Toothpaste with baking soda, whitening strips, UV lights, and mouthwash are just a few of the products that make our smiles perfect. Sometimes, these methods aren’t enough to get you the smile you envisioned. If you’ve reached the point where at-home methods aren’t yielding the results you want, consider other options—like dental implants.
Going in for a procedure is always a bit intimidating, even if you’re looking forward to the result. Smiley Dental’s staff do everything we can to put you at ease; we take the time to discuss exactly what dental implants are, the procedure, and the expected costs ahead of time. Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you.
Getting to the Root of Dental Implants
Dental implants are essentially artificial tooth roots implanted in your jaw to improve physical appearance and restore the lost ability to chew or speak clearly. Under the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), they’re considered medical devices that support faux teeth, which include crowns, bridges, and dentures. Usually, people complete searches consisting of “dental implants near me” for one of two reasons: tooth loss caused by injury or disease.
Unexpectedly, losing a tooth or teeth can cause physical and emotional problems. That’s where replacing it with a dental implant comes into play. It can fill in the gap where the real tooth once was, and it can (potentially) reverse the side effects caused by the loss and improve your mental health. Dental implants are also titanium, so they’re built to last and won’t decay. Other benefits may include:
- Looking and feeling like natural teeth
- Preserving the surrounding bone and gums
- Speech correction
- Stabilizing surrounding teeth
- Improving quality of life
- Chew pattern correction
- Minimizing jawbone shrinkage or bone loss
- Long-lasting durability
Types of Dental Implants
The term “dental implants” typically refers to both the artificial tooth root and faux tooth. There are two main types of implants that you’ll be considered for: endosteal and subperiosteal. The former means it will be anchored in the bone, and the latter is on it. Most implants belong in the endosteal implant category. Endosteal implants include screws and cylinders or blades that are inserted in the jawbone to hold at least one prosthetic tooth. Patients looking for an alternative to bridges of removable dentures should consider this option.
Subperiosteal implants are placed on top of the jaw along a metal framework through the gum to hold the faux tooth in place. Patients who can’t wear traditional dentures or don’t have enough of a jaw bone may be recommended this option. The different types of dental implant procedures include:
- Single tooth dental implants. If you’re missing a single tooth and need only one implant.
- Multiple tooth dental implants. If you’re missing several teeth and need multiple implants.
- Full-mouth dental implants. If you’re missing all your teeth and need full-mouth dental implants.
- Sinus augmentation. Correcting insufficient bone quantity and quality in the sinus region by raising the sinus floor and developing bone to place dental implants.
- Ridge modification. For correcting deformities in the jaw that leave an inadequate amount of bone by filling them with bone or bone substitute to place implants.
Procedure overview
Now, let’s discuss the dental implant procedure. As we said before, Smiley Dental believes in providing our clients with a complete understanding of what they’re signing up for. This is the part where we guide you, step-by-step, through the implant process—it’s also the best time to ask questions. The procedure involves several steps, including preparing for the surgery, a full dental exam, a review of your medical history, and making a treatment plan before the surgery.
- Preparing for the procedure. The first part of the process involves consultations with various specialists, including an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a periodontist, a prosthodontist, or an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
- Full dental exam. Once those visits are complete, you’ll head to your regular dentist for a complete dental exam. This will include dental X-rays, 3D images, and models of your teeth and jaw.
- Medical history review. At the same visit, your regular dentist will discuss any medical conditions you have and medications you may be taking. They may prescribe antibiotics beforehand to prevent infections if you have pre-existing conditions.
- Make a plan. Finally, your doctor will design a customized treatment plan before the surgery. They’ll consider the extent of the procedure (how many teeth are being replaced) and the overall condition of your oral health.
- Getting the surgery. You’re ready for the procedure. The first step involves removing damaged teeth and preparing the jawbone. Then, the implant will be placed, and you’ll be monitored for a while. As it’s an outpatient surgery, you won’t need to stay anywhere overnight. However, it is done in stages, so you’ll have to come back at least once more. This is to ensure you have time in between to heal.
What to Expect After the Procedure
As mentioned above, dental implants require patients to come in more than once for the jaw to heal properly. While you’re waiting to get back into the office and finish things up, your dentist will provide instructions that mainly consist of getting lots of rest and a soft diet. The surgical site will be stitched closed, most likely with dissolvable materials. You’ll most likely feel discomfort during the in-between period and immediately after the procedure. If at any point the feeling worsens, contact your doctor. They may order you pain medication or antibiotics. Regular discomfort may resemble:
- Swelling and bruising in the gums and face
- Pain at the implant site
- Minor bleeding
Average Cost of Dental Implants
If you’ve gotten this far in your research, you’ll wonder about the average dental implant cost. To answer the question, “How much are dental implants,” we must consider a few different factors. For one, the complexity of the procedure. If your situation is severe or requires a specialist, it may cost more. The number of implants needed, the chosen office, and if additional surgeries, such as grafting, are needed will also affect the price. Generally speaking, however, dental implants cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
FAQs
Making the decision to get dental implants is a big one. It’s important to note that dental implants aren’t the ideal solution for everyone’s oral healthcare needs. Finding the best for you may take time. You should thoroughly consider all of your options with the assistance of your dentist before deciding on a final choice. Be sure to ask your dentist any and all questions you may have regarding the process, such as “How long do dental implants last?”
How Long Do Implants Last?
To put it simply, implants are designed to last longer than other treatments and, if cared for properly, can last a lifetime. Around the 15-year mark, you’ll need to get the restoration portion of the faux tooth (i.e., crowns and bridges) replaced.
What Are The Benefits of Dental Implants?
Dental implants are built to last. They’re made of titanium so as not to decay, will improve your aesthetic appearance, and allow you to eat the foods you once loved but had to stop eating.
Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
You may be a good candidate for dental implants based on a few different factors, such as:
- Good general and oral health
- Excellent jaw bone health
- Healthy gum tissue free of periodontal disease
How Can I Find a Qualified Dentist for Dental Implants?
When you’ve decided to get dental implants, you need a team of highly experienced professionals you can rely on to get the job done. They should be highly knowledgeable and have an impressive track record of successful surgeries. Look for an oral health professional who is board-certified and has the necessary credentials to perform the procedure. Always look at past patient reviews to get a feel for the in-office experience. They should be able to openly communicate with other specialists about your needs and be willing to schedule a consultation to discuss your expectations. A qualified dentist will thoroughly examine you to develop a unique care plan.
Are There Risks to Dental Implants?
While dental implants are relatively mainstream, they are not without risk. Risks associated with getting implants include:
- Damage during placement to surrounding teeth, tissue, or nerves
- Injury during surgery to jawbone
- Problems with bite pattern
- Loosening sensation of the tooth
- Looseness of the implant body
- Poor oral hygiene/site infection
- Periodontal disease
- Sinus problems
Smile Bigger with Implants Done by Smiley Dental
If you lack the confidence to smile as brightly as you’d like, call Smiley Dental. Our team will schedule an appointment to evaluate your situation and discuss your options. From there, we’ll create a unique oral care plan to get you to the point you want.
Whether it’s a quick fix or requires a multi-visit procedure, our team is ready to help you achieve your ideal smile. We offer affordable prices to help our customers get a smile that truly shines through reliable teeth whitening procedures and more. Call us to set up a consultation and learn more about dental implants.
Client Testimonials
We understand how important it is for you to feel like you can trust your dentist. That’s why we provide plenty of reviews to see what real clients say about their experience with our team. Take a look at what past Smiley Dental patients have to say about us:
“Everyone was very nice! I didn’t feel uncomfortable and wasn’t pressured to do something I didn’t want to do.”
-Patsy Garcia, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I was seen today at Smiley Dental & Orthodontics. It was a wonderful experience. I had broken my dentures and was seen by Dr Lauren, who was Friendly, Professional, and Knowledgeable. She gave me the examination result, the quick fix, and the long-range ultimate solution. She let me decide on my problem: getting surgery and then getting new dentures. I was impressed and well cared for. I knew I was in great hands. A great experience!!!!”
-Marietta Phillips, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The team at Smiley came to our rescue when a child in need had a dental emergency and couldn’t afford it. They covered the entire cost, and when we thanked Dr. Seibert, he responded, “Give credit to God. Not me.” I do credit God for the answered prayer, but Jeff Seibert, Lynh T. Pham, and the rest of the staff were Jesus’ hands and feet to us! The service was superb. Bedside manner was beautiful— she hadn’t been to the dentist in 7 years and needed ten cavities filled and two root canals, but they never once made her feel ashamed or judged – to the contrary, she was treated like a princess. I cannot recommend them enough!!”
-Lauren Neyra, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“It started from receptions all the way to the Doctor. All of them welcomed me and treated me like a VIP. I appreciated them very much. I recommend this facility to everyone I know.”
-Melenkecha, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Super nice. Informed us of what we needed clearly and respectfully. Highly recommended! So glad to finally find a comfortable dentist to go to!”
Amanda Rangel, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This establishment consistently exceeds expectations in terms of customer service. The staff is highly attentive and dedicated to ensuring that all needs are met. I highly recommend this establishment to anyone seeking exceptional service.”
-Rudy McKay, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
