Some of our dental patients feel as though traditional tooth replacement options like dentures or bridges don’t quite meld with their lifestyle and are looking for a more permanent alternative. In this case, we’ll likely recommend modern dental implants in Fayetteville, GA. This dental treatment takes the aesthetic benefits of traditional prosthetics and combines them with the strong, stable, and unwavering foundation of dental implants in our Fayetteville, GA dental office. That way, your replacement teeth don’t just look completely natural, they also feel that way.
Dental implants are small, titanium posts that are surgically placed below the gumline to replace the root structure of your missing teeth. They’re typically made from titanium, which is a biocompatible metal that has the ability to naturally fuse with your jawbone, providing it with necessary stimulation and blood flow to stay dense and strong. Once this process has occurred (known as osseointegration), our team can then attach a restoration to them to restore the missing visible portion of your tooth or teeth.
Compared to some other dental treatments, implants can seem quite complicated. While the dental implant process may differ in some details for every patient based on their needs, here’s a basic outline of what you can expect throughout the treatment:
At every step of the way, our team can be your guide. We are happy to address your concerns and explain what you need to do next to ensure successful tooth replacement.
Every case starts with an appointment to talk about dental implants. Not only is this visit an opportunity to answer any questions you may have about the implant process, but it also gives us a chance to make sure you’re a good candidate for this treatment. After examining your mouth and asking about your medical and dental history, we can create a treatment plan specifically for your smile. As a result, when you leave this appointment, you’ll have a clearer idea of the next steps, timeline, cost, and other important information.
After you’ve completed any preliminary procedures (e.g., gum disease therapy, tooth extraction, socket preservation, etc.), you can then undergo the placement surgery. If necessary, we can perform many of these procedures in our dental office to ensure that your jawbone is strong enough to support your new implants. Then, you’ll be referred to a local periodontist who will perform the actual placement surgery. In this procedure, the implant post is inserted into the jawbone and the gum tissue closed to cover it. The recovery time may vary, but usually patients can return to normal activities within a week.
After your surgery, you’ll go through a process called osseointegration, where your implants will fuse with your jawbone. The implant post provides stimulation in the jawbone, creating new tissue growth. The new jawbone surrounds the implant, giving it incredible stability and strength—just like a real tooth. Overall, osseointegration takes about three to six months to complete. Then, we’ll attach a small, metal connector piece called an abutment to the part of your implant that’s visible above your gumline.
Once the abutment is in, we can take impressions of the top and bottom arches so that the dental lab can fabricate your restoration. When your permanent restorations are finished, we’ll call you in to secure them to your abutments and complete your smile. Whether you’re getting an implant-supported crown, bridge, or denture, you can be sure it’ll be custom-made just for your mouth. As a result, you can smile and function without worrying about your replacement teeth!
Dental implants replace more than just the visible part of your missing teeth. They also address the hidden root structure and jawbone underneath the gums’ surface. As a result, they have countless benefits to offer patients who are good candidates for them, ranging from their natural look and feel to their security. If you’re eligible for this treatment, you should seriously consider implants so that you can regain both your smile’s appearance and function.
Although dental implants are one of the most sophisticated treatments in dentistry, they are actually quite simple to maintain. Unlike dentures that need to be soaked at night, implants require the same easy daily care as natural teeth. Brushing and flossing, as well as regular visits to our Fayetteville dental office for dental checkups and teeth cleanings, make sure your implants stay in excellent condition. In addition, because they are grounded in jawbone, your prosthetic teeth have significantly more stability and strength, allowing you to bite and chew all your favorite foods and feel confident eating and smiling in front of others. After all, you don’t have to worry about your teeth slipping out of place when you have implants.
Natural tooth roots stimulate the jawbone, promoting new growth, which in turn strengthens the support for teeth. However, when a tooth is lost, the jawbone starts to lose density, and dentures and bridges alone do nothing to stop this process, which can make your face look sunken and older. On the other hand, dental implants preserve your natural facial structure and prevent jawbone deterioration. With strong teeth and a robust jawbone, you’ll also be able to maintain a healthier diet of nutritious vegetables and fruits, which can improve your overall quality of life and even prolong your life expectancy!
Did you know that dental implants tend to last much longer than traditional dentures or bridges? In fact, with the proper routine care, dental implants can still be functioning well 30 years after placement. In contrast, dentures need to be adjusted every year or so and replaced about every 5 to 7 years, and bridges typically last about 7 to 10 years at most. When you do the math and factor in all the costs of replacement, you may easily find that implants are actually a smart investment in the long run compared to more traditional options.
While some people can reap benefits from dental implants, others may find that traditional restorations work best for their lifestyle and needs. The best way to learn whether this treatment is right for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lee or Dr. Lauren Lee Polito, DMD. During this visit, we’ll examine your mouth, speak with you about the goals and expectations that you may have for replacing your teeth, and help you determine whether this option is right for you. If you choose to move forward with treatment, we’ll outline a detailed plan for you so you know exactly what to expect from the process.
For a single missing tooth, we can place one dental implant below the gumline. This will hold an implant-retained dental crown that will fill the gap between your teeth. Not only will this complete your smile, but it will also prevent orthodontic issues from developing down the road.
If you have several missing teeth in a row, we can attach a dental bridge to two dental implants that are placed on either side of the gap in your smile. Each implant will support either side of the prosthetic. This means that no alteration of your surrounding, healthy teeth is necessary, like it would be if you got a traditional bridge.
If you’re missing all of your teeth along an arch, gone are the days of slipping and shifting dentures. Instead, we’ll secure your prosthetic to anywhere from four to eight dental implants that are strategically located along your arch, holding them in place without having to fuss with denture adhesive.
Learn More About Implant Dentures Learn More About All-On-4 Dental Implants
As mentioned before, every dental implant procedure differs based on a patient’s tooth loss situation, current oral health status, and a variety of other factors. The cost of your procedure can only be determined once we have an opportunity to take a look at your mouth and jaw during your initial consultation. Based on our findings, we’ll develop a customized treatment plan and discuss, in detail, the cost for each step of your procedure. If you have any questions, never hesitate to ask our team! We’re always here to help.
In some cases, we need to address a potential problem, like a tooth extraction or gum disease therapy, before we move forward with implant placement. If any preliminary work is needed, that will add to the overall amount. Then, depending on how many implants you’re getting and where they are located in your mouth, the placement procedure can vary in cost as well. Again, at your consultation, we can talk about your specific needs as well as the associated costs of the procedures involved.
Think of your dental implants like a car. Just as there are different brands of car parts, the various parts for dental implants have different costs. Also, a major determining factor we consider when calculating the cost is the type of restoration you require. When we put together your unique treatment plan, we will select the implant parts that will best suit your smile and your needs. Then, we can talk about your options in terms of pricing.
At this point, you may be thinking that it would be more cost effective to get traditional dentures or a dental bridge. Initially, yes, these alternatives tend to cost less upfront. However, they need to be replaced more frequently than dental implants. In fact, while normal dentures require replacement about every five years, dental implants can easily last more than 20. As a result, you may find that implants actually cost much less over time than these “cheaper” options.
Except in rare cases, dental insurance in general does not include coverage for dental implants. This means you’ll be responsible for paying for the implant placement procedure out-of-pocket. However, other parts of the process may be covered; for instance, part of the cost of the restoration will likely be paid or reimbursed by your insurance company. We are happy to file claims on your behalf and help you save as much as possible.
Whether you have dental insurance or not, we understand that the total may be difficult to cover all at one time. That’s why we will accept payment through CareCredit. This financing company can allow you to pay off your treatment through smaller monthly installments, making implants fit more comfortably in your budget. Just ask, and we can help you apply for low-interest financing!
Dental implant care in Fayetteville is essential if you want to make sure that your new smile lasts decades or even a lifetime. Knowing how to clean, protect, and ensure the longevity and functionality of your teeth will allow you to enjoy the time and effort you put into rebuilding and recreating your smile. To help you better understand how you should maintain your dental implants, review the tips listed below.
Your oral health is essential when wearing dental implants, which is why you are strongly encouraged to practice good dental habits at home. Brushing after every meal, flossing regularly, and rinsing can help to minimize bacterial accumulation and prevent peri-implantitis – a similar form of gum disease that can negatively impact your dental implants.
Sugars and starches can be enjoyed in moderation, but the bulk of your diet should consist of nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, lean meats, low-fat dairy, and fruits and vegetables. By following a diet that promotes good oral health, you can expect your real and artificial teeth to remain in better shape year after year.
Bad habits are easy to form and hard to break. Whether it is smoking, biting your fingernails, opening packages with your teeth, chewing on inanimate objects, or eating ice, you put your new teeth at risk each time you choose to engage in one of these practices. Dental implants require lots of time and money, so if you want to keep your investment from going down the drain, make the decision to break up with your bad habits.
A customized mouthguard is an excellent way to protect your smile, especially if you’re active in sports. A hard hit on the field, a sudden fall on the track, or any additional, undue pressure on your mouth can result in a trip to the emergency dental office. Even grinding your teeth at night (bruxism) can have you schedule a visit with your local emergency dentist. With a custom-made mouthguard, you can better protect your teeth and gums on the field, track, court, and even while you’re asleep.
Seeing your implant dentist every six months for regular checkups and cleanings will do more to protect your smile in its entirety. Apart from checking any natural teeth for decay and cavities, we’ll also look at your dental implants to ensure they have sustained no damage between appointments. Even the smallest crack or chip should be treated by a professional to avoid more serious damage down the road
In rare cases, dental implants do not work out, either because your mouth wasn’t prepared for them in the first place or they didn't receive the proper aftercare. We can remove impediments that are keeping your implants from being successful and save them from infection with careful monitoring and early treatment.
Learn More About Dental Implant Failure & Salvage
Dental implants in Fayetteville are the modern, trusted solution to replacing teeth. However, it’s only natural to want to learn everything you can about them before choosing them as the best solution for your unique smile. We encourage you to come see us for a consultation so we can go over the dental implant process with you step by step and answer all your questions personally. In the meantime, we’ve gathered a few of the most common dental implant questions we get below so you can learn more.
Dental implants have the potential to last for decades. In fact, most patients can easily expect to enjoy their newly rebuild smile for a lifetime! Dental implants are rooted into the jawbone, which provides a firm foundation and prevents jawbone loss. Dentures and dental bridges need to be replaced every 5-10 years at most because they don’t do anything to prevent jawbone loss, which allows the mouth to change shape and causes them to lose their fit.
While dental implant surgery may sound somewhat daunting at first, most patients are pleasantly surprised at how pain-free the experience is. We partner with the best local specialists for this step of treatment to ensure you receive the best results possible. With the help of modern numbing medication, sedation dentistry, and their advanced training, getting dental implants shouldn’t hurt at all.
When placed by a skilled professional like one of the specialists we partner with, dental implants boast an amazing success rate of over 95%, even 10 years after placement! However, the long-term success of your dental implants will depend largely on how well you take care of them. Bad habits and poor oral hygiene can boost your risk of dental implant failure, so it’s important that you take the necessary precautions to keep your smile healthy. Brushing and flossing regularly, not using your teeth as tools, and visiting us for biannual dental checkups are some of the most important ways to ensure the long-term success of your new smile.
Before your surgery, the specialist placing your dental implants will explain what you can expect during the healing process. Then, before you leave their dental office after your surgery, they will send you home with specific recovery instructions. However, while you should plan to rest for an entire day after getting dental implants, most patients are able to resume normal daily activities the following day. For the first several days, make sure to avoid strenuous activity and hard, crunchy foods. Some swelling and tenderness in the mouth, face, and jaw is normal after any oral surgery, but these symptoms should be manageable and wear off entirely within a few weeks. Remember, although you may feel fully recovered from your dental implant surgery within a month or so, your jaw will need anywhere from 3-6 months to heal completely.
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