Dental Implants
A Lasting Solution for Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can affect your confidence, your ability to enjoy your favorite foods, and the overall health of your smile.
Whether you've lost a single tooth or multiple teeth, dental implants offer a modern, natural-looking option for replacing missing teeth and restoring comfortable function.
At our practice, Dr. Ninel Wendover provides personalized dental implant evaluations and restorative care, helping patients explore options for rebuilding their smiles.
Our goal is to provide restorations that look natural, function comfortably, and support long-term oral health.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small, biocompatible post, typically made of titanium, that is surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root.
Over time, the surrounding bone can integrate with the implant, creating a stable foundation for a dental restoration.
Once the implant is ready to support a restoration, it may be used with:
A Single Crown: To replace one missing tooth.
An Implant-Supported Bridge: To replace several missing teeth.
An Implant-Supported Denture: To provide additional support and stability for a removable or fixed prosthesis.
Dental implants are designed to closely replicate the appearance and function of natural teeth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
More Than Just a Beautiful Smile
Dental implants offer several advantages over some traditional tooth replacement options.
Natural Appearance
Implant-supported restorations are customized to blend with your surrounding teeth.
Improved Chewing Function
A stable implant restoration can help restore your ability to chew a wider variety of foods comfortably.
Support for Jawbone Health
Dental implants transmit forces to the surrounding bone during function, which can help reduce bone loss in the area of a missing tooth.
Preservation of Neighboring Teeth
Unlike a traditional tooth-supported bridge, a single dental implant generally does not require preparation of the adjacent teeth.
Long-Term Tooth Replacement
With proper care, regular professional maintenance, and favorable oral health conditions, dental implants can provide many years of function.
Confidence in Your Smile
Replacing missing teeth can help improve your appearance, comfort, and confidence in everyday activities.
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
Many adults with missing teeth may be candidates for dental implants, but successful treatment depends on several factors.
Dr. Wendover will consider your overall oral health, the condition of your gums, the available supporting bone, and your medical history.
Patients with active periodontal disease, certain medical conditions, or insufficient bone may require additional evaluation or treatment before implant placement.
Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and other factors may also increase the risk of implant complications.
A thorough evaluation is essential to determining the most appropriate treatment plan.
The Dental Implant Process
Personalized Care from Planning to Restoration
Dental implant treatment typically involves several stages.
Step 1: Consultation and Evaluation
Your teeth, gums, bite, and supporting structures are evaluated to determine whether implant treatment may be appropriate.
Step 2: Treatment Planning
A personalized plan is developed based on the number of missing teeth, the condition of the surrounding structures, and your restorative goals.
Step 3: Implant Placement
The implant is surgically positioned in the jawbone by an appropriately trained dental provider.
Step 4: Healing and Integration
The implant is allowed time to integrate with the surrounding bone. This process generally takes several months, although healing times vary.
Step 5: Final Restoration
Once the implant is ready, a custom-designed crown, bridge, or other restoration is attached to complete your smile.
Throughout the process, Dr. Wendover will discuss your restorative options and help coordinate appropriate care.
Caring for Your Dental Implants
Protecting Your Investment in Your Smile
Although dental implants cannot develop cavities, the surrounding gum tissue and bone can still be affected by inflammation and infection.
Conditions such as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis can threaten the health and stability of an implant.
That's why proper home care and regular professional evaluations are essential.
We recommend:
Brushing twice daily.
Cleaning thoroughly around implant restorations.
Attending recommended dental and periodontal maintenance visits.
Avoiding tobacco use.
Reporting bleeding, swelling, discomfort, or changes around your implants.
Advanced Care for Dental Implant Health
Helping Protect Your Existing Implants
Dr. Wendover has pursued extensive continuing education in periodontal health and treatment.
Our practice also offers LAPIP™ (Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure), a specialized laser-based treatment protocol used to help manage peri-implantitis in appropriate cases.
Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory condition involving the tissues around a dental implant and loss of supporting bone.
When identified early, appropriate intervention may help manage the condition and improve the opportunity to preserve an affected implant.
Not all compromised implants can be saved, but early evaluation is an important step.
Learn more about LAPIP and our advanced periodontal services on our Periodontal Treatment page.
Rebuild Your Smile with Confidence
Missing teeth don't have to limit your comfort, confidence, or quality of life.
Dental implants offer a modern solution for restoring the appearance and function of your smile.
Whether you're missing one tooth or several, Dr. Wendover can help you explore personalized restorative options designed around your dental health and long-term goals.
A complete smile can make a meaningful difference.
Contact our office to schedule a dental implant consultation and learn more about your tooth replacement options.