Missing two or more teeth in a row can have troubling consequences. You may be finding it increasingly more difficult to eat, especially when surrounding teeth begin to shift out of place. Similarly, if your missing teeth are in the “aesthetic zone”, you may be too embarrassed to smile or talk openly. The good news is that you don’t have to choose partial dentures or conventional bridges to replace your missing teeth! Dental implants in Gahanna and Upper Arlington, OH are the all-natural and permanent tooth replacement option that can restore a beautiful and functional smile.
Dental implants are the “gold standard” for replacing teeth, with many advantages that cannot be attained by other options. Partial dentures are removable, and they provide only a 10 percent return of function. They need pastes or adhesives to remain in place. Dental implants are permanently fixed in your jaw (like tooth roots) and provide over 98 percent dental function. Another option, conventional bridges, have a lifespan of 5-10 years, but adjacent teeth must be healthy enough to file down so a bridge can be attached. Dental implants replace only the teeth that are lost by replacing both the roots and the visible crown or bridge of teeth. They’re designed to last for many years and often the rest of a patient’s life.
This is why it’s critical that you have your dental implants placed by a skilled surgeon. Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. James Ellis, is extensively trained in dental implant surgery, including tooth extractions and bone grafting. Having placed thousands of dental implants implementing 3D technology, he can replace multiple missing teeth with predictably and efficiency. We encourage you to learn about your options for replacing teeth, our dental implant treatment process, and to learn if you’re a candidate for this life-changing solution.
Your first phase of treatment involves a personalized consultation and evaluation. We’ll discuss your smile goals, assess the health of your mouth, and take CBCT scans. These scans are highly detailed 3D images of your mouth, specifically the health and density of your jawbone. We use these images to determine if you’ll need bone grafting, virtually plan your treatment in our 3Shape Implant Studio software, and fabricate custom surgical guides with our in-house 3D printer. Dr. Ellis is incredibly skilled in placing dental implants, but the level of precision we can achieve by using these digital technologies further optimizes the final functional and aesthetic outcomes of your treatment.
Your surgical phase of treatment involves placing the dental implants (usually two or more to support a dental bridge) into your natural bone, a procedure that generally takes less than a few hours and is completed in our state-of-the-art surgical suite. Additionally, we can use plasma rich growth factors, derived from a sample of your own blood, to help accelerate healing after your procedure. Dental implant surgery usually only requires local anesthetic, but we offer the full range of anesthesia options if necessary. In most cases, we can complete preparatory procedures like bone grafting during this same appointment, so you won’t need to undergo multiple surgeries. Using the custom surgical guide, we’ll place the dental implant posts into your bone at the most precise depth and angle to maximize their long-term stability and the final prosthetic results. We’ll be collaborating with your restorative dentist during your entire treatment process, so in most cases, where your implants have adequate primary stability, a provisional bridge can be attached the same day as your surgery!
Your recovery period will last a few months, but it is a crucial time for your dental implants. During this phase, your natural bone is healing and fusing around the dental implant posts, just like existing tooth roots. With your temporary bridge in place, you’ll be able to enjoy smiling and talking with natural-looking teeth while your dental implants fully heal. You’ll then return to your restorative dentist’s office to have your final bridge designed and made. This process will result in a restoration perfectly customized to your smile and made from materials that look life-like and will be durable long-term. You can enjoy a beautiful and complete smile, with teeth that let you eat a variety of foods and a mouth free from disease and decay. Your new smile with a permanent dental implant bridge will help you live a more functional, confident, and healthier life overall!
You may be wondering how you can afford dental implants since they are costlier than partial dentures and conventional bridges. We consider dental implants to be a long-term investment for our patients. Unlike your other options, dental implants are designed to last your lifetime and actually become the more affordable solution when considered in terms of longevity and health benefits. To help ensure that dental implants are within your budget, we offer many third-party financing options and are in-network with most main dental insurances. By maximizing your benefits and providing low monthly payment options, you can afford to get dental implants, and get the healthy, functional smile you deserve!
I understand the information disclosed in this form may be subject to re-disclosure and may no longer be protected by HIPAA privacy regulations and the HITECH Act.
I understand the information disclosed in this form may be subject to re-disclosure and may no longer be protected by HIPAA privacy regulations and the HITECH Act.
