Dental Implants
Enjoy a Natural Feeling and Looking Restored Smile
After tooth loss occurs, your next step should be finding a secure replacement. Nothing takes the place of one, two, or a whole row of missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw better than dental implants in Farmington. This is the most modern and advanced solution for restoring gaps in your smile that offers a laundry list of benefits. They’re a long-term solution that can make you feel confident smiling again. As truly the best option currently available in tooth replacement, Dr. James Cole highly recommends the treatment for eligible candidates.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are a comprehensive tooth replacement solution that rebuilds your tooth structure from the root up. Other options, like a fixed bridge or a traditional denture, only replace the part of the tooth you can see. But without the tooth’s root, the jawbone will not receive the blood flow and stimulation it needs to thrive. Patients who choose implant dentistry enjoy a stable and strong tooth replacement and a healthier jawbone over time.
Dental implants are natural feeling and looking replacement teeth that provide a sturdy and strong foundation for custom restorations to be secured to. This way, patients won’t have to deal with ill-fitting dentures slipping and shifting while they eat or speak, causing embarrassing moments. They can also last over three decades when they’re properly cared for, saving you time, money, and hassle down the road.
Indications for Dental Implants
If your tooth loss is recent and you are in generally good oral and overall health, chances are excellent that you are a good candidate for dental implants. Dental implants are placed surgically, so patients should be healthy enough to heal from an oral procedure. The only way to find out for sure whether or not you are eligible for dental implants is to visit your local implant dentist in Farmington.
Missing Single Tooth
If you’re missing one tooth, dental implants are still a great solution to replace it. We’ll surgically place the post in your gums and attach a custom-crafted dental crown between your two existing teeth without having to alter them at all. With traditional options like bridges, your natural teeth have to be prepared, leaving them vulnerable to oral health problems.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Missing more than one tooth can make it difficult to pronounce certain sounds and even chew your food. With implant-retained bridges or partial dentures, you’ll be able to enjoy a more stable fit and they won’t need to be replaced every five to 10 years.
Missing All Teeth
If you’re missing all of your teeth, we’ll replace them by surgically inserting four to six titanium posts into your jaw to attach your custom denture to. These are more comfortable and natural-feeling than traditional dentures and restore more of your bite strength. That means you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite foods without having difficulty chewing them!
Team-Based Dental Implant Treatment
The procedure for dental implants takes place over the course of several months. First, we will have to make sure your jawbone has sufficient density for the posts to successfully integrate with. If not, we will recommend a bone grafting procedure to boost volume.
Once the jaw is ready, the dental implants are surgically placed according to the specifics of your treatment plan developed by Dr. Cole. After placement, the gums are closed and the healing begins. The dental implants grow together with the jawbone during a process called osseointegration. Once each implant is sturdy, you return to our office for the placement of the abutment and, after another brief healing period, your final, custom-crafted replacement teeth.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Every patients’ dental implant treatment plan is different, so there’s no single price that we can quote. Professionals and patients who have gotten the treatment agree that it’s well worth the initial cost because it can actually save you money and time in the long run. Traditional restorations have to be replaced every five to 10 years while dental implants can last as long as three decades with the proper care.
You won’t have to pay for the entire process upfront. Rather, you’ll pay for each procedure you need to have done over the course of several months as you get them. At Integrity Dental, we’ll be more than happy to help you find out if your insurance benefits cover the cost of any part of the procedure. We’ll be diligent about filing the necessary claims and paperwork so you won’t have to! Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Dental Implant FAQs
Even after hearing about the many benefits of dental implants in Farmington, it's still natural to have a few questions. We've helped countless patients restore their smiles with implants over the years and want you to have all the information you need to make the right decision. Below, you'll find answers to some of the FAQs we hear most, but feel free to contact us with any other questions or if you'd like to schedule a consultation. We're happy to help!
Does It Hurt To Get Dental Implants?
If you've ever had a tooth extracted, you can expect a similar experience from implant surgery. The first step of the procedure is fully numbing the area, so you won't feel pain but you will feel pressure. You also have multiple options for sedation dentistry to further relax you and make your appointment more comfortable.
And you'll be glad to know that many people report feeling surprised at how much easier their procedure was than they expected.
Will I Need To Take Time Off Work After Getting Implants?
It's a good idea to take 2-3 days off work to fully rest and recover after implant surgery. For this reason, some people like to schedule their procedure on a Thursday or Friday to give them the weekend at home to heal. As for pain, you can expect mild to moderate swelling and tenderness in the area for several days to a week, but it's usually well managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
How Many Implants Will I Need?
The number of implants varies from person to person depending on how many teeth are missing. For example, several consecutive missing teeth can be replaced with an implant-retained bridge, using just 1-2 implants. If you’re missing all the teeth in the upper or lower arch, we can typically use 2-8 implants per arch.
What Is a Bone Graft and Will I Need One?
A bone graft is a procedure in which extra bone is added to your jaw to strengthen it before getting implants. They're sometimes necessary when the jaw has become too thin or weak to support implants, which naturally occurs over time as soon as the teeth are lost. To determine whether you need a bone graft, detailed images will be taken of your jaws during your implant consultation.
Can Dental Implants Fail?
Fortunately, failure is relatively rare. In fact, non-smokers have a success rate of up to 98%! Here are some of the most common causes of implant problems:
- Gum disease – Just like your own natural teeth, implants need to be surrounded and supported by healthy gum tissue.
- Smoking – Smoking decreases the success rate to around 85%.
- Clenching and grinding – If you clench and grind at night, it's important to wear a protective nightguard to prevent damaging your implant.
- Poor oral hygiene - It's also important to get regular checkups and cleanings and do well with brushing and flossing at home to keep everything clean and healthy.