Common Questions about Dental Implants

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Dental implants are a long-lasting solution to missing teeth. They not only look and function like natural teeth, but they also help maintain the strength of your jawbone because they bond with the bone. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about dental implants.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants consist of an artificial root and an artificial tooth attached to the artificial root. The root is a post made of titanium because it bonds well with the bone. The post may be a plate or screw-like structure. It is implanted into your jawbone. Gradually the bone is stimulated to grow and surrounds the artificial root just as it does natural roots. At this point, the crown or artificial tooth is attached to the root. The new tooth is very strong and looks completely natural.

How Long Does the Process Take?

The length of time from initial implant to attaching the crown varies with each person. It depends on your medical and dental history, the health of your jawbone and the materials used. If your jawbone is weak, we may need to do a bone graft before inserting the implant.

What Are the Main Advantages?

If you lose a permanent tooth due to decay, gum disease or injury, implants give you a chance to have a permanent tooth again. They are firmly fixed in your bone. Through chewing, they function like natural teeth by providing exercise to your jawbone to keep it strong. You can eat all the foods you like without worrying about breaking a denture or bridge. Dental implants never decay.

How to Care for Implants?

Dental implants need the same care you give your natural teeth. They need to be brushed and flossed every day and have regular professional check-ups and cleanings. Even though the dental implant is not susceptible to disease, it is still important to maintain the health of the surrounding gums. Implants are not removable. They are fixed in your bone like natural teeth. Properly cared for, they can last a lifetime.

How Do Implants Anchor Dentures?

Whether you have existing dentures or are getting your first pair, you may be able to have them anchored by dental implants. You may have two to four implants that hold your dentures in place. This is a great improvement to glued dentures as they don’t shift when you speak or click when you eat.

Dental implants have been used for more than 50 years with a very good safety record. Almost anyone who is missing one or more teeth is a good candidate for implants. Get in touch with our professionals or visit San Tan Oral Surgery in Gilbert, AZ to learn more. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

About
Dr. Cynthia Colson

Dr. Colson grew up in the Metro area, attending Camelback High School and ASU. She graduated from the University of Kentucky Dental School and completed her residency at Long Island Jewish Hospital in Long Island, New York. She also attended an anesthesia fellowship program at the University of Illinois at Chicago and has traveled with Healing The Children, a non-profit organization, to Bucarumanga Columbia treating patients with cleft lip and palate deformities.
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What our patients are saying about us

"Dr. Colson is amazing! She explained everything thoroughly without sounding condescending and gently but directly guides you through the whole procedure. She is excellent and super experienced. I got my wisdom teeth pulled (3 partially impacted and one simply extracted) and aside from asking too many questions under laughing gas before the general anesthesia knocked me out, I got no complications and have had essentially no pain at all." – Ana D.

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Office hours

Mon - Thur: 8am to 5:00pm
Friday: 8am to 2:00pm

Location

3303 S. Lindsay Rd.
Suite 112
Gilbert, AZ 85297

Contact

Office: (480) 604-2592

Connect

Santanxray@gmail.com

About Us | Dental Implants Gilbert, AZ | San Tan Oral Surgery
If you have recently been told you need oral surgery, you have come to the right place. Call San Tan Oral Surgery to schedule your initial consultation today!
San Tan Oral Surgery, 3303 S. Lindsay Rd. Suite 112, Gilbert, AZ 85297-2100 + (480) 604-2592 + santanoralsurgery.com + 12/4/2025 + Key Phrases: Dental Implants Gilbert AZ +