilm around them causes chronic inflammation and bone loss. Daily hygiene is the primary defense.

Professional cleanings every three to six months

Routine visits monitor the health of the implant and surrounding tissue, with X-rays typically every 12 to 18 months to check bone levels.

Follow soft-food guidance while healing

During healing phases a soft or cold food diet may be recommended to protect the surgical site.

Report pain, swelling, or looseness promptly

Worsening pain, swelling, or any movement in the implant warrants contacting the office right away rather than waiting.

Denture care

Remove them at the end of every day

At least eight hours out gives gum tissue a rest, lowers harmful bacteria, and helps preserve jawbone.

Clean gently with the right products

Use a soft-bristled or denture brush with denture cleaner, mild soap, or dishwashing liquid. Aggressive scrubbing can bend clasps or damage components.

Keep them moist overnight

Most dentures need to stay moist to hold their shape. Soaking in water or a mild denture solution is generally appropriate.

Avoid abrasives, bleach, and hot water

Whitening toothpastes are abrasive enough to damage dentures, bleach can whiten the pink base, and hot or boiling water can warp the plastic.

Clean your mouth too

Brush gums, tongue, inner cheeks, the roof of the mouth, and any remaining teeth twice daily to clear plaque and debris.

Never attempt repairs at home

Hardware store glue contains chemicals not suitable for the mouth and usually causes further damage. All adjustments and repairs belong in the office.

Considerations

Risks Worth Understanding

Implant surgery risks

Complications are generally rare, minor, and treatable, but any surgical procedure carries risk.

Infection at the implant site, which can occur soon after surgery or years later.
Peri-implantitis, an inflammatory disease of the surrounding bone and gum that causes bone loss if untreated.
Injury to adjacent teeth or blood vessels during placement.
Nerve involvement causing pain, numbness, or tingling in teeth, gums, lips, or chin.
Sinus problems if an upper-jaw implant protrudes into a sinus cavity.
Failure of the bone to fuse with the implant, a risk raised sharply by smoking and uncontrolled diabetes.
Chipping, fracture, or wear of the attached crown or bridge, especially with grinding.

Denture challenges

Traditional removable dentures have well-documented limitations that are useful to weigh against implant options.

Shifting, wobbling, or slipping while speaking or chewing.
Continued jawbone shrinkage after tooth loss, which can lead to facial collapse and sunken cheeks.
A need for periodic relines as fit changes, and full replacement roughly every seven to 10 years.
Ill-fitting dentures are associated in the literature with a substantially higher risk of head and neck cancer, which is one reason fit is treated as a health issue rather than a comfort preference.
Porosity in the appliance can allow colonization by bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which has been linked to aspiration illness such as pneumonia.
Implant-supported dentures carry surgical risks including infection, nerve damage, injury to the mouth, and sinus perforation.

Osseointegration The biological process in which the jawbone grows into and fuses with the surface of a dental implant, creating a stable base. Titanium The strong, lightweight metal used for implant posts because it is highly compatible with the body and fuses naturally with bone. Abutment The connector placed on top of an implant that holds and supports the artificial tooth. Peri-implantitis Inflammatory disease of the gum and bone around an implant, which can cause bone loss and implant failure if left untreated. Bone grafting A surgical procedure that adds bone or bone-like material to the jaw to create a solid foundation for an implant. All-on-4 A full-arch approach in which a complete set of replacement teeth for one jaw is supported by a small number of implants. Denture reline Adding material to an existing denture to restore a comfortable fit as the jaw changes shape, generally needed every one to two years. Overdenture A denture that fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth or over implants. Immediate denture An appliance worn right after extractions, sometimes temporary, replaced with the final denture once healing is complete. Alveolar process The bone of the upper or lower jaw that holds and supports the teeth. Prosthodontics The branch of dentistry dedicated to replacing missing or damaged teeth.

Clinical references:American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), Mayo Clinic, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, Cleveland Clinic, American College of Prosthodontists. This page is general patient education and is not a substitute for an in-person diagnosis. Your treatment plan depends on an exam of your teeth, gums, and bite.