Dental Implants

As a periodontal specialist, Dr. Cheria O'Neal has received advanced training in the placement of dental implants.

Dr. O'Neal works in partnership with your general dentist to plan your dental implant restoration and rebuild your smile.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a small titanium screw that is inserted into the jawbone in the location of a missing tooth to serve as a foundation for a replacement dental restoration.

A single dental implant may be used to replace one tooth, and multiple dental implants may be used to support an implant bridge or denture.

Dental implants are made possible through a process known as ‘osseointegration’. The term ‘osseo’ refers to bone; after the dental implant is placed, the body's systems trigger the healing process and react by growing bone and soft tissue around the implant. This helps to anchor the implant firmly in place and provide stability for the final restoration.

For most cases, the placement of dental implants involves two appointments with Dr. O'Neal:

1st Visit: Dr. O'Neal surgically inserts the dental implant(s) into the jawbone. This surgery is performed in our office; the procedure itself takes about 90 minutes. Following placement, the implant is covered and allowed to heal to encourage osseointegration. Healing times can vary based on the health of the bone and type of restoration, from a few weeks to a few months.
2nd Visit: After the implants have integrated into the jawbone, Dr. O'Neal will uncover the area and coordinate your final restoration (implant-supported crown, bridge or denture) with your general dentist.

Dental Implant Diagnostics

Prior to placement of the dental implant, Dr. O'Neal will review dental x-rays to evaluate the surgical area. She may recommend 3D radiographic imaging to evaluate the health and depth of the jawbone structures.

Dental radiographic imaging also makes it possible for Dr. O'Neal to design a surgical guide for use during implant surgery to map the exact location of the dental implant. A surgical guide is sometimes used in placement of full mouth dental implants or when the implant location requirement is very specific for the planned restoration.

Bone and Soft Tissue Grafting Procedures

If there is not adequate bone to support the implant integration process, a bone graft may be necessary. Soft tissue grafting procedures may also be recommended to correct gum recession or to improve the cosmetic appearance of the implant. Learn more about periodontal graft procedures.

Why Replace Missing Teeth?

Each tooth holds a vital position in the jaw and has a specific ‘job’, such as molars for grinding food, front teeth (incisors) for biting, etc. With the exception of third molars (wisdom teeth), the loss of one or more functional teeth can make it difficult to eat and chew properly, as well as lead to tooth pain or damage to other teeth.

The inconvenience of a missing tooth can become a more complex issue over time:

The normal functions of chewing, biting and speaking create continual pressure and contact between the teeth; this serves to stimulate proper circulation and helps to maintain the health of the jaw bone. When a tooth is missing, the bone level in the location of the missing tooth declines greatly due to non-use (a process known as bone resorption).
With an open space and no opposing tooth, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth will shift, and the teeth in the opposite arch may ‘super-erupt’ towards the open space. If the tooth is not replaced with a dental restoration, this continual movement and shifting of the remaining teeth can lead to bite breakdown and further tooth loss.
The skin and muscles in the face rely on the teeth and jaw bone for structural support. With tooth and bone loss, facial contour will change. If you have ever seen a person that has lost all of their teeth, you probably noticed how the facial muscles sag and the aging effect this has on their physical appearance.
Multiple missing teeth can lead to problems with chewing and swallowing. This can contribute to digestion and nutrition issues, especially for patients with serious medical conditions or physical disabilities.

Why Dental Implants?

Replacement of missing teeth is important to preserve the patient's health and quality of life. Dental implants not only replace missing teeth, they can actually help retain existing bone and encourage the growth of new bone.

Dr. O'Neal collaborates with your restorative dentist to provide a variety of tooth replacement options with dental implants:

Single Tooth Replacement

A dental implant crown restoration has become a standard recommendation for replacement of a single missing tooth. Dr. O'Neal places the dental implant in the location of the missing tooth, and after the implant has integrated, the restorative dentist will add a dental crown to create a natural-looking result.

Replacing a single missing tooth with a dental implant crown can typically be accomplished without disturbing adjacent teeth, unlike a traditional dental bridge. A dental bridge requires crowns on the teeth on either side of the replacement tooth to serve as abutments for support. There are cases, however, in which a bridge might be the best option based on the location of the missing tooth or due to cosmetic challenges. Dr. O'Neal will work closely with your general dentist to provide you with the best recommendation for your smile.

Replacement of Multiple Teeth

Implant-Supported Bridge
In the case of multiple missing teeth in the same area, it may be possible to replace the teeth with a fixed dental bridge supported by dental implants. Generally, one implant is placed for each missing tooth.

For an implant-supported bridge, Dr. O'Neal will place the implants and monitor healing, and the restorative dentist will create a dental bridge to attach to the implants. Like an implant crown, the use of dental implants to anchor a bridge does not require making changes to adjacent teeth.
Full Mouth Dental Implants
Dental implants also offer options to replace all of the teeth in an arch (upper or lower). Known as ‘all on six’, or ‘all on four’, Dr. O'Neal will place 4, 6 (or more) dental implants to create support and stability for the planned restoration.

After the implants have integrated into the jawbone, the restorative dentist will attach the final restoration - a fixed dental appliance designed in natural-looking materials to restore the appearance and function of the entire arch of teeth.
Implant-Secured Dentures
If you are a denture wearer, you may have heard about implant-secured dentures. The removable denture may be designed to attach to multiple dental implants to provide stability for the denture and confidence for your smile.

The Cost of Dental Implants

The cost of dental implant procedures is based on the number of dental implants, the permanent restoration and the need for any bone grafting or tissue grafting surgery to properly support the implant. The first step is to schedule a consultation with your general dentist or Dr. O’Neal. During this appointment, the doctor can provide you with recommendations and the associated fees to restore your smile. We file most major dental insurance plans and have financing available with CareCredit®. Learn more about financial options available at O'Neal Periodontics.

Contact Our Marietta Periodontal Practice

If you would like to learn more about dental implants, we invite you to Contact O'Neal Periodontics today to schedule a consultation with our implant specialist, Dr. Cheria O'Neal.