Get Your Smile Fully and Naturally Restored!
If you’re missing one or more teeth, you deserve a secure, natural-looking way to renew your smile. Dental implants mimic your own tooth structure, so they look and feel completely lifelike. Leading Edge Dentistry offers dental implant restorations to revitalize smiles and change lives. Contact our office to schedule your consultation for dental implants in Marietta!
Why Choose Leading Edge Dentistry for Dental Implants?
- Partners with the Best Local Oral Surgeons
- Uses the Latest Dental Technology
- Flexible Dental Financing Available
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant has three parts:
- A titanium post that mimics the tooth root
- A custom crown, bridge, or other denture that sits on top
- A metal abutment that connects the two
One of our partnered oral surgeons will place the implant post in your jaw, where it merges with the surrounding bone (via osseointegration) to create a sturdy foundation for your replacement teeth. These restorations are personalized to mimic the appearance of your original pearly whites.
Dental implants are the only tooth loss solution to rebuild the entire structure of missing teeth, including the root. The end result is a smile that looks and feels just like the teeth you used to have!
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
In order to provide all of their unique benefits, dental implants require a multi-step process. While traditional dental bridges and dentures can often be designed, created, and placed in just a few weeks, getting dental implants in Marietta may take several months. Once they’re fully restored, though, we think you’ll find that they’re worth the wait! While every patient’s dental implant process is somewhat different, the four basic steps you can expect are the initial dental implant consultation, the implant placement surgery, osseointegration, and the delivery of your final restorations.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Most adults who are in good oral and overall health and are looking to replace missing teeth make good candidates for dental implants. Still, you’ll need to meet with our dentists to determine whether it’s the right choice for you. They’ll capture detailed X-rays of your mouth, jaw, and other oral structures, evaluating whether you have enough healthy jawbone density to support dental implants. If not, our team may recommend bone grafting in order to give your jaw the strength it needs to keep your new teeth in place. If we detect any untreated oral health concerns, such as gum disease, we’ll plan to address those as well.
Then, our dentists will outline what you can expect throughout the rest of the process. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about how dental implants work in West Cobb.
Dental Implant Surgery
Our team at Leading Edge Dentistry has formed a network of trusted oral surgeons and periodontists in the area to handle the surgical placements of our patients’ dental implants. Therefore, you can rest easy knowing that you’re receiving the highest quality of care that we can deliver.
In terms of oral surgery, dental implant placement is a straightforward affair. First, the specialist numbs your mouth and administers sedation if requested in order to ensure your comfort. Next, they make tiny incisions in your gum tissue, which they use to access your jawbone. The implants are inserted at precise positions in the bone, and your gums are sutured closed.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
You’ll spend the next three to six months waiting for osseointegration – the process of the implant posts fusing to your jawbone – to take place. Although this step is the longest in the dental implant process, it’s what ultimately gives your new teeth a firm foundation that can potentially last a lifetime.
When osseointegration is complete, you’ll most likely require a second minor surgery to have your abutments installed. Abutments are small metal attachments that allow your implant to support your customized crown, bridge, or denture. It should only take a few short weeks for your gums to recover from this procedure.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
Finally, it’s time for your new pearly whites to be placed! A dental lab will have been crafting your restorations from impressions that we’ve taken of your mouth, ensuring your new teeth look exactly like the old ones. Once your implant dentist in Marietta secures your restoration into place, no one outside of our dental team should be able to tell the difference!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are regarded as the superior tooth-replacement solution by both patients and dentists alike. It’s not hard to see why either. In fact, the numerous benefits they provide are some of the leading reasons more than 500,000 dental implants are placed each year! If you’re struggling with mild, moderate, or severe tooth loss, then keep reading to learn about the benefits of this smile-restoring treatment.
Day-to-Day Benefits
Even if you’re only missing one tooth, you know all too well the detrimental effects it can have on your smile, bite, and speech. The good news is that dental implants fill the gaps in your smile, making day-to-day life more enjoyable in the process. Here are a few things to consider:
- Versatility – Dental implants are custom-made for each patient. Not only can they replace one, several, or an entire arch of teeth, but they also are extremely lifelike in look and feel. In short, you’ll have a beautiful, complete, and healthy smile that doesn’t look unnatural or bulky in any way.
- Efficiency – If you are struggling with more severe tooth loss, you don’t need individual dental implants – four to six is all that’s needed!
- Easy maintenance – With dental implants, you don’t need to worry about special cleaning tools and products. They can be maintained with the same best practices you use to care for your natural teeth, like brushing twice a day and visiting your dentist twice a year.
Health Benefits
It’s true: the cosmetic benefits of custom-made, natural-looking dental implants are undeniable. However, the following health advantages are important to consider as well:
- Healthy lifestyle – Since dental implants restore your bite force, you’ll be able to indulge in a wide range of nutrient-dense foods, from fresh fruits and crunchy vegetables to lean proteins.
- Prevent bone loss – Once you lose one of your permanent teeth, the supporting bone structure begins to dwindle. The good news is that dental implants are inserted directly into the jawbone, providing the stimulation it needs to stay strong and healthy.
- Strong stability – With dental implants, you don’t have to worry about abiding by any dietary restrictions or sticking to a soft-food diet. The top-tier materials ensure you can bite and chew without any unwanted movement.
Long-Term Benefits
One of the biggest draws of dental implants is the 20+ year lifespan. Here are a few benefits that come with that:
- High success rate – Even after two decades, dental implants hold a success rate of about 95%.
- Youthful appearance – Since dental implants stimulate your jawbone, your youthful face shape will be preserved as well.
- No periodic adjustments – Unlike dentures, dental implants don’t need to be adjusted throughout the years. In fact, they may not end up needing to be replaced at all! This saves you money long-term.
To learn even more benefits of dental implants, get in touch with our team to schedule your initial consultation!
Who Dental Implants Can Help
There are many ways dental implants can restore teeth. If you need to replace one tooth or an entire arch, they are the most comprehensive solution out there. After we carefully examine your smile and determine important factors, including which teeth need to be replaced and the condition of your oral health, we’ll be able to provide you with a treatment recommendation from there. Consider your options below or give us a call directly to set up an appointment!
Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Dental implants are more versatile than ever, making it easy for just about any adult to have them placed. The exception is we do not place dental implants in patients with still developing jaws. Additionally, you should meet the following conditions to ensure the most successful treatment possible.
- Great Oral Health – If you have existing dental problems like gum disease or cavities, it’s imperative that these conditions are taken care of ahead of time to reduce the risk of any complications.
- Good Overall Health – Since dental implant treatment is a form of surgery, you should not have any pre-existing conditions that could dramatically increase your risk for issues during treatment.
- Jawbone Density – Your jawbone will need to be thick enough to receive a dental implant. If the jawbone is not thick enough in its current state, we will recommend a bone graft to expand its volume.
Missing 1 Tooth
A single tooth is replaced via an implant and porcelain crown. Because the periodontal ligament is removed after a tooth is extracted, it does not have the same natural “give” that a tooth has when applied with pressure. In some ways, this makes dental implants even more durable than natural teeth. The restoration that sits on top is not only created with ceramic materials that mimic enamel, but it is color-matched to blend in with your existing teeth for the best esthetics.
Missing Multiple Teeth
A dental bridge designed to replace multiple teeth can be fitted with two dental implants. The restoration does not require removal of nearby teeth like traditional bridges, allowing you to maintain as much natural tooth structure as possible. While there are some instances where a single implant could hold a two-crown bridge, most implant bridges will require two implants. Thankfully, you won’t necessarily need to have a dedicated implant to hold each tooth you intend to replace (i.e. a three- or four-crown bridge being held with a pair of implants.)
Missing All Teeth
If you feel that your existing denture does not seem to stay in place or you’re looking for a solution that’s easier to maintain, implant dentures are likely for you. By placing four to six implants in specific areas of the mouth, we can easily replace an entire arch of teeth via an implant denture. This option can be made to be either fixed or removable, depending on your preference.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
The cost of dental implants in Marietta can vary based on your individual needs. For example, you should have decent oral health and adequate jawbone mass before dental implants can be successfully placed. If you don’t have enough jawbone density available, a bone graft will be needed, therefore increasing the overall cost of your treatment. Furthermore, those who intend on replacing more than one tooth will have to pay more due to the additional implants and more complex restorations needed.
With that said, it’s worth noting that dental implants are a long-term investment designed to last several decades. This cannot be said for other tooth replacement options like bridges and dentures, which both have a shorter lifespan on average. Our team will walk you through your financial options and help you find ways of easily fitting the cost of your new smile into your budget!
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
While some patients can move straight into the surgical portion of their dental implant treatment, others require preparatory procedures beforehand. Gum disease therapy, bone grafting, and tooth extractions add to your total costs but are essential in helping your new teeth last for decades to come.
The dental implant placement surgery itself incurs its own cost, as does any sedation or anesthetic used during the procedure. We should mention that you’ll be responsible for paying two separate bills: one from the implant dentist in Marietta who handles your surgery, and another from our office.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
Not all dental implant procedures are the same. Some individuals need just one implant to replace a single tooth, whereas other patients require several implants to support a full implant denture. Naturally, the more implants you require, the higher the cost of your treatment will be. There are also different types of dental implants. For example, mini dental implants may have a different price than their traditional counterparts. The abutments and restorations that are placed on top of your implants will also vary in price depending on the specifics of your treatment.
When you visit us for a dental implant consultation, we’ll go over all of your treatment options with you and help you understand the price of each one.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money Over Time
Although dental bridges and dentures cost less at first, dental implants in Marietta may actually be the more cost-effective solution in the long term. They have the potential to last for a lifetime, while traditional options tend to break down and need replacing after only five to ten years. Dental implants also can be maintained just like real teeth, so they don’t require you to purchase specialized cleaning solutions (or adhesives to keep them in place). Lastly, dental implants result in better oral health, helping you minimize the risk of issues like gum disease that could require expensive treatments later on.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
More and more dental insurance companies are adjusting their policies to provide coverage for dental implants. You’ll have to check the specifics of your plan to find out whether it will help you afford your new smile. Even if your insurance does not cover the implant posts themselves or their surgical placement, it may cover preliminary work, your final restoration, or some other portion of your treatment.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
In addition to dental insurance, you may be able to take advantage of low- or no-interest financing to break up the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly payments. Leading Edge Dentistry has partnered with CareCredit and Lending Club to make dental care more affordable. Our team will help you explore your all your options for paying for your new smile without breaking the bank!
Dental Implant FAQs
Are dental implants safe?
In years of many studies, dental implants have been proven safe and effective time and time again. The same titanium material that is used in dental implants is also used in replacement procedures elsewhere in the body, such as the hip or knee, confirming their compatibility with human bone. The surgically placed post stimulates natural bone growth in the jaw, just like a natural tooth, keeping the bone strong and healthy longer than any other kind of tooth restoration.
Am I a good candidate for dental implants?
In order to be considered for dental implants, you need to be in good oral health. Existing infections in your gums or bone can lead to implant failure. The best way to know whether you qualify for dental implants is to have a consultation with at Leading Edge Dentistry. We will be able to review your specific case and provide expert advice for treatment.
Could dental implants be the most affordable option in the long term?
Although dental implants have a higher upfront cost, they can last much longer than dentures or dental bridges, which typically need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years. Over the course of time, choosing dental implants may indeed prove to be the wiser financial investment. To get information about the costs associated with different tooth restoration options, contact our office in Marietta to schedule a consultation. Our experienced team can work with you to make any treatment you choose affordable within your budget.
Do dental implants require special care?
All dental work requires some upkeep. However, once you’ve healed from having your dental implant placed and the restoration has been attached, you simply need to maintain the same healthy oral habits that you use to care for your natural teeth. Brushing and flossing daily and visiting our office twice a year for checkups and cleanings are the best ways to extend the lifespan of your dental implants for as long as possible.
What can cause dental implant failure?
Although dental implants are successful up to 95% of the time, some failures do happen. These can result in the short term from existing infections, the implants being improperly placed, or insufficient bone to support the implant. In our consultation with you, we are thorough, making sure that you’re infection-free and your jawbone is healthy enough for the procedure. We also work with qualified oral surgeons who are able to skillfully place your implants with only rare complications. In the long run, dental implants can fail if they aren’t maintained properly. We do our best to make sure that your dental implants are successful for many years to come.
Maintaining & Caring For Your Dental Implants
If you’re looking to invest in a tooth replacement solution that will remain with you for a lifetime, you won’t find a better option than dental implants. However, the key to ensuring their lifespan is proper dental implant care in Marietta. To do this, not only will you need to maintain optimal oral hygiene at home, but you’ll also want to keep your regular dental checkups, avoid bad habits, eat healthier foods, and better protect your smile from possible damage.
Making Oral Hygiene a Priority
Bacteria and plaque build-up are always a concern, and although your dental implants in Marietta cannot develop cavities, your smile remains at risk for gum disease. To avoid possible gum inflammation, bleeding, and sensitivity, you’ll need to brush twice a day for two minutes, use a non-abrasive toothpaste that combats gum disease, floss between meals (if possible), and use an ADA-approved mouthwash. Not only will this routine help to eliminate harmful bacteria, but it will also keep your breath fresh and your smile beautiful.
Eating a Healthy Diet
Incorporating healthy foods into your daily diet is a must when wearing dental implants. Too many foods (i.e., chips, candy, sugary beverages, pasta) contain high amounts of sugar and starch, causing them to pose a risk to your gums and natural teeth. Swapping them out for regular fruits and vegetables as well as lean proteins, calcium-rich foods, and leafy greens will allow you to not only take better care of your oral health, but you’ll also notice a dramatic difference in your waistline!
Breaking Bad Habits
Are you struggling to quit smoking? Do you tend to chew on pens or pencils when stressed at work? Do you enjoy eating ice? Maybe biting your fingernails is your go-to bad habit? No matter the issue, wearing dental implants should have you ready to avoid unhealthy habits and instead, embrace a stronger, healthier smile. Minor fractures, breaks, and chips can occur that result in a trip to see the emergency dentist. Smoking can even weaken your immune system, making it nearly impossible to heal from your implant surgery. Giving up these bad habits will ensure your dental implants do not become negatively impacted over time.
Protecting Your Dental Implants
It doesn’t matter if you are a runner, if you enjoy playing football, if you prefer aerobics, or if you suffer from bruxism while you sleep, a customized mouthguard is a great investment. The costly commitment of choosing dental implants should cause you to examine how you protect your teeth and gums. With a custom-made oral device that safeguards your smile, you can feel more at ease when engaging in physical activity or preparing to go to sleep. Your teeth and soft oral tissues will remain protected against hard-hitting blows, sudden falls, or excessive wear and tear to your tooth enamel.
Scheduling Regular Dental Checkups
Your implant dentist in Marietta looks forward to seeing your smile, which is why you should keep your regularly scheduled six-month dental checkups and cleanings. Some patients may be required to visit more frequently but no matter the regularity of your visits, you can expect to undergo a thorough examination that allows our team to check for signs of decay, gum disease, and dental implant damage. Although the goal is to receive a clean bill of health when leaving, we can easily identify issues early on and prevent more serious procedures as a result.