Dental Implants – Marion

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

Step one is to schedule an initial consultation at our office. Our team will need to confirm whether dental implants are a viable option in your case. To that end, we will perform a thorough examination of your mouth and jaw. If we determine that dental implants are right for you, we will work with you to develop a treatment plan. Said plan may involve preliminary treatments that have been deemed necessary to prepare your mouth for dental implants; this might include bone grafting, gum disease treatment, or tooth extractions.

Dental Implant Surgery

During dental implant surgery, the gums are opened, and a certain number of implant posts are inserted into predetermined spots in the jaw. Then the gums are sutured shut, and protective caps are placed on the posts. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, this step of the dental implant process will be handled by a trustworthy local specialist.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

After dental implant surgery, a natural process called osseointegration takes place. This is when the implant posts gradually fuse with the surrounding bone tissue, thereby essentially becoming part of the jaw. The timeline for osseointegration can vary from patient to patient, but it usually takes around three to six months.

Once the dental implants have formed a lasting bond with the jaw, you will be ready to receive your abutments. These are special connector pieces that are used to anchor the final prosthesis to the implant posts. Placing abutments requires a second surgery, but you can rest assured that the procedure will be smaller and simpler compared to dental implant placement.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

The final step is the creation and delivery of the final prosthesis, which can be a crown, bridge, or denture depending on your tooth loss situation. Since no two smiles are alike, our team will need to take impressions of your mouth in order to determine the correct shape and size for your replacement teeth. The impressions will be sent to a separate dental laboratory, which is where the prosthesis will be made. Once it’s ready, you’ll return to our office one last time so that we can attach it to your dental implants.

When placing the prosthesis, we’ll double-check to make sure there aren’t any problems. In particular, we’ll need to confirm that your replacement teeth don’t throw off your bite. If everything looks good, you’ll be ready to start taking full advantage of the unique benefits offered by your fully restored dental implants.

Day-to-Day Benefits

Here are a few benefits of dental implants that will have a positive impact on your day-to-day life:

• They Improve Your Bite Strength – Following tooth loss, have you resorted to eating plain yogurt, cottage cheese, and other extremely soft foods on repeat? If so, you’ll be happy to hear that dental implants can restore the bite strength that you lost, allowing you to enjoy a more satisfying and well-balanced diet.
• They Restore Your Speaking Patterns – Have your speaking patterns changed following tooth loss? It makes sense because your tongue moves against the back of your teeth to form sounds. So, if you’re struggling with tooth loss, you’ll struggle to enunciate clearly! Fortunately, dental implants can replace any number of missing teeth.
• They Boost Your Self-Esteem – Patients are often concerned that their replacement teeth won’t look or feel natural. With dental implants, you don’t have to worry. Since they are anchored to your jawbone and topped with a restoration that’s custom-made to suit your face shape, dental needs, and smile goals, they are extremely lifelike.

Health Benefits

Addressing tooth loss head-on with dental implants can also benefit your oral and overall health because:

• They Prevent Neighboring Teeth From Shifting – It doesn’t take long for the teeth surrounding the gap to shift into the open space. This is known as “dental drift,” and it can lead to several issues, including premature wear on your remaining teeth. Luckily, dental implants can replace any number of missing teeth and, in the process, preserve the alignment of your bite.
• They Are Easy to Maintain – In short, you can maintain your dental implants with the same best practices that you use to care for your natural teeth. A few examples include brushing twice a day, wearing a nightguard if you clench your teeth while you sleep, and scheduling a dental visit at our Marion dental office every six months.
• They Help Prevent Nutritional Deficiencies – Oftentimes, patients who are struggling with tooth loss resort to eating the same soft foods on repeat. If this sounds all too familiar, then you know how difficult it can be to incorporate all of the nutrients that you need into your diet. Dental implants can help by restoring the strength of your bite!

Long-Term Benefits

Finally, dental implants are loved by patients and dentists alike because:

• They Preserve Your Jawbone – Dental implants are unique because, unlike other tooth-replacement options, they replace the root and crown of the tooth. This not only provides unmatched stability, but it also provides stimulation that prevents the jawbone from deteriorating over time.
• They Have a High Success Rate – The success rate of dental implants is over 95% for non-smoking patients.
• They Can Last for 30+ Years – If you prioritize healthy habits, like coming to our office every six months for a checkup, and break harmful ones, like smoking, your dental implants can last for several decades.