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Dental Implants

Dental implants are titanium versions to replace your missing teeth. There are several types of dental implants, each with specific benefits for varying degrees of oral health, but each style of implant provides similar benefits.
  • Functionality: A mouth missing several teeth can become weak from the lack of teeth connected to the jaw bone. Implants provide added stability for the jaw, preventing bone damage. Chewing, swallowing, and speaking are all made easier with the right amount of teeth in your mouth. Dental implants serve as tooth replacement options for missing or severely damaged teeth to improve your quality of life.
  • Appearance: Dental implants look and feel just like your own teeth. Covering missing teeth, or removing rotten or damaged ones, can greatly improve your smile and your sense of self confidence.
  • Durability: Dental implants can last for a lifetime, with proper care. Implants are fused with your jaw, meaning they won’t wiggle, shift, or fall out. Unlike dentures, which need to be removed and cleaned regularly, implants eliminate the need for adhesives, cleaning soaks, or storage cases.
Reasons for dental implants:
  • Tooth replacement for one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
  • Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
  • Restore a patient’s confident smile.
  • Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
  • Restore or enhance facial tissues.
  • Support a bridge or denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

As with most dental services, it’s important to consult your implant dentist to determine whether a dental implant procedure is right for you. Most healthy adults with a damaged or missing tooth can qualify for dental implants if their gums are generally healthy and they have retained enough of their jaw bone to fuse with an implant.
  • Those who smoke or chew tobacco
  • People suffering from chronic disorders such as diabetes, heart disease, or some forms of cancer
  • People who have had severe jaw bone trauma or decay, or have experienced severe gum disease and have damaged gums

How Do Dental Implants Work?

The oral surgeon will ensure the surgical procedure is carefully planned to suit your dental health needs. Once your implant dentist determines that you are healthy enough for dental implants, they will provide a treatment plan and healing process, which typically takes 6-12 weeks. During the dental implant surgery, your dentist will remove any severely decayed teeth and replace the tooth roots with a titanium screw, which fuses to your jawbone. After the dental bonding process, your dentist will install a new, porcelain dental crown created from impressions of your teeth. Depending on your individual needs, you may opt for a removable denture instead of a permanent dental crown. Your dentist will match the look of your natural tooth  – including the color – to your new implants. In just a few weeks after the oral surgery, your implants will heal; according to most patients, the healing process involves only mild soreness that can be treated with over the counter pain medications. Your new implants will look, feel, and function just like your original healthy teeth.

Qualities to Seek in a Dental Implant Specialist

When looking for a dental implant specialist in Chicago, prioritizing expertise and qualifications is crucial. Visiting various clinics in Chicago will help you find the best-suited dental professional. Specialists such as periodontists who have extensive experience in oral surgeries are often the best choice. Checking for a practice that specializes in dental implants, has up-to-date technology, and offers comprehensive services can enhance the success rate of your procedure. The implant process requires precision, from extractions to placing implants; hence, selecting an office that provides complete care, including support for replacement teeth, is vital.

Making a Decision: Dentures vs. Dental Implants

Understanding the differences in comfort and support is crucial for those deciding between dentures and dental implants. Dental implants are typically more durable and offer a more natural feel, like natural teeth, compared to dentures. The procedure involves surgical placement into the jawbone, which promotes better jaw health and inhibits bone loss. Although the initial cost may be higher, the long-term benefits of dental implants, such as the convenience of not needing to be removed, often make them a superior choice over dentures.

How Do I Care for My Implants?

After the dental implant surgery, your dentist will provide you with detailed care instructions during your healing process, during which your mouth may be tender. However, once healed, your implants can be treated as normal healthy teeth, and require the same care. Practice proper dental hygiene, and brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash daily to ensure that your implants last a lifetime. Restore your oral health and confidence with expertly placed dental implants at our Chicago, Illinois, office. Schedule your free appointment today to learn more about our affordable dentistry solutions. At Associates for Dental Care, we make it easy to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

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