Dental implants in Charlotte offer a permanent, natural-looking solution for missing teeth. They improve chewing, speaking, and overall oral health by preserving jawbone density. Implants also prevent surrounding teeth from shifting. Ready to restore your smile? Visit Premier Dental for a personalized consultation today!
1. Implant Types
When replacing missing teeth, choosing the right type of dental implant is crucial. Each option offers distinct advantages depending on your needs. Let’s explore the various types of dental implants and what makes them unique.
1.1 Endosteal Implants
Endosteal implants serve as replacements for missing teeth by using a surgical screw or cylindrical implant body embedded directly into the jawbone. A post, also known as an abutment, is then placed on this implant. Once the surrounding bone has fully integrated with the implant body, creating a solid foundation, the oral surgeon attaches a permanent crown on top.
1.2 Subperiosteal Implants
Subperiosteal Implants are put behind the gums, but on or above the jawbone. This type of implant may be used in people who lack sufficient healthy natural jawbone and are unable or unable to undergo bone augmentation surgery to restore it.
1.3 Mini Dental Implants
Mini dental implants are a newer form of dental implant that employs a single-piece screw that is little less than 3 millimeters (mm) in diameter – slightly more than 1/10 of an inch. Traditional dental implant screws are constructed of two sections with a diameter ranging from 3.25 to 5 mm (0.12 to 0.2 inches). Mini-dental implants are seen as a viable alternative for patients who cannot receive standard dental implants. However, they are not suitable for all tooth loss.
1.4 Immediate-Loading Implants
Immediate-Loading Implants technique offers a quick option, as it places both the implant and the prosthesis during the same session as the tooth extraction. This reduces the time without teeth and instantly improves dental beauty and functionality. However, this dental implant strategy is inappropriate for all scenarios and may increase the likelihood of failure under specific conditions.
2. 3 Steps in Dental Implant Procedure
At Premier Dental, the dental implant procedure is meticulously structured, adhering to rigorous scientific protocols and meeting all safety standards in medical practice. Led by a team of dental specialists with over 15 years of experience in implantology, Premier Dental has successfully restored full, naturally beautiful smiles for thousands of patients, enhancing both chewing ability and facial aesthetics.
Step 1: Preliminary Examination and Consultation for Dental Implants in Charlotte
When you arrive at Premier Dental, the dentist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your oral health. Any dental concerns, such as cavities or gum inflammation, will need to be addressed prior to the implant procedure.
In some cases, the dentist may suggest a CT scan of the jaw area where teeth are missing to assess bone density and jawbone thickness. If you’ve had missing teeth for an extended period and your jawbone has weakened, a bone graft procedure might be necessary before proceeding with the implant. Additionally, blood tests may be performed to evaluate clotting function and assess other essential health indicators.
Step 2: Begin the Implant Surgery Procedure
To ensure a successful implant placement, it’s important for the patient to be in good general health and have a calm, positive outlook. Once oral hygiene preparation is complete, a local anesthetic is administered to help the patient feel at ease and minimize any discomfort during the procedure.
In this phase, the dentist carefully inserts the implant post directly into the jawbone. This is the most vital part of the implant surgery and requires meticulous precision by an implant specialist with extensive skill and experience.
Step 3: Attaching the Porcelain Crown (Final Implant Restoration)
After 6 to 14 weeks, once the implant post has fully fused with the jawbone, the dentist will proceed to place the porcelain crown onto the implant. Following your implant procedure at Premier Dental, you’ll receive thorough aftercare instructions to maintain your implant’s longevity. Should you have any questions or experience any concerns, feel free to contact our hotline at 704-982-5516 for prompt support and guidance.
3. Cost of Dental Implants in Charlotte
The cost of dental implants in the US can vary depending on several factors such as the type of implant, the complexity of the procedure, geographic location, and any additional treatments required, like bone grafts. Here’s a general breakdown:
| Cost |
Note |
|
| Single Tooth Implant | $3,000 to $5,000 | The implant post (the titanium screw)
The abutment (the connector) The dental crown (the tooth-like cap) |
| Multiple Tooth Implants | $6,000 to $10,000 | This pricing varies depending on whether a bridge is used or individual implants are placed for each tooth. |
| Full Mouth Implants | $20,000 to $45,000 | |
| Additional Costs | Bone Grafting: $300 to $3,000 Sinus Lifts: $1,500 to $5,000 Extractions: $75 to $300 per tooth |
While implants are more expensive upfront than other tooth replacement options, they are often seen as a long-term investment due to their durability and benefits over time.
4. Benefits for Dental Implants Over Other Procedures
Dental implants are crafted to mimic the look and feel of natural teeth, offering both strength and durability. With the right care, they can last a lifetime, unlike dentures or bridges, which often require multiple replacements throughout one’s life.
Dental implants stand out for their easy maintenance—requiring only regular brushing and flossing, just like natural teeth, without the need for removal during cleaning. This ease contrasts with dentures, which often need special solutions and tools to stay clean.
Another key advantage of dental implants is their ability to support jawbone health. When teeth are lost, the jawbone can weaken over time, altering facial structure. Implants, however, help to maintain bone integrity, preventing these changes.
Finally, dental implants can significantly boost confidence, allowing you to enjoy eating, speaking, and smiling without any concerns. They offer a natural look and feel, letting you embrace daily activities worry-free.
5. Implant Maintenance
5.1 Brushing and Flossing
The way you take care of your dental implants will determine their long-term health, much like your natural teeth. The best part about implants is that they require the same routine brushing and flossing as the rest of your teeth. Doing this cleaning at least twice a day will help you prevent plaque buildup. Areas like the sides of your implants should receive extra care because here is where food and plaque tend to accumulate.
5.2 Lifestyle
The upkeep of your teeth and your overall lifestyle decisions will both affect how long your implants last. Smoking is one of the primary causes of issues with dental implants and general oral hygiene. When determining your eligibility for implants at your initial consultation, your dentist might take this into account.
5.3 Keeping the Mouth Healthy
The mouth cavity and the rest of your body are not incompatible. It is false to believe that your oral health and dental implants are unaffected if your whole health and well-being are impacted. Your body functions as a comprehensive system, thus you should treat your most valuable asset as such. Maintaining your health and taking care of yourself will help your dental implant last as long as possible.
5.4 Interdental Brushes
As part of your dental implant maintenance regimen, be sure to use interdental brushes. To lower the risk of gum disease, use these tiny brushes to scrape food particles and plaque off the areas around your implants.
5.5 Mouthwash
Antimicrobial mouthwash will help you lessen and get rid of bacteria that is accumulating around your dental implants when used in conjunction with regular brushing and flossing.
5.6 Frequent Dental Visits
Make time for routine dental examinations and hygienist visits. In addition to providing your replacement teeth with the expert cleaning they require, this will assist your dentist in tracking the development of your implants.
5.7 Take your dentist’s advice
Above all, follow your dentist’s instructions on the upkeep of your dental implants. If you want to preserve your implants for as long as possible, you must heed your dentist’s recommendations regarding any dietary restrictions throughout the healing period or adherence to a certain cleaning regimen.
6. Risks of Dental Implants in Charlotte
After having your implant, it’s common to have little bleeding and edema. However, there is a chance of difficulties with dental implant surgery, just like with any other procedure. Although they are rare, complications could include:
- Damage to neighboring teeth
- Delayed healing of the mandible
- Infection
- Fractures of the jaw
- Harm to the nerves
- Severe bleeding
- Sinus damage
Rarely, titanium implants may cause allergic reactions in certain individuals. A surgeon can use ceramic implants to replace them if this occurs. There is very little chance of complications when implants are placed by a skilled surgeon. Choose a dentist you can trust if you’re considering getting dental implants.
7. Bone Grafts for Implants
A dental bone graft is a surgical procedure designed to increase the density and volume of your jawbone. During the procedure, a healthcare provider places powdered bone grafting material—either natural or synthetic—into areas with bone loss or thinning.
This graft material acts as a foundation, allowing your own bone tissue to grow and regenerate around it, similar to how a scaffold supports new tissue formation. There are several types of dental bone grafting materials:
- Allograft: Human bone sourced from a licensed donor bank.
- Alloplast: A synthetic bone substitute, such as hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring mineral.
- Autogenous: Bone taken from another part of your own body.
- Xenograft: Bone from animal sources, typically bovine (cow) or porcine (pig), acquired from a licensed donor bank.
8. Longevity of Implants
Dental implants are built to last an impressive 10 to 30 years on average. For many people, this durability means the implant could remain intact for a lifetime, depending on the age at which it’s placed. No other tooth replacement solution offers this level of longevity.
9. Healing Process after Implants
Within 2 weeks, most patients experience complete recovery. The implant site might still feel a bit sensitive to touch, but it should generally feel healed and normal. While the implant continues to integrate and bond with the jawbone over the next 3 to 6 months, the primary healing phase will be finished.
At this stage, you’ll typically return to our clinic for a follow-up with Premier Dental, where your stitches will be removed if non-dissolving sutures were applied. During this visit, we’ll evaluate your healing progress, ensure recovery is on track, and address any questions you might have.
After about a week, your mouth should show significant healing, allowing you to carefully brush around the implant area. You’ll also be able to enjoy most foods again, although it’s still recommended to chew hard or crunchy foods on the opposite side to protect the implant site.
Dental implants in Charlotte provide a lasting solution, with your dentist able to customize the treatment to fit your specific requirements. Whether you’ve lost one tooth, multiple teeth, or all your teeth, dental implants could be a viable option for you. For the best implants in Charlotte, let the dentist at Premier Dental restore your smile and confidence.