Dental Implants – Painesville, OH
Bring Back Missing Teeth
While we are happy to offer a variety of great solutions for missing teeth, dental implants are simply in a class of their own. They are the only treatment that restores a tooth both above and below the gum line, delivering the most reliable, durable, and lifelike results imaginable. We can use them to help with any degree of tooth loss, so whether you are missing a single tooth or want a better set of dentures, they could be exactly what you need. To learn more about dental implants in Painesville, OH and what they can do for your smile, contact us today.
Why Choose Painesville Dental Group for Dental Implants?
- Partners with Highly Trained Oral Surgeons
- Restorations Made with Modern Dental Technologies
- Flexible Financing Options Available
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a tooth replacement that consists of three main components: the prosthetic root, the abutment, and the restoration. Since dental implants are the only option that replaces the root portion of teeth, they make your smile not only look more natural than other options, but feel that way too. Whether you’re brushing and flossing, eating food, or smiling for a photo, your dental implants are designed to keep up with your lifestyle and look indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Each step of the dental implant process is essential for ensuring the success of your new smile. We work alongside local oral surgeons to help our patients achieve the best results when replacing their missing teeth. Do you have a clear idea of what will happen during the dental implant process? Below you will find a brief yet informative breakdown of the steps involved. Remember that you can always talk to our team if you have any questions.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Step one is to schedule a consultation with our team to let us know that you are interested in getting dental implants. A thorough examination of your mouth and jaw will be performed with the goal of figuring out whether dental implants are a viable choice for you.
Sometimes we may determine that you can have dental implants placed right away. In other situations, though, you may need to have certain preparatory procedures completed before you can be considered a dental implant candidate. For example, there may be a lack of bone in your jaw that needs to be corrected via bone grafting.
Dental Implant Surgery
The next step is the surgery for placing the dental implant posts. You will visit a trusted oral surgeon, who will begin the procedure by numbing your mouth. Next, they will open your gums and create small holes in specific areas of your jawbone. Then the implant posts will be inserted at carefully chosen angles.
After the implants have been successfully placed, you will receive sutures to help your gums heal. Small caps will be attached to the implant posts. Not only does this aid the recovery process, but it helps keep your implants safe.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
A natural process called osseointegration will allow your dental implants to form a lasting bond with your jawbone. The exact timeline for osseointegration depends on the patient; it can potentially take anywhere between three to six months. You will be given instructions for taking care of your smile in the meantime.
After osseointegration is complete, you can receive small connector pieces known as abutments, which will be attached to the tops of the implant posts. The purpose of the abutments is to help keep the final restoration anchored in place.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
The last step is designing the final crown, bridge, or denture and attaching it to the implant posts. Impressions of your mouth will be taken to determine the correct shape and size of the final restoration. Once your replacement teeth are ready, it will be time for you to return to our office.
During your last appointment, the final restoration will be carefully attached to your dental implants. Before completing the procedure, we will quickly double-check to confirm that there aren’t any comfort issues with your newly restored bite.
Benefits of Dental Implants
When you choose to replace your missing teeth with dental implants, you get to enjoy having so much more than just a complete smile again. During your consultation, we’d be happy to explain how life-changing they really are. In nearly every way, dental implants offer benefits you can’t really compare with what you get with more traditional restoration options. For instance, unlike a normal bridge, dental implants do not require removal of existing enamel to place, which means any natural teeth can remain entirely intact. That’s just one of many examples!
Day-to-Day Benefits
On a daily basis, you will use your tooth replacements and can realize how amazing dental implants truly are. Because they replace the entire tooth—not just the surface structure—dental implants look realistic and natural thanks to the post and color-matched dental ceramics. With more confidence in your appearance, you can smile and talk without feeling self-conscious about your teeth. You can also feel assured that your dental prosthetics will stay in place, which doesn’t always happen with traditional dentures.
In addition, dental implants make it easy to eat all your favorite foods, including tough, crunchy, and chewy options because these anchored restorations are secure and stable. Essentially, no food is off limits with dental implants because your bite should feel comfortable and strong.
Health Benefits
Normal dentures only restore about 25 to 30 percent of your original biting force, which means that many denture wearers usually eat softer, more processed foods. With the freedom to eat basically anything you wish with implants, you can choose to have a more balanced and nutritious diet, giving you nutrients, energy, and better chances at a higher quality of life.
Also, did you know that dental implants prevent loss of bone tissue inside the jaw? The posts, acting like tooth roots, keep the jawbone stimulated, producing new growth. This is what gives implants their security and strength. As a result, the jawbone remains robust even as the patient ages.
Long-Term Benefits
Many people who have lost teeth slowly develop signs of aging, such as facial sagging and hollowing of the cheeks because of jawbone loss. However, dental implants allow you to retain a more youthful facial shape for decades to come.
One of the frustrations of traditional dentures and bridges is that the patient needs a new restoration within 10 years or less. On the other hand, dental implants last for 30+ years when practicing proper at-home oral hygiene and maintaining regular dental checkups. Because of this longevity, many people with dental implants find that they spend less overall because they don’t have to pay for subsequent replacements.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Since they are so versatile, dental implants are capable of replacing any number of teeth. Even those who have been wearing dentures for years can take advantage of them to rebuild their smile. Of course, the only way to determine which approach will work best for you is to schedule a consultation with our dental office. In the meantime, you can learn more about the process ahead of your scheduled appointment!
Missing One Tooth
To replace a single tooth, an implant is placed into the jaw and then given time to integrate. Following the integration period, we place an abutment and restoration to effectively fill the gap. The crown is designed with lifelike dental ceramic that’s also been color-matched to blend in with nearby teeth for the best results possible.
Missing Multiple Teeth
To replace multiple consecutive teeth, dental implants can replace the need for a traditional bridge. This is done by placing a pair of dental implants into the jaw, then attaching an implant bridge to fill the space of two to four missing teeth. The implants do all the heavy lifting, so modifying existing enamel is no longer necessary.
Missing All of Your Teeth
Whether you’ve been living with a partial or full denture, dental implants can be used in tandem with them to provide a more stable tooth replacement. Depending on the condition of the jawbone, between four and eight dental implants could be used to hold a top or bottom denture.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
The costs associated with your dental implant treatment will largely vary based on a few key factors. This includes the number of teeth being replaced, materials utilized, additional preparatory treatments performed to make them viable, and insurance coverage. No matter how much your dental implant treatment costs, Painesville Dental Group is prepared to help you get the best value possible for your future tooth replacement. We’ll break down your costs in great detail beforehand so you are never caught by surprise fees.