Dental Implants

Dental implants are an investment in your health.  When it’s time to make the decision on who to trust with your implants, choose someone with the experience, expertise and modern knowledge to give you the natural look, effective function and long-term performance you need.  Dr. Hill has been intrigued by dental implants since he was a biology major in college.  His senior thesis at RPI was a report on how surface treatments on implants can affect how bone attaches to the implant.  He continues to have great interest in dental implants and has completed many courses specific to restoring missing teeth with implants and has over 20 years of experience in the field.  Dr. Hill is active in a local implant related study club and is excited to offer such an amazing option to patients with missing teeth.

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. You can regain the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours and bite support will be preserved. The implants are tiny titanium posts which are placed into the jaw bone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, dental implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing.  Implants will also prevent remaining teeth from shifting and causing bite problems and deterioration.  Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or support an entire upper or lower arch of teeth.

Dental implants are changing the way people live! With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life.  The photos below show one of our patients after completion of two implant crowns with a crown on the natural tooth inbetween.  They were designed and made together using the CEREC system.

Evaluation for Dental Implants

If, like many others, you feel implant dentistry is the choice for you, we ask that you undergo a dental/radiographic examination and health history. During these consultation visits, your specific needs and considerations will be addressed by either Dr. Hill or by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon referred by our practice. Your questions and concerns are important to us and our team will work with you very closely to help make your procedure a success.

Above:  Our patient had to have a front tooth removed due to resorption.  An implant was placed, allowed to heal, and a crown was made to fit the implant.  An old crown on his other front tooth was also replaced.  The picture on the right is his final, natural looking result.

Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants are metal anchors, which act as tooth root substitutes. They are surgically placed into the jaw bone by surgical specialists who Dr. Hill knows well and works with often.

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jaw bone. For the first three to four months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums, while the bone of the jaw grows onto and attaches to the implant’s surgical Titanium surface. During this healing period, a temporary tooth is often used in cosmetically sensitive situations which can be fixed in place or removable depending on your situation. You will NOT be left without a tooth when appearance is important!  Once the implant has fully integrated and the surgeon gives it a final test, the implant can be restored by Dr. Hill.

After the implant has bonded to the jaw bone, the second phase begins. The surgeon will uncover the implants and attach a small healing collar. Dr. Hill can then design a tooth that attaches to the implant and will look and feel natural.  The tooth that you’ll see in your mouth will be custom designed and fabricated just for you.  In most cases, Dr. Hill will scan the implant position directly in your mouth with the CEREC system, or in advanced cases an impression may be taken so the scanning can be done on a plaster model. About a week later, the new tooth is attached to your implant and adjusted for proper fit and function. The entire procedure usually takes four months for a typical single-tooth implant from the time of surgery to the delivery of the tooth. Most patients do not experience any disruption in their daily life.