Missing teeth can affect your ability to eat comfortably, speak clearly, and smile with confidence. Dental implants provide a long-lasting solution by replacing missing tooth roots and supporting natural-looking restorations that look, feel, and function like real teeth.
Dental Implant Expertise You Can Trust
Dental implant treatment is about more than replacing missing teeth. It is about choosing a provider you can trust throughout the process. As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Jeffery Kesecker combines advanced surgical training with a patient-centered approach to care.
At Legacy Surgery, patients benefit from:
- Treatment by a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon
- Individualized treatment plans based on your needs and goals
- Advanced 3D imaging for precise surgical planning
- Sedation options for a comfortable experience
- Collaboration with your general dentist throughout treatment
- Compassionate care from a friendly, experienced team
From your initial consultation to your final restoration, our goal is to make you feel informed, comfortable, and confident every step of the way. We treat every patient like family and are committed to providing the personalized care and attention you deserve.
“We pride ourselves on providing individualized, compassionate, and excellent care to every patient.”
– Dr. Jeffery Kesecker
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. Once healed, they provide a stable foundation for replacement teeth, including crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures.
The implant gradually fuses with the surrounding bone through a process called osseointegration, creating a secure and long-lasting anchor. An abutment is then attached to the implant, connecting it to the custom restoration that will replace the visible portion of the tooth. These dental implant components each play an important role in the final restoration.
Dental implants are widely considered the gold standard for tooth replacement because they look, feel, and function similarly to natural teeth. They also help preserve jawbone health and maintain facial structure. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental care, dental implants can provide decades of reliable function.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants do more than replace missing teeth. They restore function, support long-term oral health, and provide a stable solution that can last for many years.
Natural Appearance and Function
Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Custom restorations are matched to your existing smile, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
Long-Term Tooth Replacement
Unlike many other tooth replacement options, dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution. With proper care and regular dental visits, the implant itself can last for decades.
Improved Comfort and Stability
Because implants are anchored directly into the jawbone, they do not slip or shift during eating or speaking. Many patients find that implants feel more natural and comfortable than removable dentures.
Support for Jawbone Health
When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area can begin to shrink over time. Dental implants help stimulate the bone, reducing bone loss and helping maintain facial structure.
Preservation of Nearby Teeth
Traditional dental bridges often require modification of adjacent healthy teeth for support. Dental implants stand independently and do not rely on neighboring teeth, preserving more of your natural tooth structure.
High Success Rates
Dental implants have a long history of predictable success. Studies consistently show success rates above 95% in properly selected patients who maintain good oral hygiene and follow post-operative instructions.
Flexible Treatment Options
Dental implants can replace a single missing tooth, support a bridge, or secure a full arch of replacement teeth. This versatility allows treatment to be customized to each patient’s needs.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Dental implants are an excellent tooth replacement option for many adults. During your consultation, Dr. Kesecker will evaluate your oral health, jawbone, and treatment goals to determine whether implants are right for you.
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Are missing one or more teeth
- Have healthy gums
- Have sufficient jawbone to support an implant
- Are in good overall health
- Do not smoke or are willing to quit during the healing process
- Are committed to maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental visits
Even if you have experienced bone loss, you may still qualify for dental implants. Procedures such as bone grafting can often help rebuild the jaw and create a stable foundation for implant placement.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Dr. Kesecker and your dentist will work together during the implant process. Your dentist will be responsible for providing the final restoration and for placing the restoration. Dr. Kesecker will refer you back to your dentist when the implant has fully integrated with the jaw bone.
Here is what you can expect from the process:
- Initial consultation: Dr. Kesecker will evaluate your oral health to determine if implants are the best option. We will take images of your jaw and mouth using a 3D Cone Beam Scanner. Our treatment coordinator will discuss your treatment plan and address any questions you may have. If you decide to proceed, they will schedule your surgery.
- Additional procedures: If you need a bone grafting procedure, it will be done before your implant surgery. You will need several months for the graft to heal before the implants can be placed.
- Dental implant placement: The implant is surgically placed into your jawbone. A temporary tooth replacement may be provided while you heal.
- Final restoration: Once healing is complete, you will return to your general dentist. They will take impressions and fabricate your custom restoration before attaching it to the implant, completing your new smile.
This process may look different for each patient. If you require a tooth extraction(s), this will be done before the implant. In some cases, an implant can be placed the same day as a tooth extraction.
Same-Day Dental Implants
The traditional implant process usually takes 5–10 months due to the multiple procedures involved and the necessary healing time. However, Dr. Kesecker’s expertise and our advanced surgical center allow us to offer same-day dental implants.
Being able to extract the tooth and implant the new prosthetic in one visit offers some advantages that many people will appreciate:
- Immediate tooth restoration
- Faster healing of soft tissues and gums, with less chance of recession
- The implant in the tooth extraction site helps prevent contamination and promotes healing
While the process is much quicker, it does not eliminate the need for osseointegration. You will receive a new prosthetic tooth that looks and functions like your natural teeth, but the implant will take about six months to integrate into your jawbone correctly. To be eligible for same-day implants, you must be in good health and a non-smoker.
Restore Your Smile With Confidence
Choosing dental implants is an investment in your oral health, comfort, and quality of life. At Legacy Surgery, Dr. Jeffery Kesecker combines advanced surgical expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and personalized care to help patients achieve lasting results.
Schedule a consultation to learn whether dental implants are right for you and receive a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
FAQs
Am I too old for dental implants?
Age alone does not prevent someone from getting dental implants. Many adults in their 60s, 70s, and beyond successfully receive implant treatment. The most important factors are your overall health, bone support, and ability to heal properly.
How long does the dental implant process take?
Treatment timelines vary depending on your individual needs. Factors such as tooth extractions, bone grafting, and healing time can affect the overall process. Some patients may qualify for same-day implant placement, while others require several months to complete treatment.
Can I eat normally with dental implants?
Once healing is complete and your final restoration is placed, dental implants function much like natural teeth. Most patients can return to eating many of the foods they enjoyed before tooth loss.
Why should I choose an oral surgeon for dental implant placement?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons receive extensive surgical training in procedures involving the teeth, jaws, and facial structures. This specialized training can be especially valuable for complex implant cases, bone grafting procedures, and patients requiring sedation.
Is it too late to get a dental implant if I have been missing a tooth for years?
Not necessarily. Many patients successfully receive dental implants years after losing a tooth. However, prolonged tooth loss can lead to bone loss in the jaw, which may require additional treatment before an implant can be placed. A consultation and 3D evaluation can determine your options.
Is dental implant surgery painful?
Most patients report less discomfort than they expected. Local anesthesia and sedation options help keep you comfortable during the procedure, and many patients compare the recovery to having a tooth extracted. Mild soreness, swelling, and tenderness are common during the first few days and can typically be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medications.
How much do dental implants cost?
The cost of dental implants varies based on factors such as the number of implants needed, whether bone grafting is required, and the type of restoration being placed. During your consultation, you will receive a personalized treatment plan and cost estimate. Learn more about the factors that affect dental implant costs.