Dental implants are considered the first line in tooth replacement, the gold standard by dentists, and they are lauded by patients everywhere.
When considering tooth replacement, finding an experienced dentist like our practitioners in Bloomington, IN is crucial. They provide every type of tooth replacement, and Ellettsville Dental Center has served local patients and families for over 40 years.
Drs. David Compton, Matthew Love, and Riley Walker are dedicated to helping you reach your smile goals, and one of the ways they do that is through innovative dental implant technology.
About Dental Implants in Bloomington, IN
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots fabricated from durable titanium. This element has been used in medicine and in dentistry for decades because it is biocompatible, meaning the body accepts it. Additionally, it has the unique ability to integrate into the bone.
For dental implants, a dental surgeon places the roots into the jawbone and allows for an integration period, usually a few months. When integration and healing are completed, you’re ready for a dental crown, which takes the place of your lost tooth. We can also place a few dental implants for an implant-retained denture or bridge.
Yes, just a few—four to six—dental implant roots are strong enough to support a full prosthetic. With an implant bridge, we often need only a single implant.
Learning Whether You’re a Candidate for Dental Implants
Determining candidacy is always the first step, regardless of the tooth replacement option. Next, you arrange a visit with one of our implant dentists in Bloomington, IN. This consultation includes a health history, a list of current or recent medications, and a thorough exam with x-rays, especially if you’re a new patient, have not been in to see us in a while, and we don’t have relevant or up-to-date information on file.
Through the exam and x-rays, we can determine whether implants are a viable option for you. Sometimes, we recommend pretreatments to help ensure implant success.
For example, if your jawbone has deteriorated (a natural occurrence with tooth loss), we may have you talk to a dental surgeon about bone grafting. The bone may be synthetic, donated, or your own. For upper implants, it is sometimes necessary to perform a sinus lift to accommodate your dental implants better.
By the end of this visit, you’ll learn whether you’re a candidate for implant dentistry, whether you’ll require pretreatments, and how much your procedure will cost.
Your consultation is also an excellent opportunity to share your concerns with the dentist and ask any questions you might have. You may think of questions after your consultation. No problem! The team at Ellettsville Dental Center is happy to chat with you anytime during your smile journey.
Dental Implants: 3 Steps to a New Smile
Dental implants require a few steps. As mentioned, your consultation is the first stage.
#1 Meeting with Your Dental Implant Dentist
At this initial meeting, you’ll learn whether you’re a candidate for dental implants. If you’re not, your dentist will discuss alternative treatments to restore your smile. But if you are a candidate, the next step is planning and placement.
#2 Dental Implant Placement
Dental implant placement is always image-guided for precision and success. A dental surgeon will talk to you about what to expect. But as a rule, dental implant placement is not painful. It is performed under anesthesia, which means you may notice pressure or movement inside your mouth, but you will not feel pain.
#3 Integration and Restoration
Over the next few months, your new tooth roots fuse or integrate into the jawbone, leaving you with a solid foundation for your new tooth or prosthetic. Once we secure your crown, bridge, or implant denture, you’ll enjoy your new smile immediately. Of course, this means welcoming back crunchy and complex foods! You’ll be smiling without concern, confident that your new smile looks natural and beautiful.
Top 5 Reasons People Get Dental Implants
People choose dental implants for many reasons, but some of the most common we’ve listed below.
#1 A Maintenance-Free Tooth Replacement Option
Most tooth replacement options require added maintenance—relines, adhesives, floss threaders, and special cleaning brushes.
But dental implants are so like natural teeth that you treat them as such! So it’s true—brush, floss, and visit your dentist on schedule for checkups and teeth cleanings.
With dental implants, you never have to worry about a restoration or prosthetic that rocks or tilts, which can be embarrassing. Dental implants stay put!
#2 A Lasting Tooth Replacement Option
Most tooth replacement options need to be replaced down the line. But dental implants can last for decades or even for life. So even if you must replace the crown in the future or the attached prosthetic, the implants should still be viable.
Because they are lasting, it often mitigates cost in the long run.
#3 A Secure Tooth Replacement Option
As mentioned, dental implants and fixed prosthetics stay put. Nothing is worse than laughing or speaking with friends or colleagues and having your denture tilt or shift in mid-sentence or chuckle.
#4 A Restored Bite Force
Dental implants are strong, which means they reinstate your bite force. As a result, you’ll be able to enjoy more diverse meals and complex chewing with durable implants.
#5 Natural Look and Function
Dental implants are the only replacement option to restore your tooth root and crown. This makes them very similar to natural teeth. No one will guess that you have implants, and you may forget yourself over time.
Are You Considering Dental Implants in Bloomington, Indiana?
To arrange your consultation with the dentist, give us a call today.
And if you want to learn more about dental implants, we invite you to check out Ultimate Guide to Dental Implants (Part II), coming soon. In the next installment, we’ll discuss what to expect following implant surgery and answer some of the frequently asked questions we often hear from patients.