Dental Implants to Restore Your Smile
Have you lost a tooth due to trauma, dental decay, or gum disease? Maybe a tooth never formed, leaving you a gap in your smile. Or, you may have a tooth (or teeth) that need extraction.
No matter the reason for a missing tooth (or teeth), there are numerous reasons to replace it. While there are a few options for tooth replacement, dental implants most mimic natural teeth and are the only permanent solution.
At Grand Lake Dental, Dr. Karl Jobst has been through extensive training in dental implantology. He has the training, experience, and gentle hands you want when looking for the option to replace your missing tooth or teeth.
Why are dental implants the best choice?
When you are missing a tooth, the gap in your smile is not your only issue. While the tooth root is not a visible part of the tooth, it has an important job.
Each time you bite down or chew, vibrations occur in the tooth root that stimulate the jawbone. This stimulation is necessary to keep the jawbone healthy. When a tooth root is missing, no vibrations or stimulation occurs. This leads to the destruction of bone in your jaw.
Over time, the bone destruction in the jaw spreads, which can lead to further tooth loss. It also affects the shape of the face, causing a sunken-in look that makes you look older.
Dental implants are titanium screw-like shaped posts surgically implanted into the jawbone. They replace and mimic the missing tooth root, causing vibrations and stimulation that keep the jawbone healthy and intact.
Titanium is non-toxic to the human body, and it is noncorrosive within the bodily environment. Just as important, titanium bonds to bone and encourages bone growth. Once placed in the jawbone, the titanium fuses with bone in a process called osseointegration.
Since it fuses with bone, the implant is a permanent, extremely durable and secure replacement that restores the full functionality of the tooth root.
The visible portion of the tooth, or natural dental crown, requires an additional restoration option that is attached to the dental implant.
What is the process for dental implants?
The first step in the process is a consultation appointment with Dr. Jobst. During this appointment, he will get a medical history and perform a thorough oral examination, including inspection and diagnostic imaging. If you are a good candidate for implantation, he will discuss the treatment plan and restoration options with you.
On the date of surgery, you will return to the office for placement of the implant. The surgery is quite mild, and local anesthetics are usually all it takes to keep you from feeling any pain. However, if severe fear or anxiety is an issue for you, Dr. Jobst can discuss dental sedation options with you at your consultation appointment.
Once you are prepped and ready for implantation, it should not take longer than 20 minutes or so to complete one dental implant. The process will take longer for an All-On-Four procedure for implant-supported dentures.
Surgery involves an incision in your gumline, placement of the dental implant, and then stitches to close the incision. Unless notified otherwise, the stitches will dissolve on their own.
After placement, you will probably experience some tenderness and swelling. Ice and over-the-counter medications should be enough to keep the discomfort tolerable.
It will take approximately three to six months for optimum bone growth, depending on the type of implant and the location of the replacement. Once the implant is fully fused to the jawbone, Dr. Jobst will attach an abutment, or connector, as a stable base for placement of the final part of the restoration.
Completion of the restoration will include replacing the functional part of the tooth with a dental crown, bridge, or denture. After Dr. Jobst places the abutment, we will take dental impressions for the fabrication of your restoration. Once we receive your restoration from the lab, you will return to Dr. Jobst for placement.
Same-day restorations are also possible at Grand Lake Dental. This means you can have a tooth extracted, an implant placed, and receive a temporary restoration while the implant heals and fuses. If this is something you are interested in, discuss it with Dr. Jobst at your consultation appointment.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Since a dental implant is placed in the jawbone, sufficient bone density is required.
For patients who do not have the required bone density, Dr. Jobst can perform bone grafting surgery or sinus lifts as needed to support the dental implant.
Good health is also a concern, as certain illnesses can impede healing, which can lead to implant failure. Another concern is tobacco use, as this is also linked to implant failure. Therefore, if you use tobacco products or have a chronic health issue, discuss this with Dr. Jobst during your consultation.
Are you ready to restore your smile with a permanent solution?
If you are missing a tooth or teeth or require a tooth extraction, call (918) 787-5800 today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Jobst.