Let’s clear something up right away: a dental implant isn’t the tooth. The implant is a small titanium post that is placed in your jawbone. It acts like an artificial tooth root. The crown (the part you actually see and chew with) attaches to it later.
Think of it like building a house. The implant is the foundation. The crown is everything above ground. You need a solid foundation before you can move in. If you’ve been told you’re a candidate for implants, or you’re just curious how the whole thing works, here’s a walk-through of what to expect from start to finish.
Step One: The Consultation
Everything begins with a conversation. Dr. Chen or Dr. Sowell will examine your mouth, take X-rays or a CT scan, and ask about your health history. They want to know:
- Does your jawbone have enough density to support an implant?
- Are your gums healthy?
- Do you have any conditions that might affect healing?
This is also your chance to ask questions. How long will it take? What does it cost? Will it hurt? (Spoiler: you’ll be numb, and most patients say the procedure is easier than a tooth extraction.)
Step Two: Bone Grafting (If You Need It)
Here’s something a lot of patients don’t expect. When you lose a tooth, your jawbone starts to shrink where that tooth used to be. No root means no stimulation, and the bone resorbs over time.
If your bone is too thin or soft to hold an implant, Dr. Chen can build it back up with a bone graft. The material might come from a donor source or a synthetic substitute. It sounds intense, but it’s a routine procedure. You’ll need a few months for the graft to heal and fuse with your natural bone before moving to the next step.
Not everyone needs this. But if you do, don’t skip it. A strong foundation makes all the difference.
Step Three: Implant Placement
This is the main event. Dr. Chen makes a small incision in your gum, exposing the bone underneath. She carefully drills a tiny hole (much smaller than you’re probably imagining) and places the titanium post into it. Then she stitches your gum closed over or around the post.
The whole thing usually takes about an hour for a single implant. You’ll be numb the entire time. Many patients go back to work the next day.
Step Four: Osseointegration (The Waiting Game)
Over the next three to six months, your jawbone grows around the titanium post, locking it firmly in place. This process is called osseointegration, and it’s what makes implants so strong and durable. Unlike a bridge that rests on other teeth, an implant stands on its own.
During this time, you might wear a temporary tooth or partial denture so you don’t have a gap in your smile. But you’ll need to stick to softer foods and avoid putting heavy pressure on the healing site.
Step Five: Abutment and Crown
Once your implant has fully fused with your bone, Dr. Chen uncovers it and attaches a small connector called an abutment. The abutment sticks up above your gum line and serves as the attachment point for your new tooth.
Then comes the fun part: the natural-looking crown. Using the same artistry and in-office ceramic lab that make their same-day crowns, Dr. Chen and master ceramist James Chung custom-craft a tooth that matches the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth.
When it’s ready, they screw or cement it onto the abutment. And just like that, you could have a complete tooth again.
How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
From consultation to final crown, plan on four to nine months. Most of that time is healing, not active procedures. It sounds like a long time, but remember: you’re growing bone around metal. That doesn’t happen overnight.
The Good News
Dental implants have a success rate above 95 percent. They don’t get cavities. They won’t slip or click like dentures. And with normal brushing and flossing, they can last a lifetime.
Dr. Chen is a prosthodontist with advanced training in implant dentistry. She handles every step of the process, from bone grafting to final crown placement, right in our Plano office. No referrals. No running around town.
If you’ve been living with a missing tooth (or several), give us a call at (972) 382-6855 or request an appointment online. Your smile has been waiting long enough.