Dental Implants

Overview

A dental implant is a titanium post placed into the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root. Once the implant integrates with the surrounding bone — a biological process called osseointegration — it provides a stable foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture. Unlike traditional tooth replacement options, implants preserve bone volume and do not require the alteration of adjacent healthy teeth.

Implant treatment is a two-discipline process: a surgeon places the implant in the bone, and a prosthodontist designs and delivers the final restoration that attaches to it. Dr. Rasmussen focuses on the restorative side. He plans each case from the final outcome backward, decides exactly where the implant needs to sit to support the planned restoration, and works in close coordination with the oral surgeon or periodontist who places it. He then fabricates and delivers the crown, bridge, or full-arch prosthesis. Over his career, Dr. Rasmussen has restored thousands of implants — from single-tooth replacements to full-arch reconstructions.

This separation between surgical placement and restorative design is intentional. Each phase requires different expertise, and complex implant cases benefit from each step being handled by a clinician with focused training in that area.

Replacing a Single Missing Tooth

When a single tooth is lost to trauma, decay, or fracture, an implant-supported crown is typically the best replacement. The implant is placed in the exact position of the missing root, and after a healing period of three to six months, a custom abutment and porcelain crown are fabricated and attached.

The crown is milled from high-strength ceramic and color-matched to your existing teeth using a combination of digital shade analysis and hand-layered porcelain. Because the implant stands independently in bone, the teeth on either side remain untouched -- there is no need for grinding or reshaping adjacent teeth, as there would be with a traditional bridge. Patients brush and floss a single implant crown the same way they care for their natural teeth.

Single-tooth implants also preserve the bone in the area of the missing tooth. When a tooth is extracted and not replaced, the surrounding bone begins to resorb -- the body recognizes it is no longer supporting a root and gradually removes the mineral content. An implant provides the mechanical stimulation the bone needs to maintain its volume and density, preventing the sunken appearance that often develops in extraction sites over time.

Replacing Multiple Missing Teeth

When two or more adjacent teeth are missing, an implant-supported bridge eliminates the gap without involving the remaining natural teeth. Two implants can typically support a three- or four-unit bridge, replacing the missing teeth with a fixed prosthesis that is cemented or screw-retained onto the implants.

This approach is particularly advantageous when the teeth adjacent to the gap are healthy and unrestored. A traditional bridge would require those teeth to be prepared (ground down) to serve as anchors. With implant-supported bridges, healthy teeth are left intact, and the implants carry the full load of the replacement teeth independently.

For patients missing teeth in multiple areas of the mouth, strategically placed implants can support separate bridges or individual crowns in each area, restoring full function throughout the arch without the need for a removable partial denture.

Missing All Teeth: Full-Arch Solutions

Patients missing all teeth in one or both arches have several implant-based options, ranging from removable overdentures to permanently fixed full-arch prostheses. The right choice depends on bone availability, budget, maintenance preferences, and functional goals.

Fixed full-arch prosthesis. Four to six implants are placed per arch, and a full bridge of teeth is permanently screwed into place. The prosthesis stays in the mouth at all times -- it is not removable by the patient. Patients clean around the prosthesis using specialized brushes and floss, similar to caring for a traditional bridge. This option provides the closest experience to natural teeth in terms of stability, chewing efficiency, and speech clarity. In select cases, a provisional set of teeth can be attached to the implants on the same day as surgery, so the patient does not leave the office without teeth.

Implant-supported overdenture. Two to four implants are placed in the jaw, and the denture is fitted with internal attachments that snap onto the implants. The overdenture still rests partially on the gum tissue, but the implant attachments prevent it from lifting, rocking, or shifting during speech and eating. Patients report being able to eat foods they had avoided for years without fear of the denture dislodging. The denture is removable for cleaning, and the attachments are replaced periodically as part of routine maintenance. This option typically requires less bone and fewer implants than a fixed prosthesis, making it accessible to a wider range of patients.

The Implant Treatment Process

Treatment begins with a thorough clinical examination and a cone-beam CT scan, which produces a three-dimensional image of your jaw. Dr. Rasmussen evaluates bone density, bone height, sinus proximity, nerve location, and the position of adjacent teeth, then designs the restorative outcome — deciding where the implant needs to sit to support the planned tooth.

If bone volume is adequate, a surgical guide is digitally designed and 3D-printed from that restorative plan. The guide fits over your teeth or gums during surgery and directs the drill to the exact planned position, depth, and angle. The level of pre-surgical planning reduces operative time, improves predictability, and minimizes post-operative discomfort.

Implant placement is then performed by your oral surgeon or periodontist. The procedure is done under local anesthesia, often with oral sedation for patient comfort. Most patients describe it as less painful than a tooth extraction. A small incision is made in the gum tissue, a precise channel is drilled into the bone, and the implant is threaded into place. The gum tissue is closed over or around the implant, and the healing phase begins. Dr. Rasmussen coordinates closely with the surgeon throughout this phase to make sure the placement matches the restorative plan.

After placement, the implant is left undisturbed for three to six months while osseointegration occurs. During this period, you may wear a temporary restoration to maintain aesthetics and function. Once integration is confirmed through clinical and radiographic evaluation, Dr. Rasmussen takes a digital impression of the implant and designs your final restoration. The completed crown, bridge, or prosthesis is tried in, adjusted, and delivered — usually within two to three appointments after the healing phase.

Bone Grafting

Adequate bone volume is essential for implant success. When a tooth has been missing for an extended period, or when the tooth was lost due to infection or trauma, the surrounding bone may have resorbed to the point where an implant cannot be placed without supplemental grafting.

Bone grafting involves placing graft material -- which may be derived from the patient's own bone, processed donor bone, bovine bone mineral, or synthetic materials -- into the deficient area. The graft serves as a scaffold that the body gradually replaces with new, living bone over a period of four to six months. Once the graft has matured, the site is re-evaluated with a CT scan to confirm that sufficient bone has regenerated to support an implant.

Socket preservation. When a tooth is extracted, the socket can be grafted at the time of extraction to minimize bone loss and preserve the ridge for future implant placement. This is one of the most effective and least invasive grafting procedures, and Dr. Rasmussen routinely recommends it — in coordination with the surgeon performing the extraction — when an implant is planned for the site.

Sinus augmentation. In the upper jaw, the maxillary sinuses sit directly above the roots of the premolars and molars. When upper back teeth are lost, the sinus floor may drop and the available bone height may be insufficient for implant placement. A sinus lift procedure elevates the sinus membrane and places graft material beneath it, creating the bone height necessary to accommodate implants of adequate length.

Ridge augmentation. When the jawbone has narrowed due to resorption, a ridge augmentation widens the bone using a combination of graft material and barrier membranes. This technique is common in the anterior upper jaw, where bone loss after tooth extraction can leave a ridge too thin for standard-diameter implants.

After Implant Placement

The first 24 to 48 hours after surgery are the most important for healing. Patients are given detailed post-operative instructions covering pain management, swelling control, diet, and oral hygiene around the surgical site. Prescription medications are provided as needed, though many patients find over-the-counter pain relievers sufficient.

Swelling typically peaks on the second or third day and resolves over the following week. Most patients return to normal activities within two to three days, though strenuous exercise should be avoided for a week to prevent increased swelling or bleeding at the surgical site. A soft diet is recommended for the first one to two weeks.

During the osseointegration period, the implant should not be loaded with chewing forces. If a temporary restoration is placed, it is designed to stay out of direct contact with the opposing teeth. Dr. Rasmussen schedules follow-up appointments at one week, one month, and three months post-surgery to monitor healing and ensure the implant is integrating properly.

Once the final restoration is delivered, long-term care is straightforward. Brush twice daily, floss around the implant crown or under the bridge pontic, and maintain regular check-ups every six months. Implants do not develop cavities, but the gum tissue around them can develop peri-implant inflammation if plaque is allowed to accumulate, so consistent oral hygiene is essential.

Cost Considerations

Dental implant treatment represents a significant investment, and the total cost varies depending on the number of implants, the need for bone grafting, the type of final restoration, and the complexity of the case. A single implant with a crown is less costly than a full-arch reconstruction, and cases requiring sinus augmentation or ridge grafting involve additional fees for the grafting procedures. Surgical placement is billed separately by the oral surgeon or periodontist who performs that phase.

Dr. Rasmussen's office provides detailed treatment estimates that break down each phase of restorative care so you understand exactly what is involved. Many patients choose to phase treatment over time, addressing the most critical areas first and completing the remaining work as their schedule and budget allow.

Rasmussen Prosthodontics is a fee-for-service practice. We are not contracted with any insurance company, but we can submit out-of-network claims on your request. See our Financial Policy page for full details.

When evaluating cost, it is worth considering the long-term value of implants relative to alternatives. A dental bridge typically lasts ten to fifteen years before replacement is needed, and it requires the preparation of healthy adjacent teeth. A well-maintained implant can last decades — often a lifetime — and preserves the bone and neighboring teeth. Over a twenty- or thirty-year horizon, implants frequently prove to be the most cost-effective option.

Am I a Candidate?

Most adults with one or more missing teeth are candidates for dental implants. The primary requirements are adequate bone in the area of the planned implant and overall health sufficient to undergo a minor surgical procedure. Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, active periodontal disease, or heavy tobacco use can compromise healing and may need to be managed before implant placement.

Patients who have been told they lack sufficient bone are not necessarily excluded. Bone grafting, sinus augmentation, and ridge expansion techniques can rebuild lost bone and create a viable implant site. Dr. Rasmussen will evaluate your specific anatomy and medical history during your consultation and outline which options are realistic for your situation.

If you are unsure whether implants are right for you, a consultation is the fastest way to get a clear answer. Bring any recent dental X-rays or CT scans you may have, along with a list of current medications.