Dental Implants in Dunn, NC
Losing teeth can significantly impact our health and daily lives. It becomes challenging to chew and enjoy your favorite foods, and speaking clearly might feel impossible. Beyond these functional issues, tooth loss also affects how you feel about yourself when you smile. At J. Michael Williams, DDS, we understand the importance of restoring the function and confidence of your smile. Modern tooth replacement options, like dental implants, offer a reliable and effective solution. Designed to look and feel like natural teeth, they offer a permanent solution that supports your jawbone and helps maintain a healthy and beautiful mouth.
Understanding Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots placed into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. Made from titanium, they provide a firm base for securing artificial teeth. Traditional dental implants resemble small screws and consist of three main parts:
- Implant post: A small titanium post that we place in the jawbone
- Abutment: A connector piece that is attached to the titanium post
- Prosthetic tooth or teeth: A restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or denture, that connects to the abutment
We ensure the stability of dental implants by inserting them beneath the gumline and into the jawbone. This important step allows the implant to form a strong connection with the bone tissue. The bone cells fuse with the implant through osseointegration, creating a strong bond. This process results in a stable foundation capable of withstanding the forces of biting and chewing for many years.
What To Expect During Dental Implant Placement
At J. Michael Williams, DDS, the dental implant process starts with a free consultation. At this appointment, we evaluate your oral and overall health, review your specific needs and objectives, and create a customized treatment plan. We take this important step to align our approach with your expectations, ensuring the best outcomes.
On the day of your implant surgery, we insert the dental implants into the jawbone. We first administer local anesthesia to numb the treatment area so that your procedure isn’t painful. For complicated procedures, like when we place multiple implants for dentures, or for patients who may be nervous about their surgery, we offer various sedation options, such as:
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
- Oral conscious sedation
- IV sedation
Once you are comfortable and relaxed, we will make an incision in your gums, exposing the jawbone. We then drill a hole and place the implant post deep into the bone to serve as an artificial tooth root. The process typically takes between one and two hours per implant needed.
After we place the implant, a healing period of 3-6 months is necessary so that the implant can fuse with the bone. Once healing is complete, we attach the abutment to the implant and place the prosthetic tooth on top.
It’s important to note that when you lose a tooth, your jawbone gradually weakens over time because it is no longer stimulated by the tooth’s roots. This loss of bone can lead to insufficient bone density or volume for a dental implant. We often recommend bone grafting to establish a solid foundation in such cases. After we perform the bone graft, it takes several months for the graft material to integrate with the existing bone before we can place the dental implant.
Explore Your Dental Implant Options
For patients who find the surgical requirements and timeline of standard dental implants challenging, we offer mini dental implants as an alternative. While traditional implants are roughly 5 millimeters in diameter, mini implants are less than 3 millimeters. Mini implants also have a simplified design that streamlines the procedure. A mini implant consists of a small, one-piece titanium post with a ball-shaped end that extends above the gum line. After we place the mini implant, we attach the prosthetic tooth to the ball-shaped connector.
Their slim size and straightforward design allow us to place the implant using a minimally invasive technique. Instead of making incisions and using stitches, we create a small pilot hole through the gums and insert the implant. This technique typically results in minimal bleeding and much faster healing.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
Dental implants offer significant advantages for oral health, starting with bone preservation. Unlike conventional dentures or bridges, implants stimulate the jawbone just like natural tooth roots. This stimulation helps prevent bone resorption, which is a common issue after tooth loss. By preventing bone loss, dental implants help maintain the jawbone’s functionality and prevent changes to your face’s appearance.
Another key benefit is that dental implants do not impact adjacent teeth. Unlike bridges that require the alteration of nearby healthy teeth for support, implants stand independently. This preservation of remaining natural teeth helps maintain their strength and integrity, reducing the risk of future dental issues.
Additionally, dental implants are a durable and long-lasting solution for tooth replacement. Unlike other replacement solutions that may require replacements or adjustments, implants can last a lifetime. This makes them a reliable and wise investment in your oral health.
Restore Your Smile at J. Michael Williams, DDS
At J. Michael Williams, DDS, we believe compassionate care can change lives. Our mission is to transform your smile, ensuring it is both healthy and functional. Throughout the dental implant process, we treat you like family, always prioritizing your comfort and confidence in your dental care.
Are you ready to reclaim your smile? Schedule a free dental implant consultation today to learn how we can restore your smile and improve your oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of dental implants will vary based on several factors, including the type of implant, the number of teeth replaced, and the complexity of the procedure. Additional costs may include bone grafting, which might be necessary to support a traditional dental implant, and the restoration needed (crown, bridge, or denture).
If you are looking for a more cost-effective option, mini dental implants may be the right choice. Mini dental implants typically cost half as much as conventional implant options due to their smaller size and placement efficiency.
For those seeking financing assistance, we partner with multiple third-party companies to ensure your tooth replacement is financially manageable. We also offer free, no-obligation dental implant consultations to evaluate your specific needs and provide an accurate cost estimate for your treatment.
Dental implants cannot get cavities because they are made from materials like titanium and porcelain, which are not susceptible to decay. Unlike natural teeth with enamel that can erode due to bacteria and acid, dental implants lack this porous structure, making them immune to cavity formation.
However, the teeth and gums near the implant still require proper care to prevent issues like gum disease or infection, which could compromise the implant’s stability. Good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups help ensure the long-term success of your dental implants and overall oral health.
To determine if dental implants are the right option for you, we need to consider several factors:
- Gum disease: Active periodontal disease can compromise the stability of dental implants. Healthy gums are crucial for the successful integration of the implant and surrounding tissues.
- Oral hygiene: Individuals unable to maintain proper oral hygiene may face challenges keeping the implant site healthy, increasing the risk of failure.
- Tobacco use: Smoking impairs healing and increases the risk of implant failure. We advise smokers to quit or abstain for a period before and after the placement implant placement.
- Certain medical conditions: Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or undergoing radiation therapy can hinder healing and affect implant success.
Additionally, it’s essential to have the proper bone specifications for traditional dental implants. If you have a weak or narrow jawbone, you may need a bone graft. Alternatively, mini dental implants may be a better choice.
At your free implant consultation, we will evaluate your health and ensure you are a good candidate for dental implants.