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611 N. Broad Street, Lancaster, OH 43130

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Dental Implants

What are Dental Implants?

Clinically and commercially, dental implants have held fast to their top ranking as the most ideal replacement for natural teeth for more than four decades. Implants are stand-alone artificial teeth with titanium posts that are fused directly to the jawbone for permanent stability. When the implant post is fitted with a lifelike dental crown, it bears a remarkable resemblance to a real tooth in terms of its physical appearance and also its function. An implant can also contribute to the support of a dental bridge, partial denture, or a complete denture, creating the most effective tooth replacement alternative in dental history.

What happens after tooth loss?

After a natural tooth has been lost, a large percentage of the volume of the jawbone is also lost. The bone undergoes a natural process call resorption (bone loss and shrinkage), and the remaining teeth can be expected to fall out of alignment, leading to a significant deterioration in your oral health.

Crowding, shifting, unbalanced chewing patterns, jaw joint dysfunction, and a change in your physical appearance are the undesirable consequences of tooth loss. However, many of these side-effects can be prevented or reduced when you select a tooth replacement that can perform the same duties as a natural tooth.

dental implantsCan I benefit from implants?

Implants are appropriate for virtually any healthy adult with missing teeth. Whether the extent of your tooth loss is limited or generalized, implants can be customized to fill the void left by your real teeth. Implants are right for patients who prefer a full smile, a broad and balanced chewing surface, and those patients who are unsatisfied with their current partials, bridges, and dentures. Dental implants are even a viable option when a tooth has been missing for several years, and there is no age limit in terms of the ideal implant candidate.

What steps should I take to learn more?

Implant dentistry involves one or more surgical procedures and a significant degree of advanced planning. We would be happy to meet with you and perform a comprehensive examination in order to discuss your concerns and plan your treatment from start to finish.

Take the first step by calling to schedule your consultation today.

Common Dental Implants Questions

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small post made of biocompatible titanium. Over time, surrounding bone tissue forms a solid bond with the dental implant through a process called osseointegration. Because it is the only structurally complete option for tooth replacement, a dental implant is an ideal solution for tooth loss.

We often take the roots of our teeth for granted because we cannot see them, but they are essential in maintaining the stability of our jawbones and our smiles. The roots of the teeth also facilitate activities like chewing and proper speech. In functioning like pseudoroots, dental implants outperform other tooth replacement options that lack such root-like structures in all of these facets.

How much do dental implants cost?

The cost of dental implants will vary from patient to patient, and it may include expenses associated with imaging, supplemental procedures such as bone grafts and other associated interventions in some cases. We will be able to give you a more precise idea of the anticipated costs of your treatment at your evaluation.

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

Patients with a wide variety of tooth loss scenarios can benefit from dental implants, as the devices can be used to support single crowns, dental bridges or even entire dentures. However, in order to benefit from long-term dental implant success, patients must have the adequate bone tissue to support the osseointegration process in which the bone fuses with the dental implant.

Bone loss is a subsequent side effect of tooth loss, so patients who delay dental implant placement for a period of time after tooth loss may need a supplemental bone graft before they can get their dental implants. This additional procedure may also be needed for patients with congenital bone defects.

In order to determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implant placement, you should schedule an evaluation at our office.

How are dental implants placed?

Advances in implant technology have increased the efficiency and accuracy of implant placement and time varies depending on the number of implants placed. Like most other dental procedures, implants are placed in an outpatient manner that can be done with or without sedation. Minor soreness is expected but patients are able to return to normal activities the next day.

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