Dental Implants and Oral Surgery Specialists in Central Indiana

Missing a tooth isn’t just bad for your looks; it can be bad for your health as well! Healthy teeth play an important role in the body from head to toe. When you are missing one, your jawbone deteriorates, your self-esteem suffers and so does your diet, which negatively affects the health of your entire body. Dental implants look, feel and function just like natural teeth and are widely recognized as the best replacement method.

The Miracle of Osseointegration (How Dental Implants Work)

Our bodies are truly amazing — their ability to coexist with a variety of native and foreign materials means that our treatment options, as oral surgeons, are constantly expanding. “Osseointegration” refers to the fusing of bone with an artificial material. Its origins date back to the 1940s and 50s, when Swedish physician Per-Ingvar Branemark discovered that titanium fuses so well with bone that it is nearly impossible to remove! Since then, the biocompatibility of titanium has proven itself to be amazingly reliable over and over again.

Are you ready to replace your missing teeth and restore your smile?

A smiling elderly man

“Don’t be afraid to Smile.”

For years I’d felt like a part of my body was missing — because my teeth were. My dentist told me that dental implants would make me feel and look a lot better. OK, I said. Now, I’m thrilled. I can smile, eat anything, and enjoy a good laugh with my friends.

What is a dental implant?

Dental implants are made of titanium. A completed dental implant includes three pieces: the implant itself (a titanium screw that is placed in the jawbone), the abutment (a connector between the implant and crown) and the crown (the part that is visible and looks like a tooth). Our doctors will place the implant and the abutment, and the crown will be completed by your general dentist.

Time is of the Essence

You may be surprised to hear that your jawbone is a lot like a muscle, in that it must be stimulated regularly in order to maintain its volume. Therefore, when a tooth is extracted (or falls out naturally), the jawbone begins to deteriorate almost immediately. In fact, studies show that within a year of tooth loss, there is a 25% decrease in bone width. Thankfully, dental implants can take the place of natural teeth to provide the stimulus needed by the jaw. If done early, this greatly reduces the need for bone grafting down the road.

A depiction of the upper jaw with all normal teeth
1. Normal
An example of the upper jaw missing a tooth with the jaw bone unhealed
2. Tooth Loss
A representation of a healed upper jaw bone after losing a tooth
3. Healed Bone
A digital representation of the initial dental implant placed in the jaw bone
4. Implant Placed
A representation of the healed jaw bone after placement of the dental implant
5. Healing
An example of a fully restored tooth using a dental implant
6. Implant Restored

How much do dental implants cost?

While the upfront cost is often more than that of alternatives such as bridges and dentures, dental implants outlast those approaches by several decades. This increased longevity makes implants the more affordable choice in the long run. For further information, visit our dental implants cost page.

Dental Implants: The Process

  1. Consultation and Treatment Plan: During the initial phase of the dental implant process, imaging is gathered along with your medical and dental histories to give us a clear picture of your current health. We will then explore your treatment options with you to formulate a plan that ensures that both your health goals and budgetary needs are met.
  2. Extraction: The next step is to have the tooth in question extracted. In some cases, we may be able to place the implant at the same time of extraction. In others, bone grafting will be required prior to implant placement (see next step).
  3. Bone Grafting: It is fairly common for the jawbone to lack the mass needed to accept an implant. In this case, a bone graft will be performed first to strengthen the target area. Bone grafting is typically followed by several months of healing before the implant can be placed.
  4. Dental Implant Surgery: During the implant procedure itself, a titanium screw is inserted into your jawbone. You will be anesthetized for comfort during the surgery, which takes about 1-2 hours.
  5. Osseointegration: After placing the implant, we cover it with the surrounding soft tissue and let it sit for 3 months in order to fuse with the bone.
  6. Final Restoration: After osseointegration is complete, an abutment is placed on the implant to connect with the final crown restoration. Typically, the final restoration is done by a general dentist.

Dental Implants Presentation

To provide you with a better understanding of dental implants, we have provided the following multimedia presentation. Many common questions pertaining to dental implants are discussed.

Dental Implants Presentation

For more information, please visit our dental implant FAQs page.

At Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, we are proud to offer a safe, comfortable and affordable dental implant experience to our patients with the help of cutting-edge technology and utilization of the latest techniques. Call us at Administration Office Phone Number 317-913-2363 to get started on your journey — we are here with the support, guidance, and expertise you deserve.


Patient Reviews for Dental Implants

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Indiana Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates

5 out of 5 stars based on 127 Dental Implants reviews

Patient Review

I totally disagree with the one star rating by the previous poster. Schedules do not always go as planned. As a physician myself, in understand that last-minute emergencies, walk-ins, and staff shortages are just a few of the many things that can wreck a doctor's schedule. The care I received at this office was top-notch and my husband has also received excellent care by Dr. Hockma. I would recommend this office to my friends and family.

- Estelle A

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

The staff and doctor are outstanding. Despite my anxieties, experience was very positive.

- Craig P

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

I loved my experience at IOMSA! I would definitely recommend this place to family and friends! They were so caring and explained everything before doing anything. My surgery was to remove two implants that were infected and painful. Dr. Matthew Davis and the entire staff at the south Indianapolis office were amazing! I have had several oral surgeries but none compared to my experience at IOMSA. Comfortable and amazing experience!

- Tina S

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

Doctor Hockema and his staff were caring and professional . I would highly recommend them to everyone.

- Eric W

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

I can't say enough about Dr. Davis and the staff at IOMSA. I have a pre-existing condition that required coordination with a cardiologist which proved to be more difficult than it needed to be (by fault of the cardiology office) but everyone at IOMSA went above and beyond getting what was necessary for me to have my wisdom teeth pulled. They were incredibly helpful and just as importantly incredibly kind in what was an entirely frustrating situation for me. I would recommend them to anyone I know and I certainly know they're the first place I'll go if I ever need anything else done.

- Jennifer A

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

Jeffrey D. Buttrum, D.D.S. is a skilled surgeon who has performed multiple procedures. My first experience was jaw surgery. He gave me excellent patient care all through the visits, surgery, follow up and release. Years later I returned to have three teeth pulled. Have had successful implant for front tooth, which is no easy task. Now working with him on implant for two teeth. He is honest and offers options for patients. I travel about 45 minutes one way to see him, and it is always worth it. Thank you Dr. Buttrum.

- Jennifer L

5 out of 5 stars on

Patient Review

This place is woundeful I will return best care in dentist I ever had

- Donald B

5 out of 5 stars on