What Is the Dental Implant Process?

Restoring missing teeth with dental implants is one of the best investments you can make in your smile. These gold-standard restorations are the closest you'll get to healthy, natural teeth. Our experienced dentists and team at Dental Care of Madison have put together a step-by-step guide outlining what to expect throughout the process. We're always happy to answer your questions, address any concerns, and ensure you are confident at every step.

What Are Dental Implants?

Implants are small, titanium posts that your oral surgeon places in your jawbone where they serve as artificial tooth roots. As the area heals in the following months, the biocompatible posts will integrate with or fuse to the bone in a process known as osseointegration, providing a strong, stable foundation for custom restorations crafted to match your smile.

The following is a look at the implant restorations we offer right here at our Madison practice:

Single Dental Implants: A single implant restoration can be ideal for replacing a missing tooth and filling gaps in your smile. It consists of an aesthetic crown secured to an implant, helping replace the entire tooth from the root to the crown. Your new restoration will look, feel, and function like your natural teeth.

Implant-Supported Dentures: Also known as overdentures, implant-supported dentures offer an incredibly stable alternative to traditional dentures, especially when it comes to the lower arch. They snap onto a number of implants placed in your jawbone, giving you the confidence they will not slip or shift out of place at the most awkward times.

Implant-Supported Bridges: If you are missing two or several teeth in a row, an implant-supported bridge may be right for you. Unlike traditional bridges that are attached to dental crowns placed on healthy natural teeth, your implant restoration is secured to implants on either side of the gap, delivering exceptional stability and function.

What Can You Expect During Your Dental Implant Process?

Your implant journey is fully personalized and may look different depending on your unique needs. In general, the following is an overview of what you can expect:

Step 1 - Evaluating Your Oral Health and Bone Density: Our experienced dentists will begin with a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, and jawbone to help you determine whether implant dentistry is right for you.

Step 2 - Preparing Your Smile for Implant Placement: We will address any existing concerns, such as periodontal (gum) disease or decay in neighboring teeth, to ensure your smile is ready for implant placement. If you have bone loss that interferes with successful implant placement, we may recommend a bone graft to rebuild the area and create the strong foundation needed to support your implants.

Step 3 - Placing the Dental Implants: We will collaborate with your oral surgeon, who will place one or more implants in your jawbone, depending on your unique needs. Over the following several months, the area will heal, and the implant will gradually fuse with your jawbone, creating a stable foundation for your implant restorations that functions much like natural tooth roots.

Step 4 - Creating Your Custom Implant Restoration: Once your implant has integrated with the jawbone, our team at Dental Care of Madison will capture precise digital impressions of your mouth with our intraoral scanner, eliminating the need for gooey or messy impressions. Skilled lab technicians will use your scans to create your custom implant restorations.

Step 5: Completing Your Smile: Once your final crown, bridge, or overdenture is ready, we will secure it to your implants, completing your smile and restoring your comfort and natural function. Patients often express how natural their new replacement teeth look and feel, and with time, many forget they've had teeth replaced.

Why Choose Dental Implants to Restore Your Complete Smile?

Implants are the only restorations that closely mimic natural teeth in their structure and function. The following is a look at why they are considered today's gold standard for tooth replacement:

• They Look and Feel Natural: Your implant restorations are custom-crafted to look and feel like natural teeth, delivering beautiful, confident smiles.
• They Are Secure and Stable: Your replacement teeth are anchored to dental implants placed in your jawbone, providing exceptional stability.
• They Restore Natural Function: Your new implants will allow you to chew and enjoy the foods you love and speak with clarity and confidence once again.
• They Help Preserve Your Jawbone: Implants are the only restorations that mimic the function of a tooth’s missing roots, stimulating the jawbone and preventing the deterioration and resorption that typically follow tooth loss.
• They Support Your Facial Structure: Your new implant restorations will help support your facial structure, preventing the aged, sunken appearance that may occur with tooth loss.
• They Preserve Alignment: An implant crown or bridge can fill gaps in your smile, preventing the neighboring teeth from drifting into the open space and helping preserve the alignment of your teeth and bite.
• They Are Long-Lasting: Dental implants have a high success rate and, with proper care and regular visits to Dental Care of Madison for regular dental cleanings and examinations, they have the potential to last a lifetime.

What If You Grind or Clench Your Teeth in Your Sleep?

Grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep (bruxism) can place excessive pressure on your implants, leading to premature wear and damage over time. Our team at Dental Care of Madison may recommend a custom occlusal guard. You'll wear your protective oral appliance as you sleep to protect your implants from the effects of bruxism, helping ensure their longevity.

Dental Implants Near Me in Madison, MS

If you would like to learn more about replacing missing teeth and restoring your smile with dental implants, contact Dental Care of Madison to schedule a consultation. Our experienced dentists and patient-centered team will personalize every step of your restoration to deliver beautiful, lasting results. Call us at (601) 898-9390 to schedule your appointment or request one online today!