Dental implants are a great option for lasting tooth replacement. Our team at Pinnacle Periodontics is skilled in placing dental implants for a nearly permanent tooth root restoration for missing teeth. With the help of dental implants, your tooth restoration can look and act natural!
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small metallic rods that are placed to substitute tooth roots. These implants are used as an anchor to support dental bridges or artificial teeth when replacing missing teeth. Once they integrate into your jawbone, dental implants provide a stable foundation that looks and functions like the rest of your teeth.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants can last many years with proper dental care and hygiene. Dental implants are known to be a trusted option in dentistry due to their durability, natural features, and their minimalistic placement procedure. This tooth replacement option is built to last as long as possible!
Who Should Get Dental Implants?
We recommend dental implants to anyone who needs to:
- Replace Missing Teeth: Dental implants set a great foundation to replace missing teeth.
- Restore Tooth Roots: Replace damaged or decayed roots with a solution that lasts.
- Prevent Jaw Atrophy: Dental implants can help to prevent bone loss in the jaw that can occur when teeth are missing.
Before and Afters
What Is the Process of Getting Dental Implants?
Receiving dental implants is very predictable. Here at Pinnacle Periodontics, we offer two different processes depending on your specific needs and conditions: the traditional placement and restoration procedure, and the expedited S.M.I.L.E. technique. Here is a quick overview of both those methods.
Traditional Implant Procedure
For many patients, the traditional implant process is the best approach. Here’s a quick overview of how it works:
Initial Visit
We will first examine your teeth and then educate you on the treatment and recovery plan that works best for your situation. During this visit, we will cover the number of implants you will need and what is needed to make it happen.
Placing The Implant
During a separate visit, we will surgically place the implant in your jawbone. Following this, we will need to give the implant time to integrate into your jawbone. This is a process called osseointegration that happens with most surgical implants. We will give you a cap to place on the implant to help make the transition to the implant easier.
Abutment Placement
After about 3 months when integration is confirmed, a piece called the abutment will made to connect the implant to the artificial tooth that needs to be replaced. This separate procedure is done by your dentist after the implant is fused into the bone.
Replace Missing Teeth
Once the abutment is placed, your dentist will then connect the abutment to the replacement teeth. Our job at Pinnacle Periodontics is to provide the best foundation for the great teeth your dentist will make!
Additional Care
After the implants are placed, we will see you for implant maintenance and work with your dentist to help you maintain your new teeth as long as possible.
S.M.I.L.E. Technique
For faster tooth restoration, we are proud to offer the unique S.M.I.L.E. technique: a minimally invasive procedure to replace individual front teeth on the same day as extraction. This technique is something most other offices do not offer, but we perform it routinely.
The S.M.I.L.E. technique is designed to provide immediate results and minimize the downtime for our patients, ensuring you leave our office with a complete and confident smile.
Remove the Failed Tooth
We begin by carefully extracting the failed tooth, ensuring minimal discomfort and preserving as much of the surrounding bone as possible.
Place a Dental Implant with Bone Graft
Immediately after the extraction, we place a dental implant into the socket. A bone graft is also applied to promote bone regeneration and ensure the stability of the implant.
Create and Place a Temporary Crown
On the same day, we create a temporary crown that is fitted onto the implant. This allows you to leave our office with a fully functional and aesthetically pleasing tooth.
What Is The Recovery Time For Dental Implants?
Once the implants are completely set in your jaw, you may experience some slight discomfort as the implants get used to the rest of your mouth. This effect is totally normal.
Here are some great tools we use to help our patients recover:
- Use Ice To Reduce Swelling: Ice reduces swelling as the implant fuses to the jaw.
- Change Your Diet: Avoid any hot/cold foods to help the implants heal better.
- Use Pain Relievers: Painkillers like Tylenol or Ibuprofen can help you manage any pain or discomfort as your mouth adjusts to the implants.
Get Dental Implants From a Periodontal Expert
We are passionate about helping our patients receive the most up-to-date, quality care possible. Call Pinnacle Periodontics in Provo, Utah, to start the dental implant process today! We are excited to help improve your quality of life in whatever way possible.