If you have missing teeth, you may be considering tooth replacement. A complete smile is important for your self-confidence and is critical to your oral health.
Of course, various options are available to replace lost teeth, but dentists most often recommend dental implants. They are still the gold standard!
This guide explores dental implants, including the procedure steps, benefits, cost, and upkeep. If you have additional questions not addressed here, please contact our dental office. A knowledgeable team member is always happy to speak with you!
About Dental Implants in Beachwood, OH
Dental implants are tooth roots surgically placed in the jawbone under anesthesia. These tooth roots integrate over time, creating a solid foundation for fixed replacement teeth and prosthetics.
Today, we have more dental implant options than ever, and even patients with complete tooth loss can be candidates for this innovative tooth replacement technology.
Dental Implant Procedure Steps
Typically, dental implants require four steps.
Step 1: Your Tooth Replacement Consultation
We want to ensure you understand what’s involved before you choose a tooth replacement option. It’s also essential to assess your oral health, including jawbone integrity, to ensure implant candidacy.
Your consultation helps the dentist determine whether implants are suitable for you. We also take time to answer your questions and address any concerns.
Sometimes, you’re an immediate candidate for implant dentistry. Other times, you may need pretreatments to ensure a successful outcome. The dentist may also recommend alternative options to restore your smile.
This visit also determines dental implant costs.
Step 2: Dental Implant Planning and Placement
If dental implants suit your needs, goals, and budget, the dentist carefully plans your implant surgery.
On implant day, we numb the area thoroughly before placing artificial tooth roots. These roots are made of durable titanium and will integrate into the bone over the next few months.
The integration provides a solid underpinning for replacement teeth or a prosthetic. An implant prosthetic may be a fixed denture or bridge customized to look natural and function like your biological teeth.
Step 3: Healing and Integration
You may notice mild soreness for a few days after implant placement, but this is typically well-managed with an over-the-counter pain reliever.
The healing and integration period is crucial to implant success, so following your dentist’s aftercare recommendations is vital.
Step 4: Completing Your Smile
After integration, your dentist attaches an abutment to your dental implant post. This abutment fixes your replacement tooth or prosthetic to the jaw. Your dentist may use one to six dental implants for implant-supported prosthetics, which may be more desirable than one implant for every lost tooth, especially if you have complete tooth loss.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Longevity — With excellent oral hygiene, healthy habits, and regular dental care, your implants can last for decades and sometimes even for life!
- Functionality — No other tooth replacement option provides complete anatomy replacement. You can enjoy superior chewing function with dental implants by restoring your tooth root.
- Jawbone Health — Jawbone deterioration is a natural consequence of tooth loss. Dental implants are the only option that stimulates the jawbone to remain viable.
- Improved Oral Health — Dental implants are fixed, which prevents tooth migration, which can lead to wear and tear on natural teeth.
- Improved Confidence — If you hide your smile when you laugh or avoid eating out with friends, dental implants can restore your social life by boosting your confidence.
Dental Implant Costs
Your consultation with our dental implant dentist in Beachwood, OH, determines costs, which vary by patient.
Cost considerations include the number of implants, prosthetics compared with singles, and the complexity of your case—for example, necessary pretreatments like bone grafting or a sinus lift.
We accept financing through CareCredit, which offers easy payment plans and some interest-free programs. A dental team member can help you apply.
Dental Implant Upkeep and Maintenance
Dental implants, unlike other tooth replacement options, don’t require added upkeep or maintenance. You always treat them like natural teeth.
- Visit your Beachwood, OH, dentist every six months for checkups.
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss no less than once.
- Talk to your dentist if you notice oral health changes.
- Wear a mouthguard if you participate in sports.
The key is maintaining good gum health, as gum disease can cause additional tooth loss, systemic health complications, and implant failure. To keep your gums healthy, see the dentist regularly and practice excellent oral hygiene.
We provide the same advice to patients without implants, underscoring how much dental implants are like natural teeth!
Contact Your Dental Implant Dentist Today
Would you like to learn more? Are you ready to book your consultation with the dentist? Call our dental office today at (216) 292-9920 to get started.