Updated: March 2026
Missing teeth affects more than just your smile. They can impact how you bite, chew, speak, and feel day to day. While bridges and dentures are both effective for restoring form and function, many patients look for a more permanent, natural-feeling solution. This is where dental implants stand out.
At 50th and France Dental Care, patients can explore precisely placed, long-lasting tooth replacement options designed to look, feel, and function just like real teeth.
What Are Dental Implants?
Functionally, dental implants are artificial tooth roots. These tiny titanium posts are surgically placed into empty spots in the jawbone, where they gradually fuse with the bone through osseointegration, which creates a stable, durable foundation for a new tooth.
Understanding the Dental Implant Process, Step-by-Step
Getting dental implants involves a few steps spanning multiple visits and several months. Here’s a closer look at the entire process:
- During an initial consultation, your dentist thoroughly assesses (usually including full-mouth x-rays) the patient’s periodontal (gum) and jawbone to determine suitability and create a treatment plan.
- On the day of the procedure, the implant is surgically inserted into the empty “socket” in the jawbone via a small incision in the gums. This is done under local anesthesia to ensure patient comfort.
- Secure and precise placement initiates osseointegration, a roughly 6-month healing period during which the implant fuses permanently with the jawbone.
After the implant integrates and the area heals, a connector, or abutment, is affixed to the implant. This provides vital support for a permanent dental restoration, such as a dental crown. Once the abutment is properly in place, new images and molds are used to custom-design a dental crown that seamlessly replaces the visible part of the tooth and restores appearance and bite integrity.
The full process may take several months, but the result is a secure, long-term solution that almost perfectly mimics a natural tooth.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
One of the biggest advantages of dental implants is their permanence, both day-to-day and long-term. Unlike dentures, they don’t slip or shift when you eat or speak. This stability allows you to enjoy your favorite foods without worry and maintain confidence in social situations. And with proper care, they can last a lifetime!
Another key benefit of dental implants is the preservation of jawbone. When a tooth is lost, the underlying bone can begin to shrink over time. Because implants stimulate the jawbone like natural tooth roots do, they help prevent this bone loss and the “sunken” facial structure that often accompanies it.
Long-Lasting, Natural Tooth Replacement in Edina, MN
If you’re in Edina and want to learn more about restoring your smile and bite for years to come with dental implants, contact Dr. Anderson and the experienced, caring team to schedule a consultation.