People are living longer than ever, and while regular brushing, flossing, and checkups allow many of us to maintain our natural smiles for a lifetime, sometimes our teeth just can’t keep up. If you are missing teeth, it is crucial to replace them. Without all your teeth, chewing and eating can destabilize your bite and cause you discomfort.

When teeth are missing, your mouth can shift and even cause your face to look older. Dental implants can rejuvenate your smile and your oral health if you’ve lost a tooth (or a few teeth) due to injury or disease. Tooth implants are a great way to replace your missing teeth, and if properly maintained, can last a lifetime!

An implant is a new tooth made of metal and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth. It’s composed of two main parts: one part is the titanium implant body that takes the place of the missing root, and the second part is the tooth-colored crown that is cemented on top of the implant.

With implant treatment, you can smile confidently, knowing no one will ever suspect you have a replacement tooth. Tooth implants are a restorative dentistry treatment we provide to our new and existing patients.

Tooth Implants

What are Dental Implants?

An implant is a synthetic tooth root in the shape of a post that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The “root” is usually made of titanium: the same material used in many replacement hips and knees and a metal that is well-suited to pairing with human bone.

A replacement tooth is then fixed to the post. The tooth can be either permanently attached or removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.

In addition to tooth replacement, implants may anchor dentures, especially lower ones that tend to shift when you talk or chew. For patients with removable partial dentures, implants can replace missing teeth, so you have a more natural-looking smile.

The ideal candidate for implants is a non-smoker who has good oral health, including a sufficient amount of bone in the jaw, and healthy gums with no sign of gum disease.

Single or Multiple Implants

Implants are versatile. If you are only missing one tooth, one implant plus one replacement tooth will do the trick. If you are missing several teeth in a row, a few strategically placed implants can support a permanent bridge (a set of replacement teeth). Similarly, if you have lost all of your teeth, a full bridge or full denture can be permanently fixed in your mouth with a strategic number of implants.

Advantages Over Dentures or Bridges

Conventional bridges and dentures are not fixed to the bone, and can therefore be unstable. This can make it difficult to eat or smile with confidence. Implants not only look more natural but feel and act more like normal teeth, with a stronger biting force.

And because they don’t directly rely on neighboring teeth for support, implants don’t compromise the health of your natural teeth. In fact, bridges are only expected to last seven to ten years, even less with root canals, whereas implants will typically last a lifetime.

Post-Treatment Care

Consider your replacement teeth to be the same as natural teeth. They require the same daily brushing and flossing, and the same amount of regular checkups. Just like your natural teeth, the better you take care of your replacements, the longer they will last.

Implant Services

Our implant services include:

Sinus Lift Augmentation

Often the sinuses will enlarge following the loss of the upper back teeth. This can preclude dental implants placement in the mouth’s upper back areas since the sinus is an air-filled space and dental implants need to be surrounded by solid bone.

A sinus lift augmentation/graft is a surgical procedure that restores the sinus cavity to its original size and replaces the bone that has been lost as a result of the enlarged sinus. This new bone graft typically takes nine to 12 months to heal before the dental implants can be placed into the grafted bone.

Autogenous Bone Grafting

Occasionally, the ideal areas for dental implants do not have sufficient bone quantity to support the implants. In these cases, it is often necessary to “borrow” bone from another area of your mouth and graft it into the deficient area. Often, the area of choice is from the chin or in the back of the jaw where your wisdom teeth used to be.

Implant Site Development

When a tooth needs to be removed due to infection, it is not uncommon to have lost bone around the infected tooth. In these cases, various types of bone grafting can be done at the same time the tooth is removed to facilitate the placement of a dental implant at a later date.

Computer-Enhanced Treatment Planning

We have special software on our computer that allows us to evaluate your dental CT scan in three dimensions for bone quality, quantity, and location, enabling the best possible placement of your dental implants. This also allows us to work closely and smoothly with your restorative dentist to ensure an ideal result where your dental implants are concerned.

Implant Maintenance

Once your dental implant restoration is completed, keeping the area clean and infection-free is important. Dental implants can accumulate plaque and tartar just as teeth can. Whether you have just one tooth replaced by an implant or several, a professional cleaning schedule will be necessary to keep your implants healthy. Your individual needs will determine the time interval for these professional cleanings.

Dental Implants FAQs

If you are considering dental implants, please look over the answers to these frequent questions. We want our patients to have enough information about this treatment so they can make the best decision for their oral health and well-being. Contact one of our dental offices for further information about teeth implants.

Am I a good candidate for dental implants?

During you consultation, one of our expert dentists will help determine if you qualify for dental implants. Qualify for them depends on several factors. Ideal candidates have healthy gums, adequate bone density to support implants, and good overall health. Age isn’t typically a limiting factor. Smokers, people with certain chronic diseases, or those who’ve had radiation therapy to the head/neck area may face challenges. Consult a dentist for a personalized assessment of your suitability for dental implants.

Will my dental insurance cover dental implants?

Dental insurance coverage for dental implants varies by plan. Many insurance companies consider teeth implants cosmetic and do not cover them. However, some plans may cover a portion, typically 25% to 50%, especially if the dental implants are medically necessary due to an accident or injury. We suggest that you review your specific policy and speak with your dental insurance provider to determine coverage details.

How painful is the procedure for getting dental implants?

The dental implant procedure itself is typically not painful, as dentists perform it under local anesthesia or sedation. Patients may experience a little bit of discomfort and mild pain for a few days after surgery. However, if you experience pain after your surgery, you can take over-the-counter pain medication to help with the discomfort. Most people report that the pain is less than expected and subsides within 3-5 days after the procedure.

What is the success rate of dental implants?

Dental implants have a very high success rate, typically over 95% after sufficient healing time. Studies have shown success rates of 90-95% over ten years. However, this high success rate applies to patients who qualify for dental implants and properly care for and maintain them. Also, factors like age, implant length and diameter, bone quality, and implant location can influence the success rate.

How long do dental implants last?

Dental implants can last several decades or even a lifetime with proper care. Studies show a 93% survival rate after 17 years, and some implants will even last over 30 years. However, due to wear and tear, the crown portion may need replacement after 10-15 years.

Can I get dental implants if I have bone loss?

You may be able to get dental implants even with bone loss, but it depends on the severity of your case. Dentists can use techniques like bone grafting or sinus lifts to address insufficient bone density. We may suggest an alternative implant type or treatment in cases of severe bone loss. Your dentist will complete a thorough evaluation to determine your eligibility.