Dental Implant Surgery
Every great smile and dental implant starts with a solid foundation. The surgical placement of your dental implant is a vital step in the dental implant process.
At Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery, our board-certified oral surgeons ensure each implant is placed with the precision, safety, and care needed for long-term success.
The Foundational Step in Rebuilding Your Smile
Dental implant surgery is about more than just placing an implant into the jaw. It’s about developing the best foundation possible for your smile transformation.
Our oral surgeons have advanced training on the complexities of the jaw, nerves, and facial structure involved in implant placement, along with specialized expertise in bone grafting, sinus lifts, and advanced anesthesia.
We perform implant surgeries every day in our high-tech surgical centers, using cutting-edge 3D imaging, advanced surgical techniques, and the highest-quality implant materials available.
This level of expertise and attention to detail matters, not just for how your dental implant feels today, but for how well it performs decades from now.
Working Together to Restore Your Smile
Teamwork can bring your smile back to life. Each piece of the dental implant and each part of the implant process involves expert hands, from your dentist to your oral surgeon, working in lockstep to make sure your smile looks, feels, and functions exactly the way it should.
The Titanium Implant
Placed by your oral surgeon during your dental implant surgery, this titanium post, which resembles a screw, fuses with your jawbone over time to create a secure anchor that mimics the natural tooth root. As the foundation of the implant, jawbone preparation and precision placement of the implant is critical.
The Abutment
Attached to the implant above the gumline, the abutment connects the titanium implant to your custom prosthetic crown. Your restorative general dentist or prosthodontist typically attaches the abutment.
The Restoration (Crown, Bridge or Denture)
Designed and fitted by your restorative general dentist or prosthodontist, your final prosthetic is perfectly crafted to look and function like healthy, natural teeth.
From Implant to Amazing Smile
Our surgeons build the foundation your smile depends on. Every restoration, whether it’s a single tooth or a full-arch replacement, starts with the precision and stability of expertly placed dental implants.
Dental implants are the foundation for many types of artificial teeth, including:
- Single Crowns for individual teeth
- Implant-Supported Bridges for multiple teeth in a row
- Removable Implant-Supported Dentures
- Permanent Full-Arch Prosthesis to rebuild complete smiles
The Dental Implant Process
Every dental implant requires careful planning, seamless coordination of care, and expert surgical execution.
1. Personalized Consultation & Treatment Planning
Whether you’ve been referred by your dentist or partnered with us directly, your journey begins with a one-on-one consultation. We’ll take the time to understand your health and dental history and use advanced 3D imaging to evaluate your jaw, mouth, and facial structure. The detailed plan developed for the placement of your dental implants will be coordinated with your restorative dentist. Before your surgery, we’ll also walk you through anesthesia and sedation options to ensure your comfort and safety during your procedure.
2. Surgical Placement of the Dental Implant
On the day of surgery, your oral surgeon will gently numb the implant area and provide sedation as planned. Using a guided and precise approach, a small incision is made in the gum, and the titanium dental implant is placed directly into the jawbone. If bone grafting or a sinus lift is needed to build up support for the implant, that will be done during the same appointment. The gum is then closed over the implant to begin healing.
3. Osseointegration: Healing & Bone Fusion
Over the next few months, your implant undergoes osseointegration, a natural process where the implant fuses with your jawbone to create a permanent, stable foundation. During this time, your general dentist may provide a temporary tooth replacement for aesthetics.
4. Dental Implant Abutment Placement & Final Restoration
Once healing is complete and the implant is fully integrated with your jawbone, we’ll uncover the implant and place a small connector piece called an abutment. Your restorative dentist will then design your custom dental implant crown, bridge, denture, or full-arch prosthesis that fits perfectly and looks and functions just like natural teeth.
5. Collaborative Follow-Through
Throughout the entire process, your oral surgeon stays in close contact with your general dentist or prosthodontist to ensure your implant supports the final restoration perfectly. From surgical details to implant positioning, we coordinate every step for seamless results.
Your Dental Implant Experts
Our board-certified oral surgeons bring advanced surgical skill and precision to every dental implant procedure.
From single implant placement to full-arch solutions, we deliver personalized care and long-lasting results, all in a setting designed for your comfort and safety.
Aetna
Aflac
Blue Cross Blue Shield
CareCredit
Careington
GEHA
Cigna
Delta Dental
Guardian
MetLife
Sunbit
Sun Life
Unum
InVio
