If you have missing, broken or severely decayed teeth, you may be a good candidate for dental implants. You must, however, be in relatively good health. The only way to conclusively determine your eligibility for implants is to consult with the dentist. He or she will identify whether you have the sufficient bone support and healthy gums necessary to support the new tooth structure.

The placement of dental implants is a multi-step process that generally takes between 6 and 9 months to complete. It begins with a surgical procedure during which the dentist will place a titanium rod where the previous natural tooth root was previously located. The dentist then sutures the gums shut over the implant. You should then allow for several months to heal and start fusing to the surrounding bone. Given the nature of implant placement and its average procedure time (usually between 1 and 2 hours), you may be sedated or anesthetized. At the conclusion of the healing period, the patient can return to be fitted for permanent crowns and have them placed.

It is normal to experience some discomfort, including bruising and swelling, after a dental implant procedure. However, inflammation and pain may be managed with over-the-counter medications, hydrocodone or codeine. The dentist may advise you to eat only soft foods for approximately 2 weeks or until the surgical site heals.