If you live in Foley and are missing one tooth, several teeth, or an entire arch, the hardest part of getting dental implants is often the logistics: how many trips across the bay, how much time off work, and who drives you home. Babston Oral Surgery in Mobile is built around a consult-and-surgery-in-one-visit model, so Foley patients can often have their implant evaluation and treatment on the same day, with a full-time nurse anesthetist (CRNA) on staff for sedation. Call (251) 758-4700 to plan your visit.
Why Foley Patients Choose an Oral Surgeon for Implants
An implant is a small titanium or zirconia post placed in the jawbone to act as a new tooth root. Once it fuses with the bone, it supports a crown, a bridge, or a full-arch denture. Placing that post is surgery, and the success of the implant depends on positioning it precisely in healthy bone. Dr. Michael Babston, DMD, MD, is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon trained at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he earned his dental degree, graduated from the UAB School of Medicine, and served as chief resident of the UAB Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery program. Implant placement, bone grafting, and All-On-4® full-arch treatment are all part of the care he provides.
Before any implant is placed, we use 3D CBCT imaging to see the height and width of the bone and the location of nerves and sinuses in three dimensions. That scan is what lets us plan the implant’s angle and depth before surgery begins rather than during it.
Planning Your Implant Visits From Foley
Implant treatment happens in stages, and knowing what each stage involves makes it easier to plan the drive. From Foley, most patients take AL-59 north to I-10 and cross the bay into Mobile. A typical single-tooth implant looks like this:
| Stage | What happens | Planning tip for Foley patients |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation and 3D scan | Health history, CBCT imaging, and a treatment plan | Ask whether surgery can follow the consult the same day, and arrange a driver if you choose IV sedation. |
| Extraction and grafting (if needed) | A failing tooth is removed and bone is rebuilt where needed | These steps can sometimes be combined with implant placement, which saves a trip. |
| Implant placement | The post is placed in the jawbone | Plan a quiet day or two at home afterward. Soft foods help. |
| Healing | The bone fuses to the implant over several months | Most of this time is spent at home with normal routines. |
| Final restoration | A crown, bridge, or denture is attached to the implant | Ask how the restoration will be coordinated with your family dentist. |
Full-Arch Implants for Foley Patients
For patients missing most or all of their teeth, or struggling with loose dentures, All-On-4® dental implants use four strategically placed implants to hold a fixed, full arch of teeth. Because the implants are angled to make the most of the available bone, this approach often avoids the need for extensive grafting, and many patients receive temporary teeth the same day as surgery. That combination can mean fewer trips than replacing teeth one implant at a time.
Bone Loss, Grafting, and Old Extraction Sites
When a tooth has been missing for a long time, the jawbone in that area shrinks. That doesn’t automatically rule out implants. bone grafting, including sinus lifts for the upper back jaw, can rebuild the foundation an implant needs. Your CBCT scan shows exactly how much bone is available, so you will know up front whether grafting is part of your plan.
Comfortable Implant Surgery With a Full-Time CRNA
Many people avoid implant treatment because they are nervous about surgery. Babston Oral Surgery offers a range of sedation options, from nitrous oxide to IV sedation and general anesthesia for complex surgeries, with a full-time nurse anesthetist on our team. If you choose IV sedation, you will need someone to drive you home to Foley, so plan your ride before your appointment.
Working With Your Foley Dentist
Implant care usually involves two providers: the surgeon who places the implant and the dentist who makes the final crown or denture. If you already have a family dentist in Foley, bring their name to your consultation. Dentists can send patients to us through our online referral form, and it helps us plan your treatment with the full picture.
Insurance and Financing
Babston Oral Surgery accepts most insurance providers and offers financing options. Coverage for implants varies widely between plans, so our team will review your benefits and give you a clear estimate before treatment starts.
Dental Implant FAQs for Foley Residents
Can I have my consultation and implant surgery on the same day?
Babston Oral Surgery is set up for consultation and surgery in one visit whenever it is safe and appropriate. Whether that works for your case depends on your health history, your scan, and whether other treatment, like grafting, is needed first.
How long does the whole implant process take?
Most single implants take several months from placement to final crown because the bone needs time to fuse with the implant. Full-arch treatment with temporary teeth on the day of surgery can restore function much sooner.
Is there an oral surgeon who places implants closer to Foley?
Yes, there are other surgeons on the Eastern Shore and in south Baldwin County. Many Foley patients choose our Mobile office for same-day consult and surgery, a full-time CRNA, and personal follow-up from Dr. Babston after surgery. We are happy to answer questions so you can compare.
Where can I learn more?
Read our main page on dental implants in Mobile, browse our oral surgery FAQs, or see our page on oral surgery for Foley patients.
Schedule Your Dental Implant Consultation
Babston Oral Surgery is located at 100 S University Blvd, Suite A, Mobile, AL 36608. New patients can call or text (251) 758-4700 or request an appointment online. For directions and contact details, visit our contact page.