Dental Implants – Fort Mill, SC
Reliable Tooth Replacement That Lasts
When it comes to longevity, stability, and chewing strength, traditional tooth replacements like dental bridges and dentures leave much to be desired. That’s why the vast majority of dentists, including our very own Dr. Priya Chougule, believe that dental implants are the definitive way to restore your lost pearly whites. By replacing your teeth from the roots up, dental implants from our Fort Mill, SC dentist look and feel just like the teeth you used to have. To schedule your dental implant consultation, call our Southlake Family Dentistry team today!
Why Choose Southlake Family Dentistry for Dental Implants?
- Partnered with Expert Oral Surgeons and Periodontists
- Individually Tailored Treatment Plans from an Experienced Dentist
- Mess-Free, Comfortable Digital Dental Impressions
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants replicate the roots of missing teeth – something that dentures and bridges alone cannot do. Made from titanium or other biocompatible materials, a dental implant is a small cylindrical post that is embedded in your jaw using a minor surgery. Your jawbone then grows around the implant, allowing it to firmly support any number of prosthetic teeth for many years, decades, or even a lifetime!
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
How dental implants work in Fort Mill requires going through a four-step process. You cannot expect your experience to be the same as another patient’s; however, you can expect that both of you will be required to undergo a thorough consultation before moving on to dental implant surgery, the placement of metal abutments, and finally, receiving your customized restoration. If you’re interested in learning more about each step, keep reading.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
First, Dr. Chougule confirms your eligibility for dental implants and determines how many posts you need. She also lets you know whether you need preparatory work such as bone grafting in your jaw. These factors are determined during the consultation phase after a comprehensive examination is complete. Based on the status of your oral health, overall health, and jawbone density, you will learn if you can move forward with dental implant surgery right away or not.
Dental Implant Surgery
Southlake Family Dentistry will perform all other aspects of your dental implant process; however, you’ll be referred to a local expert to have the implants surgically positioned in your jawbone. This part of the process involves receiving local anesthesia before small incisions are made in the gums. This exposes the underlying bone, making it easier to place each implant post. When finished, we will close the gum tissue and place protective healing caps over the area(s).
Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment
The third phase of treatment involves going on to recovery after your surgery. Osseointegration is the process of the implants fusing to your jawbone, and it can take up to six months to complete. Afterward, a metal abutment is attached to the top of the post, as this helps to secure the restoration to the implant post once put in place.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
The final step is to receive your custom restoration. But before we can put it in place, we take impressions of your mouth and use them to design your dental crown, bridge, or denture. Then, once it is ready for placement, we secure that restoration onto your abutment. What you have then is a full, functional, and natural-looking smile you can enjoy.
Benefits of Dental Implants
When a tooth goes missing, your jawbone begins to shrink as it loses the stimulation provided by the tooth’s roots. As a result, your jaw becomes less able to support your remaining teeth, increasing your risk for additional tooth loss and making your face appear sunken and older. Dental implants function like natural tooth roots to keep your jaw healthy and your face looking youthful. They also restore your chewing power, don’t require any maintenance beyond basic brushing and flossing, and they can potentially last for 30+ years.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
To receive dental implants, you must have healthy gums, adequate jawbone density, and a commitment to maintaining good oral hygiene. As long as you meet those requirements, dental implants can replace any number of lost teeth via one of the following treatment options:
Missing One Tooth
A single implant post can be placed in a gap and topped with a lifelike, custom-made crown. Unlike traditional bridgework, a dental implant does not depend on neighboring teeth for support, making it the more conservative choice.
Missing Multiple Teeth
To replace several missing teeth in a row, you don’t need to get an implant for each tooth. Instead, one can be placed at each end of the empty space to support a dental bridge that stays in place without wearing down any of your remaining teeth.
Missing All Teeth
By anchoring a full denture onto a small number of implant posts (usually between four and eight), we can bring back a whole row of lost teeth at once. With implant dentures, you’ll never need to worry about your prosthetic slipping out of place or limiting your diet.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
While dental implants typically cost more at first than other methods of tooth replacement, you have to consider the long-term benefits. Because they can last for 30 years or longer and don’t require any special maintenance products like dentures do, you’ll most likely end up saving money over the years. Each dental implant case is different, and our team will help you navigate your payment options so that rebuilding your smile doesn’t break the bank.
Dental Implant FAQs
Dental implants are an ideal way to replace missing teeth, but they’re quite an investment, so it pays to be well-informed. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about dental implants in Fort Mill. If you don’t see the information that you’ve been looking for below, give us a call. We’d be happy to explain more about the procedure and get you started with an initial consultation.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
The lifespan of dental implants typically depends on the health and lifestyle choices of the patient. To ensure that dental implants last, it’s important to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash daily. Attend regular cleanings and checkups, and avoid chewing on anything particularly hard or sticky. With proper maintenance, dental implants can last upwards of three decades! That’s several times longer than the average traditional bridge or denture.
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
The jawbone doesn’t have very many nerve endings and your mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic before the procedure begins. You will also most likely be sedated, lowering your body’s ability to register pain. While your surgery shouldn’t hurt, your mouth may be sore for a few days afterward. This can be managed by recommended over-the-counter and prescribed pain relievers. Cold compresses can also help to numb discomfort. If discomfort worsens instead of improving after three days, give us a call!
Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?
The majority of dental professionals will not place implants in patients who are younger than 18. When implants are placed before the jaw has finished growing, it can interfere with further bone development and result in complications. Most people’s jaws aren’t fully developed until young adulthood. Some people’s jaws take until their mid-20s to develop. During your consultation, we will discuss whether or not dental implants are the right option for you at this time.
Can I Get Dental Implants If I’m Diabetic?
If your diabetes is under control, your odds of dental implant success are generally comparable to those of nondiabetic patients. Uncontrolled diabetes can slow down the healing process, making it harder for your dental implants to integrate with your jawbone. If you are diabetic and are interested in getting dental implants, talk to your endocrinologist or primary care doctor about getting your blood sugar levels under control beforehand.