Dental Implant Services in Vinings

For More Than a Pretty Smile: Dental Implants in Vinings

“Okay, everybody SMILE!”

If tooth loss from accident, dental disease, age, or other causes makes you reluctant to comply with this familiar cue, help is nearer than you may think. The latest in materials and technique make dental implants a better option than ever for durable, natural-looking replacement of lost teeth. The information here will help you see why.

Dental Implants: What They Are

Dental implants replace missing teeth with natural-looking crowns secured by titanium metal bases. Most commonly, the bases are anchored in the jawbone (a technique called an endosteal implant) like natural teeth. A bone graft is sometimes needed before sufficient jawbone is present to support dental implants. Patients without adequate jawbone who cannot tolerate a bone graft may benefit from another option, subperiosteal dental implants, in which the metal base is placed below the gum but above, or on, the jawbone. These dental implants procedures make it possible to replace a single lost tooth, or multiple teeth, with dental implants that function like your own teeth.

The Cost of Dental Implants

Because they are completely customized, dental implants cost varies for each patient. Experts who provide dental implants in Vinings will advise you about your expected dental implants cost only after a careful examination. Dental implants cost will depend in part on whether you need a bone graft, whether subperiosteal dental implants or endosteal dental implants are indicated, and which materials will be used for the implant post and crown. Whatever the bottom line, you will also be weighing the durability, natural appearance, and health benefits of dental implants as compared with other dental restorations and prostheses.

Will Your Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Some dental insurance plans may not provide dental implants insurance because they are classified as cosmetic—rather than restorative—dentistry. Read your policy carefully (and call your carrier if needed) to determine whether your benefits include dental implants insurance. If your insurer does not cover dental implants, check online for special plans whose goal is affordable dental implants, or contact our office to learn about how affordable dental implants can be with our financing options.

Dental Implants Procedure: How it Works

A dental implants procedure is performed by a team undertaking several steps. Your team members will be:

• a dental surgical specialist who (often using computer imaging) creates the precise surgical channels that receive the implant posts
• a restorative dentist who designs and situates the implant crowns
• a dental laboratory technician who makes them

The implant post is fitted into the site prepared by the surgeon and usually fuses with the living jawbone in two to six months, creating a secure foundation for the new tooth. A device called an abutment is placed on top of, or built into, the metal implant, for use by the restorative dentist in cementing or screwing the crown in place.

What to Expect

A dental implants procedure is typically performed in the dental surgeon’s office with local anesthesia, much like having a filling. The surgery does not leave open wounds and most people heal quickly without problems. Your dental implants specialist will advise you on a diet that benefits the healing process. When the dental anesthesia wears off, any discomfort during healing can usually be managed with over-the-counter analgesics.

Dental Implants Benefits

Most patients enjoy immediate cosmetic benefit from dental implants that look just like their natural teeth. Unlike bridges or dentures, dental implants also function like natural teeth—except that they do not decay or require root canal. The crown (visible portion) of a damaged implant can be replaced without disturbing the attachment to the bone. Dental implants can also preserve facial bone by arresting the natural process of bone resorption that results when jawbone is not stimulated because teeth are missing. With good oral hygiene, dental implants can last for decades.

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

Generally speaking, if you have suffered tooth loss you are a candidate for dental implants. Experts who provide dental implants in Vinings can provide information tailored to your exact needs—and help you want to stay up front the next time someone asks, “Say CHEESE!”