Now patients who are missing teeth have a strong, beautiful alternative to bridges, partials, or full dentures. Dental implants will improve your smile and your lifestyle. They look, feel, and function like natural teeth because of a titanium anchor attached to the jawbone. Implants can also anchor bridges, partials, or full dentures to eliminate slipping.

BENEFITS OF DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dental implants are designed to mimic natural tooth roots as closely as possible. Not only does this allow for the most natural-looking aesthetic, but a tooth that functions almost identically to the real thing. Chewing your favorite foods, regardless of how much you may have struggled before, will feel as seamless and simple as it did before your tooth was even lost. This is large because of the integration process dental implants go through once they are placed inside your jaw bone.

Once the implants have adhered to your bone and gum tissue, they should last at least 25 years and can easily last a lifetime when properly cared for. When you practice daily oral care and avoid all tobacco products, you can expect them to have a success rate as high as 98 percent, even after a 10-year period. This proves them to be incredibly reliable in the long-term when compared to other tooth replacement options.

HOW DENTAL IMPLANTS WORK

Dental implants replace the entire structure of the tooth using a multi-phased treatment process. Dr. Herman explains each step and what you can expect. Although the process may take several months to complete, it is time well spent because your new smile can last for a lifetime with the right aftercare.

INDICATIONS FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS

Keep in mind that dental implants are not exclusively for replacing single teeth. They can also be used in tandem with traditional restorations like bridges and dentures. Here’s how we can make it happen.

MISSING SINGLE TOOTH

Single teeth are replaced with one implant and one all-porcelain crown. We use porcelain restorations because they offer the most natural-looking cosmetics, all without sacrificing durability. A single abutment keeps the two components attached for decades without worry.

MISSING MULTIPLE TEETH

Instead of relying on buffed-down natural teeth to hold a bridge, we can use two implants on either side of an implant-retained bridge. Even though the restoration consists of three to four teeth, only two implants are needed to anchor the entire bridge. This helps you save time and money on additional implant placement surgeries.

MISSING ALL TEETH

Instead of relying on metal clasps or natural suction to hold a denture, a prosthetic can be designed to snap directly on top of four to six dental implants strategically place throughout the mouth. If you already use a denture but are looking for a way to make it more stable, our dentists will work with you to determine if a new denture is needed to fit with your new dental implants.

UNDERSTANDING THE COST OF DENTAL IMPLANTS

While dental implants are considered a cost-effective option for long-term tooth replacement, it’s difficult to give a flat rate to all patients. For example, those who need multiple implants placed vs. one implant will see a higher cost overall. The same applies to those who need an entire arch replaced vs. a single tooth. If it’s determined that you have insufficient bone volume during your consultation, a bone graft or sinus lift will need to be performed to make implants viable.

Remember, despite the fluctuating costs, dental implants are considered an investment. Instead of replacing bridges and dentures every several years, you can rely on dental implants for multiple decades without losing function.