1011 E Prescott Rd
Salina, KS 67401
DENTAL SERVICES
Dental Implants
About Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a periodontist - a specialist of the gums and supporting bone. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile!
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.
Dental implants are very strong, stable, and durable and will last many years. The durability and natural fit and function provided by implants make them a preferred choice for many patients looking for tooth replacement solutions. Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth or can be used to support full-arch restorations using implant-supported bridges or dentures.
The Dental Implant Process
Since dental implants require surgery, the process begins with an evaluation of your health. You will have a detailed dental exam and review of your medical history and records done by Dr. Moeller prior to treatment planning. Once your condition is properly diagnosed and a treatment plan determined, Dr. Moeller will talk with you about your options for anesthesia and help you select the best one for you. The whole process typically involves several procedures over time: removing damaged teeth, placing the implant(s), bone growth and healing, placing the abutment, and placing the crown (artificial tooth).
Your treatment team will plan time between procedures for recovery and healing for your jawbone. Depending on your needs and the amount of work being done, the start to finish process for tooth replacement using dental implants can often take months, especially if you require bone grafting in order to receive the implant(s).
Though every case and implant placement is unique, the process may be typically described in the following phases:
Treatment Planning
A thorough evaluation is performed then x-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for an implant. Dr. Moeller uses advanced technology and years of expertise to plan the implant process so that his patients can confidently expect an exceptional final outcome.
Dental Implant Surgery
During the initial surgery, specialized instruments are used to create a small incision in the jawbone to prepare for the implant. The titanium post is then carefully placed into the jawbone with precision to ensure optimal stability.
Healing Phase
The second phase allows the jawbone to heal and integrate with the implant through a process called osseointegration. This healing period typically takes between three to nine months, depending on individual healing rates.
Restoration Phase
Once the implant has fully integrated, Dr. Moeller will attach the abutment (connector) and place the final restoration, which may be a crown, bridge, or denture. This fitting generally takes about an hour and may require a second minor surgical procedure, depending on the specific treatment plan.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Dental Implants?
Anyone who is missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or tooth decay may be a candidate for dental implants. The determining factor is the amount of available bone. Dr. Robert Moeller, board-certified periodontist and dental implant specialist, is the best person to evaluate whether dental implants are a viable solution for you.
For patients who suffer with severe and chronic dental problems, dental implants have become increasingly popular because they are an excellent, long-term solution that can make your teeth and mouth start to feel and look healthy again.
Dental implants can replace single teeth or multiple teeth, so you may be a candidate, even if you only need one tooth replaced. However, if you are not in good health, have periodontal disease, or don’t have enough bone mass in your jaw to support the implants, they may not be for you. If your jawbone is insufficient, you may be able to have a procedure called a bone graft in order to build up the bone and move forward with the implants in the future. To learn if dental implants are the best tooth replacement solution for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Moeller, board-certified periodontist and dental implant specialist in Salina, Kansas.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implant-supported replacement teeth look, feel and function like natural teeth. This means that you can eat and drink whatever you choose. But most importantly, dental implants often improve quality of life in a very concrete way. People who have felt embarrassed and worried because of their tooth problems are often overwhelmed by what new permanent teeth can do for their self-esteem.
The benefits of choosing dental implants as a tooth replacement solution include:
Improved Appearance
When you lose the entire tooth - crown and root - shrinkage of the jawbone may cause your face to look older. Dental implants can stop this process. A traditional denture or dental bridge doesn’t. Additionally, when dental implants are used in combination with modern restorative dentistry, their appearance, comfort and function are very likely to exceed your expectations. Often they are hard to tell apart from your natural teeth.
Preserve Natural Teeth
With traditional dental bridges, teeth adjacent to missing teeth are normally ground down to be used as anchors for a dental bridge. Dental implants often eliminate the need to modify healthy teeth.
Durable, Permanent Solution
There are no loose parts to worry about losing. The dental implant is stable and comfortable. No adjustment is need after placement. Normally, it will serve its owner for life.
Restore Natural Function
Following a brief adaptation period, chewing capacity is restored and comparable to that of natural teeth. Patients are also able to talk, laugh and smile like normal again.
Dental implant-supported replacement teeth look, feel and function like natural teeth. This means that you can eat and drink whatever you choose. But most importantly, dental implants often improve quality of life in a very concrete way. People who have felt embarrassed and worried because of their tooth problems are often overwhelmed by what new permanent teeth can do for their self-esteem.
Reasons dental implants are the preferred and recommended tooth replacement solution for patients suffering from tooth loss:
-
Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
-
Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
-
Restore a patient’s confident smile.
-
Restore chewing, speech, and digestion.
-
Restore or enhance facial tissues.
-
Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. Dental implants can be placed in either the upper or lower jaws. Due to the biocompatible properties of titanium, a dental implant fuses with the bone and becomes a good anchor for the replacement tooth. Dental implants can be used in solutions for replacing single or multiple missing teeth.
Without the root structure of a natural tooth present, the jawbone can shrink. This shrinkage will make your face look older than it is. There are no loose parts to worry about losing. The dental implant is stable and comfortable. No adjustment is needed after placement. Normally, it will serve its owner for life. Are dental implants successful?
With more than three decades of clinical experience and over a million patients treated, statistics confirm a success rate of nearly 95 percent for individual Nobel Biocare dental implants*, and even higher for the bridges they support.
* Results based on dental implants and dental bridges remaining and in function over a five-year period.
While some dentists can successfully place dental implants, a board-certified periodontist and dental implant specialist is the ideal choice for placing dental implants. At Great Plains Periodontics & Implant Dentistry in Salina, Kansas, Dr. Robert Moeller expertly plans and places dental implants for patients suffering from tooth loss.
The fee for tooth replacement with dental implants depends on several factors, including the number of teeth being replaced and the number of dental implants required to support your replacement teeth. Some additional procedures may be required prior to the placement of your dental implants to ensure the long-term health of your dental implants. To obtain a specific fee estimate, it is necessary to have Dr. Moeller examine your case and discuss available treatment options. After a thorough diagnostic examination, he will recommend the treatment that is best for you.
Anyone who is missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or tooth decay may be a candidate for dental implants. The determining factor is the amount of available bone. Your dentist is the best person to evaluate whether dental implants are a viable solution for you.
Occasionally, older patients express concern that their age may prevent them from enjoying the benefits of dental implants. However, health is more of a determining factor than age. If you’re healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you’re probably healthy enough to receive dental implants. Certain chronic diseases may contraindicate dental implant treatment. Your dentist will determine if you are a candidate for dental implants after a careful evaluation of your dental and health history.
The conventional process can take from three to six months. First, the dentist places the dental implant, which is left for three to six months to heal and integrate with the jawbone. During the healing period, your are given a temporary prosthesis until the permanent crown is put in place.
In some cases, state-of-the-art guided surgical techniques offer convenient alternatives to place dental implants and may allow a patient to have the dental implant placed in a single session using keyhole surgery. This new method has significantly simplified the procedure, for both patients and dentists. The major advantage of the guided surgical technique is the minimal amount of manipulation of the soft tissue due to keyhole surgery. This significantly reduces the healing time and the discomfort normally associated with traditional dental implant surgical techniques.
The procedure chosen depends on several factors, such as your dental health, the number of teeth involved and which teeth are replaced. These factors will also determine the total number of visits to the dentist throughout the treatment period.
With any surgery, there can be some discomfort. Placing one implant normally causes less discomfort then placing several. Anesthesia and patient sedation are commonly administered to help reduce any discomfort during the dental implant process. Most patients report that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they had anticipated. Your doctor will prescribe medications to ease any discomfort that may occur. Ask your dentist to recommend another patient who has already had tooth replacement therapy to assess their personal experience.
It is normal to have some bruising and swelling in the gum and soft tissues. But usually the discomfort, if any, is treated with an ordinary painkiller. You should expect to be able to work the next day.
Your new teeth must be cared for and checked regularly, just like your natural teeth. Brush and floss as recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist. See your dentist in six months, or more frequently if so advised.
