Dental Implants

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, dental implants are artificial tooth roots placed in your jawbone to bond with your natural bone. They become a sturdy base for supporting one or more artificial teeth, called crowns. A connector, known as an abutment is placed on the top of the dental implant to hold and support your crowns. The crowns are custom-made to match your natural teeth and fit your mouth.

Dental implants offer several benefits to patients, including

• They are the strongest devices available to support replacement teeth.
• They allow new teeth to feel, look, and function naturally.
• They are the only dental restoration option that preserves natural bone, actually helping to stimulate bone growth.
• They are a long-term solution for replacing missing teeth. You don’t have to deal with uncomfortable dentures or have your good tooth structure removed to make a bridge.
• They allow you to live the way you want to–confidently eating, smiling, laughing, talking, kissing, and enjoying all of your everyday activities–without worrying about your teeth.

Every patient is different, so there is no one time estimate that fits all patients. After your consultation, Dr. Tinkle or Dr. Yoon will provide you with a treatment plan including the estimated amount of time to complete the process. The time estimate is based on your personal needs, medical and dental history, implant site condition, and the technique and materials used. Simple cases may be completed in a few short months whereas more complex cases may take up to 1 year.

The cost of dental implants varies based on the individual needs of each patient, as well as the number of appointments needed and procedures performed. Your doctor will provide you with an estimate when your treatment plan is completed. Discussing your doctor’s payment arrangements and potential coverage from your insurance carrier are also important steps in the planning process.

Dental implants are a good option for children who have lost their permanent teeth due to injury or accident. Your doctor, however, will want to wait to perform the procedure until after your child’s facial growth and development have been completed. For boys, this generally occurs around age 20, and for girls, around age 18.

Many patients state that they tolerate the procedure(s) very well with minimal discomfort and pain afterward. They often report that they are able to return to work and their normal activities the next day.

The step-by-step process for placing a dental implant includes:

• Removing the damaged tooth
• Preparing the jawbone (grafting), when needed
• Placing the dental implant
• Placing the abutment

Once the bone around the implant has healed, Dr. Tinkle or Dr. Yoon will create a custom-made artificial tooth. If you need more than one tooth replaced, bridges or dentures will be crafted to fit your implants. The results will blend in beautifully with your natural teeth.

Dental implants can last for a very long time, as long as you care for them the way you care for your natural teeth–brush, floss, rinse and visit your dentist for regular check-ups.