Dental Implants — Pepper Pike, OH
Complete, Strong, & Beautiful Tooth Replacement
A number of dental problems can spring up when you lose a tooth. These problems can gradually deteriorate your oral health. The chewing efficiency is reduced, and the oral cavity becomes prone to infection. Teeth restoration helps patients regain the freedom to eat anything they like. Among all the methods of restoring lost teeth, dental implants from our Pepper Pike dentist have proven to be the best. The implanted tooth aids the biting and chewing functions. The placement of the implant in the jawbone requires specialized skills. Dr. Csok has several years of experience in restorative care and has completed advanced training in dental implants.
Why Choose Dental & Cosmetic Solutions for Dental Implants?
- Start-to-Finish Dental Implant Treatment
- Implant Dentist with Years of Experience
- Advanced Dental Technology
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium posts designed to be surgically inserted into the jawbone. They’re able to replace the entire structure of missing teeth from the roots up to the chewing surface. After their placement, you’ll need to wait about three to six months for osseointegration to take place. Once that’s complete, we’ll attach abutments to your implants and place a custom-made restoration. You’ll be ready to enjoy a beautiful, natural-looking, and fully functional smile in no time!
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Unlike dentures and dental bridges, getting dental implants requires a unique, multi-step process that takes several months to complete. This may seem like a long wait, but it will all be worth it when you are able to experience all the benefits that dental implants have to offer. Many dentists have to send their patients to a different dental office for dental implants because the surgery requires special knowledge and training. However, at Dental & Cosmetic Solutions, Dr. Csok is an experienced implant dentist who can perform the placement and restoration all at the same comfortable location in Pepper Pike. This leads to quality, consistent care that is also convenient for our patients. Every patient’s treatment plan is different, but here are the four main steps you can expect.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The first step in the process of getting dental implants is the consultation. Dr. Csok will examine your smile to ensure that you have good oral health. The jawbone should have enough volume to support the implant. It’s also important that you are free of gum disease and other dental issues. Necessary steps are taken to build the jawbone if it’s determined that the volume is not sufficient. X-rays are taken during the process and a treatment plan is set accordingly.
Dental Implant Surgery
When it’s time for your procedure, Dr. Csok will start by numbing your mouth with a local anesthetic. Then, a small incision is made into the gum tissue to access your jawbone. The implants are placed at very precise angles and locations to fit in naturally with your smile. The last step is for your gums to be closed and protective caps to be placed over the posts to keep them safe during the dental implant healing process.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
For the next few months, the fusion process will take place between the dental implant and the jawbone. This process is called “osseointegration.” This is what allows for your implants to maintain a sturdy foundation so that you replacement teeth can stay firmly in place while you speak and chew. When osseointegration is complete, the metal abutments will be placed on the ends of your implants.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
Once your abutment has been placed, the restoration should be ready to go. You can return to our practice where you will receive your new crown, bridge, or denture. During the visit, we will check to ensure that your bite is comfortable so you can enjoy all of the benefits of your restored smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Truthfully, dental implants are some of the most popular tooth replacements in the world. U.S. dentists place as many as 500,000 of them yearly! As for the motive, it’s simple – implants have a unique restoration method. Unlike dentures or bridges, they’re set directly in the jaw and gradually fuse with it. This setup gives them benefits that other dental prosthetics can't match! To learn the specifics, please keep reading or call our office for details.
Day-to-Day Benefits
As you’d expect, implants’ day-to-day benefits are the most obvious ones. These perks include:
- Picture-Perfect Results – Because implants are capped with crowns, they look very pretty and blend with adjacent teeth. In fact, they’re so lifelike that friends and family won’t notice them.
- A Boost in Confidence – Implants can boost confidence by filling your smile gaps. From there, you’ll be less likely to feel anxious in various social situations.
- Easier Eating – Implants fuse with your jaw, restoring much of your bite force. That means they can help you chew and eat tough foods.
- Low-Maintenance Care – Unlike dentures or dental bridges, implants don’t really need special upkeep. You can clean them like you would natural teeth. As such, just remember to brush them twice daily, floss between them once daily, and rinse them with mouthwash.
Health Benefits
Of course, implants have more than simply everyday upsides. They also have several health advantages. By getting them, you’ll experience:
- Better Nutrition – Since they expand your available food choices, implants help you get essential vitamins and minerals. As a result, the prosthetics will greatly improve your nutritional health.
- Smile & Face Support – Left unchecked, tooth loss causes your teeth to tilt and your jaw to erode. (These forces can then lead to further tooth loss and facial collapse.) However, implants prevent such effects by acting as substitute tooth roots.
- No Oral Sensitivity – Compared to other restorations, dental implants don’t rub against other teeth or gum tissues. Consequently, they don’t usually irritate your mouth.
Long-term Benefits
What might help you settle on implants are their long-term benefits. These positive effects really set the prosthetics apart. In particular, they are:
- A High Success Rate – When well-placed, implants almost always succeed in the long run. It’s to the point that their 10-year success rate is over 95%!
- Long-Lasting Results – A dental implant’s average lifespan is roughly 15-20 years. In contrast, a properly maintained one can last 30 years or more. So, an implant usually has the potential to help you for a lifetime.
- Big Savings – Overall, implants can save you a lot of money. They don’t need as many repair and replacement visits as dentures or dental bridges. Therefore, their upfront cost is countered by a reduced need for expensive follow-up care.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Another benefit of dental implants in Pepper Pike is that they can be used to replace one tooth, multiple teeth, or even an entire row of your smile. The restorations you need for your dental implants will differ based on the number of teeth you’re missing.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Pretty much any healthy adult can get dental implants. Here are the three things that are needed to be considered a good candidate for the procedure:
- Good Overall Health: Getting dental implants requires a surgical procedure, so you will need to be in good enough health to undergo a minor surgery.
- Great Oral Health: If you have issues like cavities and gum disease, your dental implants are more likely to fail. Dental issues will need to be addressed before getting implants.
- Adequate Jawbone Density: It is essential that your jawbone is strong enough to support dental implants in order for your treatment to be a success.
If you don’t initially make a good candidate for dental implants, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t get them in the future. Many patients require preliminary treatments, like tooth extractions, gum disease treatment, or bone grafting before they can get dental implants. If this applies to you, we will help you schedule these procedures to get you on track toward your new smile!
Missing One Tooth
If you’re missing a single tooth, we can replace it with an implant-retained crown. After one dental implant is surgically placed in your jaw, we will mount a custom-made crown for a seamlessly beautiful and complete set of teeth.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If you’re missing multiple teeth consecutively, we may recommend an implant bridge. This custom-made prosthetic literally bridges the gap in your smile, and it can be supported by 2 dental implants. The result is a complete, sturdy, and strong set of teeth.
Missing All Teeth
Are you missing all or most of your teeth? In this case, we may recommend an implant denture. This is a custom-made prosthetic that is held in place with a series of multiple dental implants. With this option, we can replace your entire set of teeth with maximum beauty and strength. It won’t slip around or lose its fit like traditional dentures. We use a minimal number of implant posts for the maximum amount of stability and functionality.
You also could be a good candidate for All-On-X dental implants. This method is ideal for patients who have inadequate jawbone density due to missing teeth for a long period of time. Just like the name implies, this option anchors a full denture with a selective number of strategically placed dental implants.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
If you’re considering dental implants, you may be wondering about the cost of your treatment. Unfortunately, it’s hard to give you a precise estimate without examining your mouth first. That’s because there are a handful of variables that can affect price, including the number of teeth you’re missing and the strength of your jawbone. It will all depend on your specific smile. The best way to receive an estimate is to visit our dental office for a consultation.
Sinus Lifts
In the case of the upper molars and premolars, there may not initially be enough bone tissue to support a dental implant. A sinus lift or sinus augmentation can help by increasing volume to create the right environment for a successful dental implant procedure. The sinus area on either side of the nose is opened and bone tissue is added. A bone graft will also be completed, where healthy tissue is packed into the area. The implant will be placed after a brief healing period.
Dental Implant FAQs
Most of our patients who have gotten dental implants in Pepper Pike go on to say they resemble their natural teeth almost perfectly. Since implants replace both the crown and the root of the tooth, they deliver benefits that alternative solutions simply cannot deliver. We know you’re excited to enjoy having a full smile once again, but you probably have some questions first. That’s why we’ve answered some frequently asked questions about dental implants in this section.
How Do I Make My Dental Implants Last?
Maintaining your dental implants isn’t actually all that different from caring for your natural pearly whites. Brush and floss around your implant restoration every day as if it were a real tooth. Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash can clean areas that your toothbrush and floss might have missed. Avoid harmful oral habits such as teeth grinding, playing sports without wearing a mouthguard, smoking, and chewing on inedible objects like fingernails, ice, and pens. Lastly, make sure to see us at least twice a year for a checkup. That way we can detect and treat any problems with your implant early on.
Can Dental Implants Replace Front Teeth?
Absolutely! Dental implants can replace lost teeth no matter where in your mouth they were located. Once you’ve healed from the implant placement surgery, our dentist will capture impressions of your mouth, which are then sent to a dental lab. Professional ceramists will get to work crafting your personalized crown, bridge, or denture to mimic the appearance of your original teeth. After they arrive at our dental office and we place them onto your implants, no one else should even be able to tell they’re not your natural teeth!
Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Implants?
Typically, dental insurance pays for the least expensive treatment option. Unfortunately, dental implants are not the cheapest form of tooth replacement. The good news is that more and more insurance carriers are beginning to recognize the many benefits that dental implants offer. As such, they may cover a portion of the cost. Even if they don’t cover the implants themselves, they’ll often mitigate the cost of preliminary work like bone grafting.
Our dental office works with a variety of dental insurance providers. We’ll gladly file your paperwork for you to determine how much coverage you’re entitled to.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
Most people who are missing at least one tooth make good candidates for dental implants. Even patients who have suffered from jawbone loss can still get implants if they’re able and willing to undergo a bone graft or a sinus lift. We’ll also need to ensure you’re free of gum disease before placing implants. Certain chronic diseases, like diabetes, can hinder your body’s healing abilities, but you may still be able to receive implants. Additionally, you shouldn’t drink excessively or smoke during the healing process, as that can compromise the implants.
Ultimately, the only surefire way to find out if dental implants are right for you is to schedule a consultation with your implant dentist in Pepper Pike.