Life doesn’t feel quite right when you have missing teeth. Eating becomes a struggle, and smiling can make you feel insecure. When you lose a tooth, you can lose some of your self-confidence, too.
Get your confidence back and get excited to smile again with dental implants from Ponderosa Dental in Missoula. A dental implant is a tooth replacement solution that solves these problems and leaves you with a smile you love to share.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small, metal post that is implanted directly into your jaw, underneath your gums. Implants can hold a single tooth replacement or secure larger dental work, like dentures and bridges. They’re pretty common, too. More than 5 million dental implants are placed each year by dentists in the U.S., according to the American Dental Association.
There are three parts to a dental implant: the implant post or screw, the abutment, and the replacement tooth or teeth.
- Implant Post/Screw: A titanium post that is surgically inserted into your jawbone. This post serves as the anchor for the implant. Think of it like the root of your new tooth.
- Abutment: Once the implant post and gum area have healed, a connector piece is added on top of the post. The connector piece is called an abutment. It will hold the final part of a dental implant that looks like a real tooth.
- Replacement Tooth/Teeth: This is the piece you’ve been waiting for! If you’re missing one tooth, a custom-made crown will attach to the abutment. The crown looks and feels like a real tooth and matches the surrounding natural teeth. If you’re replacing more than one tooth, custom-made bridges or dentures will be made to fit your mouth.
Are Dental Implants a Good Investment?
Why get dental implants? There are a lot of benefits to implants. They are long-lasting. Implants can last a lifetime with proper care. They can also help improve your speech, make it easier to eat, and positively impact your self-esteem.
More importantly, they help preserve your jawbone by stimulating bone growth, which prevents bone loss that typically occurs when a tooth is missing. Additionally, you don’t have to modify adjacent teeth (like you would with a bridge) to replace a missing tooth. Implants are the ideal solution for permanent tooth replacement.
The Many Benefits of Dental Implants
With millions of people selecting dental implants to improve their oral health, they are quickly becoming one of the most popular solutions to tooth loss. Thanks to their amazing range of benefits, it is easy to see why!
Here are just a few advantages that dental implants offer over more traditional treatments:
- A Secure Smile: Because they are attached to your jaw like your natural teeth, you don’t need to worry about your new teeth slipping or becoming misaligned. You won’t need any pastes or adhesives like traditional dentures either!
- Superior Form and Function: Dental implants not only look natural but also perform all the functions of your original teeth. This includes providing the needed stimulation to your jawbone and facial muscles, improving your dental health, and beyond.
- A Long-Term Solution: Thanks to the high-quality materials our dental implants are made from, they can last up to 30 years. That’s right! All it takes to keep them in like-new condition is brushing and flossing as you would your natural teeth.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Implants are typically a three-phase procedure that can take, on average, 5–8 months to complete. Below is a brief overview of the process, but please keep in mind that we will work diligently with you during your consultation to answer any questions you may have about your personalized treatment plan.
Phase 1: Are You a Good Dental Implant Candidate?
First, we need to know if you are a candidate for dental implants. Before the procedure, we take a Cone Beam CT scan of the patient’s jawbone. This enables us to see your jawbone in 3D.
We use a computer program to design the surgery so we know the exact size and location of the implant that is best for the patient. Then we fabricate a surgical guide off of that CT scan that places the implant precisely where it was designed in the computer program.
In some cases, if your jawbone cannot support implants, we may recommend additional surgeries, such as bone grafting, bone augmentation, sinus lift, and/or ridge expansion. If you have a compromised immune system, extremely poor gum health, bone loss, or uncontrolled diabetes, you might not be a great candidate.
Discuss your oral habits and health with our dentist, Dr. Dan. We may be able to improve your situation so you can become a good implant candidate.
Phase 2: Implanting the Post
Performing a minor dental surgery, the dentist will gently but securely affix the post to your jawbone. Dental implant surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia. You’re not fully asleep, but you do not feel any pain.
While your gums and jaw heal from the implant placement, you’ll want to eat a diet of soft foods and liquids. The recovery period can take several months.
Phase 3: Adding the Connector
With the initial recovery time complete, a connector—also known as an “abutment”—is added on top of the implant post to hold the replacement tooth. A temporary crown might be placed while your permanent one is being made.
Phase 4: Placing the Artificial Tooth
Time to get your smile back! The replacement tooth is attached to the connector in the final phase of a dental implant procedure.
The replacement will match your mouth and natural teeth in size, shape, and color.
Why Choose Ponderosa Dental Group for Dental Implants?
At Ponderosa Dental Group, we combine advanced technology, years of experience, and a patient-centered approach to deliver exceptional dental implant care. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Expertise and Precision: Our team has extensive training in implant placement and restoration, ensuring precise results that last.
- Advanced Technology: We use state-of-the-art imaging, digital impressions, and guided implant placement to improve accuracy and comfort.
- Personalized Care: Every treatment plan is tailored to your specific needs, goals, and oral health situation.
- Long-Term Support: We provide ongoing maintenance and monitoring to protect the longevity of your implants.
- Comfort and Convenience: From sedation options to efficient scheduling, we make your implant experience as smooth as possible.
Our goal is to help you achieve a natural, functional smile that enhances your quality of life!
What Our Patients Are Saying
We understand that choosing dental implants is a significant decision, and hearing from other patients can be reassuring. Many of our patients describe a noticeable improvement in their comfort, oral function, and self-confidence after receiving implants.
They frequently mention how the stability and natural appearance of their implants allow them to eat, speak, and smile without worry. Patients also highlight the professionalism, attention to detail, and personalized approach they experienced with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
We often hear questions from patients considering dental implants. Below are answers to some of the most common inquiries to help guide your decision.
How Do I Know if I Need a Single Implant or Multiple Implants?
The number of implants you need depends on how many teeth are missing and your jawbone condition. A single missing tooth is often replaced with one implant and a crown, while multiple missing teeth may require a bridge supported by two or more implants.
Full-arch replacements, such as All-on-X, use several implants to support a complete set of teeth. Our dentist will evaluate your oral health, bite, and smile goals to determine the right approach.
Can Dental Implants Be Used if I Have Bone Loss?
Yes. Patients with bone loss may still be candidates for implants. Bone grafting or sinus lift procedures can rebuild areas of the jaw to provide a stable foundation. Advanced imaging allows us to assess bone density and plan placement precisely for optimal results.
How Do Implants Compare to Bridges or Dentures in Terms of Maintenance?
Dental implants are maintained much like natural teeth with regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits. Unlike traditional bridges, implants do not rely on adjacent teeth for support. Unlike removable dentures, they remain fixed in the mouth and eliminate the need for adhesives or nightly removal.
Are There Risks or Complications With Dental Implants?
Dental implants are highly successful, but as with any surgical procedure, some risks exist. These can include infection at the implant site, implant failure, or nerve irritation. Careful planning, advanced technology, and proper oral hygiene minimize these risks. Our dental team will review your medical history to ensure safety and suitability.
How Soon Can I Eat Normally After Getting Implants?
Many patients can eat soft foods immediately after implant surgery. Once the implant has fully integrated with the jawbone and the final restoration is in place, you can enjoy most foods comfortably. Hard, crunchy, or sticky foods should be avoided during the initial healing period.
Will My Implants Look Natural?
Yes. Dental implants are designed to look and feel like your natural teeth. Crowns, bridges, or full-arch prosthetics are custom-made to match the color, shape, and alignment of your surrounding teeth, ensuring a seamless, aesthetic result.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
Dental implant costs vary. Talk to Dr. Dan and our finance experts at Ponderosa Dental Group for the most accurate dental implant price. Dental implant prices include all consultations and exams, implant insertion, abutment placement, and crown installation.
Some dental plans cover implants, and others don’t. Contact your general health insurance company and your dental insurance company to see if either one offers coverage for implants.
Take the Next Step Toward a Confident, Complete Smile
If missing teeth are affecting your confidence, comfort, or oral health, dental implants at Ponderosa Dental Group offer a long-lasting, natural solution. We will work to develop the best plan of action for you and use our combined experience to make the process as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Our team is here to guide you through every step of the process, from consultation to fully restored teeth. We are just a phone call away. Make your appointment to discuss dental implants and teeth replacement options today!
