Dental Implants In Lexington
If you’re thinking of restoring one or more missing teeth, dental implants at Palmetto Dental Associates in Lexington is the right choice for you. With dental implants from Palmetto Dental Associates, Dr. Thomas and Dr. Shull can restore your smile and bite with permanent, natural-looking teeth that will last a lifetime. Learn more below, or give us a call right away at (803) 808-0888 to schedule a restorative consultation with our doctors.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a treatment used to permanently restore missing teeth. They consist of two main parts, known as the dental implant and the dental implant restoration. Unlike a 3-unit dental bridge that has to involve the natural teeth on either side of the missing tooth, a dental implant is a wonderful "one tooth solution for a one tooth problem."
The dental implant is a very small piece of surgical-grade titanium. It is surgically placed directly into your jaw bone, under your gum tissue. Once the dental implant is in place, it heals and fuses with your bone, feeling - and looking - like a natural part of your mouth.
The dental implant restoration is a dental prosthetic used to replace your missing tooth or teeth. Single-tooth implants, which use one dental crown to restore a single missing tooth, are the most common. They consist of the abutment, which screws into the implant, and a crown or “tooth” that cements or screws on top.
You can also use multiple implants to replace more than one missing tooth with an implant-supported bridge, or for whole-mouth restorations, with treatments like All-On-Four or Teeth-In-A-Day. The right implant treatment depends on your oral health, how many teeth you’re missing, and a variety of other factors our doctors will fully discuss with you.
How Do I Know If I Need A Dental Implant?
Not sure if you need a dental implant, or if you’re even a good candidate for dental implants at Palmetto Dental Associates? If you're missing one or more teeth, implants may be right for you thanks to their long lifespan, durability, and natural appearance.
Implants may not be the best choice for you, however, if you have uncontrolled diabetes or chronic oral health issues like gum disease, decayed or infected teeth. These health issues must be resolved before you can get treatment with dental implants.
In addition, you must have a relatively strong and wide/tall jaw bone to accommodate dental implants. If your jaw bone is not adequate enough for an implant, you may need an additional treatment called a “bone graft” to rebuild the jaw bone and prepare it for an implant.
The best way to know if you need a dental implant in Lexington, Irmo, or Columbia is to contact Dr. Thomas and Dr. Shull for a personal consultation. At your appointment, they will help you understand if implants are right for you, and they will also discuss your other options like dental bridges and dentures.
Are Dental Implants Permanent?
For most patients, yes, dental implants are permanent. The risk of dental implant failure is very low, but can happen, especially in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes, smokers, periodontal disease or those with poor oral hygiene. Unlike other methods of tooth restoration, dental implants will likely last for the rest of your life with proper care and maintenance, such as regular brushing and flossing and regular six-month hygiene visits to Palmetto Dental Associates.
As long as your mouth remains healthy, dental implants will continue to keep your smile looking great for the years and decades to come. Call 803-808-0888 to schedule your implant consultation today!
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
The biggest benefit of dental implants is that they look and act like your natural teeth and are, in fact, indiscernible from the same. This means you can have dental implants, and no one will notice you do. Plus, you can enjoy all your favorite meals, just like you would with your natural teeth. This also means you can maintain the same oral hygiene regimen you had when you still had all your teeth.
The titanium that forms the “root” of your dental implants is made from titanium, which is not only biocompatible but also impervious to corrosion.
These prosthetics are also necessary to prevent deterioration of the jaw bone. The jaw bone needs constant stimulation from pressure exerted on it during biting and chewing. And without teeth to create this pressure, the jawbone deteriorates. Dental implants replace the teeth to facilitate stimulation that prevents jaw bone loss.
The Dental Implant Placement Process
Step 1: Consultation and Treatment Planning
The initial consultation forms the groundwork for the dental implant procedure, during which the dentist will take your X-rays, examine your oral cavity, and check the areas with missing teeth. The dentist will then use the information to create your customized treatment plan before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2: Preparation and Implant Placement
The preparation step involves cleaning the tooth and surrounding gums, but for some patients might include teeth extractions and even bone grafting. For the implant placements, the dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the implant site and surrounding regions. The dentist will then use a scalpel to open up the gum tissue, exposing the jaw bone before drilling hole(s) into it.
Step 3: Implant Insertion
The dentist then inserts the titanium posts gently into the small holes drilled before. They ensure the depth, angle, and position is appropriate to provide sufficient anchorage and support for the prosthetic teeth. The prosthetic teeth must be stable and sturdy enough to bite into and chew hard and chewy substances.
Step 4: Osseointegration and Crown Placement
Once the posts are inserted, patients will then wait till they osseointegrate. Osseointegration is the process by which bone fuses into tiny pores in the titanium post to become one. This usually takes 3 to 6 months.
After full osseointegration, the dentist will schedule an appointment to place the abutment and take impressions of your teeth to create prosthetics. The procedure ends once the dentist installs these prosthetics.
The Dental Implant Recovery Process
Patients are likely to experience slight swelling and bruising after the surgery, accompanied by mild pain and discomfort. The dentist will prescribe pain medication to help manage the discomfort. The dentist will also provide you with gauze pads to bite on in case of any bleeding. You should also avoid rinsing and spitting vigorously after the procedure to avoid expelling any blood clots formed after the procedure.
It’s important to rest for the first few days after the surgery and avoid engaging in any stressful or strenuous activities. Take your pain medication and antibiotics as prescribed by the dentist while maintaining proper oral hygiene. However, you’ll want to brush softly around the implant site to avoid aggravating the wound. The implant site will heal completely after about six months.
Brenda had an old porcelain-fused-to-metal bridge on her front teeth that was worn and had broken porcelain. Upon removing the old bridge, it was discovered that the underlying teeth were unable to be saved. She had three implants placed and, after some healing time, a beautiful implant bridge was made. This bridge is “permanently” screwed into place, but can be removed by the dentist if needed. Brenda loves that it feels like she has her natural teeth back!
As a young boy, Ty fell and hit his mouth on the concrete floor while playing with his brother. As a result of this accident, he eventually lost one of his upper front teeth and badly damaged the other. Utilizing 3D digital dentistry, we worked with our lab partner to plan and create a design that looks natural and masculine. His two upper lateral incisors received composite veneers, an implant was placed where the tooth was missing, and then the front two teeth received full-coverage crowns. This treatment beautifully restored Ty's smile, as well as his confidence!
Tiffany was born with a missing lateral incisor and for years she wore a retainer to replace the tooth. After the retainer, she tried a bonded winged bridge, but it would unfortunately not stay cemented very well due to her bite. Once she got older and finished growing, she made the decision to proceed with an implant to replace this missing tooth. Tiffany is thrilled to no longer have to worry about a removable appliance or her bridge falling out. She says that an implant was a wonderful choice for her!