Dental Implants — Chesterton, IN
A Better, Longer-Lasting
Way to Replace Teeth
When looking for tooth replacement solutions, your primary concern will probably be to fill in the empty space in your smile so that you can eat all your favorite foods and smile without embarrassment. However, the roots of the teeth that are normally hidden under the gums also need to be considered; without them, your new teeth can’t stimulate the jawbone to help it retain its density or maintain the face’s overall shape. With dental implants in Chesterton, IN, we can replace the roots along with the visible portions of a tooth, letting you enjoy the benefits of a grin that has been fully repaired. If you want to learn more about dental implants in Chesterton or think you might be a candidate for the procedure, contact our friendly team at Advanced Dental Concepts today for a FREE consultation.
Why Choose Advanced Dental Concepts for Dental Implants?
- We Partner with Local Experts for Optimal Results
- Replace Any Number of Missing Teeth with a Variety of Options
- Flexible Financing & In-House Wellness Plan for Affordable Care
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant consists of three main parts: the post, the abutment, and the restoration. The dental implant post is small and screw-shaped, and it is often crafted out of titanium. Titanium is well-known for being a biocompatible material, and it’s used in other medical procedures like hip and shoulder replacements. Once the titanium post is inserted into the jaw, the surrounding bone tissue will heal around it, holding it in place and providing a reliably strong, long-lasting foundation just like the roots of a natural tooth.
On top of the implant post is the abutment, which is a small connector piece. This attaches (and is covered by) the final restoration. Depending on how many teeth you’re missing, one or more implants can be used to support a custom-made restoration like a crown, bridge, partial denture, or full denture. The final result is an incredibly strong and lifelike replacement that looks, feels, and functions just like the real thing!
The 4 Step Dental Implant Process
Dental implants are one of the most popular options for missing teeth because of their amazing health benefits and strength. However, the surgical process is more involved than other dental treatments, which is why we’ve included a step-by-step guide for how dental implants work in Chesterton. Read on to satisfy your curiosity and learn what to expect when you choose dental implants at Advanced Dental Concepts.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
It all starts with your consultation, where you’ll visit our office for an appointment with Dr. Hayes or Dr. Zhang. They will carefully examine the number of teeth that you’re missing, the condition of your overall oral health, and the strength of your jawbone. From there, they will be able to develop a personalized treatment plan that includes important information like estimated cost and the time it will take to complete your smile.
Dental Implant Surgery
For the surgical placement of your dental implants, we will refer you to a trusted local implant specialist. Their advanced training and technology will ensure you receive optimal results with the highest chances of long-term success. The process is relatively straightforward: First, they will numb your mouth to ensure you are completely comfortable. They may also offer some form of sedation dentistry as well. Next, your implant dentist in Chesterton will create a small incision on the gums to access the jawbone. A tiny hole is made to set the dental implant into. Once it’s in place, the gums will be sutured back up around it and you’ll be provided with a temporary restoration on top of the implant. This will help to maintain the shape of your gums during healing and give you a temporary replacement tooth.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
Next, you’ll begin a healing process called osseointegration, where the dental implant will fuse to the jawbone. This is possible because dental implants in Chesterton are made of titanium, which is a biocompatible and strong material. The time it takes to heal will vary, but you’ll need at least 3 to 4 months for the implant to completely fuse to the bone. While this seems like a long waiting period, it’s precisely what allows your dental implant to look, feel, and function like the rest of your smile. Once it’s in place, we will mount an abutment on top, which is a small connector that allows us to place the final restoration.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
The last part of the implant process is where we will mount your permanent, custom-made restoration. After taking special impressions and images of your smile with your implant and abutment, we will create a dental crown, bridge, partial, or full denture that fits perfectly in place. Once mounted on the implant, it will seamlessly blend into the rest of your smile. One of the added benefits of dental implants is that they allow your restorations to mimic the way your natural teeth emerge from your gums. After your restoration is placed, all that’s left to do is to walk out of our office with a strong, beautiful, and complete set of teeth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Year after year, dental implants continue to be one of the most sought-after tooth-replacement solutions. There are several reasons for this, which we’re covering in the next section. That said, you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with our implant dentist in Chesterton if you want to learn more about the perks that come with this restorative treatment.
Day-to-Day Benefits
Oftentimes, patients are focused on the long-term benefits of dental implants. While those are certainly noteworthy, you won’t have to wait long to experience the advantages. In fact, once you’ve healed, you’ll enjoy that dental implants:
- Look and Feel Natural – Since every aspect of your restoration will be customized with your unique face shape and aesthetic goals in mind, even those closest to you will find it extremely difficult to tell which teeth are dental implants and which are not.
- Are Easy to Maintain – Simply put, you won’t need to buy a bunch of expensive products to maintain your new smile. All you need to do is brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash consistently as well as come to our office at least once every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
- Restore the Strength of Your Bite – Oftentimes, patients who are struggling with tooth loss are stuck eating applesauce, yogurt, and other extremely soft foods on repeat. Since dental implants can restore some of the strength of your bite, eating your favorite foods is not only easy but enjoyable!
Health Benefits
Another reason dental implants are so widely loved is that they can have a positive impact on both your oral and overall health. For example, they:
- Prevent Dental Drift – In the months and years following tooth loss, it’s very normal for the teeth surrounding the gap to move. This can quickly impact the alignment of your bite, increasing your risk of chronic jaw pain, premature wear on your teeth, and more.
- Help You Maintain a Diverse Diet – It’s hard to get all of the nutrients your body needs if you’re limited to a soft foods diet. Fortunately, dental implants can restore some of the strength of your bite, which makes eating a healthy, well-balanced diet considerably easier.
- Preserve Your Jawbone – While other tooth-replacement solutions rest against your gums or the surrounding teeth, dental implants are inserted into your jawbone. Not only does this provide unmatched stability, but it also helps prevent bone loss.
Long-Term Benefits
Last, but definitely not least, dental implants offer several long-term benefits, including:
- Unmatched Stability – Thanks to surgical placement, you won’t have to worry about your dental implants shifting or slipping unexpectedly; they will stay in place whether you’re talking to a coworker, laughing with a friend, or enjoying a meal with a loved one.
- Preserve Your Youthful Face Shape – Following tooth loss, many patients notice that their cheeks look sunken in. Not only will dental implants fill the gaps in your smile, but they will also preserve your jawbone, which helps you maintain a youthful appearance.
- Long Lifespan – Unlike other tooth-replacement solutions, which typically last 5-7 years, dental implants can last for several decades. In fact, if you practice regular oral care and stay committed to routine visits, they may last for the rest of your life!
Who Dental Implants Can Help
We offer several types of dental implants based on your pattern of tooth loss. For a single missing tooth, we can seamlessly complete your smile with a single implant crown. If you have multiple consecutive lost teeth, we may recommend an implant bridge to fill the gap instead of individual single dental implants. For those missing all or most of their teeth, an implant denture will provide the most stable and lifelike full smile replacement available.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Dental implants typically cost more than traditional restorations like crowns, bridges, and dentures upfront. However, patients often find that they’re actually the most cost-effective option because they can last for life, meaning they won’t need to pay for a replacement every five to fifteen years. The overall cost of the procedure can vary, but at Advanced Dental Concepts, we can provide an estimate during your FREE implant consultation and discuss your financial options, which might include dental insurance or CareCredit.
Are Dental Implants Worth the Cost?
The benefits of dental implants make them well worth the investment. Primarily, dental implants can last for a lifetime with proper care, which may even save you money in the long run from avoided replacements. They also allow you to eat, speak, and chew with the confidence of having a smile that looks, feels, and functions like your natural one.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Usually, dental insurance providers don’t cover dental implants in Chesterton, however they may be able to cover certain aspects of the process. For example, your consultation, treatment of preexisting dental issues, and part of your restoration may be covered, but this will depend on your provider. At Advanced Dental Concepts, we are committed to providing our patients with quality dental care that is also affordable. If you have any questions, our front desk staff will be happy to help! Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn more.