Dental Implants
New Patient Experience
Only $109 – Includes all necessary X-rays and Dr. examination
450+ Reviews on Google
5/5
Second Opinion
Considering a major dental procedure and want a second opinion? Request a complementary consultation today ($195 value).
Rebuild Your Smile with Restorative Treatments
Dental implants are a landmark in restorative dentistry that has allowed millions to stop struggling with unstable dentures and other issues. By choosing to replace your lost teeth with implant-supported restorations, you can expect to be able to speak clearly, eat all the foods you love, and smile with pride.
If you have been suffering with an incomplete smile or dentures that you cannot rely on, it’s time to learn how dental implants can make your life better. Book a consultation with a dentist today to find out if dental implants are right for you.
Types of Dental Implants
Implants can be divided into several categories based on their size and shape, as well as the technique used for placement. Each smile is different, so your dentist will determine the ideal implant size for you depending on the spacing of your teeth and the quality of bone present.
Implant Shape
The shape of an implant affects its stability and long-term strength. While there are many types of implant shapes, the two most common are:
- Screw-type: This type of implant is threaded like a screw and can effectively transmit the biting force to the surrounding bone. Screw-type implants are one of the most common types of implants.
- Cylinder-form: These implants have a similar shape to screw-type implants without the threading, allowing for easier placement in the jaw. However, the smaller surface area does not provide the same level of stability as screw-type implants.
The optimal implant shape depends on where the implant is placed and the placement method used.
Placement Method
One key difference in implant types is the procedure used to place them. There are three placement methods in use today. The two-stage procedure is the most common method. First the implant is placed and allowed to heal. Then, an additional surgery is performed to uncover the implant and place the abutment (connector device) and temporary restoration.
In contrast, single-stage implants do not require the additional uncovering procedure. A healing abutment is placed at the same time as the implant post. Once the implant has healed, the final abutment and crown can be placed immediately. This placement method requires more care during the healing process, as the implant is especially vulnerable to external factors.
Immediate-loading implants are also an option for qualifying patients. Treatment involves places the implant and restoration during a single surgery. The candidacy for this type of implant is limited as patients are required to have sufficient bone density and volume.
Choosing the Right Type for You
The optimal dental implant type for you will depend on a range of factors, including the type of restoration you need and the anatomy of your jaw. For example, mini dental implants are typically used for patients with low bone density who do not qualify for bone grafting.
However, not all dentists offer mini implants. Be sure to discuss the different options available with your dentist before deciding to proceed with your implant treatment.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Lifelike Function and Appearance
Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots, allowing your implant-supported restorations to anchor into the jaw in the same way as healthy, natural teeth. This ensures your dental prosthetic will not loosen, wobble, slip, or slide out of place during biting, chewing, or speaking. Denture patients especially often find this newfound confidence to be nothing short of life-changing.
Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care, making them a cost-effective investment in your oral health. Additionally, when fabricated from high-quality dental materials such as zirconia and IPS e.max®, artificial teeth can imitate the reflective qualities of tooth enamel. This allows your implant-retained prosthesis to look natural and blend seamlessly into your smile.
Improved Bone Health
Natural tooth roots move when we bite and chew. This motion stimulates the jaw and instructs the body to send calcium and phosphorus as nourishment to maintain dense, healthy bone tissue. This phenomenon is called the piezoelectric effect.
Conventional crowns, bridges, partials, and dentures only replace the crowns, or visible portions, of lost teeth, so the brain is not alerted to deliver essential nutrients to the jawbone. Over time, bone density decreases due to a lack of calcium and phosphorous and the jawbone deteriorates and shrinks in size. As the jaw atrophies, a sunken facial appearance known as facial collapse can occur and the reduced tissue can threaten the stability of surrounding teeth.
Since dental implants replace tooth roots, they are the only prosthetic option that creates the piezoelectric effect. For some patients, implants can not only halt bone degeneration but even encourage new tissue development in the area.
Preservation of Healthy Teeth
In addition to protecting your jawbone, implant-supported restorations also eliminate the need to remove healthy tissue from surrounding teeth. Traditional bridges require your dentist to alter the structure of supporting teeth in order to place crowns. With an implant-supported restoration, your appliance attaches to implant posts rather than dental crowns and your healthy teeth remain intact.
Experience the Advantages
Implant-supported restorations are the next best thing to having a full set of your own healthy, natural teeth. When placed by a dentist or oral surgeon skilled in implant dentistry, the treatment can improve your health and appearance, and enhance your overall quality of life. Talk to your dentist about whether this advanced treatment option is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a candidate for dental implants?
Denture Wearers and Patients with Bridges
Those who have experienced recent trauma or tooth loss can be excellent candidates for dental implants. However, those who have worn a restoration such as dentures or a dental bridge for some time could also benefit greatly from dental implants. Implants are excellent for making dentures feel more natural, and helping you speak and eat more efficiently. Both bridge and denture wearers can benefit from implants because they can actually help you retain valuable bone mass in your jaw.
Sufficient Jaw Bone Structure
A fundamental characteristic of a good dental implant candidate is sufficient jaw bone structure. When you lose a tooth, your body will eventually begin resorbing bone cells in that area of the jaw. As time passes, you may no longer have enough bone structure to accommodate an implant. In some cases, your oral surgeon may be able to perform a bone graft, transferring healthy bone (sometimes from your hip or tibia) to the treatment site that will eventually fuse to your jaw, replacing lost structure.
Position of the Sinus Cavities
If you need dental implants in your upper jaw, X-rays will reveal if you first require a sinus lift to avoid interference with the sinus cavities. In this procedure, a bone graft is placed between your jaw and the sinus cavities. Meanwhile, the sinus membrane is lifted upward to make room for the bone. With your sinus cavities repositioned, your jaw can safely accommodate dental implants.
Lifestyle
Smoking and heavy drinking hinders your body’s ability to heal. The complete fusion of the jaw bone to the dental implant is the cornerstone of successful dental implant placement, so these lifestyle choices can make a world of difference in determining candidacy. In some cases, you may be able to abstain from these habits for a substantial time period before and after implant surgery in order to make dental implant surgery a success. Your oral surgeon can help you determine if changing your habits can help you to become a dental implants candidate.
Determining Candidacy
The surest way to find out if you are a dental implants candidate is to schedule a consultation with your dentist. A battery of x-rays and analysis of your medical history can more accurately determine if you can safely accommodate dental implants.
Will insurance pay for dental implants?
Dental and medical insurance policies can be extremely diverse in their coverage. In some cases, dental insurance will cover all or part of the cost of prosthetics, and medical insurance will cover all or part of implant placement surgery. However, not all insurances cover dental implants. Most dentist offices accept credit cards and offer payment options through third-party banks or in-house financing.
When are mini dental implants a good choice?
Miniature dental implants are best reserved for older patients who have poor jawbone density, but cannot endure bone grafting surgery.
Are implant dentures removable or fixed?
Either. Your implantologist will discuss your preference and explain the pros and cons of fixed and removable dentures. You can then decide which option will work best with your lifestyle.
Will implants make dentures more comfortable?
With traditional dentures, the underlining rests on the gums, on natural ridges. For upper dentures, natural suction or adhesive creates stability; for lower dentures, adhesive is required. Over time, friction between the denture underlining and gums causes natural bony ridges to flatten. When this occurs, dentures must be relined for a more accurate fit. Ultimately, the gum ridges completely wear down, and the gums become smooth and flat, and dentures, even with adhesive, become chronically loose or wobbly. The potential for slippage increases. In other cases, patients never find a comfortable fit with a denture. Because implant-retained dentures snap or are affixed to posts anchored in the jaw, they will not loosen, wobble, or come loose. They usually fit comfortably, from day one. Furthermore, because of their stability, implant dentures make the patient feel more confident and comfortable in public, particularly when dining out.
Does implant surgery hurt?
Like all oral surgeries, implant placement is performed with anesthesia. Some dentists use nitrous oxide and local anesthetic, while others prefer to deliver oral sedation, conscious sedation (oral and nitrous oxide), or IV sedation when placing implants. Most patients report post-procedure pain, and dentists commonly prescribe over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers and a special diet during the first few days after surgery. The diet should include a good amount of water, no use of a straw, and soft, cool foods that don’t need to be chewed. Soups, yogurt, hummus, and guacamole are good examples of tolerable foods after implant surgery. Do not chew on the implant or implant restoration until the dentist tells you to do so. If your implant abutment or restoration dislodges, contact your implant dentist immediately so that it can be reattached.
A bit of bleeding or oozing is normal, and the patient can bite on gauze or a moist teabag for about a half hour to reduce bleeding or oozing. After implant surgery, smoking is strictly prohibited during healing. Stitches will naturally dissolve in about a week, but if they come loose before this time, the patient should not worry unless excessive bleeding occurs. Swelling will subside in approximately 24 to 48 hours following surgery and can be minimized by applying an ice pack to the outside of the cheek, over the area where the implant was placed. To aid healing, elevate the head at a 45-degree angle when lying down.
An implant patient should rinse the mouth with room-temperature salt water three times per day for about a week, and brushing can resume the day following surgery. Be cautious not to scratch or irritate the implant surgery site while the mouth heals. Dentures and partials should not be replaced without the consent of your dentist. Implant patients should attend all follow-up appointments on time, as directed by the dentist, to ensure optimal results from implant placement surgery.
Do I need an implant to replace each of my missing teeth?
No. One implant post can hold one implant restoration, or crown. Two implants may secure a bridge or partial. Four to six implants are often sufficient to stabilize an upper or lower denture.
What is an implant dentist or implantologist?
Implant dentist and implantologist are synonymous. Any general dentist can be an implant dentist and perform both surgery and placement of dental implant restorations. However, most general practitioners place implant restorations, meaning the crown, bridge, partial, or denture that fits on implant posts. A good number of general dentists prefer to refer the surgical phase of an implant case to an oral surgeon or periodontist.