From the moment David entered Grand Lake Dental, Dr. Karl Jobst noticed something about his new patient. David came from a successful career in medicine and had a rich and rewarding life, but dental problems and tooth loss left him embarrassed to smile. The dental issues were impacting his self-esteem, but that wasn’t the only problem.
Multiple missing molars on the right side of his mouth had left him overusing his more forward-facing teeth.
“Those teeth aren’t designed to chew,” said Dr. Jobst. “He was overcompensating, and it was giving him some jaw pain. That was an issue.”
Dr. Jobst and his dental team reestablished his occlusion so he could eat with ease. David’s case was complicated. He had four existing dental implants that needed to be identified. Dr. Jobst took x-rays of the implants and contacted several labs to identify the 20-year-old implants. He decided to work with the existing implant.
“We reconstructed his whole right side,” said Dr. Jobst. “Then, we redid his left side and leveled his smile, which was tilted. We had to put some implants and then crowns and a bridge. It was a complex case.”
Although David’s case was unique, Dr. Jobst has been placing dental implants since 2003, so he knew what would be needed to restore David’s smile and his confidence.
The new implants were placed last September. Four months of healing were required before the implants could support restorations. The results, shown in this blog’s side-by-side photo, were amazing. Many people responded to a recent Facebook post about David’s transformation using dental implants.
One question that potential dental implant candidates have is: How much do implants cost?
“Everyone is different,” Dr. Jobst said. “The best thing we can do is a consultation and exam. It’s not going to cost anybody to come in for a consultation. We’ll take x-rays and determine what all has to be involved.”
Factors that can influence dental implant costs include:
The number of existing healthy teeth
The number of natural teeth that can be treated
The number of natural teeth that need to be extracted
How many implants are needed
The amount of lab time involved in the procedure
Are there existing implants that can be used
David is very happy with the results. He is now able to chew with ease and comfort, and he is smiling far more often. Dr. Jobst addressed two problems using dental implants: David’s ability to chew and the aesthetics of his smile.
“He wanted an attractive smile,” Dr. Jobst said. “He was very happy with the results. When you change someone’s appearance like that, it does a lot for their self-esteem. They are more confident and out-going. He had to hide that part of himself because he didn’t feel good about his appearance. Now, he’s a different person.”
Why choose dental implants?
Implants are an advanced treatment, and not every dental practice offers them. Dr. Jobst has received a fellowship from the International College of Oral Implantology. Many patients who live in and around Grove, OK choose Dr. Jobst for dental implant placement due to his many years of experience and a strong track record of patient satisfaction.
Dental implants replace lost teeth and restore natural chewing function. No other restoration can match the natural feel of dental implants. Traditional restorations latch onto nearby teeth or adhere to the surface of gums. This approach can restore some of the benefits of natural teeth, but traditional restorations can never truly function like missing teeth.
Dental implants work differently. The titanium posts replace missing tooth roots. This is important, not just for stability but also for oral health reasons. Tooth roots act like tiny bone stimulators. Each time you bite or chew, tooth roots remind the surrounding bone tissue to regenerate.
Once your implant is placed, it will prevent jaw atrophy. This is one reason why we recommend that patients have implants placed soon after tooth loss. Bone atrophy can lead to the appearance of cheeks that are sunken-in.
What if I am dissatisfied with my current implants?
David’s case is a perfect example of how Dr. Jobst can work with a patient’s existing dental implants. Over time, past dental work can require additional treatments. Dr. Jobst can work with your existing implants as long as the implant is stable and supported by strong and healthy bone tissue.
David came to our office with four existing implants. Each implant came from a different manufacturer, and they had been placed in the 1990s. He didn’t have dental records that described the past implant procedures, but Dr. Jobst was able to properly identify the implants.
After some 20 years, the implants and crowns were no longer doing the job. The appearance of his teeth was uneven and discolored. To deliver a more attractive smile and improve the quality of David’s bite, Dr. Jobst placed additional implants and crowns. This procedure is known as full upper arch reconstruction, and it’s a treatment that Dr. Jobst has many years of experience performing.
As you can see from the before-and-after photos, David’s transformation was incredible. He can now smile with pride and with the confidence that dental implant technology affords. David’s story is unique as are all of our patients’ stories. Each journey begins with a consultation where Dr. Jobst will listen to your needs and goals.
Patients often come with questions about the cost of dental implants. Those questions can only properly answered after a full evaluation of your dental needs is considered. There are several factors to be considered that include:
The need for bone graft or sinus lift surgery for candidacy
Number of implants
Restorative treatments that need to be completed before dental implant placement
Type of restorations being sought
In David’s case, he required multiple dental implant placements that supported individual dental crowns. Depending on your needs, you may be fitted with one implant and one crown or multiple dental implants that can support an implant-supported bridge or implant-retained denture. A bridge typically replaced multiple consecutive teeth while a denture can restore an entire row of teeth (dental arch).
How long will my treatment last?
Once placed, dental implants will need four months to heal on average. If you require procedures like bone graft or sinus lift surgery to gain candidacy, that can add months to your treatment timeline. Each case is unique.
Schedule Your Dental Implant Consultation Today
David’s procedure was exceptionally life-changing because he was fitted with a full upper arch restoration using implants and crowns. No matter what your oral health needs are, Dr. Jobst can restore your smile using cosmetically pleasing dental implants.
You will be in expert and caring hands at Grand Lake Dental. Dr. Jobst has undergone extensive training in dental implantology. He can handle all aspects of your bone graft, anesthesia, dental implant placement, and final prosthetic placement.
Whether you require alterations to your current dental implants or are seeking implants for the very first time, Dr. Jobst will provide expert and quality care that keeps your comfort in mind.
To schedule your next visit, please contact our office online or call (918) 787-5800.