Dental Implants South Loop

Losing teeth due to decay, gum disease, or injury no longer necessitates replacement with dentures. Rather than resort to dentures, dental implants now provide an attractive and long-lasting alternative. Statistics compiled by the National Institutes of Health show a success rate of 90-95% during the first 10 years after surgery, making them a highly desirable tooth replacement option.

Types of Dental Implants – All-on-4 and All-on-5 Dental Implants – South Loop

At Art of Modern Dentistry using implants, we can replace a single tooth, several teeth, or a full arch. For the full arch procedure, we use both the All-on-4 and All-on-5 dental implants for full-arch rehabilitation. These procedures are designed to replace a full set of teeth in either the upper or lower jaw with a fixed prosthesis supported by dental implants.

Here’s a brief explanation of the differences between All-on-4 and All-on-5 dental implant procedures:

All-on-4 Dental Implants

• Number of Implants: As the name suggests, the All-on-4 procedure typically involves the placement of four dental implants per arch (either upper or lower jaw).
• Implant Placement: The implants are strategically placed in areas of the jaw with the highest bone density to maximize support for the prosthesis.
• Prosthetic Support: A fixed dental prosthesis, often a full arch of teeth, is attached to the four implants, providing a stable and functional set of replacement teeth.
• Benefits: All-on-4 is known for its efficiency and ability to provide a quick and cost-effective solution for patients with extensive tooth loss.

All-on-5 Dental Implants

• Number of Implants: The All-on-5 procedure involves the placement of five dental implants per arch.
• Implant Placement: Similar to All-on-4, the additional implant in All-on-5 allows for more support and stability. The implants are strategically placed to distribute forces evenly.
• Prosthetic Support: A fixed dental prosthesis is attached to the five implants, offering a strong and reliable replacement for a full set of teeth.
• Benefits: All-on-5 provides even greater stability and support compared to All-on-4, which can be beneficial in cases where additional implant support is deemed necessary.

The choice between All-on-4 and All-on-5 depends on factors such as the patient’s specific oral condition, bone density, and the dentist’s assessment. Both procedures aim to provide patients with a fixed and functional set of teeth, often improving overall oral health, aesthetics, and quality of life.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants offer several benefits compared to traditional dentures. Here are some of the main advantages:

• Permanent Solution: Dental implants provide a long-term and often permanent solution for tooth replacement. With proper care, they can last a lifetime.
• Natural Feel and Function: Implants closely mimic the feel and function of natural teeth. They are anchored securely in the jawbone, allowing for comfortable chewing and speaking.
• Improved Aesthetics: Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, enhancing the overall appearance and preserving facial structure. They are custom-designed to match the surrounding teeth in shape, color, and alignment.
• Preservation of Jawbone Density: Implants stimulate the jawbone just like natural tooth roots. This helps prevent bone loss, which can occur over time with traditional dentures that do not stimulate the underlying bone.
• Enhanced Stability and Comfort: Dental implants provide a stable foundation for dental restorations, reducing the likelihood of slipping or shifting which is common with removable dentures. This stability contributes to increased comfort during daily activities.
• No Dietary Restrictions: Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants allow individuals to enjoy a wide range of foods without concerns about denture adhesives or the risk of dislodgment.
• Improved Speech: Implants offer better stability for speech, reducing the risk of slurred speech or mumbled words that can sometimes occur with removable dentures.
• Ease of Maintenance: Dental implants are easy to maintain. Regular oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing, are typically all that’s needed to keep implants clean and healthy.
• No Need for Denture Adhesives: Implants eliminate the need for messy denture adhesives, providing a more convenient and hassle-free solution.
• Increased Confidence: Dental implants can significantly boost a person’s confidence by providing a natural-looking and functional smile. The permanence and stability of implants contribute to a greater sense of self-assurance.

While dental implants offer numerous advantages, consultation with a dental professional is crucial to determine the best tooth replacement option based on one’s specific oral health needs and circumstances.

Art of Dentistry’s Dental Implant Process

There are five steps to the implant process, from beginning to end, as follows:

• Consultation: During the consultation, we do a complete exam, taking X-rays, which help us determine whether or not a patient is a good candidate for dental implants.

• Surgical placement of the implant: This is an outpatient surgery performed in the office using anesthesia. Our oral surgeon administers local or general anesthesia to ensure the patient’s comfort. The surgeon then makes a small incision in the gum line and attaches the implant to the jaw bone to begin the bone grafting.

• Healing and recovery: Healing from implant surgery usually only takes about two weeks. Once healed, the bone fuses with the implant, creating an artificial root for the tooth.

• Abutment placement: Once fusion is completed the patient returns to our office for abutment installation. This small base-like piece connects the new tooth to the implant.

• Custom crown placement: After the mouth heals from the abutment placement, the patient returns to have the custom-designed crown placed. These crowns match the shape, size, and color of neighboring teeth for a completely natural-looking smile.

The Cost of Dental Implants

The costs of an implant procedure are based on the patient’s overall dental health and the number of teeth that need to be replaced, a single tooth, several teeth, or a full arch. We take pride in being as transparent as possible at Art of Modern Dentistry. We always perform a thorough exam before providing a cost estimate, and to ease the financial strain on our patients, we accept many different insurance plans.

South Loop Implant Dentist

If you would like to learn more about high-quality dental implants or would like to schedule an appointment and consultation, please reach out online or call Art of Modern Dentistry at 312-922-1898 at your convenience.