Dental Implants – Merrillville, IN
Completely Replace Your Missing Teeth
With dentures and dental bridges, you can fill in the empty space in your smile. Dental implants fulfill the same purpose, but they also go one step further: they can act as new tooth roots as well. As a result, dental implants look, feel, and function more like your natural teeth than any other tooth replacement option. Are you thinking of using dental implants in Merrillville to re-complete your grin? Reach out to United Dental Centers of Merrillville today to set up a dental implant consultation with our team.
Why Choose United Dental Centers of Merrillville for Dental Implants?
- Lifelike, Long-Lasting Restorations
- Dental Insurance Accepted
- Kind, Trustworthy Dental Team
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant post is shaped like a screw. It is made from titanium so that it can form a strong bond with the jawbone via osseointegration. Having dental implants interface directly with your jawbone gives them more stability and chewing power than other tooth replacement options. Note that dental implants can be viable no matter how many teeth you’ve lost. It’s simply a matter of determining how many implant posts are needed and what kind of restoration they’ll support.
The 4 Step Dental Implant Process
At United Dental Centers of Merrillville, we like to make dentistry as simple as possible. That’s why we’ve broken down the dental implant process to four main steps! Below, you’ll get a snapshot of what each phase looks like so you know what to expect. If you’d like clarification about any of the information we’ve provided, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Dental implants can be complicated, but we’re here to help you feel confident about your treatment plan!
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The first step is to take a close look at your mouth and capture X-rays of your jaw to confirm that you’re a candidate for dental implant surgery. Most patients with good oral health qualify, but if you have an existing oral health issue or a weak jawbone, it’s important for us to know so we can help you plan out preliminary treatments. Bone grafts, for example, can add mass to your jawbone for better implant support, and we can eliminate cavities with dental fillings.
Dental Implant Surgery
Placing your dental implants involves making an incision in your gumline so that the implant posts can be anchored to your jawbone. Since this is a delicate surgical procedure, we refer patients to a trusted specialist who will make sure your implants are placed securely, safely, and comfortably.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
Osseointegration is possibly the most crucial part of the dental implant process. After about three to six months, your biocompatible implant posts will have completely fused with your jawbone, providing superior strength and stability for your restorations. Once they’re ready and your mouth is finished healing, we’ll attach the connector pieces (abutments) that will later allow us to place your implant crowns.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
The final restoration will be made by expert ceramists at a dental laboratory. These technicians will carefully craft your implant crown to blend seamlessly with your smile and fit comfortably in your mouth. After we receive your artfully fabricated crowns, we’ll have you return to our office so we can attach them to your abutments. Then, finally, your new smile will be complete, and you can enjoy the full benefits of dental implants!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Approximately 500,000 Americans choose dental implants each year to address their tooth loss. This is largely because the benefits of this tooth-replacement solution can’t be matched by any other prosthetic. After all, dental implants are the only ones that can replace both the tooth root and the crown. Plus, they look and feel incredibly natural. If you want to learn more, here are a few key advantages of choosing dental implants.
Day-to-Day Benefits
Your implant dentist in Merrillville can improve your overall quality of life in the following ways:
- Better Confidence: You will never think twice before showing off your pearly whites. You'll have a complete, beautiful smile that will make you look years younger and enhance your professional image.
- Improved Stability: You will never have to worry about your replacement teeth moving around when you're talking or eating. They will be anchored to your jawbone, so you’ll benefit from exceptional stability.
- Ultimate Convenience: Your oral hygiene routine will remain unchanged since you can brush and floss dental implants like your real teeth. You won't need any soaking solutions or costly products either.
Health Benefits
In addition to improving your quality of life, dental implants can support your overall wellness in many ways, including:
- Jawbone Preservation: Your jawbone can shrink by up to 25% within the first year of losing a tooth because it isn't being stimulated. A dental implant is the only method of preserving your jaw’s density to keep it healthy. As a result, you'll avoid common issues caused by missing teeth.
- Enhanced Biting Force: You can eat many nutritious foods because dental implants restore up to 70% of your natural biting force. You can keep your body healthy and enjoy all your favorite foods too.
- Better Oral Health: Dental implants lessen your risk of cavities, gum disease, and additional tooth loss. With your oral and overall health closely connected, you'll invest in a healthy mouth and body.
Long-Term Benefits
Don’t worry – you won't just enjoy the benefits of dental implants for a few years. They offer many advantages that can last for decades, including:
- Long Lifespan: Dental implants are proven to last for 30 years or longer with the right aftercare, like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently.
- Cost-Effective: Dental implants are often the most affordable overall because of their long lifespan, unlike traditional prosthetics that only last for a few years. You'll also save money by avoiding common issues caused by missing teeth, like dental drift.
- High-Success Rate: Dental implants have over a 95% success rate. As a result, you'll have peace of mind knowing your smile will thrive for decades.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
An ideal candidate for dental implants will possess good oral health overall and will have plenty of bone density in their jaw. But even if you don’t meet these criteria, it may be possible for you to get dental implants after you have completed certain treatments such as gum disease therapy and bone grafting. Once it’s confirmed that your mouth is ready for the dental implant process, the next step is to plan your treatment based on the number of teeth missing.
Missing One Tooth
One dental implant will be inserted into the gap in your grin. The post will eventually fuse with the jaw, giving it the stability needed to support a dental crown. The crown will be designed so that it looks like a natural part of your mouth.
Missing Multiple Teeth
A traditional dental bridge can be used to replace multiple teeth in a row, but it can only be placed after some of your enamel has been removed. However, if a dental bridge is attached to a pair of dental implants instead, the empty space left by multiple missing teeth can be filled without having to make changes to the natural parts of your smile.
Missing All of Your Teeth
For cases where an entire row of teeth has been lost, you may be given a denture secured to four to six dental implant posts. Implant dentures have several advantages over traditional ones; most notably, they’re much more stable and will always stay in place while you’re chewing your food.
All-on-4 Dental Implants
The longer your natural teeth are missing, the more likely you are to experience deterioration of the jawbone. However, it may be possible to place dental implants even after bone loss has occurred thanks to All-on-4. The four implant posts used for this procedure are inserted at carefully chosen areas where the bone is thicker. This often makes it possible to place the implants without having a bone graft performed.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Some people will only need to pay for a single dental implant post while others will need to get four or more. Additionally, while it’s sometimes possible to get dental implants right away, in other cases you might have to budget for preliminary procedures. In short, the overall cost of dental implants in Merrillville depends on several factors, which will be explained to you in more detail at your initial consultation before you make any long-term commitments to the treatment.
Dental Implants FAQs
Ready to renew your missing pearly whites with dental implants? With these titanium posts, you can be sure to enjoy a range of benefits for your smile and overall quality of life. Still, it’s normal to have questions and concerns before undergoing treatment. Our team wants to ensure that you’re as comfortable and confident as possible about your procedure. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions from our patients in Merrillville about dental implants. Keep reading to learn more or call us today to schedule your consultation!
Do I Really Need to Replace a Missing Tooth?
While missing one tooth may not be painful or seem like much trouble, this can negatively impact your entire smile over time. Since there isn’t a root in the jawbone, the tissue can begin to deteriorate and shrink, which can cause your other remaining teeth to shift out of place. If left without a replacement, you can end up experiencing complications such as bite misalignment, crooked/crowded teeth, facial sagging, tooth pain, and an increased risk of damage and further tooth loss. To avoid these issues, it’s best to renew your smile with dental implants. These titanium posts will serve as your new tooth roots, allowing you to preserve your jawbone, gum line, and the rest of your grin.
What Is the Best Age to Get Dental Implants?
Older patients aren’t the only ones who struggle with tooth loss. You might lose a tooth for any number of reasons, whether it’s an accident, certain medical conditions, or your genetics. The only standard for undergoing this procedure is that you have good oral and overall health to support and maintain your new pearly whites. Additionally, we typically reserve this treatment for patients who have fully matured jawbones, as teenagers will not have developed jaws that can support dental implants.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
Since every dental implant procedure will be specifically customized for each patient, you won’t expect to find a set price for the treatment. The overall cost will depend on a variety of factors, such as the number of teeth you need to have replaced, the kind of restoration you’ll receive, and the type of material used to create your new smile. The price will also change if you require any preliminary services like gum disease therapy or bone grafting, or if you need sedation dentistry for optimal relaxation. During your consultation, our team will walk you through the details so you know what to expect. We’ll also review your financing options so that we can help make your treatment work within your budget.
How Painful Is Getting a Dental Implant?
Although dental implants involve minor surgery, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort during the treatment itself. This is because your mouth will be completely numbed with a local anesthetic before beginning any work, that way you can stay pain-free throughout your visit. You might even be provided with sedation dentistry so you can be as comfortable as possible while having your implants placed. After your appointment, you’ll likely feel discomfort and soreness for a few days. This can be alleviated with pain relievers and a cold compress, and we’ll give you specific aftercare instructions to help make your recovery smooth sailing.
