At Lake Forest Dentistry, we prioritize long-term solutions that enhance your quality of life and provide lasting benefits. If you’re dealing with a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth, dental implants are a great solution.
Dental implants are tiny titanium rods that are surgically placed within the jawbone, acting as a sturdy foundation to support a dental crown, bridge, or dentures.
If you or a loved one need a dental implant, please give Lake Forest Dentistry a call! We can help get your smile back to what you love!
Why Choose Implants Over Dentures
If the idea of having to wear dentures for the rest of your life makes you uncomfortable, you’ll be glad to hear that you have other options.
Today, more and more people are choosing dental implants over dentures as a solution for smile restoration. Here at Lake Forest Dentistry, we offer dental implants that have benefits like improved comfort, enhanced chewing ability, and better overall dental health!
The advantages of dental implants run much deeper than cosmetic appeal. Unlike dentures, dental implants are able to:
- Preserve remaining jawbone and maintain facial structure
- Feel and function like natural teeth
- Be securely attached to the jaw and fit comfortably
- Avoid the need for creams and adhesives
- Be a long-lasting solution
- Provide easy care and cleaning
Restoring Implants
Restoration is when we top the implant with the visible, functional portion of the tooth—finishing with either a crown, bridge, or denture. With over 30 years of experience, we are masters at what we do.
When you use dental implants to restore your missing teeth, we’ll refer you to a trusted oral surgeon to expertly place the implant in your jaw. After you’ve had time to heal from the procedure and your jaw has bonded with the implants through the process of osseointegration, we’ll help finish the rest of your tooth restoration.
LAPIP
Much like your natural teeth, implants need to be cared for with regular oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing. If plaque or tartar builds up around your implants, it can inflame the gums and lead to an infection called peri-implantitis. Like periodontitis, this can have serious effects on your oral health and should be dealt with quickly and effectively.
Laser-assisted peri-implantitis procedure (LAPIP) is a minimally invasive solution that will both remove the infection-causing bacteria and promote healthy bone recovery around the affected implant. Precision is one of the many benefits of using lasers in dentistry; lasers also offer less pain and faster recovery for most procedures.
What Is the Process for Receiving a Dental Implant?
Dental implant treatment is an outpatient surgical procedure. Getting dental implants requires several appointments. When you first come to Lake Forest Dentistry, our doctors and dental team will provide you with a detailed plan for your dental implant treatment. Our skilled team partners with oral surgeons to get your implant treatment just right.
Assessment
Our dentists will evaluate your mouth to see if you are a good candidate for a dental implant. They will determine if you have enough healthy bone material to support a dental implant. During this first consultation, X-rays and other tests will be completed to help determine the best treatment plan for you.
Bone Grafts
To improve the amount of healthy bone at the implant site, our dentists might recommend a bone graft. This will give the area added bone marrow that will create a sturdy foundation for your implant.
Different types of bone graft materials can be placed and this will be discussed with the patient prior to the procedure. After placement, the bone graft will need time to heal before the implant is placed.
Implantation
The first main step in the process is inserting the titanium implant post into your jaw. This step is completed by an oral surgeon, to whom we will refer you. The implant will replicate the root of your artificial tooth. After the implant post screw has been placed, the oral surgeon will attach an abutment to the dental implant and possibly place a temporary crown to protect the area and give you a surface to chew on while your permanent crown is made.
Healing
Before permanent crowns can be placed, your mouth needs time to heal. Depending on the patient, healing time will vary. Our dentists and your oral surgeon will help determine when your implant sight is ready for the permanent crown.
During healing, an important process is taking place. The implant and the jaw bone fuse together in a process called osseointegration. This fusing creates the stability that makes dental implants last so long.
Abutment and Crown
Once you’re totally healed, our dentists will remove the temporary crown and place a permanent crown. The crown will match your surrounding teeth’ color and size. Many people who have lost a tooth feel like their dental implant fits right in with their natural teeth—they can hardly tell the difference!
What to Expect During a Dental Implant Procedure
For patients, the unknown of a dental procedure can seem scary or confusing. Our dentists and dental team will help you feel comfortable throughout the whole dental implant process.
In the first phase, surgical placement of the implant, you’ll be given local anesthesia to numb your mouth. We want to ensure that our patients do not feel pain or discomfort during dental treatments. You’ll recover at home and will probably come back for the second phase of the procedure after the bone is able to grow around the implant to make it strong enough to stay in place.
Throughout the implant process, our dental team will help ensure your implant is secure and comfortable. We encourage our patients to ask questions at any point during their dental implant procedure process.
Taking Care of Your Dental Implant
Patients who have good oral hygiene will have longer-lasting dental work. Maintaining good habits of brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing are essential to helping the dental implant last. Patients should also visit the dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings.
Patients who have received dental implants should also avoid damaging habits. Avoid chewing on hard objects like ice, hard candy, pencils, and aglets. Also, don’t open packages with your teeth; this could potentially break a tooth or a dental crown.
Benefits of Dental Implants
By mimicking the natural tooth and its root, implants preserve your overall oral health preventing decay or bone loss that can occur when teeth are missing. They do this by keeping the jawbone stimulated and healthy, just as your teeth do now. This helps maintain the structure of your jawbone over time.
Implants also:
- Secure your existing teeth in place, preventing movement and other alignment issues.
- Have a natural feel and look.
- Replace missing teeth and prevent further tooth loss.
- Require no diet changes or denture glue.
- It lasts about 20 years if well taken care of.
- Protect your gums from bacteria.
- Improve confidence, self-esteem, and appearance.
If you are ready to try dental implants, we’re happy to help you find an oral surgeon who will give you the treatment you need. Once the implant is placed, you’ll come to us for a beautiful restoration.
Why Choose Lake Forest Dental for Your Dental Implants
At Lake Forest Dental, we take pride in providing quality dental treatments to our patients. Our certified dentists and staff are committed to helping patients achieve their dream smile while also providing a safe, clean, and comfortable environment.
If you have questions or concerns about whether dental implants are right for you, our team can help get you the clarity and help you need.
Commonly Asked Questions about Dental Implants
It is perfectly normal to have questions about the dental implant procedure. Here are some commonly asked questions about dental implants.
What is the success rate of dental implants?
For a healthy person with good oral hygiene and no gum infection, the success rate of dental implants is very high. Smokers and diabetic patients do have a slightly lower success rate, but our dental professionals will help make sure those conditions are managed and under control to give you the best outcome possible.
How long do dental implants last?
With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, dental implants can last 20+ years—potentially a lifetime. The crown attached to the implant typically lasts 10–15 years before it may need replacement due to wear and tear.
Can anybody get dental implants?
Dental implants are a great option for many patients, but not every patient is a good candidate. Good candidates generally have healthy gums and enough bone to hold the implant. Those with chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart disease, or those who smoke heavily might be at increased risk for complications.
What are the risk factors of dental implants?
Just like any surgery, some risks can follow after a dental implant procedure. Some of the risks can include infection, uncontrolled bone loss, implant fracture, or other minor complications such as nerve injury.
Are dental implants removable?
Unlike dentures, dental implants cannot be removed since they are fixed permanently in the bone, and just like natural teeth, they do not interfere with teeth replacement. However, some implant restorations like dentures can be made to clip on and off of the dental implant abutment.
Are dental implants safe?
Dental implants, which have been used for half a century, are safe and effective. As in any medical procedure, there can be complications. That’s why we refer patients to a qualified and practiced dental implant expert. They will create a safe and comfortable environment.
Does it hurt to get dental implants?
Dental implant surgery is always accompanied by local anesthesia. Often, patients are able to return to work and daily activities that same day. While there may be some discomfort and bruising, this typically lasts only a short time.
Find High-Quality Solutions at Lake Forest Smiles
Take charge of your oral health today by setting up an appointment with our knowledgeable dentists. We can help you decide if dental implants are the right solution for your oral health needs.