Dental Implants
In today’s day and age, you don’t have to settle for a gapped smile or a tooth replacement that doesn’t quite look or feel natural. Here at Dentistry on the Ponds, we can replace your lost pearly whites with a solution that’s practically indistinguishable from the real thing – dental implants.Thanks to the state-of-the-art technology at our dental office, we can complete the entire dental implant treatment process under one roof, and you can learn more by contacting us and scheduling your consultation to explore options for tooth replacement with dental implants in Chanhassen, MN.
What Are Dental Implants?
Other tooth replacements, like dental bridges and dentures, only replicate the parts of the teeth you can see. So, they leave much to be desired in terms of how they look and feel. Dental implants go a step further by replacing the roots of the teeth with a titanium post that is inserted into the jawbone. They can then support a crown, bridge, or denture for many decades to come. With their comprehensive structure, dental implants are the closest thing to having your original teeth back!
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
- Consultation – Our team reviews your dental health and medical history to determine your eligibility for implants and complete any preparatory work if needed.
- Surgery – We can conveniently place dental implants in our dental office. Your gums are opened, and the posts are positioned in preplanned locations in your jaw.
- Osseointegration/Abutment – The success of dental implants depends on osseointegration, the process of the jawbone fusing to the implant posts. This could take up to six months, after which you return to receive metal attachments called abutments atop your implants.
- Restoration – We affix a crown, bridge, or denture to the abutments, restoring the visible parts of your teeth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Because of their sturdy foundation in the jawbone, dental implants will never shift around when speaking or eating. Plus, you can chew just as easily as you did with your natural teeth.
- The jawbone usually starts shrinking after tooth loss, but implants stimulate it to preserve its strength and shape.
- Dentures and bridges tend to only last for five to ten years, but implants can last for 30+ years, with many patients enjoying them for a lifetime.
- Dental implants can easily be maintained with daily brushing and flossing as well as regular checkups with a dentist.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
One of the many great things about dental implants is their versatility. Our team can use this solution to help patients complete their smiles no matter how many teeth they’re missing. After we’ve verified that your mouth and body are healthy enough to receive implants, we can determine which of the following treatments would best meet your needs.
Missing One Tooth
To bring back a single missing tooth, we can place one implant post between two remaining teeth and then attach a custom-made dental crown on top. Since the adjacent teeth don’t need to be reshaped to make room for the implant, this approach is actually less invasive than placing a dental bridge.
Missing Multiple Teeth
For a few missing teeth in a row, one implant can be placed at each end of the gap to anchor a dental bridge that doesn’t rely on natural teeth for support. Several nonconsecutive teeth may be replaced with a small number of implants positioned throughout the arch, which can hold a reliable partial denture in place.
Missing All Teeth
Even a whole row of teeth can be recovered with dental implants. Just four to six posts angled in specific ways can provide ample support for a full denture that is more lifelike than a traditional prosthetic could ever be. Implant dentures let you chew practically any food without worrying about slippage.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Dental implants may initially seem pricier than other tooth replacements, but in the long run, they’re actually the more cost-effective choice. They can last exponentially longer than any other option, saving you the costs of frequently replacing your prosthetics. The cost of dental implants varies for each patient based on factors like how many implants are needed, where in the mouth they’ll be placed, and which type of restoration they’ll support. Our team will go over these factors and how to make your treatment affordable with insurance and financing.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Ultimately, dental implants could give you a vibrant smile for a lifetime. They can, after all, last for decades at a time! Still, it’s a fact that implants need regular maintenance. The prosthetics will fail early from damage or infection otherwise. Should that happen, you may have to get replacements. Luckily, Dentistry on the Ponds is here to help: below are some tips on dental implant care in Chanhassen. Please read them over to take precautions and enjoy your new smile for many years!
