Unlike natural teeth, dental implants aren’t at risk for tooth decay.
First, you’ll visit our office to meet with your dentist for a consultation. After a comprehensive exam of your mouth, along with x-rays, your Charlotte, NC dentist can assess your oral health needs and jaw bone density to determine if you’re a good candidate for implants. Your dentist will discuss their findings with you, and together, you’ll decide if dental implants are the best choice to restore your grin, or if your smile is in need of another restorative option.
When your treatment is approved, you and your dentist will schedule an oral surgery appointment, and they will provide you with a detailed treatment plan. To begin the procedure, your dentist will create a small incision in the gum line, and place a dental implant into your jaw bone. The implant is a screw-shaped titanium post that bonds directly with your natural bone. Your dentist will then clean, disinfect, and close the incision so the healing process can begin.
After the implants have been placed, your gums will begin the healing process right away. To heal completely from the initial surgery, it takes most patients less than 2 weeks. However, it takes between 3-6 months for the implant itself to permanently bond with the jaw bone, in a process known as “osseointegration.”
You’ll visit our office several times throughout the healing process to ensure the implant is bonding successfully with your jaw. During the examination, your dentist will take impressions of your bite, which will be sent to our trusted dental lab, where they will craft the custom dental prosthetic that will be affixed to your dental implant.
Once we have received your completed dental prosthetic, and your implant has finished bonding with your jaw, you’ll return for your final visit. During this visit, your dentist will finish up the procedure by attaching the restoration to your dental implant, permanently securing it with dental cement or another adhesive.
One of the best parts about dental implants is that they don’t require any special care outside of good oral hygiene practices. Be sure to brush at least twice a day, floss daily, and schedule visits to your dentist every six months for routine cleanings and exams. With the right oral health habits, your dental implant can last a lifetime.
Single tooth implants are the most common type of dental implant. They have two primary parts, the implant that attaches to the bone, and the dental crown, which affixes over the titanium post. The implant is a titanium “post” shaped similar to a screw. The dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that attaches to the implant post to complete the final restoration.
Single tooth implants are embedded directly into the jaw, acting as the tooth’s root. When the site heals, the crown will be attached over the post via an “abutment.” Crowns are highly durable and look like natural teeth. Due to their stability, crowns can last for decades, while implants can last a lifetime
Many patients opt for full-arch implants if they are missing the majority, or all, of their teeth. When compared to dentures, full-arch implants won’t slide around in the mouth, which is a huge factor when patients consider them both.
Full-arch implants look and feel more natural than their traditional counterparts. This is because the dental implants serve as natural roots to support fixed dental bridges or a set of implant-supported overdentures. They will keep the natural movement of your mouth, not shifting when you eat or speak.
Mini implants are similar to regular dental implants except they are half the size, making them a minimally invasive alternative to regular dentures. Even though they can be utilized to restore teeth, they are often used as anchors to set implant-supported dentures.
The process for mini implant placement is not as invasive as traditional implants. Because they are so small, the implant is placed over the gum instead of under. This makes the procedure quick and easy, it’s usually performed in just one visit!
Implant-retained dentures are a great solution for those looking for a permanent replacement for a full set of teeth. They are one of the most secure options available as they are attached to the jaw. This means they won’t be sliding around your mouth, so brushing, eating, and performing regular functions won’t be any different than natural teeth.
All-on-4 implants are a natural-looking, permanent solution for patients who have lost all, or most of their teeth. In just one visit, your doctor can replace a full arch of your teeth with just 4 dental implants. They are an affordable option compared to replacing each tooth individually and completely restore the function of your teeth. All-on-4 implants are a great option for those who may not be candidates for traditional implants or dentures but want the same results.
For many patients, dental implants can last a lifetime.
The implant and the titanium “post” are the two main parts of your dental implant. The titanium post is the implant that is placed into your jaw. It’s crafted out of titanium because this material has proven to be a sturdy foundation for your replacement teeth; these are pre-made to fit your mouth.
After your implant has been placed, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab to create a restoration that will mold seamlessly into your jaw. The restoration is generally made out of porcelain or composite material. The durability and realistic appearance of the crown will serve just as well as natural teeth.
If the implant component is placed properly and the wearer practices good dental hygiene, it will last a significant amount of time. It’s actually very common for patients to keep them for a lifetime.
The restoration, dental crowns or bridges, can last for decades! However, they may need to be replaced eventually due to normal wear and tear. This is to ensure that you continue to have healthy oral hygiene and a brilliant smile.
Unfortunately, It’s possible for dental implants to become infected. “Peri-implantitis” is a rare condition where the implant becomes infected due to poor aftercare following the procedure.
Although this condition is rare, it’s important to carefully follow your dentist’s instructions during your recovery. Keep up with good oral hygiene habits, like regular brushing and flossing, even after your dental implants have healed. By doing this, you won’t have to worry about an infection.
Dental implants are the only dental restoration that prevents bone loss. Bone loss occurs after losing a tooth. Because of this, your jaw is no longer stimulated by the natural habits of chewing and biting, causing your jaw bone to weaken from lack of use.
This is solved with dental implants because they bond directly to the jaw, serving as a sturdy root. The pressure of chewing and biting is transferred to the jaw, once again providing that much-needed movement to keep your bone from losing density.
In some cases, dental implants can be completed in one day. But typically, these restorations will be a temporary prosthetic to protect the implant site and keep your bite functional until the permanent restoration. The temporary restoration is implemented so that you are able to eat and speak while the implant is permanently healing and bonding to your jaw.
While the implant is healing, your dentist will schedule a series of follow-up visits. Your dentist will monitor the healing process which usually lasts about 3 to 6 months. During this time, your dentist will take impressions so that your personalized restorations can be created. These permanent restorations will be placed in your next procedure so that you can have the brilliant, enduring smile you want.
Titanium is durable, light, and biocompatible.
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