Single Tooth Implant in Lancaster PA
Single Tooth Implant Procedure in Lancaster PA
The procedure to place a dental implant takes 30 to 60 minutes for one implant and only 2 to 3 hours for multiple implants. The number of appointments and time required varies from patient to patient. The surgeon will bring great precision and attention to the details of your case.
View our Dental Implants Before and After Photos
Prior to surgery, you may receive antibiotics and for greater comfort, intravenous sedation or nitrous oxide (laughing gas). These options are discussed with you at your consultation appointment. A local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area where the dental implant will be placed.
When you are comfortable, the surgeon makes a small incision in the gum tissue to reveal the bone, creates space using special instruments, and gently inserts the titanium implant. The top of this implant is often visible through the gum. Sometimes it is better in the early stages of healing to have the implant covered by the gum tissue.
1. Normal
2. Tooth Loss
3. Healed Bone
4. Implant Placed
5. Healing
6. Implant Restored
Healing after Dental Implant Surgery
Now the healing begins. The length of time varies from person to person, depending upon the quality and quantity of bone. In some cases, implants may be restored immediately after they are placed. The surgeon will advise you on follow-up care and timing. After the initial phase of healing, the surgeon places an abutment (support post) or a healing cap onto the dental implant during a brief follow-up visit. This allows gum tissue to mature and provides access to the implant.
Occasionally, impressions are made at the time the implant is placed. This enables the crown to be ready when the implants have healed. How long your mouth needs to heal is determined by a variety of factors. Follow-up care (one to four appointments) is usually needed to ensure that your mouth is healing well and to determine when you are ready for the restorative phase of your treatment.
It may be beneficial to perform a soft tissue graft to obtain stronger, more easily cleaned and natural appearing gum tissue in the area around the implant. This process involves moving a small amount of gum tissue from one part of your mouth to the area around the implant. Most often, it is a brief and relatively comfortable procedure.
Whether it’s one tooth or all of your teeth that are being replaced, your dentist will complete the restoration by fitting the replacement tooth (crown) to the dental implant.
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When are dental implants placed?
Implants are often placed several months after extraction. At times, an implant may be placed immediately after extraction of a tooth. This may involve a little more risk, but it simplifies the process—you won’t have to wait for another appointment to place the implant. When infection or other problems with the bone are present, immediate implant placement is not the best treatment.
If your tooth has been missing for some time, the adjacent support bone is likely to grow thinner and shrink. This occurs because the root of the natural tooth has to be present to stimulate the bone. As much as one-third of your jaw’s thickness can be lost in the year following tooth extraction. If you are missing enough bone, you may benefit from having additional bone grafted into the area. This ensures the implant will be adequately supported when it is placed in the jaw.
How many implants do I need?
Most frequently, one implant per missing tooth is placed. Because many of the larger teeth in the back of your jaws have two or three roots, the most common approach is to replace missing back teeth with larger implants.
Weierbach & Genetti Prosthodontics
Patient Review
12 years ago I had a set of 3 implants installed on my lower jaw to secure a new prosthesis. Everything was wonderful until recently while chewing something popped. I just knew something was seriously wrong. My regular dentist, the amazingly talented Jim Smallwood, took x-rays and checked everything securing the teeth and couldn't detect any problem. Good, I'm thinking. Several months later while eating a cookie, 7 of the front center teeth broke off my prosthesis. Dr Smallwood took me in immediately thinking we would take an impression and have another prosthesis made in the next couple days. When he removed the prosthesis it didn't take long to discover that all three of the implants had the screw broken off in the implant. Jim very quickly realized this is going to call for what Jim described as the best in the area....Dr John Weierbach. John made room for me in his schedule immediately. While Jen was getting me seated and waiting for John to come into the room Jen said very confidently that when all else fails in dental care the patient ends up in Dr Weierbach's chair. John had the impossible task of removing broken off screws out of implants. The technology does not really exist to execute a task like that. John became obsessed over the next 30 days, in about 8 separate sittings, working endless hours to figure out how to get those screws out. John collaborated with the supplier of dental supplies and ended up using equipment like an auto mechanic might use in micro miniature form. John never considered the possibility that failure to accomplish the objective was an option. John found himself getting up in the middle of the night with this challenge on his mind and worked with mockups trying to come up with a strategy to extract the screws. Every one of the members of his team became part of the cheering squad. I have NEVER seem a more dedicated, eminently skilled and caring team and how we celebrated when the mission was finally accomplished. Had he not been successful at removing those broken screws it would have meant removing those implants, replacing with new implants and a new set of lower teeth and all the costs that go with it. I'm forever indebted.
- Mel H
Patient Review
Overall, I have had a great experience since I started going a few years ago. All the staff and Dr. Weierbach take time to get to know you as a person but also how to best meet your needs in the area of dental work. Everyone was very patient and supportive throughout the process of getting my porcelain crowns. I am beyond happy with the result of my teeth. They look so natural and are a huge improvement from before! I definitely couldn't stop smiling after I left the office! I would definitely recommend them for anyone that is interested in improving their smile!
- Brittany B
Patient Review
I would highly recommend Dr. Weierbach especially to patients who haven't been able to get a definite diagnosis for their problem. His expertise and thoroughness was even worth going out of network to find someone to identify the source of my tooth pain. The inclusive follow up visits to ensure my crown was perfect, the amenities and the exceptionally congenial staff were all "icing on the cake"
- Rachael
Patient Review
I was overly impressed with Dr. Weirbach and his staff. I have anxiety when going to a dentist because I'm pain sensitive. I had no anxiety after the first visit because they made sure that my comfort level was #1. I will not have another dentist. The staff always greets you with a smile and they are happy to work with you.
- Debbie M
Patient Review
The dental device that I got to was to help with my snoring when I travel instead of carrying along a CPAP machine. I used it for 2 weeks while out of the country and it worked great. What a great alternative rather than that machine! Thanks John!
- Doug G