Dental implants are metal posts or frames that are surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath your gums and a great way to replace missing teeth. Once in place, they allow your dentist to mount replacement teeth onto them. There are two phases, the surgery phase and restorative phase. The surgery phase (the part below the gumline) will begin with a consultation with one of our top notch specialists that we work with to ensure you are a good candidate. Once the surgery is complete, often several months of healing will be required before the specialist will allow us to proceed with the restorative phase. If the space is in a cosmetic zone, you have the additional option for us to make you an interim prosthesis (also called a flipper) to wear while you are healing. The restorative phase (the part of above the gumline) begins with an appointment where impressions are taken. Approximately two weeks later, an abutment and crown that will go on top of the implant are attached.