Dental Implants – Des Plaines, IL

Comprehensive Tooth Replacements

Why do so many dentists recommend dental implants as a solution for tooth loss? The simple answer is that they come the closest to resembling natural teeth. They are the only tooth replacement option that can simulate the roots as well as the crowns of lost teeth, so your new smile will always be held firmly in place. Have you been thinking of giving your smile an upgrade with dental implants? Give Brite Smiles a call today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sani to learn more about tooth replacement with dental implants in Des Plaines, IL.

Why Choose Brite Smiles for Dental Implants?

  • In-House Dental Implant Placement
  • Highly Trained Periodontist
  • Modern Dental Technology

What are Dental Implants?

Dentist using model to explain dental implants

Dental implants are installed via surgical procedures that allow for a permanent prosthetic to last a lifetime. You can think of an implant much like a fake root that is attached to your jawbone, below your gums. Generally, a crown will be mounted on top of your implant to give you that picture-perfect grin you desire. Dental implants can be used to replace missing teeth and restore your entire smile. Many people have dental implants, and both patients and dentists alike choose implants as a positive option when it comes to replacing teeth.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

Dentist using model to explain the four step dental implant process

Getting dental implants can be a tad complex. Unlike dentures or bridges, these prosthetic teeth involve a multi-step process that takes months. Still, their benefits are worth all this time and effort. We at Brite Smiles ensure that much by placing the implants in-house. Our dentists use their training and skills to provide amazing results. So, you can expect four steps from our team: consultation, implant surgery, osseointegration, and delivery of the final restoration. Learn more by reading below or calling our office.

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

A dentist using a model to explain how dental implants work

Your implant journey will start with a consultation. The latter is a brief talk with our dentists, who’ll ask about your treatment goals and oral health background. It helps us better grasp whether an implant treatment suits your needs. If it does, we’ll quickly begin drafting a custom treatment plan.

Of course, we can still help if you don’t initially qualify. We’ll gladly help you get preliminary services – gum disease therapy, tooth extraction, etc. From there, your mouth will have the strength to support dental implants.

If we approve surgery, your consultation will also cover the details of your treatment. Such facts include the treatment timeline, cost, and similar matters.

Dental Implant Surgery

Dentists conducting a dental implant surgery

As our office places implants in-house, we won’t refer you to outside specialists. That means your surgery should go quickly and involve less travel. Our dentists will also have instant access to your dental records if you’re a returning patient.

Make sure to expect the following at your implant surgery:

  • Anesthesia – Before surgery, our dentists will numb the treatment site(s). This measure keeps you from feeling pain from the implant work. The most you’ll sense is a slight pressure as our staff operate.
  • A Minor Incision – We’ll make a small gum incision once the treatment site is numb. After doing so, we’ll create a space for your future implant(s).
  • Implant Placement – Our team will place your implant using advanced dental methods and tools.
  • Gum Closure – When the placement is done, we’ll close the incision in your mouth. Our dental team will then put a cap over the implant post.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

A closeup of a single tooth implant with its abutment

Once the surgery is over, your new implant(s) will slowly fuse with your jaw. This fusion is called “osseointegration” and takes roughly 4-6 months. Your implant post(s) will be permanent and steady when finished.

Following the fusion process, you’ll get another oral surgery. This second one sets an abutment (i.e., a metal connector) over your implant. Said part will secure your final restoration. (The latter will be crafted from earlier dental impressions.)

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

A young woman with a dental implant for a front tooth

At the end of the implant process, you’ll get your final restoration. The nature of this prosthetic will depend on how many teeth you’ve lost. It could be a dental crown, dental bridge, or denture.

Our dental team won’t take long to fit the restoration. In fact, adding it to your implant only requires some dental cement. We’ll then make last-minute changes to ensure good results. Should all go well, you’ll end the visit with a gorgeous and fully restored grin!

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dentist and dental patient discussing the benefits of dental implants

Are you curious why roughly 500,000 patients choose dental implants each year? The short answer is that this smile-rebuilding service offers many benefits that you simply wouldn’t get with traditional tooth replacements. Here are a few examples:

Day-to-Day Benefits

Senior woman smiling while working at home

Let’s start with the day-to-day benefits of dental implants, which you will enjoy immediately following the recovery period:

  • Easier Maintenance: One of the biggest perks of dental implants is that you can maintain them with the same best practices you use for your natural teeth, like brushing, flossing, and getting a dental checkup and cleaning every six months (unless otherwise instructed).
  • Increased Confidence: If you are currently wearing or have worn dentures in the past, then you know that they can slip out of place at the most inopportune moments. Since dental implants are inserted directly into your jawbone, they will remain securely in place!
  • Ability to Eat Most Foods: Dental implants won’t limit your diet; they will expand it! Thanks to the improved chewing power they provide, you’ll be able to eat a well-balanced, varied diet filled with all of your favorites.

Health Benefits

Man smiling while on a walk outside

In addition to improving your overall quality of life, dental implants offer several health benefits. Here are a few examples:

  • Jawbone Preservation: Something that makes dental implants completely unique is that they get their support from your jawbone, not your gums. This means that this tooth-replacement option will provide the stimulation needed to help preserve it.
  • Protection for Natural Teeth: Unlike some of the other tooth-replacement options available, dental implants are self-supporting. That means that your surrounding healthy teeth don’t need to be altered in the process of rebuilding your smile.
  • Better Overall Health: Tooth loss can result in everything from dental drift to trouble chewing and nutritional deficiencies. Fortunately, dental implants can replace one, a few, or an entire arch of missing teeth, benefiting your oral and overall health.

Long-Term Benefits

Couple smiling and hugging outside

It’s also worth noting that there are several long-term benefits of dental implants, which makes them worthwhile in the short and long term. A few examples include:

  • High Success Rate: Dental implants have an impressive 95% success rate, and it’s even higher among patients who don’t smoke. This is important because you’re investing your valuable time and money into this treatment, so you want it to be a success!
  • Youthful Appearance: In short, fully restored dental implants look and feel extremely natural. That’s because they are custom-made for each patient and they are inserted into the jawbone, ensuring that they are lifelike in more than one way.
  • Long-Lasting Results: Perhaps the biggest benefit of them all is that dental implants can last for 30+ years with proper care. In other words, they have the potential to last a lifetime with the right maintenance.

Who Dental Implants Can Help

Woman with dental implants smiling

A dental implant can be used to replace teeth in all kinds of scenarios. As such, no matter how many teeth you’re missing, you are likely still a candidate for dental implants as long as you:

  • Have a healthy mouth free of gum disease.
  • Have enough tissue in your jawbone to support the implant posts.
  • Are willing to undergo any preliminary procedures that might be needed to meet the first two criteria.

Below are some of the implant procedures that might be suggested depending on the extent of your tooth loss.

Missing Single Tooth

Animated dental implant supported dental crown palcement

Replacing just one tooth with dental implants is relatively easy. All we need is a single implant post and a crown. Once the post has fused with the jaw, we can attach the crown to it in much the same way we might restore a natural tooth. This will leave you with a dazzling, complete smile.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Animated dental implant supported fixed bridge placement

We can use two dental implants and a bridge to replace multiple teeth in a row. A bridge that uses implants for support does not require us to make any changes to your natural enamel, so your remaining teeth will remain undisturbed after the dental bridge has been placed in your mouth.

Missing All of Your Teeth

Animated dental implant supported denture placement

How many implants does it take to replace an entire row of teeth? Believe it or not, the answer is typically just four to six implant posts. That’s enough to hold a denture in place so that you can eat, speak, and smile comfortably. Implant dentures can be removable or fixed depending on what you need.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

Model of dental implant supported fixed bridge restoration

Of course, dental implants do carry a higher cost than other tooth replacement solutions, although exactly how much you end up paying for them depends on a variety of factors (which will be discussed at your initial consultation). It’s worth remembering that dental implants last much longer than other restorations, so you don’t have to pay to replace them. They also offer many health benefits, which could help you avoid potentially costly problems in the future.

Dental Implant FAQs

a mature couple laughing together in Des Plaines

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive solution for replacing missing pearly whites, then dental implants may be the ideal option for you. Not only do they offer superior stability compared to other traditional restorations, but they’re also designed to last several decades to a lifetime! However, you may want to know as much as possible about the treatment before completely committing to it. Our team at Brite Smiles is happy to share and answer some of the most common questions we get about dental implants in Des Plaines. Keep reading to learn more or reach out to our office today to schedule your initial consultation.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

Firstly, our team will ensure that your mouth is completely numbed with a local anesthetic before beginning your procedure. Furthermore, your jawbone doesn’t have many nerve endings, so you typically won’t experience much discomfort during your appointment. While the surgery itself doesn’t hurt, your mouth might feel sensitive or sore for several days following your treatment. This can easily be managed by taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers as instructed. You can also place an ice pack on the outside of your mouth to help reduce discomfort and swelling. If your condition worsens or doesn’t improve after two or three days, notify us right away for help.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

The longevity of dental implants usually depends on the patient’s oral/overall health and lifestyle habits. That said, with proper care, these titanium posts can last as far as several decades to the rest of your life. To make the most of your new pearly whites, you’ll need to implement strict oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash every day. Visiting our team for dental checkups and cleanings every six months can also help you maintain a healthier smile in the long run. Refrain from chewing on food that’s too hard or sticky to avoid damaging your teeth over time.

Can I Get Dental Implants If I’m Diabetic?

As long as you keep your diabetes under control, you can expect a higher chance of dental implant success that’s comparable to patients without diabetes. If your condition is left unchecked and you have chronically high blood sugar, it can end up interfering with or delaying your healing process, which is essential for allowing your implant to integrate with your jawbone. For this reason, you’ll need to consult your endocrinologist or primary care doctor if you’re interested in dental implants. They’ll help get your blood sugar levels back to normal before starting your restorative treatment.

Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?

Although you’ll need plenty of time after your treatment to rest and recover, most people only require taking off a day or two to receive their dental implants. That said, if you have a physically demanding job, you might want to take off three or four days instead. Performing heavy or strenuous exercise can cause blood to divert from the surgical site, interfering with your healing process. Since every patient is different, you’ll need to speak with your dentist to get a more specific recommendation for your unique case.