What kind of smile do you want to have?
If you have ever had tooth damage that left any of your teeth chipped, cracked, or stained, you’ve probably experienced discomfort eating and perhaps feel a little self-conscious when you smile.
That’s exactly why dental implants were invented.
Dental implants are for people who have damaged or missing teeth. Although there are the obvious aesthetic benefits of having dental implants (who doesn’t love a full mouth of teeth?), there are also significant positive benefits for oral health.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Damaged teeth can cause a lot of oral discomforts. If you have had struggles keeping your teeth free of cavities, you may have had to have one or two fillings or crowns installed. These are good temporary fixes to damaged teeth but are more there to cover the cracked and weakened portions of your teeth.
If your filling or crown becomes loose, you risk more infections and repeated trips to the dentist to have new appliances fitted and installed. Dental implants remove the worry and need for future treatments.
Dental implants are a reliable and permanent solution for your damaged teeth. We’re open to chatting with you in more detail about how implants can help you personally.
Health Hazards of Shifting Teeth
After years of use, your teeth may have sustained damage from harmful bacteria that have caused cavities and infection. What started as small pockets of damage may have progressed into substantial structural damage.
Having the offending tooth removed may be necessary, but it is not the end of your problems. Your remaining teeth may change subtly over time in the absence of the former tooth. Without the extracted tooth, your teeth are liable to shift, causing:
- Pain while chewing.
- Toothless areas of gum to be open to infection.
- Jaw problems like TMD.
- Excessive wear on teeth.
Without a tooth to fill the gap, your teeth can change in uncomfortable ways. Take the necessary steps now to avoid problems like these in the future. Invest in dental implants to invest in your oral health.
Preserving Your Smile
Dental implants are made to fill in the gaps and preserve your smile. Specifically, implants act as prosthetic tooth roots. A dental replacement does more to fill in the gaps to keep other teeth from moving, it helps to prevent the loss of other teeth by nurturing healthy bone and tissue growth.
The roots of your teeth act like tree roots on a mountain slope. Roots firmly embedded in the mountainside mitigate erosion by preventing rocks from sliding down the slope. Similarly, the roots of your teeth foster the growth of bone and tissue along your jaw, preventing your bone and gums from deteriorating. A dental implant replaces your natural tooth root. The titanium rod firmly rooted in your jaw helps to foster the growth of bone and tissue needed to sustain the structure of your jaw.
To finish the restoration, our team can outfit you with a gorgeous dental crown to sit on top of the implant and act as the surface of your new tooth. It will look and feel just like the old one you lost—but better!
Act Now or Later?
When it comes to deciding to act, timing is an important factor. No, your teeth will probably not move overnight, but that doesn’t mean you can wait months or years for treatment.
Come in and speak with a professional about your unique situation. We are eager to help you get the smile and the oral health you need to keep living your best life.
Vibrant Dental is dedicated to ensuring you get the treatment you deserve. Look no further than Henderson for all your dental needs! Call or come in for a personal consultation.
The Dental Implant Process
Getting a dental implant does not happen overnight. If your mouth is in good health, getting a new implant can still take several months. Here is what you need to know about the dental implant procedure.
- Preparation for the Implant: Before getting a procedure. Our implant dentist will give you a thorough dental exam. Assuming you have already had a tooth removed, your jaw will need to be examined to judge the jawbone’s health in the area the implant will be placed. This is to see whether you need a bone graft to help support the implant.
- Bone Graft: Having healthy bone where your implant will be placed is imperative. If your jawbone has weakened after months or years with the absence of a tooth, your jaw will need to be strengthened. Several options are available for individuals who need a transplant.
- You can elect to have a bone transplant from your own body, from hearty synthetic material, or other options unique to your circumstances. A bone graft can take several months to heal.
- The surgery to place the metal implant will not occur until you are healed enough to undergo another surgery. A bone graft is not essential for everyone. We will help you determine if it’s needed and what options exist for you.
- Placement Surgery: If you haven’t already received it, we’ll provide sedation dentistry to keep you comfortable during the surgery. Our surgeon will carefully expose your jawbone and insert holes for the implant post. The metal shaft of your implant will be inserted and secured in your jawbone.
- Healing: Once the surgery is finished, the long period of healing will begin. It is necessary for your bone to fully heal, securing the implant post in place before the final portion of your implant is installed. Depending on your preference and needs, you may receive a temporary cap to cover the implant while you heal.
- Abutment Placement: Once your jawbone has healed around the implant post. You are ready for the next step in the installation process. Your manufactured crown cannot be installed directly onto the implant post. Instead, a special piece called an abutment is attached to the post.
- The abutment will allow our dentist to place the crown in line with the rest of your teeth. Placing the abutment is another small procedure that involves gently exposing the implant post from the tissue.
- The abutment is then secured to the post. This operation also requires healing time. This time, recovery will be faster and the full crown installation can be completed a couple of weeks after the abutment is attached to the implant post.
- Crown Formation: We’ll take a detailed model of your mouth to determine the size and shape of your crown. We’ll make your crown in the same visit using an incredible 3D printing machine called CEREC. Not only will your new crown do its job wonderfully, but the crown will be made to match your other teeth perfectly!
- Crown Placement: The final step in the process doesn’t require surgery but will instead feel like getting a crown installed. We’ll just securely place the crown on top of the abutment piece and you’ll be all set. When your crown is installed, you may need time to recover, but generally, your implant will be ready for use.
Dental Implants FAQ
How Much Will Dental Implants Cost?
A dental implant can cost a few thousand dollars to install. This considered, we are committed to helping you maximize the benefits of your insurance.
Our preferred providers are:
- Delta Dental.
- Blue Cross & Blue Shield.
- Diversified Dental Services.
We will also submit all insurance claims on your behalf.
We cannot guarantee coverage because of the complexity of insurance contracts. However, we can estimate your coverage. At the time of service, you must pay your estimated patient portion. We will bill your insurance company for services.
For patients without insurance, we offer payment plans through CareCredit. Our friendly staff is available to answer any questions.
Are Dental Implants Painful?
When your dental implant is installed, there are a couple of surgical procedures that will leave your mouth feeling tender for some time after the procedure. We will never perform these surgeries until we know for certain that the anesthesia has taken effect. You should not feel any pain during the procedure.
Your mouth can heal relatively quickly. Depending on your case, our dentist may advise you to change your diet for some time to avoid irritating healing areas with certain foods.
Dental implants are made to function like regular teeth. Once the implant is installed and your gums and jaw have healed from their surgery, you shouldn’t notice any difference between your regular teeth and your implant. You should consult with one of our dentists if you have any rare instances of persisting pain.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants require care, just like your teeth. When properly cared for, dental implants can last up to 25 years or more. Ultimately, the longevity of your implant depends on how you care for the implant and your mouth.
If you are proactive in caring for your teeth, your implant is likely to last longer. Poor dental hygiene can negatively impact the health of your implant, just like it would regular teeth. Infections and plaque can still irritate the implant, so you should get regular check-ups to clean and inspect your appliance.
In the rare instance you experience issues with your implants, such as persisting pain or the crown coming loose, come in for a checkup right away!
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
If you have healthy teeth, you don’t need to worry about getting a dental implant.
Teeth that have good roots generally don’t need to be replaced. As a rule of thumb, our dentists avoid as many dental procedures as possible. This means if our dentists can address your problem with just a filling or a crown, that will be the preferred treatment.
On occasion, your tooth may have to be pulled. This normally results from an infection that has damaged the root of the tooth beyond saving.
If you have had a tooth removed completely, root and all, you may be a good candidate for a dental implant. Contact us today to learn more!
How Should I Prepare for Dental Implants?
If you are considering or planning on receiving a dental implant, the first thing you should do is contact one of our dentists. They have industry knowledge and experience that can help you take the right course of action for your oral health.
In some cases, you could learn that an implant may not be necessary for you.
To prepare for surgery, make sure you feel healthy and keep your mouth as clean as possible. We often suggest refraining from eating or drinking immediately before the procedure.
After your surgeries, follow the direction of our surgeon, including prescribed diet and medications. This is a sure way to avoid complications from the procedure.
Is There Any Additional Care After Dental Implants Are Installed?
Recovery from operations relating to your dental implant can take extended periods. After surgery, you may be asked to follow a prescribed diet of soft foods and liquids and may be given special instruction on caring for open and healing wounds.
When your dental implant is completely installed, there may be some lingering soreness around the area for a few days. After your gums heal from any surgery, you will just need to care for your implant like a normal tooth.
Standard brushing twice and day and flossing once a day will keep your implant clean and strong. It may be advisable to avoid the area with your floss or your toothbrush while your mouth is healing, however.
Are You Ready for Your New Smile?
Installing a dental implant can help you feel liberated. If you need a missing tooth replaced or need to fill in the gap left by a tooth that was previously pulled, dental implants can be a great solution!
With dental implants, you don’t have to worry about cleaning around a bridge, caring for a retainer, or refraining from chewing food in a certain portion of your mouth. A dental implant is a high-quality replacement for your teeth that looks and feels normal.
Our staff is friendly, professional, and dedicated to keeping you healthy so you can be happy, too. If you have questions, give us a call! Schedule a consultation if you feel like you’d rather talk in person about getting a dental implant!
We focus on providing our patients with personalized care and information. Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be hard! We do everything we can to make sure you feel informed and secure every step of the way.
Call or come in to find out if getting a dental implant is right for you!