Dental Implants in Toledo, Bowling Green & Wauseon OH

Dental implants are the most revolutionary advancement in teeth replacement in decades. Implants are a highly effective, natural-looking, and long-lasting solution for individuals with missing teeth. Whether you’ve lost a tooth due to injury, decay, or other dental issues, dental implants provide a natural-looking and functional replacement.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Dental implants offer several significant advantages over traditional tooth replacement options such as dentures and bridges:

Natural Appearance

Dental implants closely resemble natural teeth in both appearance and function. They are designed to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth, creating a harmonious smile.

Permanent Solution

Implants are a durable, long-term solution. With proper care, they can last a lifetime, making them a cost-effective choice in the long run. Patients with dental implants can rely on their new teeth functioning and looking great for years without having them relined or repaired every few years, unlike dentures and dental bridges.

Comfort

Unlike removable dentures, which can affect speech and limit food choices, dental implants allow for natural speech and the ability to eat comfortably without restrictions. Dentures tend to slip, shift, and click when eating and speaking. They may also rub against the gums, causing discomfort. Because implants are surgically placed in the jawbone, there is no rubbing against gum tissue, and the attached dental restorations do not irritate the mouth’s soft tissues.

Jawbone Preservation

When teeth are missing, the jawbone quickly deteriorates, leading to a sunken facial appearance and the possible loss of remaining teeth. Patients can lose up to 25% of the jawbone mass around missing teeth within the first year. Dental implants support the jawbone and stimulate new bone growth, ensuring your facial contours are preserved and preventing the prematurely aged look familiar with long-term denture wear.

Increased Self-Confidence

Missing teeth contribute to poor health but can also damage your self-esteem. Patients with missing teeth often stop laughing and interacting socially due to embarrassment. They may also cover their mouths when talking or avoid eating in public. Dental implants are a permanent, comfortable solution that restores the beauty of their natural smile and gives them a confidence boost that enhances their lifestyle.

Convenience

Dentures can be challenging to care for because they require special cleaning solutions and must be removed at night. With dental implants, you no longer have to worry about removing them, traveling with denture-specific cleaning solutions, or going without teeth in bed. The implants and restorations are easy to care for by brushing and flossing as you do your natural teeth.

Dental Implant Structure

A dental implant consists of three essential parts:

• Implant Fixture: This is a titanium post or pin surgically implanted into the jawbone. It serves as the root of the artificial tooth and provides stability for the crown or an arch of replacement teeth.
• Abutment: The abutment is a connector piece, usually a slender pin or clasp, which attaches to the implant fixture. It protrudes above the gum line and supports the final crown or prosthetic tooth.
• Dental Restoration: The restoration is the visible part of the implant and is custom-made to match the color and shape of your natural teeth. It is attached to the abutment and functions as your new tooth or, if more than one tooth is being replaced, an arch of replacement teeth.

 

The Dental Implant Procedure

The first step toward dental implants is a consultation with one of our surgeons specializing in dental implant placement. We evaluate your oral health, review your medical history, take X-rays and 3D digital images to determine how to proceed, and discuss your treatment options.

If you are a suitable candidate for dental implants, we schedule your oral surgery at a convenient time for you. On the day of surgery, we surgically place the implant or implants in the jawbone. Once the implants are in place, the process of osseointegration begins. During this process, the titanium implant fuses with the surrounding bone, providing a stable foundation for dental restoration.

You do not feel any pain during surgery, as we use a local anesthetic to alleviate pain and, in most cases, provide IV sedation for your comfort and relaxation during the procedure. Most patients do not recall the surgery after the sedation wears off.

After healing, an abutment is attached to the implant fixture, protruding above the gum line. Within a few weeks after the abutments are attached, your restorative dentist or prosthodontist will attach the crown or dental prosthetic to the implants using the abutments. We work closely with restorative dentists and prosthodontists to ensure a seamless dental implant process and safe recovery.

Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are suitable for most individuals with missing teeth, but candidates should meet certain criteria:

• Good overall health and oral hygiene.
• Adequate jawbone density to support the implant. If you do not have sufficient jawbone to support the implants, our surgeons can use bone grafting to build up the area before placing the implants. This can add several months to the dental implant timeline but is effective for many patients who have been told in the past that they may not be candidates for implants.
• No untreated gum disease or dental issues.
• No bleeding disorders, autoimmune issues, or uncontrolled diabetes.
• Willingness to commit to proper aftercare and maintenance.

Why a Surgeon Should Place Your Implants

Our surgeons’ expertise ensures precision placement with minimal impact on the surrounding structures and less invasive incisions. They are equipped to handle complex cases such as those involving bone grafting, sinus lifts, and other surgeries sometimes required to ensure successful osseointegration of the implants.

Dental implant placement is a team effort between a surgeon and a restorative dentist. Dr. McCabe, Dr. O’Neill, Dr. Holdship, Dr. Simonton, Dr. Seal, or Dr. Amakwe perform the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary. The restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.

Advancements in Dental Implant Technology

Although the dental implant process has traditionally required two or more surgeries, recent advancements can allow for single-stage implants that do not require a second surgery to uncover the abutments. The permanent restorations can often be attached within six weeks, although additional healing time is still needed. There are several options available which your surgeon will review with you at your initial consultation.

Dental implants offer an exceptional solution for those with missing teeth, providing numerous benefits over traditional options. With the right candidacy, proper care, and the expertise of a surgeon, dental implants can restore your smile, confidence, and overall oral health, offering a long-lasting solution that feels and functions like natural teeth.

Dental implants may be the answer if you have one or more missing teeth and want a healthier, more comfortable alternative to dentures or dental bridges. Please schedule an appointment for a consultation with one of our surgeons to learn more. We can be reached by phone at West Toledo Office Phone Number 419-517-2100.