What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small metal screws that function as artificial tooth roots, replacing entire missing teeth. During a straightforward surgical procedure, your dentist places the implant into the jawbone at the exact spot where the tooth should be. This implant serves as a sturdy foundation, mimicking the natural root of a tooth. Once the implant is securely in place, a dental crown is attached to restore the tooth’s appearance and functionality, ensuring it looks and feels just like a real tooth.
Choosing to get dental implants is a significant decision, and it’s natural to have questions about the process and what to expect. We’re here to guide you through every step, providing all the information you need to make an informed choice about your dental care and treatment options.
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Why You Might Need Dental Implants
Your natural teeth do more than just create a beautiful smile—they support the shape and height of your face and enable you to eat and speak comfortably. When a tooth is lost, it can leave a gap that may cause the surrounding teeth to shift out of their proper alignment. This misalignment not only increases the risk of developing oral health issues but also affects the overall appearance of your face and your quality of life.
Even if you don’t immediately notice the effects of missing teeth, there’s an unavoidable process called bone resorption. This natural phenomenon occurs when your body breaks down bone tissue that is no longer needed, reallocating the minerals for other functions. Teeth play a crucial role in maintaining the strength of your jawbone by stimulating it during activities like chewing and speaking. Without teeth, the bone begins to dissolve, leading to a shortened jaw and chin. This bone loss can result in wrinkles and a sunken appearance in your cheeks and lips.
Dental implants offer an effective solution to these challenges by replacing lost teeth with artificial roots that integrate seamlessly with your jawbone. By choosing dental implants, you can prevent or correct the issues caused by missing teeth, preserving both your oral health and the natural look of your smile. This not only enhances your ability to eat and speak but also helps maintain the structural integrity of your face, ensuring you continue to look and feel your best.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Losing a tooth can have a significant impact on both your self-esteem and oral health. A missing tooth not only affects the appearance of your smile but can also cause discomfort when biting or chewing, lead to shifting teeth, and result in bone loss.
- Restore Your Natural Appearance
Dental implants look and feel just like your natural teeth. They are custom-made to perfectly match your unique smile in size, shape, and colour, ensuring they blend seamlessly with your natural enamel. Once placed, they provide a permanent, aesthetically pleasing solution, giving you the confidence of a complete and natural-looking smile. - Feel Confident in Your Comfort
With dental implants, comfort is key. As the implant heals, your jawbone fuses with the titanium post, creating a secure foundation. Whether you choose a crown, bridge, or implant-supported dentures, the implant remains firmly in place, allowing you to laugh, smile, and eat without any concern of shifting teeth or discomfort. It provides a stable and worry-free solution. - Improve Bone Strength
When teeth are lost, the supporting bone can weaken and deteriorate over time. Dental implants stimulate new bone growth, helping to preserve and strengthen the bone structure around the implant. This promotes better long-term oral health and prevents further bone loss.
Dental implants offer a long-term, durable solution that feels and functions like natural teeth. With proper care and hygiene, they can last for decades, giving you both confidence and comfort.
Dental Implant Restorations
A dental restoration is the “false tooth” that is attached to the implant, creating the appearance of a new tooth. While the implant itself is hidden beneath the gums, the visible restoration is what gives you the natural look of a complete smile.
- Dental Crown – This is the most common type of implant restoration, used to cover a single-tooth implant and restore its function and appearance.
- Dental Bridge – A bridge can replace multiple missing teeth by spanning the gap between them. One or two implants can support a dental bridge, or in the case of significant tooth loss, a full implant-supported bridge can restore an entire arch of upper or lower teeth using four or more implants.
- Implant Denture – For added stability, a removable denture can be secured to the mouth using two small implants. This option helps improve the fit and comfort of traditional dentures.
A New Life with Dental Implants Awaits!
Your smile will be transformed after getting a dental implant—it’s not just a replacement; it’s an upgrade!
Dental implants are simple to care for. Just brush and floss daily as you would with natural teeth, and protect them while playing sports. Regular dental checkups will help ensure your implant stays healthy and functions well.
With proper care, your dental implant can provide you with years of strong, confident, and beautiful smiles!
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How It Feels
Although the idea of having a metal implant placed in your jawbone might sound uncomfortable, the actual procedure is much more manageable than you’d expect.
We will numb your mouth with a local anesthetic to ensure you feel no pain during the surgery. With advanced dental technology, implants are placed quickly and precisely, which minimizes both discomfort and recovery time.
Many patients report feeling relaxed—some even bored—during the short, 30-minute procedure. The most challenging part might be holding your mouth open for brief periods, but otherwise, the experience is generally easy.
After the procedure, mild swelling, discomfort, or bruising is normal for a few hours. The pain is usually minimal and easy to manage, and we will provide you with instructions to start reducing discomfort before the anesthetic wears off. Your implant site should begin to feel better within a week.
It’s also reassuring to know that dental implants have a success rate of nearly 95%, making the procedure one of the safest and most predictable in dentistry.
What to Expect on Your Dental Implant Treatment Journey
The dental implant process is often far more comfortable than many people anticipate.
Assessment
Your dental implant journey begins with a consultation to determine if implants are right for you. During this visit, your dentist will take X-rays and a 3D cone-beam CT scan to assess your bone tissue and create a detailed treatment plan. Additionally, a scan or impression of your teeth will be taken to ensure precise placement and angulation of the implant.
Inserting the Implant
For the implant procedure, we use a local anesthetic to completely numb the area. The dentist then creates a small opening in your gum and bone to place the implant post. In some cases, sutures may be used to close the gums after the post is inserted, but this isn’t always necessary.
Finalizing the Restoration
Once the implant has healed over the next few months, you’ll return to the practice for the final step. At this appointment, we’ll place your custom-made restoration (such as a crown), completing your new tooth. You’ll leave with a fully functional, natural-looking smile!
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Cost of Dental Implants in Orleans
In Orleans, the cost of a single dental implant typically ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 or more. For more extensive procedures, such as full-mouth dental implants, the cost can range anywhere from $6,000 to over $60,000. For a full set of implant-supported dentures, the average cost is around $30,000. However, it’s important to note that no dental practice can give an exact quote over the phone due to the complexity and individual factors involved in the procedure.
Several factors influence the cost of dental implant surgery, including:
- The type and number of implants required.
- The materials and supplies used in your treatment.
- The time and experience of the dental team supporting you throughout the process.
- The location and complexity of the surgery.
- Your recovery time and any follow-up care needed.
Since each case is unique, it’s essential to schedule a consultation and undergo an oral exam to evaluate your specific needs. After assessing your situation, we can provide you with more accurate pricing and discuss your treatment options.
Are There Other Solutions for Missing Teeth?
Yes, there are other solutions for missing teeth beyond dental implants. If you’re missing 1 to 3 teeth, a dental bridge might be an effective option to fill the gap. For those with multiple missing teeth on the top or bottom, or even throughout the entire mouth, removable dentures or dental prosthetics are another solution. When comparing dental implants to these alternatives, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.
While dental implants may have a higher upfront cost, they are more secure and long-lasting compared to bridges or dentures. Removable prosthetics, like dentures, require special care and may need adjustments or replacements over time. In contrast, dental implants are cared for just like natural teeth, through regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. With proper maintenance, dental implants can last a lifetime, offering a stable and durable solution to tooth loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
No one will be able to tell that your implants aren’t natural teeth. The metal screws used for dental implants are placed beneath your gums and covered with custom-made restorations that look just like your real teeth, blending seamlessly into your smile.
Dentures and implants serve the same purpose of replacing missing teeth but function differently. Dentures rest on your gums and can place pressure on the underlying bone, while implants are anchored below the gums, offering a stronger and more stable bite. Both options have their pros and cons, so it’s best to visit us for a consultation to determine which treatment is right for you based on your needs and lifestyle.
Yes, for patients who aren’t suitable candidates for dental implants, alternatives such as dental bridges and full or partial dentures may be the best options to replace missing teeth. The best way to determine which solution is right for your needs is to book an appointment with us. We’ll be happy to explore all your options and answer any specific questions you may have.
To qualify for dental implants, you need to be an adult with good general oral health. Your jawbone must be strong enough to support the implant, and your gums and other surrounding tissues must be healthy to minimize the risk of complications. If you’re unsure whether you’re a good candidate, contact us to discuss your situation. Even if you’re not immediately eligible for implants, we can explore treatments to restore your oral health or provide alternative tooth replacement options.
Absolutely! Whether your implant is topped with a crown, bridge, or implant-supported dentures, the restoration is custom-made to ensure it blends seamlessly with your natural teeth. The size, shape, and colour of your new teeth are matched to your existing teeth and bite, giving you a comfortable, natural look. Many patients find it difficult to tell their dental implants apart from their natural teeth.
Thanks to advancements in dental technology, the implant procedure is now very predictable and relatively pain-free. Our team performs the surgery with great care and precision to ensure minimal discomfort. With proper aftercare, you can expect little swelling and almost no bleeding. We prioritize both your physical and emotional well-being—if you feel anxious about your visit, please let us know, and we’ll ensure your experience is as comfortable as possible.
In most cases, you can return to work the day after your dental implant surgery. However, the exact timing depends on the specifics of your procedure. Once we have a detailed plan for your treatment, we can give you a more accurate estimate of how much time you may need to recover. We will also provide you with post-operative care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.
The long-term success of your dental implants depends on regular maintenance and care. Just like your natural teeth, implants need to be professionally cleaned and examined routinely. We typically recommend check-ups every 6 months, but depending on your specific needs, we may advise more or less frequent visits to ensure the health and longevity of your implants.
Caring for your dental implants is similar to caring for natural teeth. Brush and floss regularly, attend routine cleanings and checkups, and notify your dentist if you notice any issues. Maintaining good oral hygiene is key to ensuring the long-term success of your implants.
No, dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution. Once placed, they are intended to last for many years, and with proper care, they can remain with you for a lifetime without needing routine replacement.
