For the millions of Americans dealing with tooth loss, dentistry finally has an answer that’s able to reliably and effectively recreate a natural tooth. With dental implants, the team at Sedalia Dental in Groveport can practically turn back the clock and make it seem like a patient’s teeth never went missing in the first place. Strong, natural-looking, and durable, nothing beats dental implants when it comes to bringing back Columbus smiles. To learn more about this treatment and what it could do for you, contact us today.
Why Choose Sedalia Dental for Dental Implants?
Highly-skilled & experienced team
98% success rate—able to last for 30 years or more
Every restoration custom-designed for each patient
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Dental implants involve a much more layered and lengthy process compared to traditional dental bridges and dentures. Although it takes a longer time, the steps are essential for ensuring a long-lasting and lifelike solution for replacing missing teeth. Our practice is partnered with a network of oral surgeons and periodontists in the area whom we rely on to place our patients’ implants. These specialists have placed thousands of implants over the years, and they help us ensure that our patients receive the highest quality care at every step of the treatment process. Read on to learn the main steps of the dental implant journey and what to expect.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
You’ll first undergo an initial consultation with our team to determine how many teeth you need to have replaced, the structure of your jawbone, and your overall oral health. This will be essential to see if you’re eligible for dental implants and that we can guarantee successful results. We’ll also review the entire process with you as well as the cost of the treatment.
In some cases, patients might need preliminary procedures to ensure successful dental implants. This can include gum disease treatment, bone grafting, and even tooth extractions if necessary. Once we’ve verified that your mouth is healthy enough, we can move forward with your plan.
Dental Implant Surgery
As mentioned before, we’ll refer you to one of our local trusted oral surgeons to place your dental implants. They’ll usually begin your procedure by numbing your mouth with a local anesthetic to keep you pain-free. They may even administer sedation dentistry so you can remain calm and relaxed during your appointment. Next, they’ll make an incision in your gum line to access your jawbone so that they can place your implants at the exact angles and locations to seamlessly fit your smile. Lastly, they’ll close your gums around them and place protective caps so that they can remain safe during your healing process.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
The next few months will involve osseointegration—the process of your dental implants fusing to your jawbone. This is the very thing necessary to provide the stable foundation needed for your restoration(s) to feel and function like natural pearly whites. After this process is finished, you’ll come back to our office for your abutments.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
Once you’ve recovered from getting your abutments, you’ll return to our office to get your brand-new dental crown, bridge, or denture. Our team will double-check that you’re comfortable with your bite and that your results match the rest of your smile. If all is well, you’ll be free to head out and enjoy your new and improved grin for many years to come!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement because of their many benefits. As a patient who is considering these permanent prosthetics to replace your missing teeth, you can expect to enjoy advantages that are unachievable with other similar solutions (i.e., dental bridges and dentures). If you are interested in learning more about the various benefits of dental implants, take a look below:
Day-to-Day Benefits
Unmatched Function & Aesthetics:
Implants are built just like real teeth, so they function just like real teeth as well, enabling a patient to chew and speak with complete confidence. And they are usually topped with 100% porcelain restorations that can perfectly mimic the appearance of natural teeth. The result is something that no one will notice is a prosthetic.
Maintenance Made Easy:
Dental implants require no specialized products or solutions to keep clean. All you need is a soft-bristled toothbrush, dental floss, and non-abrasive toothpaste, and you’re ready to enjoy a healthier smile each day.
Health Benefits
Helps Reduce the Chances of Dental Drift:
Instead of worrying about natural teeth shifting out of alignment, you can feel more at ease knowing that your implants will help to keep your smile in the right place. By filling in the gaps with these custom prosthetics, your teeth will be unlikely to shift, which might otherwise require you to undergo orthodontic treatment.
Root to Crown:
The reason dental implants are so special is that they are the only treatment that restores a tooth both above and below the gum line. A titanium “root” is placed into the jawbone that is used to support any number of replacement teeth. This makes them extremely stable, and they also don’t require support from the surrounding teeth like regular bridges and dentures.
Protects Against Bone Loss:
When a tooth goes missing, the jawbone in the area naturally starts to shrink and change shape because it has lost the support of the underlying tooth root. Implants bring back this root, preserving the jawbone, which helps maintain the strength of the bite as well as the overall shape of the face.
Long-Term Benefits
High Success Rate:
Dental implants are known to have a high success rate upon initial placement (around 95%). This remains the same even after 10 years!
Superior Durability:
With proper care, a dental implant can easily last for 30 years or more.
Cost Savings:
Choosing dental implants over dentures or dental bridges will allow you to save more money in the long run because you’ll avoid regular replacements as well as the frequent purchasing of denture adhesives.
Indications for Dental Implants
Our team can use dental implants to restore any number of missing teeth depending on a patient’s particular needs. Which type of restoration would be best for you? You can learn more about your options below:
Missing One Tooth
A single dental crown can be attached directly to an implant root using a small connector called an abutment. This new tooth will be able to stand on its own and won’t require the surrounding teeth to be altered to stay in place, unlike with a traditional bridge.
Missing Multiple Teeth
For patients missing multiple teeth in a row, instead of replacing each one with an individual implant, two implants can be positioned on either side of the gap to support a strong and reliable bridge. Compared to a regular bridge, implant bridges not only look better, but they are more secure and can be trusted to last longer as well.
Missing All of Your Teeth
Instead of having a denture just sit on the gums, we can secure it directly to the jawbone using multiple implants. This will give it a hold, security, and strength a typical removable prosthetic simply can’t match. Implant-dentures have also been shown to restore much more of a patient’s bite strength, helping them enjoy a wider variety of foods with ease.
Partnered with the Best
We are partnered with a network of oral surgeons and periodontists in the area who we rely on to place our patients’ implants. These specialists have literally placed thousands of implants over the years, and they help us ensure that our patients only receive the highest quality care at every step of the treatment process. Once a patient has had time to heal from placement, they’ll return to Sedalia Dental to receive their new teeth.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
As we’ve touched on, dental implants are able to help patients with varying degrees of tooth loss, and as a result, the price of the treatment can be quite different from patient to patient. Factors such as how many teeth a patient wants to be replaced, where they are located, and what kind of restoration is used can all influence the final price.
While implant restorations do tend to cost more than more traditional replacements, they are usually the best long-term choice for patients financially thanks to their longevity. Traditional bridges and dentures usually need to be completely redone every 5-10 years, multiplying their costs, while dental implants can be expected to last for 30 or more. As a result, implant patients can save thousands in periodic maintenance and retreatments, by comparison, not to mention hours spent in the dental chair.
To better understand the cost of dental implants in Groveport, take a look at the various factors we must consider below:
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
During your initial consultation with one of our highly trained dental professionals, we will determine if you are an eligible candidate for treatment. If we notice signs or problems that indicate poor gum health or a weakened jawbone, it will be necessary for you to undergo one or more preliminary treatments (i.e., periodontal therapy, bone grafting, tooth extraction). This will add to the total cost of your treatment, as will the actual implant surgery. Because we partner with a network of oral surgeons and periodontists in the Groveport area, you will be responsible for paying two fees: one to the oral surgeon and one for the final customized restoration, which will be placed by your team at Sedalia Dental.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
The parts of your dental implants in Groveport can also cause your treatment to be cheaper or more expensive. Naturally, every dentist who offers dental implants will use a particular brand or manufacturer, which can lead to costlier treatment; however, it is important to remember that the price you pay will ultimately reflect in the quality you receive. Cheaper is not necessarily always better, especially when it comes to tooth replacement.
The good news is that we will go to great lengths to share and explain the materials we use to craft your custom-made restoration as well as the type of dental implant that will be used to replace your missing tooth.
Final Dental Implant Restoration
The last phase of your dental implant treatment is receiving your customized restoration. Whether it is a crown, bridge, or denture, you can trust that our team will deliver high-quality results every time. As a versatile tooth replacement solution, you can take comfort in knowing that no matter how many teeth need to be replaced, a beautiful restoration will be made to blend in and function just like your natural teeth. Most restorations are created using ceramic or porcelain, but at Sedalia Dental, our crowns, bridges, and dentures are all made from 100% porcelain.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Not all dental insurance companies will agree to cover dental implants. In fact, most still do not offer coverage because it is not viewed as a “medical necessity.” However, you will need to check with your insurer to find out if other factors of your treatment plan can be covered, such as your initial consultation, preliminary treatments, or your custom restoration. At Sedalia Dental, your implant dentist in Groveport is a preferred provider for many different insurance companies and will be happy to file any necessary paperwork and claims on your behalf.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
But if you are uninsured or need help to pay any remaining balance associated with your dental implant treatment, not to worry! We offer alternative payment methods that will allow you to move forward with treatment without having to empty your wallet. Apart from accepting cash, check, credit cards, and debit cards, we also work closely with CareCredit, which is a third-party company that offers flexible financing. You can apply for a low or no interest monthly payment plan that will help you stay within your budget while working toward a full, complete smile.
We are also pleased to offer a family discount plan that provides basic dental care for the year and up to 25% off other available procedures for one low annual fee!
Dental Implant FAQs
We hope that you feel like you have a firm grasp of the process of getting dental implants in Groveport after reading through this page. Of course, if you still have questions, that’s perfectly fine as well; we can help you get the answers you need! Below, we’ve responded to some of the implant questions that our patients have asked the most. If you would like to ask our team directly, give us a call!
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Like with any dental restoration, the lifespan on dental implants relies heavily on the kind of care they receive. When they receive proper maintenance, they can last for many decades or even the rest of your life. Dental implant maintenance doesn’t require any special regimen. In fact, the same practices you use to protect your natural teeth can also help you take care of your implants! This includes:
Diligently brushing for at least two minutes every day with a nonabrasive toothbrush
Flossing on a daily basis to remove the hard-to-reach bacteria and food particles that can cause gum disease
Visiting our team every six months for a checkup and cleaning
Avoiding poor dental habits that could chip or damage your implant
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
Dental implant failure can occur for a few different reasons, with the most common being peri-implantitis. This is a form of gum disease that affects the tissues holding the implant in place. As the tissues weaken, the implant can come loose. In other cases, the implant might fail to bond with the jawbone in the first place. Factors that increase the risk of implant failure include poor oral hygiene, chronic teeth grinding, and tobacco use. We will give you guidelines for minimizing your chances of experiencing implant failure. Fortunately, such complications are rare, as the implant procedure has an impressive success rate of 95%.
Will People Know If I Have Dental Implants?
When getting new teeth, people often worry that the end results will be too obvious. However, dental implants are personalized in a way that makes it very difficult for the casual observer to distinguish them from real teeth. The implant post will be completely hidden underneath your restoration and your gums, and your new restoration will be custom-made to replicate the size, shape, and color of your other teeth. As such, most people won’t even know you have dental implants.
Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat with Dental Implants?
With dentures, there are several foods that you’ll be told not to eat. Dental implants don’t have these kinds of restrictions because they’re strong and stable enough to handle anything that your natural teeth can. While you do need to eat soft foods for a while after implant surgery, once the process is complete there will be nothing stopping you from enjoying your favorite meals again. That said, you should still be cautious around any foods that are hard or sticky, since they can weaken or damage your implants over time.
