A dental implant is a titanium post placed in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth’s root, topped with a custom crown. It’s the only tooth-replacement option that preserves jawbone density long-term, typically takes three to six months from placement to final crown, and most healthy adults with adequate bone are candidates. If you’re missing most or all of your teeth in an arch, full-arch implants may be a better fit than replacing each tooth individually.
If you’re missing a single tooth, or a few, a dental implant is often the strongest, most natural-feeling replacement available. Here’s what it actually involves, from Dr. Sherwood and Dr. Pascoe’s approach at Conway Dental Co.
What a Dental Implant Actually Is
An implant is a small titanium post placed directly into your jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over several months through a process called osseointegration. Once healed, we attach a custom crown on top, built to match your surrounding teeth. Unlike a bridge, an implant doesn’t rely on the teeth next to it for support.
Why Implants Preserve Your Jawbone
This is the detail most patients don’t know about until they’re already comparing options. When a tooth root is missing, the jawbone underneath it starts to shrink from lack of stimulation — a process that continues indefinitely if nothing replaces that root. An implant is the only replacement option that restores the root itself, so it keeps that bone stimulated and helps preserve your jaw structure over time. A dental bridge, by contrast, doesn’t address this at all.
The Treatment Process
- Consultation and imaging — a scan lets us evaluate your bone density and plan the exact implant position.
- Implant placement — a minor surgical procedure, typically done under local anesthesia.
- Healing (osseointegration) — the implant fuses with your jawbone, usually over three to six months.
- Final crown — once healing is confirmed, we attach your custom-matched crown.
Are You a Candidate?
Most healthy adults with adequate bone density and healthy gums are good candidates. A few things we evaluate at your consultation:
- Bone volume at the implant site (bone grafting can often resolve a shortfall — see our bone grafting page)
- Healthy, disease-free gums
- Overall health and any conditions that could affect healing
- Smoking status, since tobacco use slows healing and integration
What Does It Cost?
Cost depends on how many teeth you’re replacing, whether bone grafting is needed, and your specific treatment plan. For a detailed breakdown, see our dental implant cost page, or ask our team about financing through our insurance and financing options.
Caring for Your Implant
An implant is cared for like a natural tooth: brushing and flossing daily, along with regular checkups. Our dental implant maintenance page covers what long-term care looks like in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a single implant last? With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, an implant post can last decades — often a lifetime — though the crown on top may eventually need replacement after 15-20 years of normal wear.
Does getting an implant hurt? Placement is done under local anesthesia, and most patients describe recovery as comparable to a tooth extraction — manageable with standard pain relief.
What if I’m missing more than one tooth? Multiple implants can replace several missing teeth, and for patients missing most or all of an arch, full-arch implants are often a more efficient, cost-effective solution than individual implants.
What if I don’t have enough bone for an implant? Bone grafting can often build up the site enough to support an implant, even if you were told in the past that you weren’t a candidate.
Ready to Find Out If You’re a Candidate?
Contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sherwood or Dr. Pascoe at our Conway, AR office, or learn more about our full dental implants services.
