Dental Implants

Making Your Smile Last a Lifetime

Missing teeth put you at a higher risk for gum deterioration and can take a toll on your self-confidence as well. Dental implants are the most reliable and natural-looking tooth replacement option available. These titanium posts are placed right into your jawbone to replace the missing tooth root, and even benefit your health by stimulating jawbone growth. This placement prevents decay and ensures you have a smile that can last a lifetime.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants stand out against other tooth replacement options in several ways. The implant is designed to be a permanent solution – you never need to remove it. It looks, feels, and functions exactly like a natural tooth. Implants blend so smoothly into your smile that to clean and maintain dental implants, you just treat them like all your other teeth!

Dental implants are strong and durable. The reason they’re so long-lasting is that they’re resistant to decay and secured in your jawbone, slowing down the deterioration rate and even reversing the effects in some cases.

Am I a Candidate For Dental Implants?

Dental implants are an ideal treatment option for patients who:

Have one or more missing teeth
Have sufficient jawbone density
Have healthy gums
Desire a stable and permanent tooth replacement option

To determine your best options going forward, our doctor will need to first assess your oral health during a consultation.

The doctor may determine your gums or jawbone have suffered too much deterioration to be an immediate candidate for dental implants. Rest assured, we’ll work with you to craft a personalized treatment plan that may include supplemental procedures to get your mouth ready for implants.

A doctor may also recommend other options such as implant-supported dentures or All-on-4® dental implants instead of traditional implants. Any treatments or alternatives deemed necessary will be discussed fully during your consultation.

The Dental Implant Process

The process of restoring your smile with dental implants spans over several months and is, for most patients, a three-step process:

Initial Consultation

Before you decide to get dental implants, our doctor will need to examine your teeth, gums, and jawbone to determine if they’re the right option for you currently. He’ll also answer any questions you have about the procedures.

Placing Your Implant

After determining that you’re eligible, the next step is to place the implant or implants in your jaw. The titanium post will begin to fuse with your jawbone as it heals. This process is called osseointegration and can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to complete.

Restoration Placement

After your jaw has completed the healing process, the next step is to have a customized restoration attached to your implant. The most common restoration is a porcelain crown – however, we can provide implant-supported bridges and dentures if they’re more suited to your needs. All of our restorations are customized to match your natural teeth in shape and shade in order to ensure a brilliant and seamlessly blended smile.

Visit Summit Dental Smiles For Dental Implants

If you’re missing teeth and looking to reclaim your smile, dental implants could be an enriching solution for you. These long-lasting tooth replacements will help you eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Call our office at (208) 733-9999 today to schedule your consultation. We look forward to helping restore your smile!

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FAQ

The doctor will apply a local anesthetic during your placement so you don’t feel anything during the procedure. Some patients have reported mild discomfort during the recovery period, but nothing that can’t be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and a cold compress. Call our office right away if you’re experiencing significant pain after the procedure.

Following the operation, you’ll likely experience some discomfort, but it can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen and a cold compress.

In the time following your surgery, it’s imperative that you follow your doctor’s instructions. Be cautious to eat softer foods and rinse your mouth with warm salt water after meals.

After you’re all healed and your restoration is placed, caring for your new tooth is simple: just treat it like it’s one of your natural teeth! This means you should brush twice a day, diligently floss, and smile often to show off your complete set of pearly whites.

Unlike traditional dental implants that take months of healing and 2 surgeries, All-on-4 dental implants will provide you with a complete smile within a few hours so you can immediately start to enjoy the benefits with significantly less recovery time.

All-on-4 dental implants are appropriate for patients who have lost all or most of their natural teeth and want to replace an entire set. With All-on-4, you can replace an entire arch using just 4 implants.

If you’re interested in replacing missing teeth, schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable dental implant providers. During the consultation, we’ll examine your oral health and discuss your treatment options.

Dental implants are considered a cosmetic procedure with some restorative purposes as well, so some providers cover up to half of the costs. You’ll want to check with your provider prior to your appointment to get a better understanding of your specific coverage.

If you have any questions that we can answer, don’t hesitate to contact our office at (208) 733-9999 and one of our team members will be happy to assist you.

Implant Supported Dentures

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