Dental Implants in Danville
Replace Missing Teeth with the Next Best Thing
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, modern dentistry has many options to offer. However, while traditional dental bridges and dentures are more reliable and natural-looking than ever before, there is a new treatment available that’s considered the gold standard. If you want to replace your missing teeth with the next best thing, you’ll want to hear about dental implants! This revolutionary restoration replaces every portion of the tooth, not just what’s above the gumline. The end result is designed to look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth! Give Danville Dental Associates a call today to schedule your consultation and see how dental implants can potentially change your life.
Why Choose Danville Dental Associates for Dental Implants?
- Entire Dental Implant Process Completed Under 1 Roof
- In-House Membership Plan or Financing Available for Affordable Care
- Team of Skilled Expert with Years of Experience & Advanced Training
What Are Dental Implants?
Implants provide a stable, permanent fixture that takes the place of a missing tooth. The implant itself consists of a small, titanium post that is designed to be anchored into the sockets left by missing teeth. Titanium is a biocompatible material that’s also used in procedures like hip or shoulder replacements, so it will integrate with the surrounding jawbone structure for an incredibly strong and reliable foundation. Thanks to this unique way of placing dental implants, a patient does not have to worry about slippage, and no existing teeth are altered during placement. The dental implant is then topped with an abutment or connector piece, which attaches the tooth-shaped restoration to it. Whether that’s a dental crown, bridge, partial, or full denture, the end result will feel just like a natural tooth or teeth!
The 4 Step Dental Implant Process
Unlike traditional restorations like dentures and dental bridges, getting dental implants requires a unique, multi-step process that spans several months. Although this may seem like a long time, most patients believe the long-term benefits are well worth the wait. At Danville Dental Associates, we’re proud to complete the entire dental implant treatment process in house. That means you won’t need to drive around from office to office to see an outside specialist, saving you time and money. Although every patient’s dental implant journey will look slightly different, there are four main steps you can expect: the consultation, surgery, osseointegration, and of course the delivery of your final restorations. Here’s a closer look at each.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Your dental implant journey begins with the consultation, where your dentist will review your oral health and medical history to see if you’re a good candidate for treatment. If necessary, our team will work with you to complete preliminary procedures like gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, or bone grafting. Then, we can move on to planning the rest of your treatment. We’ll walk you through what you can expect step-by-step, including the timeline and cost of care.
Dental Implant Surgery
At Danville Dental Associates, we proudly complete the entire dental implant process right here in house. This benefits you, because you won’t need to drive around from practice to practice, get comfortable with a new dental team, fill out more forms, or pay multiple doctors. Your treatment will be done by familiar faces who know you and your oral health history.
Your dental implant surgery will begin with your dentist numbing your mouth. Then, once you’re comfortable he or she will make an incision in your gums, place the implant post in your jawbone, close the gums, and then place a protective cap over the post.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
Osseointegration is the process of the dental implant permanently fusing with the jawbone. Typically, this takes about four to six months, however it varies depending on the individual patient. Once this stage is completed, you will then need a second, smaller surgery to place the abutments on top of your dental implant posts. As you heal from this over the next few weeks, your final restoration (the crowns) will be crafted in the dental lab based on the impressions taken of your mouth.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
The final step in your four-step process is the placement of your restorations. For this, you’ll return to our office to have your prosthetic secured to the implant. This may be in the form of a crown, bridge, or denture, depending on how many teeth you are replacing. At this time, your dentist will check to make sure your bite is comfortable, and once it is, you’ll be free to go enjoy and show off your newly rebuilt smile!
Benefits of Dental Implants
The most versatile tooth replacement solution available, dental implants can be used to restore smiles following the loss of a single tooth, a full arch of teeth, or anything in between. If you are struggling with tooth loss and are considering dental implants for yourself, then keep reading to learn a few of the many reasons that they are widely loved by dentists and patients alike.
Day-to-Day Benefits
With dental implants, you don’t have to wait long to enjoy the results. In fact, after you’ve healed, you’ll enjoy:
- Maximum Stability: Sometimes, traditional dentures can slip and shift unexpectedly. That’s not the case with dental implants because they are inserted directly into your jawbone. As a result, you can laugh, chew, smile, and speak with complete confidence.
- Lifelike Results: Since dental implants replace the roots of your teeth and the restorations secured on top are custom-made with the patient’s face shape, dental needs, and aesthetic goals in mind, they are extremely natural in both look and feel.
- Hassle-Free Maintenance: Unlike other tooth-replacement options, you don’t need any special cleaning solutions or products. Simply brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash daily, and schedule a checkup and cleaning at our office every six months.
Health Benefits
Dental implants in Danville can also benefit your oral and overall health in the following ways:
- They Preserve More of Your Natural Smile: While traditional bridges require the teeth surrounding the gap to be altered, dental implants do not. As a result, we can preserve more of your healthy enamel while rebuilding your smile.
- They Help Prevent Dental Drift – Dental drift is when the teeth surrounding the gap begin to move following tooth loss, negatively impacting the alignment of your bite in the process. Dental implants can help prevent that from happening.
- They Restore the Strength of Your Bite: With a compromised bite, patients are left with one option: to eat oatmeal, applesauce, and other extremely soft foods on repeat. Fortunately, dental implants can fill the open spaces, helping you eat a varied, well-balanced diet again.
Long-Term Benefits
Last, but certainly not least, dental implants offer several long-term benefits, such as:
- Improved Comfort: While dental bridges get their support from the surrounding teeth and dentures get their support from your gums, dental implants are self-supporting. As a result, they are considerably more comfortable.
- Less Maintenance: With dental implants, you don’t need to worry about having them relined or replaced. In fact, when cared for with regular oral hygiene and checkup visits, they can last for decades
- Preserve Your Youthful Face Shape: Since dental implants are inserted into your jawbone, they help prevent bone loss. Not only does this keep your bite strong, but it also helps prevent a sunken-in, hollow look.
If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, including if they are the ideal tooth-replacement solution for you, then take the next step: schedule a consultation with our team at Danville Dental Associates.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
When properly designed and placed, dental implant supported tooth replacements have a 98% rate of success, and innovations in dental care make it possible for almost any patient to undergo dental implant supported tooth replacement. Dental implants can be used to replace single, multiple or all of the teeth in your arch. What’s even more incredible is the fact that you can replace an entire arch of teeth with only four to six implants.
All patients should have sufficient oral health and healthy gums before they receive dental implants. During your consultation, we’ll perform a detailed examination of your mouth, soft tissue and bone tissue before confirming your eligibility for dental implants. In most cases, patients can receive the treatment without much issue. However, if you’ve been missing teeth for a long time, it’s possible that you have lost too much bone tissue and therefore need to have a bone graft performed.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Once you’ve decided to get dental implants in Danville in order to replace your missing teeth, you’ll want to figure out the final cost before you do anything else so that you can design your budget accordingly. If you schedule a consultation with Danville Dental, we’ll take all the different factors into account – the number of teeth missing, the stages of treatment, and so on – before creating an estimate that you can feel confident working with!
Types of Dental Implants
The price of your procedure depends largely on how many dental implants you need to get. If you only have one tooth missing, then you’ll obviously only need one dental implant as well as a crown. It’s when you’ve lost multiple teeth that careful considerations need to be made. Are three or four teeth in a row gone? If so, two implants and a dental bridge can fill the empty space. Have you lost your entire upper or lower arch? You’ll likely need dentures supported by four to six dental implant posts. All of these treatments naturally have very different costs.
What are the Stages of Dental Implant Treatment?
When figuring out how much you’ll need to pay for dental implants, you need to keep in mind that you’ll need to pay for each stage of the process. Some patients will need bone grafting, periodontal treatment or other procedures meant to ensure that their mouths and jaws are healthy enough for successful dental implant surgery. Speaking of which, the process doesn’t end with the dental implants being surgically inserted into the jaw; later down the line you’ll need to have an abutment placed, and after that you’ll finally receive your prosthetic tooth or teeth. We’ll let you know what you’ll need to pay at each of these stages.
Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?
On paper, dental implants seem more costly than other forms of tooth replacement, but over the long term you’ll find that they’re a worthwhile investment. Implant-retained prosthetics look and feel like natural teeth, and because the implants can last for a lifetime when well-maintained, you’ll be enjoying your new smile for a long time. Also, dental implants are better for your oral health in the long run; they prevent bone loss in your jaw, and in turn that ensures that your teeth won’t move out of alignment. Misaligned teeth are harder to brush and are more prone to damage and cavities, so implants may help you avoid additional costly treatments in the future!
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Most insurance carriers don’t cover the dental implants themselves, but they might cover some other steps of the process. For example, they might pay for the crowns, bridges or dentures that will be supported by your implants, or they may cover periodontal therapy and other treatments meant to improve the health of your mouth before the surgery. Review your plan and see what benefits you’re entitled to. We’re happy to help make sure the care you receive is affordable. If you don’t have insurance, talk to us about other options, like our Danville Dental Discount Program.
Dental Implant FAQs
Are Dental Implants Safe?
When placed by a professional, dental implants are one hundred percent safe. At our office, we utilize a CT/cone beam scanner in order to capture 3D images of your oral structures, including the nerve pathways underneath your soft and hard tissue. Not only does this make your treatment more predictable, but it also helps us avoid sensitive nerves when placing the implant. If you’re choosing dental implants to replace teeth, always go with a dentist who has the proven experience to place them if you want the most successful outcome possible.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
On average, dental implants last for at least 25 years and are capable of lasting a lifetime. Of course, this can vary if you use tobacco products, which increase the risk of gum disease and therefore tooth loss. If you want to make them last as long as possible, make sure to practice daily brushing and flossing and always commit to regular dental cleanings and checkups.
How long does treatment take?
The length of your treatment can vary depending on your needs, but all patients considering treatment should keep in mind that dental implants are a long-term commitment. Once the implant(s) are placed inside of your jaw, several weeks of healing are required before a permanent crown can be placed on top. On average, the recovery process can take anywhere between two and six months. If you need additional treatments like bone grafts or periodontal therapy, treatment will take more time.
How many teeth can I replace?
Dental implants can be used to replace single, multiple or all of the teeth in your arch. What’s even more incredible is the fact that you can replace an entire arch of teeth with only four to six implants. Additionally, a pair of dental implants can hold a three- or four-crown bridge. If you use a denture, we can modify it to work with dental implants in order to create a more stable fit, regardless of whether it’s a partial or full denture.
Am I eligible for dental implants?
All patients should have sufficient oral health and healthy gums before they receive dental implants. During your consultation, we’ll perform a detailed examination of your mouth, soft tissue and bone tissue before confirming your eligibility for dental implants. In most cases, patients can receive the treatment without much issue. However, if you’ve been missing teeth for a long time, it’s possible that you have lost too much bone tissue and therefore need to have a bone graft performed.