Dental Implants Akron, PA
One office, start to finish. Most general dentists send you somewhere else for the surgery, then take over once the healing is done. You end up in two practices, explaining yourself twice, with neither one fully responsible for the result.
For many patients, dental implants provide a stable, long-lasting alternative to a dental bridge or partial denture. Because an implant is designed to function much like a natural tooth, it can help you get back to eating, speaking, and smiling comfortably.
At Gotwalt Dentistry, Dr. Sara Gotwalt places and restores dental implants herself, in our Akron office. She plans the case, places the implant, designs the crown, and is the one checking on it at your cleanings for years to come.
What a Dental Implant Is
An implant replaces a missing tooth at the root. A small titanium post is placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over several months and takes over the job the natural root used to do. Once it’s stable, a custom crown attaches to it.
The result isn’t a device you take out or a tooth that leans on its neighbors. It’s a replacement that stands on its own — you brush it, floss it, and chew with it the way you would a natural tooth.
Because the post sits in the bone, an implant also does something no other replacement can: it keeps the jawbone stimulated. When a tooth is missing, the bone beneath it gradually shrinks. An implant slows that down.
Implant, Bridge, or Partial?
If you’re missing a tooth, you have three realistic options, and the right one depends on your situation more than on any general rule.
A dental implant stands alone. It doesn’t require touching the teeth on either side, it preserves bone, and it’s the closest thing to getting the original tooth back. It costs more upfront and takes several months.
A dental bridge fills the gap using the neighboring teeth as anchors. It’s faster and less expensive, but it means preparing two healthy teeth to support it, and it doesn’t address the bone loss underneath.
A partial denture is removable and the most affordable option. It works, but it’s something you take in and out, and it doesn’t feel like a natural tooth.
We’ll walk through all three honestly, including the cases where an implant isn’t the right answer. Sometimes it isn’t.
What to Expect
Consultation and planning. We examine the site, take imaging, and check whether there’s enough healthy bone to support an implant. If there isn’t, we’ll tell you what that means and what the options are before you’ve committed to anything. And in the occasional case that calls for a specialist’s involvement, we’ll say so plainly rather than push ahead. You’ll leave knowing the plan, the timeline, and the cost.
Placement. Dr. Sara places the implant post in our office. The area is fully numbed, and most patients are surprised by how manageable the appointment is — the recovery is generally easier than an extraction. If anxiety is a factor, ask about sedation when you schedule.
Healing. The implant needs three to six months to fuse with the bone. This part can’t be rushed; it’s what makes the implant stable for decades. You’ll have a temporary solution during this time in most cases, and we’ll see you along the way to check progress.
Your final crown. Once the implant has integrated, Dr. Sara takes impressions and places your custom crown, matched to the shade of your surrounding teeth and adjusted to your bite. Most people stop noticing it’s there within a week or two.
Missing more than one tooth? Implants can replace several teeth, and in some cases a small number of implants can support a larger restoration. We’ll map out what your situation calls for at the consultation.
Making Your Implant Last
Implants have a strong long-term track record — roughly 95% are still functioning at ten years, and many go far longer. What determines whether yours is one of them:
- Cleaning around it daily. The implant can’t decay, but the gum tissue around it can become inflamed and, left alone, that can affect the bone holding it. Flossing around an implant matters as much as flossing around a natural tooth.
- Not smoking. Smoking is the single largest risk factor for implant failure, both during healing and long term.
- Managing grinding. If you clench or grind, a nightguard protects the crown and the implant beneath it.
- Regular checkups. We check every implant at every visit. Problems caught early are usually manageable.
The crown on top may eventually need replacing, the way any crown does. The implant itself, cared for properly, is typically a long-term solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does getting an implant hurt?
The site is fully numbed for the procedure. Most patients describe the recovery as easier than they expected — often more comfortable than having the tooth pulled in the first place. Soreness for a few days is normal and manageable with over-the-counter medication.
How long does the whole process take?
Usually three to six months from placement to final crown, most of which is healing time rather than appointments. The visits themselves are relatively few.
What if I don't have enough bone?
It’s a common finding, especially if the tooth has been missing a while. Bone grafting can often build up the site enough to support an implant. We’ll tell you honestly at the consultation whether that’s needed and what it involves.
Will it look like my other teeth?
Yes. The crown is custom-made and shade-matched to your surrounding teeth. Most people can’t identify which tooth is the implant.
Am I too old for an implant?
Age itself isn’t a barrier. What matters is bone health, gum health, and any conditions affecting healing. We’ve placed implants for patients well into their seventies and beyond.
Can I get an implant if I have gum disease?
Not until it’s treated. Implants need healthy gum and bone to succeed, so periodontal treatment comes first. That’s not a no — it’s an order of operations.
Talk to Us About Replacing a Missing Tooth
If you’ve been living with a gap, or you’re facing an extraction and wondering what comes next, we’ll walk you through your options plainly and tell you which one we’d recommend and why.
Gotwalt Dentistry 112 S 7th St, Akron, PA 17501 717-627-6980