Dental Implants – Parma Heights, OH
Next-Level Tooth Replacement
Are you tired of dealing with your missing teeth every single day? Ready to stop missing out on your favorite foods, slurring simple words, or hiding your smile? If so, dental implants in Parma Heights, OH may be the answer. The most comprehensive tooth replacement available today, implants basically allow patients to get their original smile back using highly-advanced materials and state-of-the-art techniques. At Advanced Dental Center, we can perform the entire implant procedure from start to finish right here in our Parma Heights dental office, meaning you’ll be able to rebuild your smile as quickly and effectively as possible. To learn more and schedule an in-person consultation, contact us today.
Why Choose Advanced Dental Center for Dental Implants?
- Full-Service Care in One Convenient Location
- Latest Technology Delivers Beautiful Results Quickly
- Replace Any Number of Teeth for a Lifetime
Start-to-Finish Convenience
If you go to your average dental office for dental implants, they’ll more than likely send you to multiple specialists to actually have the procedure completed. Instead, at Advanced Dental Center, we’re able to complete every phase of the treatment in our Parma Heights dental office so you can save time and stress while you recover your smile. Our dentists have undergone special training when it comes to placing and restoring implants, meaning you’ll enjoy the best when it comes to both speed and quality.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
As one of the most comprehensive and reliable methods for replacing missing teeth, dental implants require a multistep process that can span several months. Though this might seem lengthy at first, your lifelike and long-lasting results will make them worthwhile. Better yet, you’ll be able to undergo the entire treatment at our practice, meaning you can receive care from a team you already know and trust! Until then, here are the four main steps of getting dental implants so you know what to expect.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The very first step towards replacing your missing pearly whites is by undergoing an initial consultation with your dentist. This appointment will be meant for us to examine your oral health and situation, checking your gums and jawbone density to confirm that you have enough mass to support dental implants. If we find that you don’t currently meet the prerequisites, we can offer preliminary treatments like gum disease therapy, bone grafting, or tooth extractions to prepare your mouth for the procedure. Once you’re ready, we’ll move forward with developing your treatment plan and schedule you for surgery at a later date.
Dental Implant Surgery
We’ll begin your dental implant procedure by completely numbing your mouth with a local anesthetic. A small incision will then be made in your gum tissue, allowing us to reach your jawbone. We’ll strategically place the metal posts in their preplanned positions and then suture your gums around them. You’ll be given protective dental caps to keep the implants safe while you go home and recover from the treatment.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Your recovery should take a few months, especially due to osseointegration. This is the process where your dental implants fuse to your jawbone, providing the stable foundation necessary to support your restorations for many years to come. Once osseointegration is successful, you’ll come back to our office to receive your abutments—small metal connectors that will link your restorations to your implants. You’ll then be sent home so your gums can recover.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
Once you’re healed, you’ll return to get your new dental crown, bridge, or denture. Our team will be sure to verify that your bite is comfortable, your restoration(s) fit properly, and that you’re satisfied with your results. We’ll also be happy to answer any questions you might have before sending you on your way to enjoy your rebuilt pearly whites!
Benefits of Dental Implants
What makes dental implants different from other treatments is that a patient’s new teeth are connected directly to the jawbone using new titanium tooth roots instead of just sitting on top of the gums. This more closely mimics the natural dental structure and offers outstanding durability and functionality when eating and speaking. The benefits of dental implants in Parma Heights far outweigh other, more traditional tooth replacement options (i.e., dentures, fixed bridges) and make it possible for individuals like yourself to enjoy a better quality of life.
Some of the most common advantages of dental implants include:
Lifestyle Benefits
- You won’t have to worry about eliminating certain foods from your diet because your implants will be firmly in place, allowing you to enjoy even hard, crunchy foods, which can be harder for dentures or fixed bridges to cut through.
- Your implants will blend into your smile beautifully, looking completely natural and fitting comfortably. You’ll never be able to tell the difference between your real and artificial teeth.
- Consuming your favorite hot beverage will never be a problem with dental implants. Unlike dentures that can become warped, your implants will remain fully intact and undeterred.
- Eating and speaking are much easier because your implants are surgically implanted into your jawbone. This means you’ll never have to worry about accidental slippage or having them fall out like dentures.
- According to a study, Biting Into Denture Care, nearly 10% of people with fixed bridges and dentures say they avoid social situations. With dental implants, you can expect to enjoy social gatherings and fun with family and friends without worrying about your smile.
Health Benefits
- Unlike dentures that can cause your jaw and gums to be sore, dental implants will not irritate your soft tissues, allowing for a more enjoyable experience.
- You’ll save money on denture adhesives, cleaning solutions, and frequent repairs and replacements because dental implants act just like regular teeth. Not only can they last a lifetime with proper care, but you don’t need to spend extra money on additional products to keep them clean. Your implant dentist in Parma Heights can explain what you need to do to ensure the health and longevity of your new smile.
- Dentures and other traditional tooth replacements only sit on top of the gum line. As a result, they do not work to improve your oral health. Dental implants in Parma Heights, however, mimic the natural tooth structure, ensuring your jawbone remains stimulated each time you chew or bite down. This helps to prevent facial collapse and offers a more youthful, vibrant appearance.
Long-Term Benefits
- In most cases, you can expect a 90-95% success rate after 10 years with dental implants!
- You can enjoy a superior method of tooth replacement that is designed to last a lifetime, unlike traditional dentures and fixed bridges that require replacing after several years.
- According to Dentistry Today, individuals who lost 5 or more teeth by the age of 65 were at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. However, you can reduce your risk with dental implants.
- Because it is believed that your lifespan is connected to how many teeth you have, it is in your best interest to pursue dental implants to replace your missing teeth because of their ability to mimic the natural tooth structure.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants are an incredibly versatile solution that can rebuild your smile, whether you’re missing one or more teeth. Regardless of how many you’ve lost, our team can use this restoration to simultaneously rebuild your smile while boosting your confidence. Before you can proceed with treatment, however, you must first have a consultation with one of our dentists. They’ll learn about your dental history and goals and perform an oral examination to determine whether it’s the best solution for your needs.
Keep reading below to learn more about what makes you a good candidate for dental implants, and feel free to contact us if you’d like more information.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Just about anyone who’s lost a tooth can potentially benefit from these artificial teeth. That said, you must meet certain requirements to determine whether they’re a good fit for you, including:
- Good overall health: This method involves surgically placing titanium support rods into your jawbone, so you need to be strong enough to undergo the procedure.
- A clean mouth: Cavities and gum disease can impact your results, so we need to ensure that you don’t have any oral issues, first.
- Sufficient jawbone density: When you lose teeth, your body absorbs bone mass that’s no longer needed to support them which weakens your jaw. For dental implants to be successful, we need to determine that your jawbone can support them.
If our team determines that you don’t meet the criteria, we’ll work with you to address any areas of concern so that you can move forward. For example, you might need to have tooth decay filled or have a bone graft to bulk up your jawbone so it can sustain your restoration.
Missing One Tooth
Dental implants are ideal if you only have to replace one tooth because they function as a single, standalone structure. You won’t have to worry about it becoming loose or dislodged like with dentures, and your dentist won’t have to remove enamel from healthy teeth like they do for dental crowns to line up properly.
The durable, tooth-colored material can match your natural hue so no one will notice it’s there. It’ll blend in seamlessly for a perfectly replenished smile.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If you have lost several pearly whites in a row, then you might do better with an implant bridge. This prosthetic consists of the right number of pontics (artificial teeth) needed to fill in the gap in your grin and is completed by a dental crown on either side. Traditionally, these crowns fit over your natural teeth but it’s also possible to attach them to dental implants. This keeps your jaw healthier than standard dental bridges because the titanium rods stimulate your jaw whenever you bite down or chew to keep it active.
Missing All Teeth
If you’ve lost all your teeth or if you’re frustrated by wearing traditional dentures, then our team might recommend implant dentures. This method involves strategically placing 4 to 6 titanium poles into your jawbone. Then, we’ll build customized dentures that attach to them for a more permanent solution. This allows us to recreate an entire row all at one time, and as a bonus, this restoration won’t slip out of place. Plus, you won’t have to worry about removing it for regular cleanings since it remains inside your mouth.
If your jawbone doesn’t have the required density, you may do better with All-On-4 dental implants. This procedure consists of planting 4 support rods into your jawbone to securely hold a full set of dentures in place.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Because tooth loss can vary so much from person to person, every dental implant treatment we provide has to be completely customized to meet the needs of a patient. This means the number of implants used, their location, and the type of restoration needed is always different, so the cost of dental implants in Parma Heights is always unique as well. While implants can certainly be a large investment, they are intended to last for decades, and they often help patients save money in the long run. Additionally, our practice offers a number of provisions to help you afford treatment.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
Many patients require preliminary treatments, such as a bone graft or gum disease therapy, before they can get dental implants in Parma Heights. Each of these services comes with its own fee. The implant placement surgery has a separate cost, which depends on how many implants are being placed and other factors. Our team has all the skill necessary to place implants in-house, so you will not have to worry about getting to know the pricing policies of an outside practice.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
There are many factors that contribute to the final cost of your treatment. For example, dental implants come from various manufacturers. They come in different sizes and may be made out of a range of materials. You will also have to pay for a restoration, the cost of which depends on the materials used to make it as well as its size. If you qualify for more than one type of dental implant treatment, we will be sure to help you understand the pros, cons, and cost of each of your options.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
Once your mouth has fully recovered and you’ve received your dazzling restorations, you’ll quickly understand why dental implants are worth the investment. Your new teeth will be stronger than they would be without implants, and they may prevent some oral health issues that would be costly to treat. Generally speaking, dental implants can last for many decades or even a lifetime. This means there is less of a chance that you’ll need to pay for replacements in the future and you may ultimately save money in the long run.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Oftentimes, dental insurance won’t pay for the implants themselves. However, you can often receive benefits to cover other parts of the procedure, such as the restoration or the initial consultation. We’re always happy to help you review your insurance plan so that you have a very clear idea of what you can expect to receive coverage for. We’ll also file claims on your behalf and do everything we can to help you maximize your benefits. We are even in-network with several major insurance plans.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
As your implant dentist in Parma Heights, we want you to be able to afford your new smile! In addition to helping you with insurance, we can also:
- Assist you in applying for financing through CareCredit. CareCredit offers a variety of low-interest and no-interest monthly payment plans.
- Sign you up for our in-house membership plan that offers a significant discount (20% - 30% on average) on virtually all of our services, including dental implants.
- Give you a $500 discount on a single dental implant. This is a great deal for patients who need to replace just one tooth!
Dental Implants Post-Op Instructions
At Advanced Dental Center, you can undergo the complete dental implant process right here in our office. This means you won’t have to worry about driving around town to get the treatment you need. Plus, you’ll be able to save both money and time while effectively rebuilding your smile from the roots up. Once you’ve finished your procedure, you’ll need to implement certain measures to ensure proper recovery and successful treatment. Read on to learn the typical dental implant post-op instructions so you know what to expect.
What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery
The blood clot that must form around your implant sites will be one of the most important parts of the treatment. That’s why, right after you’ve left your appointment and returned home, make sure to avoid touching or disturbing the area. You should also get plenty of rest for smoother recovery, but make sure to keep your head elevated to prevent blood from rushing to your mouth.
Follow the common rules below:
- Refrain from smoking or using tobacco
- Avoid touching the implant with your fingers or tongue
- Do not drink from a straw
Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement
One of the most common symptoms after oral surgery is soreness. Fortunately, this can easily be managed with over-the-counter and prescribed pain relievers. You might also experience intermittent bleeding, and some swelling in the area, which should also be short-lived. If you notice any of these symptoms persisting or worsening over time, give us a call right away for help. In the meantime, try managing your side effects as such:
- Apply gentle pressure to any bleeding area with a clean washcloth or gauze.
- Take pain medications to minimize discomfort or soreness.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery
Since you’ll still need to recover from surgery, it’s best to maintain a softer food diet. This means you should only eat meals consisting of easy-to-eat choices, such as pudding, yogurt, cold/warm soup, applesauce, scrambled eggs, or even ice cream. This should help you remain comfortable and pain-free as your implants properly integrate with your jawbone. Over time, you can start introducing tougher foods after your surgical site has healed sufficiently.
Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene
Even if you can’t floss or brush as thoroughly as before, keeping your mouth clean is essential for safe recovery. Otherwise, you can end up leaving your smile vulnerable to bacteria, plaque, and infection, which can become problematic and costly. Instead, try practicing these oral health tips:
- Brush carefully and gently when cleaning around the implant site.
- Avoid using mouthwash containing alcohol, which can be uncomfortable.
- Rinse with salt water 2-3 times daily, especially after eating, but don’t spit the water out; let it pour from your mouth.
What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached
After you’ve received your new crown, bridge, or denture onto your implants, you’ll be finished with the entire process. Your gums might feel some sensitivity, but it’s nothing a little pain medication can’t handle. Inform our team of any bleeding or swelling that you experience afterward so that we can address the issue. Other than that, you’ll be free to show off your brand-new pearly whites!
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Your smile needs to be well taken care of, regardless of whether it’s natural or prosthetic; otherwise, damage and infection can take away your confidence and function. If you’re going to go through the process of getting dental implants, you should do everything you can to make them last as long as possible. With basic maintenance, your dental implants can go 25 years or even longer. Needless to say, the little things you need to do to keep them in good condition are well worthwhile!
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
Dental implants cannot become decayed, but your smile depends on more than just your pearly whites. Brushing and flossing clear away inflammation-causing bacteria that could infect your gums. Even if all your teeth are prosthetic, daily oral hygiene is essential if you want to hold onto your new smile. These simple tasks don’t require much time or effort, but they are powerful in keeping your dental implants long term.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A sweet treat here and there isn’t harmful, but if you consume a lot of sugar in your daily diet, you are putting your implants at risk of failure. Sugar encourages the growth and spread of inflammation-causing bacteria in the mouth and facilitates infection. Limiting your sugar intake can help keep these bacteria under control.
On the other hand, there are tons of delicious, beneficial foods that can help your implants stay strong and secure. Calcium-rich foods reinforce the jawbone, while anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting foods like leafy greens, bell peppers, and others fight infection.
Break Bad Habits
If you have harmful habits, now is the perfect time to stop them. For instance, smoking or vaping encourages bacteria and gum infection, which means you’ll want to take necessary steps to quit. Other bad habits include chewing on ice, using your teeth to open plastic packaging, and more. Basically, if a habit can damage your teeth, it could damage your implants.
Protect Your Dental Implants
Are you active in sports? A hit to the mouth could cause dental implant failure, which means you should be wearing a mouthguard. This tiny piece of custom plastic absorbs the blow, protecting your smile; plus, it can even help reduce concussions!
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
To the untrained patient, the early signs of potential dental implant failure can be subtle and difficult to detect. By the time you realize there’s a problem, it could already be too late! Fortunately, if you continue to come to our office regularly, we can keep a close eye on your smile, identify any symptoms indicating trouble, and take care of the issue before it becomes detrimental to your implants.
Dental Implant Failure and Salvage
Has your dental implant suddenly come loose? Or is it causing you pain? When the unexpected happens and your dental implant seems to be failing, your first move should be to call our office to schedule an appointment with our team. We can help figure out what caused the problem in the first place, and we’ll work with you to create a treatment plan so that you can protect the health of your re-completed smile.
Learn More About Dental Implant Failure and Salvage
Dental Implant FAQs
If you’re interested in next-level tooth replacement with the help of dental implants in Parma Heights, give Advanced Dental Center a call! Choosing to rebuild your smile from the roots up with dental implants is an investment that will benefit your confidence, health, and quality of life for decades to come. Below, you’ll find answers to a few of the most common questions we get about this state-of-the-art treatment so you can make an informed decision. If you would like to know more or would like to schedule a consultation, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Traditional tooth replacement options like dentures and dental bridges wear down and lose their fit over time. On average, these restorations need to be replaced every five to seven years, which can become both inconvenient and pricey. One of the best benefits of dental implants is their vastly improved lifespan. This modern tooth loss solution is designed to last 30 years or more. In fact, with the right care, most patients enjoy their dental implants for a lifetime!
What’s the Best Age to Get Dental Implants?
Practically anyone who is over the age of 18, missing at least one tooth, and is in good health should consider dental implants! Tooth loss can happen at any age, and can cause crooked teeth, poor oral health, and difficulty chewing. No matter how old you are, these problems can negatively impact your quality of life! Plus, there is no upper age limit to get dental implants: patients in their 80s, 90s, and more have successfully restored their smiles with dental implants! The best age to get dental implants is not long after you’ve lost a tooth.
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
While getting dental implants requires minor surgery, it’s a relatively pain-free procedure. Since we offer start-to-finish convenience for dental implant treatment, you won’t have to worry about traveling across town to have an unfamiliar specialist place your dental implants. Our talented team here at Advanced Dental Center will be with you every step of the way, from your consultation to placing your brand-new teeth! We use reliable numbing medication and dental sedation techniques to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during your dental implant placement surgery.
Can I Eat Steak with Dental Implants?
Patients with traditional dentures and bridges often begin to avoid foods like steak, apples, and nuts. However, dental implants are securely embedded into the jawbone and can restore 80% or more of your natural biting force! Once your new teeth are in place, you should be able to enjoy practically all your favorite foods once again.
Can Missing Front Teeth Be Replaced with Dental Implants?
Missing one or more front teeth can dramatically impede your ability to smile confidently and eat comfortably. Thankfully, dental implants can replace any number of missing teeth anywhere in the mouth. In fact, they’re an ideal choice for missing front teeth! Their unmatched aesthetics will ensure that your smile is seamlessly natural-looking, and their durability ensures that you can bite into your food with complete confidence.