IMPLANTS

Process of getting an implant

Most family dentists do not surgically place the root portion of the implant and will send patients to an oral surgeon or periodontist for that part of the procedure.  The patient may opt to be sedated for the procedure or just have standard local anesthesia (also known as "novocaine").  After a couple months of healing, the family dentist will make the crown for the implant (very similar to the procedure for routine crowns).

If a patient has lost a tooth in an esthetic area (for instance the front of the mouth), there are temporary crowns and/or retainers the dentist will make so the patient doesn’t have a gap during the two month healing process.  The temporaries are so natural looking, it is often difficult to tell it isn’t a real crown.

Contact Dr. Lawson for more information.