Dental Implants

Dental implants are synthetic tooth roots that look like little titanium screws. Your dentist installs a dental implant in your jawbone during an initial surgery at Frontier Family Dental. You later visit for a second surgery during which your dentist makes an incision in your gum to reveal the implant and attach a custom restoration, like a crown or bridge.

Frontier Family Dental uses titanium implants because the metal is biocompatible. Your jawbone fuses with the implant between your first and second surgery, which creates a highly sturdy base for your restoration. With routine oral health care like cleaning and exams, your implant can last for a lifetime.

Alongside routine dental care such as exams and cleanings, the process of getting dental implants can involve:

• Sinus lift augmentation – A sinus lift augmentation is a procedure that makes the sinus cavities in your face smaller by adding a bone graft. The sinuses often expand due to bone resorption after losing upper teeth.
• Autogenous bone grafting – Autogenous bone grafting involves taking some bone from elsewhere in your mouth and placing it in your jawbone to increase its density. This makes the bone strong enough to support a dental implant.
• Implant site development – Implant site development usually happens at the time of an extraction. It involves placing a bone graft in your jaw, either an autogenous graft or synthetic bone, to increase the bone’s density.
• Computer-enhanced treatment planning – Frontier Family Dental uses computer-enhanced treatment planning, including 3D CT scans, to evaluate the jaw and plan your implant surgery.
• Implant maintenance – Implant maintenance is the upkeep you need once your dental implant is in place. Your dentist determines how often you should get thorough cleanings to keep plaque and tartar off your restoration.

All-on-4 is a treatment that uses dental implants to support dentures. Instead of getting a single implant for each tooth you’re missing, you get four evenly spaced implants that your custom denture can latch onto. This allows for minimal recovery time and often less need for bone grafting before treatment.

All-on-4 allows you to have dentures that don’t slip or fall out when you eat or speak. Plus, you can avoid denture adhesive altogether.

Call Frontier Family Dental to learn more about dental implants or book your restorative consultation online today.

At Frontier Family Dental, we’ve seen many of our patients enjoy their dental implants for decades. With proper care, these remarkable tooth replacements can be a lifelong solution. The key is maintaining excellent oral hygiene and attending regular check-ups. We’ll work with you to develop a personalized care routine that keeps your implants in top condition. Remember, your commitment to oral health plays a crucial role in the longevity of your implants.

We prioritize your comfort at every stage of the implant process. During the procedure, we use advanced local anesthesia techniques to ensure you feel no pain. Post-surgery, you might experience some discomfort, but it’s typically less than most patients expect. We’ll provide you with a tailored pain management plan, which may include over-the-counter pain relievers. Many of our patients report returning to their normal routines within a few days, feeling only minor discomfort.

Your first step is to schedule a consultation with us at Frontier Family Dental. During this visit, we’ll perform a comprehensive oral examination, discuss your smile goals, and address any concerns you might have. We’ll use state-of-the-art imaging to assess your jaw structure and determine if implants are right for you. If you decide to proceed, we’ll create a customized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. Remember, we’re here to support you throughout your entire implant journey.

We advise avoiding dairy products for a short period after your implant surgery for two main reasons. First, dairy can interfere with the absorption of antibiotics that we may prescribe to prevent infection. Second, some dairy products may introduce unwanted bacteria to the surgical site, potentially compromising the healing process. Don’t worry – we’ll provide you with a detailed list of foods to enjoy and avoid during your recovery period, ensuring optimal healing and comfort.

The dental implant process is a journey that typically spans several months, but the results are worth the wait. The initial implant placement usually takes about 1-2 hours per implant. Following this, we allow 3-6 months for osseointegration – the process where your implant fuses with your jawbone. Once this crucial healing period is complete, we’ll place your custom-made crown. Throughout this process, we’ll be with you every step of the way, monitoring your progress and ensuring your comfort. While it requires some patience, our patients consistently tell us that the end result – a fully functional, natural-looking tooth – makes the timeline feel insignificant.