Dental Implants

When you’ve lost a tooth, implant restorations are the ultimate game-changer. These custom-made crowns, bridges, or dentures not only restore the look of your smile, but they also bring back full function, allowing you to chew, speak, and smile with confidence. All without the need to grind down healthy teeth like when having a “bridge”! Also, unlike traditional dentures, implant restorations don’t slip or shift—they’re anchored securely to your jawbone, making them as stable as your natural teeth!

Everything to Know About Dental Implants

When someone is missing a tooth, there are several options for replacing it, and a dental implant is often the best solution. Dental implants are the closest thing to a natural tooth that we can give to a patient. The implant itself mimics the root of a tooth by being placed in a patient’s jaw bone, and a crown is secured on top of the implant to look and function like a natural tooth. Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, to secure a denture, or to replace an entire arch of teeth. Implants are one of the most reliable procedures performed in dentistry, and have many advantages over the other tooth replacement options. Implants require a conservative surgical procedure to place the implant into the patient’s jaw. This heals for a few months, and then the final crown can be attached to the implant. These implants blend seamlessly into a patient’s smile, and are indistinguishable from the surrounding natural teeth.

Why You Might Need an Implant Restoration

If you’re missing one or more teeth, implant restorations could be just what you need to complete your smile. Whether due to decay, injury, or age, a missing tooth can affect your bite, cause neighboring teeth to shift, and even impact your self-esteem. An implant restoration restores both form and function, giving you a solution that looks great and feels completely natural.

Benefits That Go Beyond Beauty

Implant restorations don’t just enhance the appearance of your smile—they also help preserve your jawbone by stimulating it, preventing the bone loss that often occurs after tooth loss. This helps maintain your facial structure, so you can continue to look and feel your best for years to come. Plus, they’re durable, low-maintenance, and custom-designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.

A Boost In Confidence

With implant restorations, you’ll not only feel like yourself again—you’ll feel better than ever! The secure fit and natural look of your implant restoration give you the freedom to smile without hesitation, laugh with ease, and enjoy your favorite foods without worry. When your smile feels right, your confidence skyrockets, giving you the boost you need to take on any situation with a bright, radiant smile!

Implants: FAQs

  • Dental Implants are the titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone, acting as artificial tooth roots. They provide a solid foundation for restoring missing teeth, helping to preserve bone structure and promote overall oral health.

    Implant Restorations, on the other hand, refer to the visible, functional part of the tooth that sits on top of the implant. This could be a crown, bridge, or denture, depending on how many teeth need replacing. It is usually completed 4-5 months after the surgical placement of implants, giving them adequate time to heal. It’s what gives you that beautiful, natural-looking smile once the implant is securely in place!

  • Dental implants have a massive advantage over traditional “bridges” in that we don’t need to grind down healthy teeth on either side like we do for a bridge. Implant crowns look and feel like individual natural teeth and you can even floss in between them and are much easier to keep clean! Another disadvantage of a bridge is that if even one of teeth on either side have decay, you end up losing/replacing the entire bridge. Dental implants also preserve the bone around them unlike a bridge.

  • With proper care, implant restorations can last many years—often 10 to 20 years or even longer! The durability and longevity of the restoration depend on factors like oral hygiene, lifestyle, and the quality of the implant. Dental implants require care similar to natural teeth - brushing, flossing and perhaps a water flosser. It is essential to come in for your usual cleanings in the office.

  • Yes! Unlike traditional dentures, which can slip or require adhesives, implant restorations are securely anchored to your jaw, offering a stable, comfortable fit. You’ll feel more confident eating, speaking, and smiling without worrying about your restoration shifting or slipping.

  • The process of receiving an implant restoration is relatively comfortable. While the initial implant placement surgery may involve some discomfort (similar to any other surgical procedure), the recovery is typically quick. After the implant has healed for 4-6 months and your restoration is placed, you’ll enjoy a smooth, pain-free experience.

  • Just like any surgical procedure, there are risks to implants as well. Typically it is a good idea to place an implant soon after losing the tooth, to prevent bone loss. If there isn’t enough bone around an implant, we may recommend bone grafting to build the bone back before placing a dental implant. Dental implant therapy also, take longer to complete, usually 6-9 months, to allow enough time for the bone to heal.

  • The cost of implant restorations varies depending on the type of restoration needed (crown, bridge, or denture) and the number of implants. While they may be more expensive than traditional bridges or dentures, they’re a long-term investment in both your smile and your oral health.

    Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost for implant restorations, though coverage can vary. It’s a good idea to check with your insurance provider and your dentist to get a clear understanding of what’s covered and what you might be responsible for. We have several patients who opt for our in-office dental membership plan since it provides a discount on implant restorations with no annual limitations!