Dental Implants

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants look, feel and function exactly like a natural tooth.

Long Lasting. Life Changing.

A dental implant is a small titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone beneath the gums’ surface to recreate the root structure of a missing tooth. It is then used to provide support for a new crown, bridge, or denture that shows above the gum line. Once the implant has fully healed, you can expect your replacement tooth to last for many decades and feel almost indistinguishable from your existing teeth. Chewing your favorite foods, smiling with confidence, and performing oral hygiene are simple, seamless, and enjoyable once again. These reasons and more are why dentists recommend dental implants over traditional options every day!

The Dental Implant Procedure

Before beginning, Dr. Rasmussen will ensure that you are numb, comfortable, and ready to begin your surgery. Next, he will create a tiny incision in your gums to access your jawbone and a small hole is created in the bone for the placement of your implant. Once placed, the implant will require a short healing / maturation period prior to receiving a permanent crown, bridge or denture. In some cases, a temporary crown can be placed at the same time the implant is placed.

Which one of this patient's upper front two teeth is a dental implant?

When a highly skilled and trained surgeon such as Dr. Rasmussen places your implant, you can expect the best functional and esthetic outcome.

Reasons for Dental Implants:

Dental implants look, feel and function exactly like a natural tooth.

Dental implants will never develop a cavity or need a root canal procedure.

Dental implants are easier to clean and manage than a tooth-supported bridge.

Dental implants restore your appearance, nutrition, speech, oral and general health, confidence and self-esteem.

Dental implants improve chewing function, speech and digestion.

Dental implants are the only solution that preserve bone. This also preserves facial support and prevents a sagging, premature aging appearance from occurring.

Dental implants offer support to dentures, making them more comfortable, stable and convenient.

Types of Dental Implant Procedures

Single and Multiple Tooth Replacement

Approximately 70% of middle aged adults have lost one or more of their permanent teeth. Dental implants provide a long-term solution for replacing a single tooth or multiple missing teeth. Implants look and feel just like your natural teeth and are indistinguishable from the adjacent teeth. There are two methods of utilizing dental implants to replace multiple teeth while allowing a stable foundation that preserves facial appearance. Depending on the case, Dr. Rasmussen may recommend multiple individual crowns on a dental implant or a bridge attached to two or more dental implants.

Temporization

Temporization is used to create a temporary appearance or function for short or medium-term use until a permanent solution is available. Patients who are receiving multiple tooth replacement or full arch replacement may use temporization to eat and function like normal while they wait for their permanent bridge to be installed.

Treatment of Failing Implants

At Rasmussen Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we specialized in fixing ailing implants that have been placed elsewhere. As soon as you suspect there is a problem with your dental implant, visit our office. Dr. Rasmussen will thoroughly examine your mouth and your dental implants. After he pinpoints the cause and extent of the problem, he will be able to formulate a treatment plan. In some cases, it is possible to conquer an infection with a "clean out" procedure, a bone graft, or a gum graft. In more severe cases, it may be necessary to remove the failing implant and replace with a new, healthy implant.

Extraction with Immediate Implant

In some cases, single or multiple dental implants can be inserted on the same day as a tooth extraction procedure. After the tooth is extracted, Dr. Rasmussen will prepare the socket and reconstruct any lost bone in preparation for the new dental implant. Tooth extraction with immediate implantation can save time and minimize the number of surgical procedures for patients.

Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants:

Speed: In a single appointment, a patient can completely renew their smile and vastly improve their ability to speak and eat comfortably.
Cost: In most cases, the cost of getting All-On-4 dental implants is less compared to a traditional implant bridge, which often requires six to eight implants to stay in place.
No Bone Graft: As we touched on above, All-On-4 dental implants are meant to work with a patient’s existing jawbone even if it has shrunk, meaning it helps many avoid the need for a bone graft procedure. This helps lower the overall cost and shortens the time a patient needs to replace their teeth.

Full Arch Replacement

Patients with standard dentures often become frustrated at how much maintenance is required, and find them to be inconvenient, unstable, and even painful. Unlike traditional dentures, full mouth dental implants provide a superior level of stability and support, eliminate the need for denture adhesives, returns your ability to eat the foods you used to enjoy, and restores your bright, full smile. Full mouth dental implants are often recommended for patients missing all their teeth, but who still have enough jawbone to support an implant. If you do not have sufficient jawbone, it may be necessary to have a bone graft procedure prior to placement of the dental implant.

Patient Feedback

"Very professional! They resolved a problem I had with an implant quickly and amazingly without any pain or discomfort! I would highly recommend Rasmussen Periodontics!"

Frank Diebold

“Great dental office, they care for their clients well being. You can tell by the way they work and respond to your questions that they want the best for you. I am currently getting a new implant done. I am halfway there and everything has been great so far. I will make sure to post again probably later in 2023.”

Paul Lee

What Steps are Involved in Dental Implant Treatment?

Examination & Planning

The first step to any procedure begins with an examination performed by Dr. Rasmussen. During this consultation, Dr. Rasmussen will determine whether or not you are a candidate for implant treatment. You can expect to go over your medical history for indications of any medical conditions that may influence the implant treatment. In addition, Dr. Rasmussen will evaluate the areas of your mouth where teeth are missing, or may need an extraction, and assess the amount of bone available to support the implants. Dr. Rasmussen may recommend the use of X-rays to accurately view and determine the quality and quantity of the bone and other critical anatomy under the gums. Together, Dr. Rasmussen and your dentist will determine the type of replacement procedure that best fits your needs, as well as the number of implants necessary.

Implant Placement

Once the implant treatment plan is developed, Dr. Rasmussen will place the implants in the jawbone using expert surgical techniques. Dental implants can be performed under local anesthetic, oral sedation utilizing sleeping pills or an IV (conscious) sedation. Typically there is minimal, if any, discomfort in the days following the procedure. If the patient isn’t sedated for the procedure, then they’ll be able to resume their routine daily activities on the same day as the appointment. Postoperative symptoms are easily managed with over-the-counter or prescription-strength non-narcotic medications.

For the implants to bond properly to bone, they must remain undisturbed for a period of several weeks to several months. At this time, greater than 90% of the routine implant placements in our office are ready to begin the final restoration process with the patient’s restoring dentist in 6 to 8 weeks. During the healing period, the bone will remodel around the implants and attach directly to them. In most cases we will attach a small cap to the implant that is flush with the gum tissue. This cap stays in place while the bone is bonding the implant(s). Because this cap extends through the gum tissue, unlike years ago, there is usually no need for a second surgery to expose the implant.

If needed, Dr. Rasmussen or your dentist will create a temporary replacement tooth for you to wear during the bone remodeling period. In some cases, a provisional crown (temporary replacement crown) can be placed immediately on the implant. The important thing is that you will not have to go without your teeth.

Implant Site Preparations

If the dental implant is the treatment plan for tooth replacement, Dr. Rasmussen will remove the tooth and prepare the bone for the implants. This process is performed to prevent bone loss or to rebuild bone that is lost due to tooth infections. By preserving and maintaining the jaw bone, dental implants are more likely to succeed in the long term. If there is not sufficient bone available to support the implants, then another procedure such as a bone graft may be required before placing the dental implants. This procedure will allow Dr. Rasmussen to restore any missing bone and provide the necessary support for the dental implants.

Immediate Implantation

In certain situations, Dr. Rasmussen may recommend placing the implants immediately after tooth extraction. This reduces the number of surgeries performed and speeds up the treatment healing process. When we insert an implant, we ensure that it fits exactly into the jaw to avoid any excess movement that could hinder the healing process. Because the teeth in the front of the mouth often have one root that is closer in size to dental implants, it’s a lot more common and easier to place immediate implants the closer they are to the front of the mouth.

Immediate Implantation with a Temporary Crown

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and that’s why many individuals undergo emotional distress by the sudden loss of a tooth. To help alleviate this, we offer the option of placing a temporary crown until the socket is healed and the bone has bonded with the implant. The temporary crown is only for appearance and will be replaced when the patient returns to finish the implant treatment. In some cases, Dr. Rasmussen can place the temporary crown on the same day as a tooth extraction.

Abutment Attachment

Once the bone has bonded to the implant, Dr. Rasmussen will place the abutment. The abutment, a connection post, is what attaches the implant with the new replacement crown. There are various types of abutments but they are typically categories as pre-made or customized. Customized abutments are often used for dental implants to ensure a better result and a long lasting fit.

Manufacturing the Replacement Tooth

In the final phase of implant treatment, your dentist manufacturers and places the replacement tooth to the abutment.Your new tooth is designed after meticulous assessment of both your functional and cosmetic needs. During the production process, the mold is created from the impressions of your mouth and sent to the dental laboratory technician for development.

Implant Maintenance & Care

Implant maintenance is very similar to the every-day care necessary for your natural teeth. On top of brushing and flossing everyday we encourage patients to consistently visit their dentist for routine cleaning. The professional care provided by our hygienists’s instruments and techniques ensure that the implant surface below the gumline stays clean. The combination of good oral hygiene, eating habits, and regular dental visits is important in maintaining your dental implants.

Dental Implants FAQ

Are Dental Implants Common?

30 percent of adults between 65-74 years old have no natural teeth. 15 to 20 percent of adults 33-44 years old have some form of gum disease, which can lead to losing teeth. Because of this, dental implants have become common, relatively painless, and routine procedure. They can be used to replace one tooth, multiple teeth, or just general improve the appearance of your smile.

Are Dental Implants Painful?

Although discomfort can vary between patients, most patients report that getting their dental implant was much more comfortable than expected. With an optional anesthetic during surgery, patients feel minimal discomfort — if any — during treatment.

Our periodontist, Dr. Rasmussen, uses minimally invasive techniques to ensure a smooth and effortless procedure. With every precaution taken along the way, there is very minimal risk for infection or other complications. Our team also assists with post-op to help minimize any discomfort and assist with proper healing.

How Long Does a Dental Implant Procedure Take?

This can vary from patient to patient, as each case is different. The procedure itself usually takes about 30 minutes for each implant being placed. Depending on the extent of your procedure, typically the full process can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months.

A few factors to take into account that can change the scope of the procedure:

• overall dental health

• the teeth that are being replaced

• how many teeth are being replaced

• whether a tooth extraction will be required

The overall timespan of the procedure is reliant on the healing process. Once the implant has been placed, the jawbone must heal and grow around the implant to secure it in place which can take three to six months.

There are cases where the latest dental implant technology has made it possible to extract teeth and place implants with crowns in one visit.

Will I be able to chew with the same force and pressure I use with my natural teeth?

When replacing individual teeth with implants, yes. Following a brief adaptation period, chewing capacity is comparable to that of natural teeth.

If you are missing all your teeth and wish to use a few implants with attachments to retain your overdenture, no, your chewing capacity will not be as great as when you had all your teeth. You will, however, have more chewing function and confidence than with just your denture and no implant support. Increasing chewing ability is gained by the usage of additional implants.