Are you in search of high-quality dental implants in Greensboro, NC? Look no further! At Locklear Dentistry, we specialize in providing top-notch dental implant services to restore your smile and oral health.
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Did you know…
dental implant surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia, and patients often report minimal discomfort during and after the procedure?
The Benefits of Dental Implants
They Look Natural
Dentists will match your tooth’s color to a color chart when making your prosthetic teeth to ensure they match your natural tooth’s color. This translates into natural-looking dental implants that look just like your natural smile, resulting in a beautiful, natural-looking smile that is sure to fetch you compliments.
They Last a Lifetime
Dental implants last ten to thirty years, depending on the type of implant and how well you take care of them. Titanium implants usually last a lifetime, especially if you maintain proper oral hygiene and schedule routine dental visits. Zirconia implants will also give you up to 20 years with proper oral care.
They Prevent Bone Loss
Missing teeth lead to the deterioration of the jaw bone. That’s because teeth apply pressure to the jawbone, stimulating its growth and strength. With no teeth to stimulate growth, the jaw bone deteriorates, causing issues with chewing and giving your face a sunken appearance.
The Dental Implant Process
Consultation and Treatment Planning
The first step in the dental implant process is a consultation with the dentists in charge of your treatment. During the consultation, the dentist will review your dental and medical records, then take x-rays of your teeth and jaws. They’ll then use data from the consultation to create a treatment plan for your dental implants.
Preparation and Implant Placement
Some degree of preparation may be necessary before the procedure. This preparation may involve giving anesthesia, tooth extractions, grafting, or treating tooth decay and gum disease. After preparation, the dentist will make an incision on the gums to expose the bone. They’ll then drill a small hole, before inserting the dental implant into the hole. The Greensboro dentist will then suture your gums before sending you home to heal.
Osseointegration and Abutment Placement
Over the next couple of months, your jaw bone will osseointegrate with the implants. Osseointegration is when your jawbone naturally fuses with the dental implants. This usually takes three to six months. After osseointegration, the dentist will open up the sutures and attach an abutment to the implant. They’ll also match your tooth’s color to a color chart to create a prosthetic tooth that they attach to the abutment. On completion, you’ll receive instructions for taking care of your implants and dates for follow-up appointments.
Before & Afters
A smile is worth 1,000 words.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Recovery Process Like After Dental Implant Surgery?
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The patient might experience slight pain and discomfort following the surgery. The dentist will recommend painkillers to ease the discomfort and plenty of rest to promote healing. Pain and swelling peak on the third day and then disappear shortly after.
The gums heal after about two weeks. The jaw bone fuses with the implant over the next few months. The dentist will open up your gums to place the abutment and prosthetic teeth. The gums will need another two weeks to heal.
Are Dental Implants Covered By Insurance?
Most providers consider implants as a cosmetic procedure and don’t provide coverage. dental insurance. However, some provide coverage but only cover a portion of the cost. This means you’ll still have to pay out-of-pocket.
Consult your insurance agency to determine whether they cover dental implants. If not, we can arrange a payment plan that works for both of us. We could also arrange for alternative treatment if necessary.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Anyone with a missing tooth or teeth is a great candidate for dental implants, including patients with insufficient jawbone. We’ll take X-rays to determine how much jaw bone you have left and facilitate grafting if necessary. We’ll also determine the best type of implants for your needs, and explore alternative treatment if necessary.
