Dental Implants Jackson
Sturdy, Long-Lasting Tooth-Replacements
Dental implants have become more and more popular over the last few decades. Not only do they offer better longevity and aesthetics than other tooth replacements, but they can also mimic the functions of natural tooth roots – something that traditional bridges and dentures can’t do by themselves. Dr. Malley can place dental implants in-house thanks to his training and our practice’s state-of-the-art technology. Call Lakeland Dental Care today to set up a consultation and find out if dental implants in Jackson are the right choice for you!
Why Choose Lakeland Dental Care for Dental Implants?
- In-House Dental Implant Placement
- The Latest Dental Technology
- Experienced, Knowledgeable Dentist
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant consists of three main parts: a biocompatible implant post, a custom-made restoration, and a metal abutment. The post is surgically placed in your jaw, where it fuses with the surrounding bone until it’s fully attached. Then we can attach a restoration made to look like your natural teeth to the post via the abutment. Because the implant joins with your jaw the way your natural teeth do, your new smile will look and feel that much more lifelike.
The 4 Step Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process takes place over the course of several months or longer. Granted, that can seem like a long time! However, you can expect the end results to be well worth any inconveniences that you face along the way. Are you curious about what you can expect during the treatment journey that awaits you? During your consultation, we can provide specific details. In the meantime, here is a general overview of the four main steps of dental implant treatment:
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
During your first implant visit, we will examine your mouth to determine how many implants you will need and what preliminary procedures might need to be completed before the surgery. For example, some patients require gum disease treatment or a bone graft. We will also learn about your medical history, relevant lifestyle factors, and goals for treatment. Then, we can give you an outline of what the rest of the process will look like.
Feel free to ask plenty of questions during your consultation. We want you to feel well-informed before you commit to anything.
Dental Implant Surgery
We perform this delicate part of the dental implant process right here in our office, so you will not need to worry about dealing with expensive outside specialists.
During implant surgery, one of the first things we will do is make you comfortable. Thanks to local anesthesia and possible sedation, you may feel little to nothing during your procedure. To place your implants, we will open your gums so that the implant posts can be inserted into the bone in their pre-planned locations. Then we will stitch the gums closed and send you home so you can begin your recovery.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
Osseointegration is the months-long process of the implants fusing with the surrounding jawbone. It is what allows the implants to serve as sturdy and strong prosthetic tooth roots.
After adequate osseointegration has occurred, you may need to undergo a second surgical procedure. We will expose your implants and place healing caps on them. Later, the healing caps will be replaced by abutments, small connector pieces that will serve to keep your new crown, bridge, or denture securely attached to your implants. (Some patients receive abutments during their initial implant surgery, so this second procedure is not always necessary.)
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
We will take detailed impressions of your mouth to design the final restoration. The impression will go to a trustworthy laboratory, where talented technicians will fabricate your restoration. Its size, shape, and color will all be customized to fit your unique mouth and complement your facial features. Once it is ready, we will double-check that it meets our rigorous quality standards. Then, we can attach it to the posts and put the finishing touches on your new smile. You will be able to start enjoying the benefits of your restored teeth right away!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there! Since they replace the roots of the missing teeth, they offer a wide range of additional benefits that you can’t find from other tooth replacement options. Here are just some of the incredible benefits that you can experience when you choose dental implants.
Day-to-Day Benefits
Dental implants look and feel just like real teeth. You shouldn’t even notice a difference between them once they heal. Here are some of the benefits that you can experience on a day-to-day basis:
- Strong Bite Force: Thanks to their unique placement in the jawbone, dental implants have unmatched stability, ensuring that patients can eat without restrictions.
- Easy to Maintain: Dental implants are cared for just like natural teeth. Brush twice, floss, and rinse with mouthwash every day. Continue to see your dentist for regular visits and avoid bad habits, like smoking.
- Aesthetics: With proper care, a dental implant can last for decades or even the rest of your life.
Health Benefits
In addition to daily benefits, your health will be positively affected by dental implants. Here are some of the health benefits to look forward to:
- Oral Health: Dental implants help to prevent additional oral health issues from developing, like gum disease and additional tooth loss.
- Overall Health: Having excellent oral health will positively influence your general health. It lowers your risk of serious medical issues, like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Bone Retention: Dental implants stimulate the jawbone through regular chewing and biting. This helps to prevent bone loss over time.
Long-Term Benefits
When you get dental implants, you are making an investment in the future of your smile. Here are some benefits that you can experience many years into the future:
- Long-Lasting: With proper care, dental implants can last for decades or even the rest of your life.
- Successful: Dental implants have an incredible success rate of over 95%! Failure is highly unlikely.
- Affordable: You don’t need to worry about buying adhesives or soaking solutions. Dental implants don’t require frequent repairs or replacements either. They also reduce your risk of developing oral health issues, so you can save time, discomfort, and money.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Whether you’re missing one tooth or an entire arch, dental implants may be an option. After all, they can replace any number of missing teeth! So, if you are ready to face tooth loss head-on, you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us. From there, we can determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants and, if you are, the type of restoration that’s ideal for you.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
If you are an adult with missing teeth, good oral health, and a jaw that has not yet suffered from bone loss, you are most likely a good candidate for dental implants in Jackson. Even if you can’t currently have the surgery performed, you might be eligible after bone grafting or other preliminary procedures. Keep in mind that dental implants are highly versatile compared to other replacement options; with enough posts and the right restoration, they can be used to replace any number of teeth.
Missing One Tooth
Are you missing only one of your teeth? Whether it’s a front tooth or a back molar, a single dental implant may be the solution! The first step is securing the dental implant to the jawbone and allowing the two to fuse together. Then, once you’ve healed from the procedure, we can place a custom dental crown on top. Since it will be custom-made just for you, it will look extremely lifelike and fill the space in your smile perfectly so that your remaining teeth don’t drift out of place.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If you are missing several teeth in a row, a traditional dental bridge is no longer your only option! With an implant bridge, we place a dental implant on each side of the gap to anchor your restoration. There are several benefits that come with this tooth-replacement solution, including stability. It also prevents us from having to remove any enamel from your natural teeth. As a result, it’s often the better choice for your oral health in the long run.
Missing All Teeth
If you are missing an entire row of teeth, you should consider implant dentures! Instead of resting against the gums, your restoration will be supported by at least four implant posts. This will prevent it from slipping unexpectedly and make it possible to enjoy a wider variety of foods. Plus, since the implant posts are secured to your jawbone, it will help prevent bone loss and preserve your youthful face shape throughout the years.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
As tempting as dental implants are, you should still learn their price before getting them. You won’t know whether the posts fit your budget otherwise. Just know that you’ll have to see us for an estimate, as the cost of dental implants in Jackson varies. Only then can we confirm your treatment’s price, settle the role dental insurance may play, and outline helpful payment options. For more details on these matters, please keep reading or call us soon.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
Some patients need “preliminary care” before they can get dental implants. More specifically, they may require services like periodontal therapy, tooth extraction, etc., that add to their treatment cost. If you’re one such patient, please don’t worry; these procedures ensure your implants’ success. The typical dental plan also covers them to some extent.
Of course, implant surgery also incurs its own price. This cost depends on factors like implant location, your need for sedation, the dentist’s skill – the list goes on. With that said, the surgery is always worth the expense; we handle it entirely in-house.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
In general, the treatment cost is also influenced by the parts of your dental implants. The most relevant of these are:
- Implant Size/Material – An implant’s final price is partly shaped by its size and material. For example, a long one will cost more than a short one. Zirconia posts are also pricier than titanium posts.
- Implant Number – It may sound obvious, but the price of placing several implants is greater than that of placing just one.
- Implant Brand – Your implant’s brand (or manufacturer) will also affect its cost, as different companies make dental implants differently.
- Final Restoration Type – Whether your implant has a high or low price will partly depend on its final restoration. After all, devices like dental bridges, dental crowns, and implant dentures have distinct costs.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
Dental implants serve as great long-term investments, despite their high upfront price. You can trust them to save you money for many years.
Keep in mind that dental implants have long lifespans. When they’re well-maintained, they’ll typically work for 30 years or more without major challenges. The posts are thus unlikely to need follow-up repairs or replacements, unlike dentures or dental bridges that fall apart in a few years. They’ll thus “pay off” by saving you money otherwise spent on follow-up dental visits.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
While it’s sad to say, dental insurance doesn’t often cover dental implants. Most policies see the posts as medically unnecessary and won’t apply benefits toward them. That said, there are always exceptions; you should still confirm your plan’s details beforehand. Our team can even help out, so please see us if you want to contact your insurance provider.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
Lakeland Dental Care offers several excellent payment options, which could make your dental implants much more affordable. Picking the right one would thus make the posts budget-friendly.
A major example would be our office’s Cherry Financing program. Through the third-party financer Cherry, we let patients pay for specific treatments in easy monthly installments. This setup ensures you can meet an implant treatment’s cost gradually, rather than just all at once.
If you want affordable dental implants, don’t hesitate to see us. We’ll gladly pencil you in for a consultation!