250 Church Street SE, Suite 102,
Salem, OR 97301
Salem, OR 97301
Losing a tooth changes more than your smile. Maybe you chew on one side now, avoid certain foods, or have a denture that never feels quite secure. Dental implants replace the root of a missing tooth, giving you a stable foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural ones.
At Willamette Valley Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our board-certified oral surgeons place dental implants for patients across Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley. We work alongside your dentist from the first exam to your final restoration. Call 503-581-1999 to schedule a consultation.
A dental implant is a small titanium post that an oral surgeon places in the jawbone where a tooth is missing. Over the following months, the bone bonds with the titanium, and the implant becomes a strong, artificial tooth root. Your dentist then attaches a small connector post to the implant and secures a crown, bridge, or denture on top.
Because an implant sits in the bone like a natural root, it also helps preserve jawbone and facial shape, which can change when teeth are missing for a long time.
A dental implant is a small titanium post that an oral surgeon places in the jawbone where a tooth is missing. Over the following months, the bone bonds with the titanium, and the implant becomes a strong, artificial tooth root. Your dentist then attaches a small connector post to the implant and secures a crown, bridge, or denture on top.
Because an implant sits in the bone like a natural root, it also helps preserve jawbone and facial shape, which can change when teeth are missing for a long time.
Most adults who are missing one or more teeth can be evaluated for implants. At your consultation, your surgeon will examine your mouth, review your medical and dental history, and take imaging to see how much healthy bone is available.
If the bone isn't ideal for an implant, that doesn't automatically rule you out. Procedures such as bone grafting, a sinus lift, or ridge augmentation can rebuild the area so an implant can be placed. If a tooth still needs to come out, socket preservation can help protect the bone for a future implant.
Implants aren't right for everyone, and your surgeon will review every option, including bridges and dentures, so you can choose what fits your health, goals, and budget.
Every treatment plan is different, but most implant cases follow one of these paths.
For many patients, implants are placed in two procedures. First, the surgeon places the implant in the jawbone, beneath the gums. For the next three to six months, the implant bonds with the bone. During this time, you can usually wear a temporary denture and eat a soft diet while your dentist prepares your new teeth.
Once the implant has bonded, the surgeon uncovers it and attaches small posts that will anchor your replacement teeth. The full process usually takes six to eight months, and most patients report little disruption to daily life.
In some cases, the surgeon can place a single-stage implant that doesn't require a second procedure to uncover. These implants still need at least six weeks to heal before the replacement tooth is attached. In the right situations, an implant can even be placed on the same visit as a tooth extraction, reducing the number of procedures you need.
Implant treatment is a partnership between your oral surgeon and your restorative dentist. Our surgeons handle the implant surgery, any tooth extractions, and bone grafting if needed. Your dentist designs and places the permanent replacement teeth, along with any temporary teeth you wear while you heal. Dentists can send patients to us through our doctor referral form.
The number of implants you need depends on how many teeth you're replacing and the restoration type your dentist recommends.
Restoration | What it replaces |
Single crown | One missing tooth. Each crown attaches to its own implant. |
Implant-supported bridge | Two or more missing teeth in a row, often supported by only two or three implants. |
Fixed full-arch bridge | All of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. It is permanent and can only be removed by your dentist. |
Overdenture | All of the teeth in one jaw. It snaps onto a bar or ball attachments and can be removed for cleaning. |
We perform most dental implant and bone graft procedures in our office under local anesthesia, with or without general anesthesia. Your surgeon will recommend the right option based on your procedure and medical history, and you can review our pre-anesthesia instructions in advance.
In-office implant surgery takes place in a hospital-style operating suite designed for high sterility. Patients with special medical or anesthetic needs, or those who need extensive bone grafting from the jaw, hip, or tibia, may have their surgery in a hospital instead.
The cost of dental implants depends on how many teeth you're replacing, whether you need bone grafting or extractions first, and the type of restoration your dentist places. Because your surgeon and dentist each handle part of the treatment, you'll receive separate estimates for each part.
Coverage for implants varies by plan. Our team works with you to maximize your insurance benefits for covered procedures and can answer questions before you commit to treatment. Learn more about insurance at our office.
With good care, implants can serve you well for many years. Brush and floss daily, as you would with natural teeth, and keep regular checkups with your dentist and specialists. After surgery, follow our dental implant surgery instructions to help the area heal.
One of our three oral and maxillofacial surgeons performs your implant surgery, and each is certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Our office is at 250 Church Street SE, Suite 102, in Salem, near Salem Hospital and Willamette University. Patients come from Salem and the surrounding Mid-Willamette Valley, often referred by their family dentist.
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It depends on your case. A two-stage process usually takes six to eight months from placement to final teeth. Single-stage implants need at least six weeks of healing before we attach replacement teeth.
Sometimes, yes. In the right situations, your surgeon can place an implant at the same visit as the extraction. Your surgeon will tell you at your consultation whether this is an option for you.
You may still be a candidate. Bone grafting procedures can rebuild the jawbone so an implant can be placed. See our bone grafting page to learn more.
Many patients come to us on referral, and your dentist will be part of your treatment either way, since they create your final replacement teeth. Call our office to ask about scheduling.
In most cases, yes. Your dentist can provide a temporary denture or other temporary teeth to wear while the implant bonds with the bone.
Whether you're missing one tooth or several, the first step is a conversation about your options. Call Willamette Valley Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at 503-581-1999 to schedule your consultation in Salem.
