Implant Dentistry
A dental implant is a small titanium post that takes the place of a missing tooth root. Once it has fused with the jawbone, it supports a crown, a bridge, or a full denture — which is why implants feel and function closer to natural teeth than any other replacement.
Implants do something removable options cannot: they keep the jawbone working. When a tooth is lost, the bone underneath begins to shrink, which over time changes the shape of the face and loosens the fit of dentures. An implant transmits chewing forces into the bone the way a root does, so that shrinkage slows dramatically.
Treatment starts with imaging and a plan: we check bone volume, map the nerve and sinus anatomy, and decide whether any preparation is needed first. After placement, the implant heals for several months while it integrates, then the final crown or bridge is attached. You will know the sequence, the timeline, and the cost before anything begins.
Implants can replace
- A single missing tooth, without touching the neighbors
- Several teeth in a row with an implant-supported bridge
- A full arch with implant-retained or fixed dentures
- A failing tooth that cannot be saved
- Loose lower dentures that will not stay put
Questions about implant dentistry?
Call Total Smiles Dentistry at (804) 510-0433 or request a visit online — new patients are always welcome in Richmond, VA.