IMMEDIATE IMPLANT PLACEMENT

Traditional therapy for a single implant placement consists of extracting the failing tooth, placing a bone graft to maintain the integrity of the site, then placing the implant post 3-6 months later, after healing has occurred.  However, in many cases, treatment and healing time may be significantly shortened by immediate implant placement.  In this option the failing tooth is extracted, followed immediately by placement of an implant post, all in one surgery. Placement of an immediate implant saves several months of healing time and can help maintain more bone and soft tissue. Make an appointment with Dr. Martin to see whether immediate implant placement is the appropriate option for your specific situation.

TEMPORARY TOOTH (OR TEETH)

During the healing phase, some patients find the gap left by their extracted tooth unappealing and bothersome.  In many cases, the missing tooth (or teeth) can be replaced with a temporary prosthesis such as:

1 – Temporary Partial Dentures (“Flipper”):

Temporary Partial Dentures, or “Flippers”, are the most common option for temporarily filling the gap left by an extracted tooth.  They are quickly fabricated and easily removable. However, they provide limited functionality, especially when eating and must be removed at night.

2 – Immediate Temporary Crown

For many patients, a more comfortable and natural feeling option is the placement of an immediate temporary crown.  In this case, a temporary crown is attached to the implant post at the time of surgery. Most often used for upper front teeth, where a gap would be quite noticeable and perhaps embarrassing, this option is ideal for retaining a patient’s smile while also supporting the surrounding soft tissue. Dr. Martin works closely with the local area restorative dentists to provide this service.