Dental Implants — Gahanna, OH

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

At Claybrooke Dental of Gahanna, our dental team will begin by going over your oral health and medical history. This will give us a clear view of whether you currently show signs of gum disease, tooth decay, or jawbone loss. Although most patients are eligible to receive dental implants, it may not be possible to move forward with surgery right away. The consultation will determine if you require additional preliminary treatments (i.e., gum disease treatment, tooth extraction, bone grafting, etc.) before having your new teeth put in place. If necessary, this will set your mouth up for success.

Dental Implant Surgery

Dr. Odenweller and Dr. Buller will make sure you are referred to a local implant dentist in Gahanna who will place your new prosthetics with your safety and comfort in mind. Administering local anesthesia to numb your mouth, they will carefully place each implant post into the designated area of the gumline and jawbone so that ample support is provided once the custom restoration is put in place. After positioning each post, they will close your gum tissue and place protective healing caps over the areas for adequate healing.

Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment

The next phase of treatment is osseointegration. While healing at home, your implant posts must fuse with your jawbone to ensure long-lasting placement. This can take 4-6 months. Once you are fully healed from this portion of treatment, you will have the metal abutments that attach your restoration to your implant put into place. This will require a small procedure that will likely take a few weeks for you to heal properly.

It is also at this time that we will take a dental impression of your mouth so that trusted lab technicians can craft your custom restoration.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

The final phase of treatment is receiving your customized dental restoration. This can be a crown, bridge, or denture depending on the number of teeth you need to have replaced. This will be determined during your initial consultation, as you and a member of our team go over the number of missing teeth you have and what will be required to replace them. Once everything is in place, you will be able to begin enjoying life with your new smile.

Day-to-Day Benefits

According to a 2015 survey, 56% of denture wearers felt their dentures held them back from living life to the fullest. Dental implants in Gahanna solve many of these problems by allowing you to:

• Eat most foods – Traditional dentures only replenish about 25% of your original chewing strength, while dental implants can restore 70% or more. Their stable foundation in your jaw will allow you to chew your favorite foods with ease.
• Speak easily – After a few years, conventional dentures tend to slip around in the mouth, causing lisps or whistling sounds. In contrast, dental implants remain firm in the jaw like natural teeth, letting you talk clearly and confidently.
• Smile confidently – Your implant restorations are custom-made to resemble your natural teeth. That, coupled with the fact that your teeth won’t slip or fall out, grants you the ability to show off those pearly whites with complete confidence.

Health Benefits

The advantages of dental implants extend beyond improving your everyday quality of life. They also provide significant health benefits, such as:

• Jawbone preservation – Like natural teeth, dental implants stimulate the jawbone through biting and chewing. This keeps it strong enough to support your facial structures, preventing the sunken, wrinkled appearance that often occurs after tooth loss.
• Protection for remaining teeth – After a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth eventually drift in an attempt to fill in the gap. Dental implants keep your remaining teeth in their proper alignment. Plus, they don’t require alteration of healthy natural tooth structure for support like dental bridges do.
• Overall health benefits – Research has demonstrated a correlation between tooth loss and several health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. Dental implants act just like real teeth, preventing these problems.

Long-Term Benefits

By investing in dental implants, you’re making a wise decision in the long run. Here are some of their long-term benefits:

• High success rate – Even after 10+ years, dental implants boast an impressive success rate of more than 95%.
• Easy maintenance – For the most part, you can care for dental implants just like you would natural teeth – regular brushing, flossing, and checkups with your implant dentist in Gahanna.
• Cost-effective solution – While dental bridges and dentures cost less at first, you’d end up spending more money over the years on frequent adjustments and replacements as well as special cleaning supplies and adhesives. Dental implants, on the other hand, are a one-time investment that will pay for themselves in the long run.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Your candidacy for dental implants will be discussed at your initial consultation. To qualify for the procedure, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• You are missing one or more teeth.
• Your mouth is healthy (meaning you do not have gum disease or any other oral health issues that might lead to dental implant failure).
• Your jaw has enough bone density to bond with and support dental implant posts.
• You are in good enough overall health for a minor surgical procedure.

Sometimes preliminary work may be required to ensure that a patient is able to get dental implants. For example, bone grafting can be performed to correct a lack of jawbone density.

Missing One Tooth

No matter where in your mouth a missing tooth was located, the gap can be filled with a dental implant. Once the implant post has finished bonding with the bone tissue, it will be ready to support a dental crown. Don’t worry about your new tooth attracting the wrong sort of attention; the implant post will be hidden beneath the gums, and the dental crown will be personalized in order to match the appearance of your natural teeth.  

Missing Multiple Teeth

When multiple teeth are missing, we will have to consider your situation carefully in order to determine the best way to fill in all of the empty space with dental implants. In cases where three or more teeth in a row have been lost, you may be eligible for a dental bridge supported by a pair of implant posts. But if the missing teeth were in different parts of your mouth, it may be necessary to get a partial denture, which can be anchored to a certain number of implant posts placed in carefully chosen parts of the jaw.

Missing All Teeth

Even when all of your teeth are missing, dental implants can still offer a solution. Four or more strategically placed dental implant posts can support a full denture, thus restoring your entire smile. Implant dentures have enough chewing power to handle all kinds of foods, including those that might cause difficulties for people who wear traditional dentures. On top of that, you can count on implant dentures to stay in place at all times.

Implant dentures can either be fixed or removable. The kind that you get will be influenced by your own preferences as well as the needs of your mouth.

Types of Dental Implants

There is not a set cost for dental implants because there are various factors that influence the cost of your treatment plan, like the number of teeth you’re replacing. You’ll need to pay for each implant post, abutment, and restoration. As a result, you can expect it to cost more to replace several teeth than if you were to only need one treated. We’ll provide you with an estimate during your consultation that’s customized for your specific needs.

What are the Stages of Dental Implant Treatment?

Besides the number of teeth that you’re replacing, each stage of your treatment plan will affect the cost. This can make your new smile affordable because you’ll have more time to pay since the entire amount isn’t due upfront. Although every plan differs, most patients can expect their costs to include:

• Consultation & Imaging: You’ll need an initial consultation and a CT scan to ensure you’re a candidate for dental implants.
• Additional Procedures: Many patients need additional procedures before their placement surgery, like bone grafting or a sinus lift.
• Sedation & Anesthesia: You’ll need sedation or anesthesia during your placement surgery.
• Placement Surgery: Titanium implant posts are surgically placed into your jawbone.
• Abutments: Each implant post will need an abutment, which is a special fixture that connects your restoration.
• Restorations: Your restorations are designed to match your real teeth for seamless results.

Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?

It’s true, you’ll pay more upfront for dental implants than traditional treatments, but they are more affordable long-term. By replacing the root of the tooth, it stimulates your jawbone, preserving its density. This protects any remaining teeth from drifting out of alignment, decreasing your overall oral health expenses.

Dental implants also have the potential to last for a lifetime with the right aftercare, like maintaining your oral hygiene at home. You’ll never need to worry about paying to have them replaced to save even more money down the road.

Can I Use My Dental Insurance?

Many insurance policies will cover a portion of the cost after paying your annual deductible. We will work on your behalf with your insurance carrier to lower the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket. A member of our team will discuss how your benefits are being used and if you owe a remaining balance. We will take the time to explain your payment options, like using third-party financing.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

While dental implants cannot become infected, the gums and jawbones supporting them still can, and gum disease is one of the leading causes of implant failure. To keep your newly restored smile in great shape, be sure to brush, floss, and use antibacterial mouthwash every day to eliminate food debris and sugary residues that can shelter and feed harmful oral bacteria.

Eat a Healthy Diet

While dental implants work just like real teeth when chewing, it’s still important to eat a healthy diet to preserve your oral health. Be sure to get plenty of protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins C and D to help your implants form a strong and durable bond with your jawbone while keeping your gums, soft tissues, and teeth healthy.

Break Bad Habits

Bad habits can set the stage for dental implant disaster. To ensure that your implants stay healthy, abstain from chewing on non-food items and using your teeth to open packages or bottles, as these can damage your appliances. Tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption are both great ways to inhibit your gums’ ability to heal and fight infection, so kick these habits as soon as possible.

Protect Your Dental Implants

It’s important to protect your dental implants from damage. If you play sports or ride a bike, be sure to wear a mouthguard to cushion your smile against falls and blows to the face. If you grind your teeth when you sleep, we offer customized nightguards that you can wear to bed to ensure that your natural and artificial teeth receive superior protection.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

We love seeing our patients, so remember to have at least two dental exams and cleanings at our Gahanna office every year. This allows our dentists to keep an eye on the state of your oral health while correcting problems in their early stages and advising you about oral hygiene practice, and these appointments play a key role in ensuring that your implants stay in great condition.