Find a Healthy & Confident Smile
Dental implants are one of the best restorative solutions available. Whether you are missing a single tooth, a few teeth, or need a full-arch restoration, dental implants offer a stable, long-term solution for tooth replacement. Dental implants allow patients to eat and smile confidently, without worrying about a prosthesis slipping out of place. Patients smile proudly knowing that their new dental implants look just like natural teeth, and most people feel no noticeable difference between their natural teeth and the prosthesis.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a surgical-grade titanium screw that is placed securely into the jaw bone, thus providing a secure foundation to adhere to the prosthesis, whether it is a single tooth or a permanent bridge to replace multiple teeth.
A single tooth restoration has three parts that include the implant, the abutment, and the crown. The dental implant is a small titanium screw that is placed in the jaw which acts as a replacement for your missing tooth root. The crown is designed to look exactly like a natural tooth and connects to the implant through the abutment.
What are the benefits of replacing a missing tooth with dental implants?
Dental implants are the best long-lasting option if cared for properly. They offer many benefits over traditional dental restorations, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. Dental implants are the most stable, long-term solution to your oral health problems — implants can last a lifetime with proper care while bridges supported by neighboring teeth last an average of only eight to ten years.
Dental implants also promote better oral health. They prevent the need to grind down or damage adjacent teeth to cement a bridge, which also avoids relying on the strength of the adjacent teeth to carry the burden of a bridge. Additionally, dental implants help preserve your remaining teeth and decrease the bone loss that commonly occurs after extraction by integrating directly with your jaw.
On top of being longer lasting and more functional than many other options, implants look almost identical to natural teeth, and most people (aside from trained dental professionals) can’t even tell the difference. Benefits of dental implant placement include:
- Improved aesthetics
- Improved comfort and function
- Increased stability of the teeth or dental prosthesis
- Reduced bone loss
- Reduced natural tooth loss (preserved health of adjacent teeth)
- Long-term solution
Am I a Candidate For Dental Implants?
While not everyone is a candidate for dental implants, recent advances have opened the door for dental implants to a much broader patient population. The main reasons a patient may not be a good candidate are either because their jaw bone is unhealthy or they have specific medical problems that may prevent them from healing properly. There are very few people who truly are not a candidate for dental implant placement. Fortunately, even those with limited bone can often receive a bone grafting procedure to improve the bone and provide a foundation for the dental implant.
To determine candidacy, Dr. Anderson will gladly meet with you for an evaluation, where he will perform an oral exam, review your medical history, and take a sophisticated 3D X-ray before determining the best course of treatment. Contact our office in Granger, IN, to help you determine which restoration plan best fits your specific situation and schedule your evaluation.
Dental Implant Procedures
If the tooth has not yet been removed, sometimes we can place the implant at the time of extraction, which is called an immediate implant. Other times, we need to place some bone grafting material on the site to set us up for long-term success, which is called ridge preservation.
After the dental implant is placed, there is typically a healing period to allow the implant to integrate with the jaw bone. This process of healing typically takes three to six months. Some people are concerned about having missing teeth during this time. You never have to go without a replacement tooth. During this healing process, some patients will have temporary replacement teeth that are removable until the implant crowns are placed. This depends on what the patient’s needs and wants are. After the area has healed, your general dentist will make a customized replacement crown that looks like your other teeth and will restore functionality of your teeth and confidence in your smile.
Dental implants require surgery, which means patients are usually administered a local or IV anesthetic and antibiotics to prevent possible infection. Dental implants also require regular oral hygiene and proper care to ensure they last as long as possible.
Treat your dental implants with the same care as you would your natural teeth. You will need to maintain regular oral hygiene and regular checkups with your general dentist. Sometimes, dental implants fail because patients do not keep up with their oral care, including flossing and brushing. Frequent professional cleanings are also required to ensure the implant is a success.
Please make an appointment with Dr. Taite R. Anderson at Granger Oral Surgery & Dental Implants in Granger, IN, or near South Bend, IN, to learn more about dental implants and discover if dental implant restoration is right for you.
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Types of Anesthesia
We offer several forms of anesthesia to ensure your comfort.
Cost of Dental Implants
We will provide a cost estimate during your consultation and offer many payment methods and financing options. We encourage you to contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our oral surgeons to review the following cost factors:
- The number of implants needed
- The type of implants placed
- The complexity of the procedure
- Insurance coverage
- The type of anesthesia chosen
We will provide you with a cost estimate during your consultation appointment at our practice in Granger, IN. We are in-network with many insurance companies and also offer financing options through CareCredit®.
Navident for a Safer and More Precise Implant Surgery
At Granger Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, we are committed to delivering the highest level of care using the most advanced techniques and tools available today. Dr. Anderson utilizes a breakthrough computer-aided surgical technology called Navident for precision dental implant placement. Navident helps Dr. Anderson provide a better overall surgical experience, with shorter recovery times and ideal dental implant results.
Hear From Dental Implant Patients
These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing dental implant treatment at our office.
Reviews From Our Dental Implant Patients
"I had, evidently, a cracked root, and it needed to be extracted, and Dr. Anderson was able to successfully extract the tooth, and now I'm in the process of the final implant. Dr. Anderson was very comforting and reassuring and explained the process, and I think that created a great deal of comfort and confidence in me. He just had a reassuring aura of him. And after he explained the pros and cons of the procedure, I felt comfortable with the procedure that I ended up going with. I would highly recommend Dr. Anderson; as I mentioned, you know, you judge people on how they've treated you, and I've had an excellent result here. When it comes to health care, I generally seek out the best healthcare provider, and I think Dr. Anderson's a very good one at that."
"I have a bridge that has attached to it my front tooth, and I didn't want to go throughout the rest of my life having to have a bridge there. I was feeling a little tense because, let's face it, there's not a lot of information about implants. Dr. Anderson was fabulous. He eased my nerves right away, even up to the point of how he was going to give me anesthetic around the area so I wouldn't even feel the needle that gives the anesthetic to do the operation. His staff—they were just really, really terrific, really great people skills. The procedure was just exactly as he said: painless. My recovery's been great; no problem. Dr. Anderson exudes warmth, friendliness. He is just a guy that you automatically, right away, you like, and I would say I would recommend him to anybody."
"I came to see Dr. Anderson because I had two teeth that had been given root canals that had crowns on them. Yeah, I was a little nervous; I initially came in just for a consultation. He actually said, "You know, everything looks great, and if you're interested, we can do that implant for you today." The procedure was very simple; I've had three or four root canals, and that was actually much easier and less painful than the root canal, so it was good. Oh, the staff here is great; everybody has been very helpful, from scheduling my meetings to explaining what's going to be done and how it's going to happen, and what needs to take place, and what the costs are. You're certainly informed by the time you make a decision. Dr. Anderson's an interesting guy; he's very friendly, got a lot of personality. If you have to have a procedure like this done, and you need an implant or a tooth replaced, I think that Dr. Anderson and his staff do a great job, and I would recommend them, yes."
"For years, I’ve had a lot of issues with my teeth. They were very crooked — crooked all my life. I was thinking about a couple routes — possibly braces — but I’m getting a little older, and I didn’t want to straighten out bad teeth, so I went the oral implant route. When I came in, the surgery went fine — no issues. They numbed me up — pretty quick and painless I have to say. My experience with Dr. Anderson went great. He puts you at ease right away, explains things very well, so I think that helped a lot. Very nice, courteous, and very helpful. I would absolutely recommend Granger Oral Surgery."
"Hi, I'm Susie from Mishawaka. I came to Granger Oral Surgery for my dental implants. When I walked into this practice, I felt very, very comfortable. I found the staff here to be very helpful and kind. My doctor was very interested in myself, my needs, and I felt very happy about that. My procedure was amazing. My recovery was fantastic. My quality of life has been so much better. It feels wonderful to have a beautiful, healthy smile. My overall experience with this practice was just phenomenal. I would definitely recommend Granger Oral Surgery to others. I was really happy that I made my choice to come here."
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are dental implants? How do they work?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of biocompatible materials, typically titanium, that are surgically placed into the jaw bone. They serve as a stable foundation for attaching a replacement tooth, bridge, or denture. Over time, the implant fuses with the bone in a process called osseointegration, providing a secure and permanent solution for missing teeth.
2. Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
A good candidate for dental implants is generally in good oral and overall health. Key factors include having sufficient jaw bone density to support the implant, healthy gums, and a commitment to maintaining good oral hygiene. Patients with certain medical conditions or those who smoke heavily may require special consideration or alternative treatments.
3. How long do dental implants last?
With proper care and maintenance, dental implants can last a lifetime. The crown or prosthetic attached to the implant may need replacement after 10-15 years from normal wear and tear. However, the implant itself is designed to be a long-lasting solution.
4. Is it painful to get dental implants?
The dental implant procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, so patients do not feel pain during the surgery. Some discomfort and swelling may occur after the procedure, similar to what is experienced with other dental surgeries. Pain relief medications and proper aftercare can help manage any discomfort
Granger’s Go-To Oral Surgery Practice: Where Compassion Meets Quality
Granger Oral Surgery & Dental Implants is no ordinary dental office. We’re an advanced oral and maxillofacial surgery practice that provides quality, compassionate care, takes time to build relationships with our patients, and ensures everyone feels welcome and at ease when they walk through our doors. We are proud to serve our community and invite you to take the first step toward enhanced oral health by contacting us to schedule a consultation.