Dental Implants – Jefferson, OH
The Advanced, Stable Way
to Restore Your Smile
Dental implants in Jefferson are a modern solution to tooth replacement that many people choose because they’re looking for a longer-lasting, stronger, or more natural looking and feeling restoration. Due to their unique structure, they are able to restore the entire portion of missing teeth, including the roots, which makes it feel as though you’ve regained your natural smile again when the treatment is complete. You can learn more about dental implants from our Jefferson, OH dentist by contacting our dental office today to schedule a consultation.
Why Choose Painesville Dental Group for Dental Implants?
- Start-to-Finish Dental Implant Treatment
- Cone Beam CT Scanning Technology for Precise Planning
- Additional Financing Through CareCredit
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants themselves are small titanium posts that are placed below the gumline to restore the missing root structure of a tooth. Due to their biocompatible nature, the implants are able to fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, which provides the restoration that will be secured to them with unmatched stability and strength. This process also distinguishes dental implants from traditional restorative procedures, allowing them to offer a wide array of unique benefits.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Though dental implants are an advanced procedure with complex placement requirements, our highly trained team at Dental Group of Jefferson is capable of delivering quality results. The implant process can be broken down into four distinct phases, and our dental experts, Dr. Hammond and Dr. Pichler can complete the entire procedure in-house, removing the need to see a specialist, saving you time and money. If you’re curious about how the dental implant process works, read more below.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
A good consultation and planning phase is the real key to success when it comes to dental implants. We will give your mouth a thorough examination using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment including digital X-rays and CT scans.
Once we have an idea of what your jawbone and surrounding structures look like, we can see if you’re a good candidate for implants and begin discussing treatment options with you. We’ll also dive into your medical history and answer any questions you may have to make sure we provide a comfortable and effective treatment going forward.
Dental Implant Surgery
The surgery itself is pretty straightforward. First, we’ll numb your mouth with a local anesthetic so you don’t feel pain. Before moving forward, you also have the option of using nitrous oxide for an extra layer of relief for pain and anxiety. Next, a small incision in your gum is made to expose the jawbone. Then, a screw-like titanium fixture is placed into your jaw with special instruments. Finally, a healing cap is placed over the fixture to keep it covered and promote recovery.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
After the implant surgery, osseointegration begins. This is the process where the titanium fixture naturally fuses with your jawbone, creating a foundation for the rest of your implant.
This process typically takes several months, but once healing is complete, you’ll return to our office to have a small connector piece called an abutment attached. This will serve as the anchor for your final restoration. This appointment also allows us to check and make sure everything is progressing smoothly and that the implant is ready for the final step.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
The final step in the dental implant process is placing the custom-made restoration, whether it’s a crown, bridge, or denture. We take impressions of your mouth to create a restoration that perfectly matches the shape, color, and luster of your natural teeth.
Once the restoration is crafted, it is securely attached to the abutment, completing the dental implant process. The result is a natural-looking, fully functional tooth that blends seamlessly with your smile!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Did you know that an estimated 500,000+ dental implants are placed annually? Not only that, but this number is only expected to grow in the coming years. This could be partly because many experts consider them to be the gold standard of tooth replacements because of their unique advantages. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, they’re embedded directly into your jawbone, providing several benefits over the alternatives.
Continue reading to learn more about how your new teeth can positively affect your life, and feel free to contact us for additional information!
Day-to-Day Benefits
Tooth loss can detract from your day-to-day experience because basic tasks like eating, speaking, and smiling confidently are suddenly much more challenging. Dental implants can help by:
- Restoring your chewing power. They return anywhere from 80% to 100% of your initial bite force, which is much higher than the 30% that dentures supply.
- Enunciate clearly. Gaps in your grin can lead to lisps or other challenges to your speaking patterns. With dental implants in place you can express yourself much more accurately so that you can be more easily understood.
- Easy to maintain. Unlike dentures, which are pressed against your connective tissues all day and can increase the chances of developing gum disease, these prosthetics are easy to clean. Simply brush and floss twice daily and visit our team for a routine checkup every 6 months to keep them in great shape.
Health Benefits
If you’re concerned about health risks with dental implants, you can set your mind at ease. They’re known to support your well-being by:
- Prevent dental drifting. Your remaining teeth are prone to shifting out of alignment to fill in the spaces left behind by ones that went missing, which wears down their enamel unevenly and can cause damage or decay. Replacing your missing tooth can safeguard your smile.
- Preserve your jawbone. Up to 25% of the bone mass in your jaw around a missing tooth can be lost in the first year after it falls out, which can alter your facial shape and lead to additional wrinkles. The metal rod of your implant functions like a root to stimulate new bone growth to keep it active and supported.
- Enhance your dental condition. Dental bridges require that healthy teeth be thinned to serve as abutments, and dentures can cause sores in your gum tissue, which can lead to disease or decay. Meanwhile, implants are sturdy standalone structures that are easy to clean to protect your oral health.
Long-Term Benefits
If you opt to replace your lost teeth with dental implants, you’ll also enjoy many long-term benefits like:
- High success rate. They’re typically incredibly reliable and have a success rate of 95% or more even up to 10 years after their initial placement.
- Less hassle. They’re made of durable materials that resist chipping and staining, unlike dentures and dental bridges, which must typically be repaired or relined periodically.
- Save on additional expenditures. Though they may cost more upfront than other options, there’s no need to invest in adhesives, soaking solutions, or other accessories. Plus, they’re less likely to be injured so you can save money in the long run.
Who Can Dental Implants Help?
Not every patient who has suffered from tooth loss is a great candidate for the dental implant procedure right away. In many cases, we need to conduct preparatory procedures to make sure that the gums and jawbone are healthy and strong enough to successfully support the implants. For those who have chronic autoimmune diseases, like diabetes, we may work closely with your primary care physician to ensure your condition is under control and you’ll be able to make a full, quick recovery after your surgery. In any case, the best way to learn whether dental implants are for you is to schedule an initial consultation with our team. During this visit, we’ll walk you through how we plan to rebuild your smile with dental implants.
Missing One Tooth
To replace one tooth, we’ll secure a single dental implant below the gumline and into the jawbone. Once it has healed and fused with the bone, we’ll secure an abutment followed by a customized dental crown to restore your arch of teeth.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Instead of having to alter your natural teeth to place a traditional dental bridge, we can secure one to two dental implants placed on either side of the gap in your smile. Once healed, we’ll attach the bridge to the implants to complete your arch of teeth.
Missing All of Your Teeth
Many patients complain about traditional dentures because they can slip or shift in the mouth. When they’re secured to anywhere from four to eight dental implants, you won’t have to worry about this happening.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Every dental implant treatment differs depending on each patient’s unique needs, like how many dental implants you need to have placed and what type of restoration you require. Based on these details, which we’ll be sure to discuss with you during your initial consultation, we will outline a detailed treatment plan so you know exactly what to expect. Our team tries to make the process as affordable as possible, and we proudly partner with CareCredit to offer flexible, low-interest financing as well.