Dr. Karona Tum, DDS, MS

Your first visit to ClearChoice will be a free consultation. During your consultation, you’ll receive an oral health exam, a 3D scan, and a rendering of your Virtual Smile Design. The ClearChoice team will walk you through the implant treatment process, discuss your smile goals, and answer any questions. You'll receive a personalized treatment plan outlining the procedure and total cost. The consultation also allows you to meet our dental team and tour our center.

At ClearChoice, prosthodontists and oral surgeons collaborate throughout the entire dental implant process to provide seamless care. The oral surgeon performs the initial implant placement treatment, ensuring the implants are correctly positioned in the jawbone. After the treatment site has healed and the implants have integrated with the bone, the prosthodontist designs and fits the custom prosthetic teeth. This teamwork ensures that every aspect of your treatment is handled by specialists, leading to optimal results.

While the dental implant procedure varies by case, it generally includes three stages: evaluation and planning, implant placement, and restoration. Implant treatment can generally take 2-3 hours and we provide several options for pain management. A 2-3 month recovery period is needed for your mouth to heal and for the implant to conform to the jawbone, followed by the restoration phase and attaching your new, permanent set of teeth. The entire process can take several months.

To prepare for your dental implant procedure, follow any pre-operative instructions from your ClearChoice team. We recommend arranging transportation to and from the appointment to ensure you’re able to get a safe ride home. It’s also important to maintain good oral hygiene, avoid smoking or alcohol before the procedure, and prepare easy and soft foods for post-surgery meals. It’s also best to inform your doctor of any medications or health conditions before treatment.