Dental Implants –Arnold, MO
The Dental Investment of A Lifetime
Do you need to have a tooth removed, or are you already missing teeth? If so, replacing your them promptly will be essential to maintaining your oral health and function. The longer you leave the gaps in your smile unfilled, the higher the risks that your remaining teeth will move, your bite will shift, you’ll develop more oral health problems, and you’ll eventually lose even more teeth. Dr. Laura Mears is ready to help restore your oral health and repair your smile using the most advanced restorative procedure available, dental implants! She has pursued advanced training in implants and is more than happy to walk you through the process so you feel comfortable investing in the best solution for your missing teeth.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
The treatment process for dental implants often takes months at a time. Even so, you can rest easy – the posts’ benefits make them worth this time and effort! We perform implant placement in-house to ensure you get the best restoration results possible. Since Dr. Laura Mears supervises it, you’ll benefit from her advanced skills and expertise. In fact, you can expect four steps from our implant process: consultation, surgery, osseointegration, and delivery of the final restoration.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Ahead of the actual surgery, you’ll visit our office for a consultation. This session allows us to confirm your treatment goals, current oral health, etc. Once we have those details in hand, we’ll review them to see if dental implants suit your smile.
If we conclude you don’t qualify for dental implants, please don’t worry. You can become a good candidate later through further dental work – tooth extractions, gum disease treatment, and so on. Getting those “extra” services would make your mouth strong enough for implant posts.
Dental Implant Surgery
As stated before, our practice performs dental implant surgery in-house. Dr. Laura Mears oversees the placement work alongside the rest of our team. That being the case, you can trust you’ll have amazing results!
The dental implant surgery will involve four key actions:
- Numbing – Before anything else, we’ll numb the treatment site so it doesn’t hurt during placement. The most you’ll sense is a slight pressure.
- Incision Work – Dr. Mears will make an incision in your gums to create space for your future implant.
- Placement – With the incision made, we’ll place the implant post before suturing your gums shut.
- Capping – We’ll conclude your surgery by putting a protective cap over your dental implant.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Your dental implant(s) will slowly fuse with your jaw once the surgery is over. Through this process of “osseointegration,” the post(s) will become secure and permanent parts of your mouth. You’ll just need to be patient – the fusion often takes 4-6 months to fully wrap up.
After the implant fusion ends, you’ll attend a follow-up surgery at our office. We’ll then place the abutment – a special metal connector – that secures your restoration. A dental lab will craft this latter prosthetic while you heal from the second surgery.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
Our team will deliver your dental implant’s final restoration at your treatment’s end. In general, this device could range from a dental crown or bridge to an implant denture. The restoration type will depend on how many teeth you’re getting replaced.
It shouldn’t take us long to fit your final restoration. To do so, our dental team only needs to apply some dental cement; that material should hold it in place. Throw in a few last-minute changes to ensure good results, and you can leave our office with a full and pretty smile!
Benefits of Dental Implants
At JL Dental, we understand the dangers of allowing your missing teeth to go untreated, and one of the best options for tooth replacement offered by our practice is dental implants. As their name implies, dental implants are placed into the jawbone to provide a variety of benefits that no other restorative option is able to. Some of these advantages include:
- Restored bite strength.
- Added durability.
- Natural appearance.
- Long-lasting.
- Comfortable and natural feel.
Many people don’t realize that tooth loss leads to bone loss because, without roots, the jawbone begins to naturally deteriorate. But when you replace those missing roots with titanium dental implants, you can halt the damaging process and hang on to your youthful facial shape.
Indications for Dental Implants
Dental implants are a versatile option for tooth replacement. If you’re missing a single tooth, one dental implant and crown can offer relief. If you’re missing several teeth, we can anchor a bridge with dental implants, and patients unhappy with their dentures can opt for implant-supported dentures, too. To learn how they can help your smile, contact us today.
Missing Single Tooth
An implant-retained dental crown can replace the entire structure of a single missing tooth without having to alter any of your surrounding teeth. The custom-crafted crown will be placed atop a titanium post to provide stunning aesthetic results that look and feel completely natural.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If you’re missing multiple teeth in a row, an implant-retained bridge offers added stability and security. With a traditional bridge, your existing surrounding teeth need to be reshaped to act as anchors for the prosthetic. With dental implants, your natural teeth will stay unaltered, allowing you to preserve them as-is.
Missing All Teeth
Implant-retained dentures offer better stability and security compared to traditional removable dentures. Prosthetic teeth that are held in place with dental implants do not slip or slide around like those that simply rest on your gums. Plus, there’s no need for a messy denture adhesive or cream. Implant-retained dentures also need to be replaced far less often than a traditional set, as the jawbone stays healthier and retains its full, youthful shape.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
The cost of each patient’s dental implant procedure varies drastically. There are countless factors that play into this, including how many teeth you need to have replaced, what restoration you’re getting, and whether you need any preparatory procedures like a bone graft. Because each patient’s situation is so unique, there’s no standard or default price. The best way to learn about the cost of your procedure is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Laura Mears. She’ll walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Dental Implant FAQs
Dental implants in Arnold are a great option to permanently treat tooth loss. Although you’re excited to enjoy a nearly perfect replica of your real teeth, you’re sure to have several concerns before you’re ready to commit to the treatment. We understand your apprehensions. Here are the answers to a few of the most common questions patients ask us about dental implants.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are the most reliable option to treat tooth loss. In fact, they can last for 30 years or more with the right care, like maintaining your oral hygiene. Your lifestyle and oral hygiene habits are the largest contributors to the success of your smile. It’s best to brush twice daily, floss nightly, and rinse your mouth with an antibacterial wash at least once a day. Your implant dentist in Arnold also recommends avoiding any chewy or hard foods. By taking the time to care for your new smile, you can ensure your dental implants thrive for decades, unlike traditional treatments that need to be replaced every few years.
Can I take dentures out?
Many people choose dental implants because they are permanent. Your jawbone will fuse to the posts through a process called osseointegration, allowing them to stay in place forever. Only a dental professional will be able to take them out; however, some dentures are removable for cleaning purposes.
Am I too old for dental implants?
You’re never too old for dental implants. If you’ve finished growing, age doesn’t matter when determining your candidacy for the treatment. Although elderly adults can benefit from the procedure, your implant dentist may recommend a few extra precautions depending on your oral and general health.
Is there anything I shouldn’t eat with dental implants?
You can enjoy many of your favorite foods after you’ve healed from your dental implant surgery. During your recovery, we recommend sticking to soft foods. Besides avoiding those that are hard or chewy, don’t consume alcoholic, sugary, or acidic beverages. You also shouldn’t use a straw. Once your jawbone has fused to the posts, you’ll be able to eat almost everything you could with your natural teeth, but it’s still best to skip those that are sticky because they can dislodge or loosen your restoration. To prevent any unexpected complications, don’t chew overly hard foods, like ice or nuts.
Do I need bone grafting before getting dental implants?
Many patients need bone grafting before their placement surgery, but it isn’t always necessary. Your dental implants require adequate bone support to succeed. If you have areas of weakened bone, you may require the additional treatment, which will add thickness to your jaw using material from a donor or another area of your body. Although it will add another step to your plan, if we recommend the procedure, it’s crucial to the viability of your new smile. We’ll review a CT scan of your jaw to determine if your bone has enough density to support your implant posts.