The loss of a tooth not only compromises your ability to bite, chew, and speak clearly, but it may also make it harder for you to smile with confidence. Fortunately, there are effective long-term solutions for tooth restoration, including dental implant surgery. Ohio Dental Implants & Oral Surgery is pleased to perform implant procedures, restoring form and function to your smile.

Why are Dental Implants the Preferred Method of Tooth Replacement?

Dental implants are generally considered the gold standard for tooth replacement, offering a better alternative to bridges, dentures, or other methods. There are several reasons for this, but foremost that other tooth replacement methods require healthy neighboring teeth to be shaved down or otherwise compromised. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that does not risk any damage to healthy, adjacent teeth.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Designed to Last a Lifetime

Among the many benefits of dental implants is the fact that they are built to withstand years of wear and tear. In fact, with proper oral hygiene and regular check-ups from your dentist, dental implants can potentially last a lifetime. Other tooth replacement methods, including bridges and dentures, require routine replacement.

Preserves Bone and Facial Structures 

When you lose a tooth, your jawbone no longer receives stimulation from the tooth root, which can result in bone degradation. This, in turn, causes unwanted changes to your facial anatomy, while complicating dental restoration efforts. Dental implants function as artificial tooth roots, stimulating the jawbone and helping you avoid bone atrophy.

A Healthier Smile 

Often, tooth replacement methods require healthy teeth to be shaved or sanded down, compromising their long-term health and viability. With dental implants, there is no need to damage or alter healthy teeth, making this the best option for overall, holistic oral health.

Natural Appearance

The implant is an artificial tooth root, to which your regular dentist will attach a custom prosthesis. This replacement tooth will be carefully designed to match your naturally growing teeth’ look, size, and color, ensuring a seamless appearance and a confident smile.

How Will my Surgeon Determine Whether I am a Candidate for Dental Implants?

The first step in your dental implant journey is a consultation, during which your oral surgeon will determine your eligibility for a safe and successful procedure. This consultation may include a review of medical images, as well as a discussion of your personal health history. The best candidates for dental implants are in good health overall, without chronic health conditions that could put them in higher categories for surgical risk. Additionally, to be a candidate for dental implants, you must have adequate bone material, or else be willing to have a bone graft.

How are Dental Implants Placed and Restored?

Initial Consultation

Your first appointment will be a consultation, allowing you to ask any questions about the treatment plan, anesthesia options, recovery and aftercare, or the final clinical outcome. This is also when your oral surgeon will verify your eligibility for a successful procedure.

Preparatory Surgeries

In some cases, additional surgeries may be needed in order to prepare your mouth for implant placement. For example, if you have inadequate jaw material, a bone graft may be required. If you have unhealthy or non-viable teeth remaining, they may need to be extracted.

Implant Placement

You will be placed under full sedation for your implant placement, ensuring your comfort. At Ohio Dental Implants and Oral Surgery, we use CT-guided implant placement, which means your entire surgery will be pre-planned on a computer. This allows us to quickly drill into the placement site and position the dental implant. Our CT-guided approach means faster and more comfortable procedures.

Recovery

You will be discharged to go home, rest, and heal after the implant placement. Your implant will need to heal for several weeks before it fuses in place with the jawbone, at which point your regular dentist can place the replacement tooth. In the meantime, you may wear a temporary replacement tooth to maintain a normal, healthy appearance.

Recovery and Aftercare

We recommend that you take a few days off from work, giving your body a chance to rest and heal following the implant surgery. During this recovery period, you can anticipate swelling, bleeding, bruising at the corner of your mouth, and potentially some physical discomfort. We can provide pain management medications to facilitate the smoothest possible recovery.

As you recover from dental implant placement, you must abstain from certain foods, sticking to soft foods and liquids. This is only temporary; and once the implants have healed, you can enjoy all of your favorite foods again.

You’re in Good Hand with Our Surgeons

Tooth loss is incredibly common; thankfully, there is a long-lasting, natural-looking solution. For most patients, dental implants represent the best option for tooth restoration. Ohio Dental Implants and Oral Surgery has a proven track record of safe, comfortable, and practical/suitable implant surgeries. Learn more by scheduling a consultation at (440) 871-2201.