Dental Implants in Tucson, AZ
The Healthy, Long-Lasting Option for Restoring Teeth
Dental implants are replacement teeth that look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth. Just like a natural tooth’s root, the implant creates a secure foundation for the crown. This fully restores your ability to eat and chew your favorite foods without any removable appliances or discomfort. You can receive as many implants as you need to achieve a full and healthy smile.
Dr. Robert Wood, Dr. Nicholas Coles, Dr. Negin Saghafi, and Dr. Holbrook are experts in restoring teeth with long-lasting dental implants. Dental professionals often recommend them as the first option to consider when replacing missing or failing teeth. If you are ready to explore your tooth replacement options with dental implants, contact Arizona Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons in Tucson, AZ, today.
What Is a Dental Implant?
The root of a natural tooth firmly holds your tooth in place so that you can bite and tear tough foods. Just like a natural tooth’s root, dental implants create a secure foundation for your new crowns or prosthetic teeth. Each restoration consists of three parts. The post is a medical-grade titanium screw that is inserted into your jaw by an oral surgeon. Once the post is securely bonded with your bone, an abutment is placed. Then, a crown or prosthesis will be attached. Together, these parts completely restore appearance and function to a missing tooth or teeth.
Our office uses advanced technology to 3D cone beam and intraoral scanners to create digital impressions, expediting the dental implant treatment process.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are an excellent tooth replacement option for patients who are healthy enough to undergo outpatient dental procedures. Unlike more traditional tooth replacement options, dental implants restore both looks and full functionality to your teeth. They offer many benefits, including:
Beautiful Results
The crown of your implant is custom-made to match the size and color of your other teeth for natural-looking results.
Long-Term Replacement
The post fuses to the jaw bone to become a stable part of your smile. With proper care and good oral hygiene, your implants can last a lifetime.
Prevent Bone Loss
Similar to a tooth root, the post stimulates the jaw bone. This keeps the bone healthy and prevents jaw bone atrophy commonly associated with tooth loss.
Eat Comfortably
Unlike dentures, your implants stay in your mouth during meals and brushing. Because of their solid foundation, you can bite and chew your favorite foods comfortably.
Types of Dental Implants
Our oral surgeons will help select the right type of implant for your specific restoration needs.
- Single Tooth Replacement. One dental implant is used to replace a tooth anywhere in the mouth. This includes canine teeth, front teeth, and molars.
- Immediate Implants. If you need a tooth extracted, we can replace it with an implant at the same visit if you have adequate jaw bone. Combining extraction with implant placement saves you time and money.
- Multiple Teeth Replacement. A dental implant can support a bridge to replace several missing teeth. This eliminates the need to file down your existing teeth to fit a traditional bridge.
- Full-Arch Restoration. If you need a new arch of teeth, you may qualify for the Straumann® Pro Arch system. This treatment uses implants to secure a fixed prosthesis for a complete smile makeover.
By using our unique 1-2-3 implant placement methodology, we significantly reduce the time required to complete implant-based restoration.
Dental Implant Procedure
The dental implant process usually involves one consultation visit, one surgery visit, and a follow-up visit to place your abutments. Sometimes immediate-loading implants can be used, in which case the follow-up visit will just be to ensure your implants are healing properly. At your consultation, we will take 3D scans of your mouth and help you select the right type of anesthesia for your procedure.
On the day of your oral surgery, we will first administer the anesthesia. Next, the implant posts will be placed into the empty tooth sockets. After lifting the gum tissue, your surgeon will create a small space for the titanium post. Once the implants are placed, the surgical sites will be sutured and you will rest until the anesthesia wears off.
You will need a driver to bring you home and monitor you for 24 hours if you underwent IV sedation. It will take several months for the post to fully integrate with the jaw bone. Your dentist can often make temporary teeth for you to wear during the recovery period. Once the surgery sites have healed, your dentist will place your final crown, completing your restoration.
Cost of Dental Implants
The cost of receiving a dental implant will vary depending on the number of implants you need, your dental insurance, anesthesia, and if you require additional procedures. During your first visit, we will discuss each of these factors and provide you with a cost estimate. We also offer ways to finance your dental implants.
Denture Replacement With Dental Implants
We proudly offer the Straumann Pro Arch full-arch restoration system for patients looking to replace their dentures. Removable dentures can feel uncomfortable and cause feelings of embarrassment. Plus, the cost of replacing them and having them professionally fitted every few years can add up. Without a tooth root or implant post present to stimulate the jaw bone, you are at risk of jaw bone deterioration.
Our solution to these issues is to replace a full denture with a fixed denture that is supported by dental implants. Your new arch of teeth will look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. There are no moving parts or special care regimens necessary, and you receive all the oral health benefits of dental implants. If you wear dentures and are looking for denture replacement in Tucson, AZ, contact our practice today to schedule an appointment.
Types of Anesthesia
We offer a variety of anesthesia choices to ensure a comfortable oral surgery experience.
Hear From Dental Implants Patients
These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing dental implants at our office.
Reviews From Our Dental Implants Patients
"I had a very old root canal and crown, and when the crown was replaced, the replacement actually cracked some of my bone that was still underneath, causing a lot of pain and infection. I was referred, and within a day, Dr. Wood saw me. He did the extraction and the bone graft, and then about six months later, I was able to get the implant. Dr. Wood — he’s very patient, he’s very kind, he’s gentle, and he has one heck of a sense of humor. The team here is fantastic, friendly, helpful. They guide you through the process, they lead you, they answer your questions. If anyone in Oro Valley or Tucson needs oral surgery, I would highly recommend AZOMS."
"I came to Arizona Oral Surgeons for an implant and extraction of a dead tooth. I really was extremely nervous. I thought, I don’t know how this is going to work out, but they were very kind, and the next thing I knew, I was waking up with the implant in my mouth and my tooth gone. My recovery time was much better than I had expected. Dr. Coles was very friendly. He seemed extremely professional, and he definitely did the job, and I was very, very happy with him. If I had a friend in Tucson, and that friend needed oral surgery, I would definitely recommend Arizona Oral Surgeons."
"I had a missing tooth, and then I had another big crown on the other side, so Dr. Coles decided, why don't we just take that tooth out and just put two nice implants in there. I was a bit nervous because I don't do well with pain. I've had other surgeries before, and I said, "Oh wow, another surgery." But it turned out to be not so bad after all. Dr. Coles is a very friendly, outgoing doctor. He just made the procedure go nice and smooth because he's very down-to-earth, and he made me feel very comfortable when I came to see him. Now I have two lovely molars in there, and I don't have any gaps in my mouth, and it's nice to chew, and I'm able to eat everything now, so I'm quite happy with the end result. They feel like my natural teeth and look like my natural teeth. I would definitely recommend, and I have sent patients out to them from Casa Grande to come and see them — it's worth the drive. It's been an awesome experience, and if I ever do need implants again, I will definitely come back."
"I was referred by my primary dentist when I had an old bridge break at the gum line, and so knew it had to be extracted and an implant done. Very warm welcoming; greeted very professionally. Dr. Coles was very calm, collected, explained everything, put everyone at ease. The staff is phenomenal — they are great. They always greet you by name; they greet you with a smile. They make sure that scheduling is per your schedule — they'll make adjustments. They're very pleasant on the phone. I get reminders. They're excellent to work with. I've told numerous people, "Don't go anywhere else. Come and see Dr. Coles.""
"A tooth broke during Thanksgiving dinner, and it turned out that I needed a dental implant. Dr. Wood is a professional. He knows what he's about to do, and then he talks to you about the procedure. It was a very positive experience for kind of a traumatic event. I was very impressed because I didn't feel any pain. The staff here is really great. There's no rush. They make sure that you know exactly what's happening. I think Dr. Wood is an amazing surgeon. I would definitely recommend Dr. Wood to anyone who has to have oral surgery."
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does dental implant surgery take?
Most single-implant procedures only last between 30 and 60 minutes. Multiple implant procedures or full-arch restorations will usually take between 1 and 3 hours.
Who is not a candidate for implants?
Patients with periodontal disease, a suppressed immune system, or those taking certain medications may not qualify for implant placement. Schedule a visit to our office in Tucson to see if you are a candidate.
Who places dental implants?
Dental implant placement is a type of oral and maxillofacial surgery procedure that should be performed by an oral surgeon. Oral surgeons specialize in implant dentistry and are trained to safely administer anesthesia. Your restorative dentist will place the final crown, but the dental implant surgery itself should be performed by an oral surgeon.
How long is recovery after dental implant surgery?
The recovery period can differ depending on your condition and the number of implants you received. Usually, patients are back to their regular schedules after just a week or two, but full chewing function will be restored after several weeks to a few months of healing.
Exceptional Outcomes From a Team You Can Trust
We’ve been caring for patients in southern Arizona for over 50 years. As board-certified experts, our surgeons bring years of training and expertise to you and your loved ones with the highest standards. Learn more about our office or contact Arizona Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons today to see how we can improve your oral health.