Tooth loss can happen for any number of reasons, whether due to traumatic injury, untreated disease, or simply a lack of routine dental care. Dental implants represent the most effective option for tooth replacement, allowing you to once again enjoy a healthy, confident, and functional smile.
No matter how many teeth you have lost, implants can provide a second chance at robust oral health. At Chicago Surgical Specialists, we proudly offer implant care to our patients in Park Ridge, IL, and surrounding areas.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants have become an increasingly popular and highly effective option for replacing missing teeth in restorative dentistry. Each implant fuses with the surrounding jawbone to become a permanent part of your smile, offering a level of security that lets you continue eating all your favorite foods. Meanwhile, replacement teeth (crowns) are tailor-made to fit your smile, seamlessly joining your naturally growing teeth for comprehensive restoration.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Designed to Last a Lifetime
Each dental implant is a small titanium or ceramic screw carefully inserted into your jaw to serve as a permanent replacement for the missing tooth root. Implants have a high success rate, and with proper upkeep, they can potentially last for the rest of your life.
Preserves Bone and Facial Structures
Implants provide ongoing stimulation for your jawbone, which prevents the bone from reabsorbing. This helps you avoid any unwanted changes to your facial structure. Currently, dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that stimulates the jawbone and prevents resorption after tooth loss.
A Healthier Smile
Dental implants can be placed without the need to remove or cut down any of your healthy neighboring teeth. In other words, they allow you to keep that a one-tooth problem as a one-tooth problem, preserving the overall health of your smile.
Natural Appearance
Your regular dentist will carefully craft each custom replacement tooth to match the color and appearance of your existing teeth, ensuring the final result is as seamless and natural-looking as possible.
Who Is The Best Dental Implants Candidate?
During your initial evaluation, your oral surgeon will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your oral health, including your teeth, gums, and jawbone, as well as reviewing your medical history. This thorough assessment will help determine the most suitable tooth replacement option for your needs. While individual dental implants are a popular choice for replacing single or multiple missing teeth, patients with extensive tooth loss may benefit from full mouth dental implants.
Additionally, for select cases, we offer the precision of Yomi robotic-assisted implant placement to enhance accuracy and improve your overall experience. Regardless of the approach, we’ll ensure you’re well-informed and confident in your treatment plan.
What If I Need a Dental Implant Revision?
In rare cases where an implant fails or needs adjustment, our board-certified oral surgeons are skilled in performing revision procedures to promote the long-term success of your implant.
How Are Dental Implants Placed and Restored?
Dental Implant Placement
For your initial implant placement, you will be welcomed back into one of our private, safe, fully accredited surgical rooms. Your surgeon will provide anesthesia to promote your comfort and carefully place the implant in your jawbone, where it will heal in place.
Abutment Placement
It usually takes multiple months for implants to fuse with the surrounding jawbone before they can be loaded (placement of final restoration or crown). After implant placement, a healing abutment is placed to allow the implant to transition from the bone through the gum tissue and into the mouth. This temporary healing abutment is usually placed at the time of implant placement but, in some cases, may be placed 3 to 4 months later.
Replacement Teeth
Your final replacement teeth are custom-made by your dentist, completing your dental restoration journey and providing you with a fully functional smile.
Dental Implants Recovery and Aftercare
Following your dental implant placement, you can expect up to a week of soreness and some swelling. These symptoms can be mediated with over-the-counter medications. You will also need to stick to liquids and soft foods for the first few days, gradually transitioning back to your regular diet. Your surgeon will provide post-surgical instructions about how to care for your implants, optimizing your chances for implant success.
Schedule Your Dental Implants Evaluation
If you’re considering dental implants in Park Ridge, IL, Chicago Surgical Specialists is here to help. Our experienced oral surgeons will guide you through the process, promoting a comfortable and successful experience. Contact us today at (847) 268-3910 to schedule an evaluation and take the first step towards a restored smile.