First, Dr. Kupetz examines your jawbone to make sure it can support an implant. If you need a bone graft, we’ll handle that first. Most people in Dutchess County have sufficient bone density, but we check anyway.
Next comes the implant placement. Under local anesthesia (or sedation if you prefer), Dr. Kupetz makes a small incision in your gum and places the titanium implant directly into your jawbone. The whole procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes for a single implant.
Then you wait while your body does something remarkable: your bone grows around the implant and fuses with it. This process, called osseointegration, typically takes 4 to 6 months. Once that’s complete, Dr. Kupetz attaches the crown, bridge, or denture to your implant. The result looks and functions exactly like a natural tooth.