Dental Implants Frankfort
A New Lease on a Beautiful Smile
Dental implants have been around for decades now. Today, countless studies show the long-term nature of this cutting-edge treatment for tooth loss, like the fact that they can last for over 30 years or longer. This, as well as the variety of other benefits offered by dental implants, make the treatment a top choice for patients looking to restore their smiles. Call our office today to schedule a consultation and learn whether dental implants in Frankfort are right for you.
Why Choose Grand Dental – Frankfort for Dental Implants?
- A Part of the Vast, Trusted Grand Dental Network
- Insurance Welcomed & Flexible Financing Available
- Providing Five-Star Service & Lasting Results
What is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are small titanium screw-shaped posts that are designed to replace the root structure of missing teeth. They’re also biocompatible, so whenever they’re secured within the jawbone, they naturally fuse with the bone to provide it with blood flow and stimulation, making the dental implants a solid foundation for replacement teeth to be attached to.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process is carefully crafted to ensure optimal results once everything is in place. Completed in four stages, each must be done successfully if a patient’s new teeth are to maintain a longer lifespan. These include the initial consultation, dental implant surgery, osseointegration and abutment placement, and the delivery of the final restoration. To learn more about how dental implants work in Frankfort, keep reading.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The initial dental implant consultation includes meeting with one of our qualified implant dentists to discuss your candidacy. While dental implants in Frankfort are a viable option for most individuals with tooth loss, there are factors we must consider before clearing you for surgery. If you have indications of gum disease, existing tooth decay, or bone loss, we will need to address these issues to create a healthier, more stable environment for your future prosthetics.
Dental Implant Surgery
Dr. Brandon Bice is an implant dentist who can complete the surgical procedure in-house. On the day of your appointment, you will receive local anesthesia to numb your mouth. He will open the gums to expose the jawbone before placing the titanium implant into the designated area. After ensuring it is secure and correctly positioned, he will close the gum tissue and place a protective healing cap over the area.
Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment
After surgery, you will return home to recover. Depending on how many dental implants you receive, you may be off work for several days. Although you may resume daily activities after a short time, your mouth will continue to heal, and osseointegration will occur. This is when your implants fuse with the bone. It can take 3-6 months for this process to finish, but in the end, you will have a strong, stable foundation for your new smile.
You will then have metal abutments (connector pieces) attached to the tops of your implants, which will hold your restoration in place once it is secured.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
The last step of the dental implant process is receiving your final restoration. Based on impressions taken earlier in your journey, a customized crown, bridge, or denture will be crafted to look natural and fit comfortably over your dental implant(s). Dr. Bice will ensure it meets the specifications provided before securing it in place. He will check your bite and confirm you are satisfied with the results before you can begin living with a complete, healthy, and beautiful smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are a top choice for replacing missing teeth because they provide a number of unique benefits when compared to other tooth replacement treatments. One of the top advantages of choosing dental implants is their long lifespan. Studies have shown that they can last for well over 30 years before needing to be replaced. Additionally, because your replacement teeth will be anchored to an implant firmly secured within your jawbone, you’ll be able to enjoy unmatched stability, as well as up to 80 percent of your natural chewing power.
Are Dental Implants Right For You?
The best way to learn whether dental implants are right for you is to schedule a consultation with our team at Grand Dental - Frankfort. Our dentists will examine X-rays or a cone beam CT image of your mouth as well as conduct a thorough visual examination. Based on a number of factors, we can help determine whether dental implants are right for you, as well as plan your treatment.
Missing Single Tooth
If you’re missing a single tooth, we will secure one dental implant beneath the gumline. After it has healed and fused with the bone, we’ll attach a small metal connector piece to it, called an abutment. Then, we can secure a free-standing dental crown to the implant to restore the gap in your arch.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Depending on the location of your missing teeth, we may be able to secure a dental bridge to two dental implants located at either side of the space in your arch, or a combination of a dental bridge and dental crown.
Missing All Teeth/Implant Dentures
Implant dentures are used to restore an entire arch of missing teeth. Instead of having to deal with a denture that can slip or shift when you speak or eat, the prosthetic will be attached to between four and eight dental implants anchored within the jawbone.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
The cost of dental implants in Frankfort is determined once you’ve met with our team for an initial consultation and one of our dentists has examined your mouth. This is because the cost is determined by details like how many dental implants you’ll need, what type of restoration you require, and whether you need any preliminary treatments. We’ll know the answer to each of these once we’ve had a chance to look at your diagnostic images and speak with you.
Maintaining & Caring For Your Dental Implants
Our team at Grand Dental - Frankfort is always happy to give you tips to ensure the longevity of your dental implants. The good news is that taking care of your new teeth is relatively easy and straight forward! Simply continue brushing for twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day. It’s also important to protect your mouth if you grind your teeth at night, as well as maintain a balanced diet to prevent common oral health problems from arising.
Dental Implant FAQs
What can cause dental implants to fail?
The most common reason for dental implant failure is peri-implantitis. Similar to gum disease, this infection attacks the soft tissues around your dental implant near Frankfort. Other potential reasons these prosthetics can fail include poorly placed dental implants, autoimmune disorders, certain medications, dental trauma (i.e., bruxism), and failed osseointegration. Also, if you practice unhealthy habits, such as smoking or eating ice, this can cause problems with your dental implants.
Will it hurt to get dental implants?
Before placing dental implants, your dentist will provide local anesthesia to numb your mouth. You will not feel any discomfort throughout the procedure, so you should not expect it to hurt when they are being positioned within your jawbone.
After treatment, you can expect some soreness as the anesthesia wears off. This is normal and can be managed with an over-the-counter pain reliever. However, if you notice the pain worsening over time, don’t hesitate to call our office.
Is there anything I shouldn’t eat with dental implants?
Dental implants offer many great benefits, including the ability to eat all your favorite foods. These prosthetics don’t come with dietary restrictions per se, but you should be careful about eating certain items if you want to avoid possible damage. Just like with regular tooth enamel, consuming hard, crunchy foods can be risky.
It’s best to be cautious about these types of foods so that you don’t end up visiting the emergency dentist and spending more money to fix your dental implants.
What should I do if I can’t afford dental implants?
Just because you believe you cannot afford dental implants doesn’t mean that is the reality. These prosthetics can be within your financial reach if you plan appropriately. Although not all dental insurance plans cover surgery, some will cover a portion of the cost of your custom restoration or any pre-treatment you might need.
Also, you can ask about flexible financing or an in-house membership plan. At Grand Dental – Frankfort, we partner with CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit and offer our Grand Advantage Plan. This makes it easy for you to enroll and access immediate savings, including discounts you can use toward treatment.
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