Dental Implants: Lifetime Tooth Replacement

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth.

Dental implants are substitute tooth roots that are placed into the jawbone. There are many treatment options for dental implants, from the replacement of a single tooth or a failing bridge to restore a natural smile, to provide a stable foundation to attach partial and full dentures. Implant treatment allows people who have lost teeth to regain the ability to eat virtually anything and to smile with ease and confidence in the knowledge that their appearance is natural once again.

What is a Dental Implant Procedure like?

Often, patients are recommended to see a periodontist when a dental implant is needed or recommended. The dentist and periodontist will consult with the patient to determine where and how the implant should be placed and a treatment plan is created.

After the treatment plan is complete, the implants are placed using a careful, highly-precise surgical technique by Dr. Rasmussen. Often, damaged teeth must first be removed. During the implant procedure, tooth roots are replaced with metal, screwlike posts. After the implant is stable, a periodontist will place an abutment on top of the implant to connect to the crown — this is a painless step in the procedure. Finally, the artificial tooth is placed.
We offer several sedation options for the procedure, depending on patient preference. Even without sedation, most patients can continue their daily activities after the appointment.

98%

of dental implants are successful and last longer than comparable procedures

Reasons for Dental Implants:

1. A Permanent Tooth Replacement Solution

Dental implants are made to last a lifetime. They have the highest rate of long-term success of any tooth replacement option, which makes dental implants the most affordable long-term treatment option for tooth replacement.

2. Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss

As time goes on, many people lose strength in their jawbone, which can be life-altering. Bone deterioration escalates when teeth are missing. Dental implants are an ideal solution to support your oral health and prevent your jaw and bone density from further deterioration.

3. Return to your Natural Smile

Smiling has shown to improve self-esteem, as it releases endorphins in your brain. By missing teeth, often people can feel less confident in their smile. Dental implants are a permanent and comfortable solution to restore a natural smile for almost anyone.

4. Improved Eating and Nutrition

For many people who are missing teeth or have jawbone damage, may foods are off limits. To live a healthy life, it’s imperative to eat a diet comprising protein, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. When oral health is compromised, it limits those options. Dental implants can fix that.

5.Dental Implants are Convenient

Removable dentures may not seem all that inconvenient. That is, until you have to remove your dentures or apply adhesives. With implants, you can say goodbye to dentures. Additionally, dental implants are a routine and relatively pain-free procedure.

Types of Dental Implant Procedures

Single Tooth Replacement

When a single tooth is missing, the two most common treatment options are the traditional tooth supported bridge and an implant supported crown. When a traditional bridge is used to replace a missing tooth, the adjacent teeth are cut down into peg shapes in order to fit the cemented bridge in place.

Extraction with Immediate Implant

In many cases single or multiple implants can be placed at the time of tooth extraction. With careful preparation of the extraction socket, any lost bone is reconstructed and the implant is placed where the previous tooth was located. This saves time, minimizes the number of surgical procedures and speeds up the healing process.

Multiple Tooth Replacement

With implant treatment, there are two solutions available for the situation: separate crowns on dental implants or a bridge attached to two or more dental implants. Both options allow for replacing the lost teeth without grinding down healthy adjacent teeth or utilizing clasps to hold a removable partial denture in place.

Temporization

Temporization is used to create provisional restorations for the short or medium-term. Temporizations are regularly needed in preparation for a permanent solution, like a dental implant or dental bridge.

Same-Day Smile Replacement

(All-on-4, All-on-6, and more)

All-on-4 or All-on-6 are full-arch fixed dental implant bridges used to replace teeth on the top or bottom of the mouth. This can often be the best and most cost-effective option for total tooth replacement and a natural-looking smile.

Full Arch Replacement

A full arch replacement is done when all of a patient’s teeth or missing, or in a condition that they need to be replaced. This procedure is typically completed over multiple visits to the periodontist.

Patient Feedback

“Dr. Rick and his staff were amazing! The procedure went really well, and I would highly recommend him and his team to anyone. They went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable throughout the entire process.”

Bryan Kazimierowski

“(Dr. Rick) was awesome at answering any questions I had. The surgery went great and the recovery process was actually really easy for me. I had no problems with anything and my mouth healed up perfectly!”

Kaitlyn Fritts

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 1-2 hours for each implant being placed. Depending on the extent of your procedure, typically the full process can last anywhere from six to eight months and two surgical procedures.

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.