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Dental Implants
Dental implants are perhaps the most significant dental innovation of our generation! They are designed to mimic the entire structure of our natural teeth, With the highest success rate of all tooth replacement options, implants are the best long-term solution for replacing missing teeth. When properly placed and cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.
Dental Implants
How Do Implants Mimic Our Natural Teeth?
A complete dental implant consists of a small titanium post (the implant), an abutment, and crown.
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The implant serves as an artificial tooth root. Your natural jaw bone actually fuses with the implant, providing a sturdy foundation for the artificial tooth, and preventing bone loss that would otherwise occur in the absence of healthy tooth roots.
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The abutment is the connector between the implant and the crown; it is placed on top of the implant to hold and support the crown.
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The crown is the connector between the implant and the crown; it is placed on top of the implant to hold and support the crown.
Dental Implants
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer stability, strength, and oral health benefits that a fixed bridge or traditional denture simply can’t, due to their unique structure that replaces an entire tooth from the roots all the way to the visible dental crown.
Patients who are eligible for implant dentistry can benefit in numerous ways from an implant, such as the ability to eat and speak completely naturally, preventing jaw bone loss which would otherwise lead to numerous oral health complications, a very high success rate for a (often lifelong!) tooth replacement, and more. While dental implants are more costly than other tooth-replacement options, patients agree that they are well worth the investment has given them numerous, long-lasting advantages.
Dental Implants
The Procedure
Dental implant surgery is usually performed in stages over the course of several months, though at Lexington Dental, we can sometimes provide same-day implants! The traditional method of implant surgery consists of several stages, as follows:
To Begin (Stage 1): First, Dr. Eunyoung Shim will utilize x-rays and CT scans to carefully plot the ideal position for the implant, make an incision in the gums, place the implant deep within the jawbone, then suture (stitch) the surgery site closed.
Healing Period: The patient goes through a healing period during which the jawbone fuses with the implant; this period usually lasts three to six months. This creates a very strong and stable foundation for the artificial tooth, much like a natural tooth root.
To Complete (Stage 2): Once the healing period is done, Dr. Eunyoung Shim makes an incision to expose the implant and places a healing cap on top of the implant, which helps the surrounding gum tissue to heal.
After a couple of weeks: Dr. Eunyoung Shim removes the healing cap and attaches the abutment. She makes an impression of your teeth and sends it to the dental lab to create your custom-made crown!
For cases in which structure must be built up to support the implant, additional procedures such as bone grafting or sinus augmentation must be completed before the implant can be placed. At Lexington Dental, we can offer highly advanced regenerative therapy treatments which can greatly quicken the healing time for bone grafting and other related implant surgery procedures. Contact Lexington Dental to learn more about our range of regenerative therapy options!
Dental Implants
Same-Day Implants
At Lexington Dental, we can provide one-stage implant procedures! Our Dentists are highly skilled and experienced in implant dentistry, having placed and restored hundreds of dental implants. In most cases, they can perform a tooth extraction and place the implant, abutment and temporary crown in a single visit.
This method reduces treatment time and requires fewer surgical procedures, while also offering better aesthetics and preservation of the bone structure. In some cases, dental implants cannot be performed due to a lack of sufficient bone structure or chronic oral health issues. Regardless of the case, we will go over all available tooth replacement options to find the one that best suits you, your budget and your lifestyle.
Dental Implants
Making Dental Implants Affordable
Patients who choose dental implants are able to enjoy better oral and overall health as well as increased quality of life for the duration of their implant, which - with proper oral care - is typically a lifetime! Though dental implants are more costly than other tooth replacement options, their numerous and often lifelong benefits make them more than worth it.
We offer several options to help ensure that dental implants are affordable for virtually any budget. Insured patients may receive coverage on portions of the procedure, and for those without dental coverage, flexible patient financing offers payment options at a rate that suits you and your budget . Our team at Lexington Dental will work with you to find both treatment and payment plans that work best for you!
