Dental resources · Implants
Implant placement vs. restoration.
Getting a dental implant is not one visit and not one provider. The surgical placement of the fixture and the restoration on top are two different jobs, usually done by two different offices. Here is how the coordination actually works.
Reviewed by Dr. Anthony J. D'Addio, DMD
At Dunning, restorations on implants are handled in-house. The surgical placement of the fixture is referred to a trusted oral surgeon so each phase is done by the right hands.
7 min read
The short answer.
Placement is surgery. A titanium fixture is placed into the jawbone where the tooth root used to be. Restoration is the crown, bridge, or denture that sits on top of the fixture after it has integrated with the bone. These are two different phases and are usually done by two different providers.
Dunning Family Dental restores implants. Surgical placement is referred to a trusted oral surgeon who coordinates with the restorative plan from the beginning.
How the two phases connect.
- Planning conversation at Dunning. Dr. D'Addio reviews the site, confirms whether an implant is a candidate option, and lays out what the finished restoration will look like. Imaging may be taken here or at the surgeon's office, depending on the case.
- Surgical placement at the oral surgeon. The oral surgeon places the titanium fixture into the jawbone. This is a surgical appointment and is billed by the surgeon's office.
- Healing and integration. The fixture integrates with the bone over a period of months. The exact length is case-dependent. During this time some patients wear a temporary tooth; many do not need one.
- Restoration at Dunning. Once the fixture has integrated, you return to Dunning for the crown, bridge, or denture that sits on top of it. This is usually two visits over a few weeks.
The Implant Restorations page has the full workflow detail.
Why the split, said plainly.
Surgical implant placement is a specialty. It involves imaging, bone quality assessment, surgical planning, and the actual placement of the fixture into the jaw. Oral surgeons do this all day long and are well-suited to the surgical judgment involved.
Restorative dentistry is what a general dentist does. The crown, bridge, or denture that sits on the implant is a restoration, and restorations belong in the hands of the office that also handles your ongoing dental care.
The alternative, doing both phases in the same office, is a valid model when the general dentist has additional surgical training and experience. Dunning refers the surgical phase to a specialist because that is the honest match for scope.
Who handles what, after placement.
Once the restoration is completed:
- Routine maintenance (cleanings, exams, checking the fit of the restoration) happens at Dunning as part of your regular dental care.
- Adjustments to the crown or bridge on top of the implant are handled at Dunning.
- Repairs or replacements of the restoration are handled at Dunning.
- Any surgical follow-up (rare, but possible if the fixture itself has an issue) goes back to the oral surgeon.
The Restorative Dentistry page also covers alternatives to implants, including bridges, in case an implant is not the right answer for a specific case.
Cost, insurance, and total-plan communication.
Because two offices are involved, two bills are involved. The surgical placement is billed by the surgeon. The restoration is billed by Dunning. Insurance coverage varies significantly by plan: some cover the surgical phase and not the restoration, some cover both, some cover neither.
Dunning is out of network with insurance plans and submits claims as a courtesy; the Insurance and Payment page has the full flow. CareCredit is accepted for spreading larger treatment across months.
Before the surgical phase, both offices work off a coordinated plan that shows the sequence and the expected costs for each phase. A patient never has to guess what the next number is.
Common questions
Practical answers, plainly written.
Can I get the whole thing done in one office?
Some general dental offices place implants themselves when the doctor has additional surgical training. Dunning does not. The surgical phase is referred to a trusted oral surgeon so that surgical judgment stays in surgeon hands, and the restorative phase stays in the office that also handles your ongoing dental care.
Does Dunning coordinate the referral?
Yes. The office coordinates the referral, shares imaging and treatment planning with the surgeon, and remains involved throughout the process so the surgeon and the restorative team work from the same plan.
How long does the whole process take?
The total timeline depends on the case and on how well the bone integrates the fixture, so this is a case-dependent estimate that gets confirmed after evaluation. Expect several months from the surgical placement to the final restoration for most patients.
Is an implant always the right answer for a missing tooth?
No. Bridges, removable partials, or in some cases leaving the space are legitimate options depending on the health of the neighboring teeth, the bone, the bite, your timeline, and cost. The <a href="/services/restorative/">Restorative Dentistry</a> page compares options honestly.
What happens if a problem develops after the crown is on the implant?
Restoration-side issues (a chipped crown, a loose crown, a bite adjustment) come back to Dunning. Fixture-side issues (rare, involving the implant itself) go back to the oral surgeon who placed it. Because Dunning is coordinating the restorative side, follow-up is straightforward either way.
Two providers, one coordinated plan.
Call 518-842-3220 for a planning conversation. The right sequence starts before the surgical appointment.
Honest dentistry for families who want the long view.