Dental Implants: Everything You Need to Know By Radcliff, KY Experts

Image of a smiling, older male patient in a dental chair, post-surgery. The dentist is a young woman, holding an x-ray that shows a successfully implanted "dentis implant" in the patient's lower jaw. Text on image says "Are Dentis Implants Right For You?"

A dental implant is a titanium post placed in your jawbone that acts as an artificial tooth root, topped with a custom crown, bridge, or denture once it fuses to the bone through a process called osseointegration. Most healthy adults with adequate bone are candidates, treatment generally takes a few months from placement to final restoration, and Dr. Darren Greenwell and Dr. Brooke Shelton offer several implant types depending on how many teeth you’re replacing.

If you’re missing a tooth, or several, it’s worth understanding what implants actually involve before you decide whether they’re the right fix. Here’s a straightforward rundown covering candidacy, your options, cost, and what recovery looks like.

Who’s a Good Candidate

Most healthy adults with enough jawbone density and healthy gums qualify. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and gum disease can complicate things, but they don’t automatically rule you out — we’ll go over your specific situation at a consultation. Patients without enough bone aren’t necessarily out of luck either, since options like bone grafting or zygomatic implants can often make treatment possible anyway.

Your Implant Options

A single dental implant replaces one missing tooth without touching the teeth around it. For several missing teeth, an implant-supported bridge covers the gap. Patients missing most or all of their teeth often go with full-mouth implants, which use a handful of strategically placed implants to support an entire arch. If you’d rather keep things removable but still want more stability than traditional dentures offer, implant-supported dentures split the difference.

How the Procedure Actually Works

Osseointegration is the term for the process where your jawbone fuses with the titanium implant post, and it’s what gives implants their strength and staying power. Placement itself is a relatively quick surgical procedure, usually done under local anesthesia — our sedation options page covers what’s available if you’d rather be more relaxed for it.

What Determines Cost

Price depends mostly on how many teeth you’re replacing and whether extra steps like bone grafting are needed first. We accept most major PPO insurance plans and offer CareCredit financing, so cost doesn’t have to be a barrier to treatment — details are on our financing and insurance page.

Success Rates and What Can Go Wrong

Implants have high long-term success rates, but implant failure can happen, usually tied to infection, poor bone integration, or inadequate aftercare. Working with an experienced team and our in-house dental lab for your final restoration goes a long way toward avoiding that outcome.

Recovery and Aftercare

Mild swelling and discomfort for a few days after placement is normal. From there, an implant is cared for much like a natural tooth — brushing, flossing, and regular checkups. Skipping that upkeep is the most common way patients run into trouble down the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the entire implant process take? Most patients complete treatment in a few months, from placement through healing to final restoration, though the exact timeline depends on your case and whether bone grafting is needed first.

Does getting an implant hurt? Placement is done under local anesthesia and is generally well-tolerated. Some soreness afterward is normal and manageable with standard pain medication.

What if I’ve been told I don’t have enough bone? Bone grafting can rebuild many sites, and zygomatic implants offer another path for patients with more significant bone loss.

How much do dental implants cost? It varies by how many teeth you’re replacing and your specific treatment plan. Our financing and insurance page outlines payment options, and we give a personalized estimate at consultation.

What’s the difference between full-mouth implants and implant-supported dentures? Full-mouth implants are permanently fixed. Implant-supported dentures are removable but anchored to implants for far more stability than a traditional denture.

Can implants fail? It’s uncommon, but yes — usually from infection or poor bone integration. Good aftercare and regular checkups are the best way to catch and prevent problems early. Our failing dental implant page covers what to do if that happens.