Dental Implants

Your Pathway to a Complete Smile

Understanding Dental Implants

Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth, offering a solution that mirrors the structure and function of natural teeth. Each implant consists of two main components: a titanium root that sits securely in the jawbone, and a crown, the visible part designed for chewing. Titanium, a material heralded for its strength and compatibility with the body, forms the sturdy foundation for these artificial teeth.

Revitalizing Your Oral Health The loss of a tooth means losing both its crown and root, disrupting the harmony of your mouth. To restore this, Dr. Feldner meticulously inserts a small dental implant into the jaw, where the bone integrates with the implant in a natural bonding process. This creates a robust base for the new tooth. After healing, a support post and the new crown complete the restoration, with options for temporary solutions during the process, maintaining your smile’s appearance and functionality.

Advancements in Implant Procedures Dr. Feldner stays at the forefront of dental implant technology, offering single-stage implants that streamline the process by eliminating the need for certain follow-up procedures. In select cases, implants can be placed immediately following tooth extraction, minimizing surgical visits and helping you achieve a full smile more quickly.

Collaborative Dental Expertise The journey to a restored smile is a collaborative effort. Dr. Feldner’s role is to ensure the strategic placement of implants and perform any necessary preliminary work such as extractions or bone grafting. A restorative dentist then meticulously crafts and fits the permanent crown, ensuring that your new teeth are not only functional but aesthetically pleasing. Together, they provide a comprehensive implant experience focused on restoring your oral health and enhancing the beauty of your smile.

Revitalizing Your Smile

Comprehensive Tooth Replacement Solutions

The Impact of Missing Teeth

A complete smile does more than just make us look good – it’s integral to our overall health. Missing teeth can disrupt how we eat, speak, and can lead to a cascade of dental issues, including altered bite, increased strain on remaining teeth, and potential bone loss in the jaw. This can cause premature wear, potential additional tooth loss, and may also trigger headaches or jaw pain.

Preserving Your Dental Health When a tooth is lost, the jawbone can begin to deteriorate – a process that can significantly progress within the first year. Early intervention with dental implants can prevent this decay, maintaining your bone structure, oral health, and facial appearance. Dental implants serve as a robust substitute for natural teeth, anchoring directly to the jawbone and preserving its integrity. Your dental team, including your dentist and implant surgeon, will guide you through the options, helping you make an informed choice for your tooth replacement needs.

Options for Replacing Teeth Tooth replacement solutions range from temporary to permanent and can accommodate various dental health scenarios. Whether you’re missing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or require a complete set, options include:

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Fixed Bridge

Fixed Bridge is a connected set of replacement teeth. For support, it is cemented into position on top of the teeth adjacent to the empty space. The protective outer layer of these teeth is usually removed or ground down prior to attaching the bridge.

Flipper

Flipper is a fragile, temporary and inexpensive solution is a removable plastic tooth with a plastic retainer, often called a “flipper”.

Metal Partial

Metal Partial is a less fragile option that is a removable partial denture cast in metal and plastic. It is held in place by wire clips. A removable partial denture can be removed and reinserted when required by the patient.

Dentures

Dentures is the most common solution for people missing all teeth in one or both jaws. Some people adapt well to dentures. Others find them uncomfortable, even intolerable, because of differences in jaw size and shape.

Dental Implants

Dental Implants: The premier choice for tooth replacement, dental implants are a durable and permanent solution that doesn’t compromise the health of other teeth. They support individual crowns or specialized dentures, offering the closest resemblance to natural teeth in both function and appearance.

The Implant Procedure Explained

Each dental implant procedure is unique, typically taking 30 to 60 minutes for a single implant and about 2 to 3 hours for multiple implants. The specific time and number of appointments necessary will be tailored to your individual needs. Precision and careful planning are the hallmarks of our surgical approach.

Before the procedure, we may administer antibiotics and offer sedation options, such as intravenous sedation or nitrous oxide, to ensure your utmost comfort. These options will be thoroughly discussed during your consultation. The targeted area will then be numbed with a local anesthetic.

Once you are comfortably numb, the surgeon will make a precise incision in the gum to expose the bone, meticulously create the space for the implant using specialized tools, and then securely place the titanium implant. In some instances, the implant may be immediately visible, or it may be covered by gum tissue during the initial healing stage for better results.

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Understanding the Healing Process
Post-surgery, the healing time varies for each patient, depending on individual bone quality and quantity. Some implants can be restored right away, although your surgeon will provide specific instructions for your post-operative care and schedule. In a follow-up visit, an abutment (support post) or a healing cap will be attached to the implant, allowing the gum tissue to properly shape itself and providing access to the implant.

Occasionally, dental impressions may be taken concurrently with the implant placement, enabling the crown to be prepared while the implant heals. The necessary healing duration and follow-up visits (ranging from one to four) will depend on various factors, ensuring your mouth is healing as expected and determining when it’s ready for the next step.

To enhance the results, a soft tissue graft may be recommended to create more resilient and aesthetically pleasing gum tissue around the implant. This minor procedure transfers a small section of gum tissue to the implant site and is generally quite comfortable for the patient.

Whether you’re replacing a single tooth or multiple teeth, your dentist will finalize the process by attaching the custom-made crown to the implant, completing your smile restoration.

Educational Resources on Dental Implants
We provide comprehensive multimedia presentations to help you understand the intricacies of dental implants and address common inquiries.
Timing for Dental Implants
Implants are typically placed several months post-extraction to ensure proper healing, although immediate placement may be possible under certain conditions. Immediate implantation might carry additional risks but offers the convenience of fewer appointments. If there has been significant bone loss due to a prolonged absence of the natural tooth, bone grafting may be necessary to reinforce the implant’s support structure
Determining the Number of Implants Needed
Generally, one implant is used to replace each missing tooth. Back teeth, which often have multiple roots, may require larger implants or a more strategic approach. The goal is to replicate the natural structure effectively, ensuring a solid foundation for your new teeth.

Enhancing Dental Implant Success with Bone Grafting

Assessing Bone Sufficiency for Implants

Following tooth loss, the natural process of bone regeneration might not always be sufficient for dental implant placement.

This is particularly true when the bone structure is inherently thin, as often found near front teeth. To counteract this, bone grafting can be a crucial preparatory step performed during tooth extraction.

This procedure helps to preserve the bone’s width and volume, creating a suitable foundation for future implant placement.

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Strengthening Bone Structure
In cases where teeth have been absent for an extended period, leading to significant bone thinning, bone grafting can augment the ridge’s robustness. The graft material fuses with your existing bone over several months, creating a thicker foundation suitable for implant support. Bone grafting is a typically comfortable procedure that can be done in-office using various materials, including bone harvested from your own body.
Sinus Grafting for Upper Jaw Implants
For those who have lost teeth in the upper jaw, especially towards the back, sinus cavities may pose a challenge due to their size or position. Sinus grafting is a specialized bone grafting procedure that corrects this issue. It involves elevating the sinus membrane and adding bone to the area to provide ample height for implant placement. This procedure is generally performed in-office under local anesthesia and, if conditions allow, may be done concurrently with implant placement.

These bone grafting techniques are integral to enhancing the success rate of dental implants by ensuring a solid and viable bone structure for their support. With these advanced preparatory procedures, patients with bone loss can still enjoy the benefits of dental implants and the improved quality of life they bring.

Implant Supported Overdentures

A Modern Solution for Full Teeth Replacement

Redefining Full Arch Restoration:

Implant Supported Overdentures represent a significant advancement in dental prosthetics, offering a modern solution for those needing a full set of replacement teeth. Traditional dentures, often associated with discomfort and instability, can impede your ability to enjoy a wide range of foods. Implant supported overdentures overcome these challenges by anchoring a full dental bridge to implants placed within the jaw.

This innovative approach not only improves the fit and feel of dentures but also enhances your chewing ability, allowing you to delight in the foods you love.

This procedure helps to preserve the bone’s width and volume, creating a suitable foundation for future implant placement.

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Streamlined Treatment Process
The concept behind Implant Supported Overdentures requires fewer implants, thereby reducing both the complexity of the treatment and the associated costs. These overdentures enhance bone stability, which can eliminate the necessity for bone grafting procedures to augment bone volume. Depending on your specific needs, these dentures can be secured using various attachments such as bars, clips, or abutment systems like balls, magnets, or resilient studs. The selection of the attachment is tailored early in the treatment planning to ensure the best outcome for your situation.
Advantages of Implant Supported Overdentures
Cost-Effectiveness: This method is more economical than some other implant-supported restorations since it necessitates fewer implants per jaw, reducing overall expenses.

Minimized Bone Grafting: The strategic angled placement of certain implants can provide strong support for the arch, often making additional bone grafting superfluous.

Accelerated Treatment and Recovery: The overdenture can be connected to the implants right after their placement, facilitating a quicker treatment timeline and healing period.

Proven Success: Implant Supported Overdentures are backed by years of clinical research and studies, showcasing sustained success and patient satisfaction.

By choosing Implant Supported Overdentures, you’re opting for a life-changing solution that promises enhanced comfort, function, and aesthetics, providing a full set of teeth designed to feel as natural as they look.

Navigating Your Journey After Dental Implant Placement

FAQs and Care

Post-Implant Placement Considerations

Temporary Teeth Options During Healing: Tailored to your needs, several interim tooth replacement options are available while your implants integrate with the jawbone. Temporary bridges or removable teeth can be crafted for aesthetics and function during this period. If you are without any teeth currently, your existing denture can be altered or a new temporary one created. For those preferring fixed teeth during the healing phase, temporary transitional implants and teeth can sometimes be placed alongside the permanent implants.

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Common Concerns Post-Surgery
Post-operative discomfort is usually minimal, and prescribed pain medication and antibiotics help ensure a smooth recovery. On rare occasions, infections or neighboring tooth damage may occur, and there is a slight risk of nerve disturbance in the lower jaw, which could affect sensation. Prompt communication with us regarding any post-operative numbness will allow for timely management.
Longevity of Implants
Dental implants have a high success rate and are designed to last. Long-term studies indicate success rates of 80-90% for full arch replacements and over 95% for single or multiple tooth replacements. Should an implant fail to integrate or loosen over time, it can often be replaced after the area has healed.
Timing for Attaching Replacement Teeth
Permanent replacement teeth are typically affixed to implants once adequate healing and bone fusion have occurred. This could be immediate or after a short healing phase, depending on various factors which we will assess and discuss with you.
Completing Your Implant Restoration

The creation of your new teeth is a meticulous process involving detailed impressions and bite records to design the abutments and prosthetic teeth. This process, while intricate, is often more comfortable than traditional methods and may not always require local anesthesia. Custom abutments, crafted from gold or tooth-colored materials, may add to the cost and duration of treatment but are decided upon after assessing the healed sites.

The Treatment Timeline

The number of visits and the length of each session will differ for every individual. Precision and personalized care dictate the pace of your treatment, whether it’s for a few teeth or a full arch. It’s crucial to attend all scheduled appointments to ensure timely progress.

If your final restoration is a removable overdenture, several appointments will be necessary to perfect the fit and function of your new teeth, as well as the mechanisms, like snaps or magnets, that secure them to the implants.

Cleaning and Maintenance
Regular cleaning of your new teeth is vital, just like with natural teeth. This includes brushing, flossing, and the use of any recommended cleaning aids, along with regular dental check-ups for professional cleaning and maintenance. Components of your dental implants will wear over time and require maintenance such as clip replacements, relines, or screw tightening.
Who Will Provide My Care?
Typically, a dental surgeon places the implants and performs other necessary surgical procedures, while a general dentist or prosthodontist provides the temporary and permanent prosthetic teeth. A team approach ensures comprehensive care, with specialists involved as needed.
Cost of Dental Implant Treatment

We strive to provide you with a detailed estimate before beginning treatment, including costs for the diagnostic work-up, surgical procedures, abutment, and prosthetic components, as well as any temporary restorations. Maintenance and periodic adjustments will incur additional fees. We’ll assist you in understanding your payment responsibilities after considering insurance and third-party benefits.

It’s essential to weigh the financial investment against each treatment option, as insurance coverage varies greatly. For further clarification on your specific treatment plan, costs, or any other queries, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. We are committed to providing you with the necessary information to ensure confidence in your dental care decisions.

Investing in Dental Implants

Considering Value Beyond Cost

Understanding the Value of Dental Implants

Dental implants represent a transformative leap in dental technology, offering a solution that goes beyond the capabilities of traditional tooth replacement methods. When evaluating the cost, it’s crucial to consider the comprehensive benefits that implants offer.

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Durability and Cost-Effectiveness
Comparing dental implants to alternatives like dentures and bridges must include a long-term perspective. Initially, traditional prosthetics might appear more budget-friendly, but over time, their need for replacements or repairs every 5-10 years can accumulate greater expense. Dental implants, on the other hand, have the potential to last a lifetime with proper placement and care, making them a wise investment.
Preservation of Jawbone and Facial Structure
The absence of a tooth starts a gradual decline of the jawbone. While dentures and bridges may offer a functional cosmetic solution, they do nothing to halt the underlying bone loss, which can lead to changes in facial structure and additional costs in cosmetic corrections. Dental implants are unique in their ability to integrate with the jawbone, bolstering and stimulating bone growth, thereby maintaining the integrity of facial structure.
Enhancing Quality of Life
Dental implants are not merely a financial investment; they’re an investment in your quality of life. They stand unrivaled as a replacement solution, closely mimicking natural teeth, supporting a varied and nutritious diet, and eliminating the inconveniences and potential embarrassments often associated with dentures.
Evaluating Dental Implant Costs

The journey to receiving a dental implant is intricate, often involving multiple professionals and a series of steps including:

  • Examinations and office visits
  • Tooth/root extractions
  • Bone grafting, if necessary
  • Placement of the titanium implant
  • Attachment of the crown
  • X-rays and post-operative care

Each of these components contributes to the overall cost and should be considered when obtaining quotes.

Options for Financing
Before proceeding, consult with your dental insurance provider to determine if they cover any portion of the dental implant process. Additionally, healthcare credit companies offer various financing plans, some with no-interest or low-interest options, to help manage the investment needed for dental implants.
Embarking on the Dental Implant Process
A full set of teeth not only revitalizes your dietary options but also maintains the natural contour of your face, offering an aesthetic advantage that is timeless. The best way to understand the specific cost for your situation is through a personalized consultation. We invite you to call us at Periodontics & Dental Implants Phone Number 308-237-0100 to schedule an appointment and receive a precise estimate tailored to your dental needs.
Who Will Provide My Care?
Typically, a dental surgeon places the implants and performs other necessary surgical procedures, while a general dentist or prosthodontist provides the temporary and permanent prosthetic teeth. A team approach ensures comprehensive care, with specialists involved as needed.
Cost of Dental Implant Treatment

We strive to provide you with a detailed estimate before beginning treatment, including costs for the diagnostic work-up, surgical procedures, abutment, and prosthetic components, as well as any temporary restorations. Maintenance and periodic adjustments will incur additional fees. We’ll assist you in understanding your payment responsibilities after considering insurance and third-party benefits.

It’s essential to weigh the financial investment against each treatment option, as insurance coverage varies greatly. For further clarification on your specific treatment plan, costs, or any other queries, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. We are committed to providing you with the necessary information to ensure confidence in your dental care decisions.