Dental Implants.
Approximately 70% of people between the ages of 35 to 44 are missing at least one tooth and 25% of people over the age of 74 are missing all of their teeth. Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth and many studies report a 95% success rate. Dental implants secure the new set of teeth to your jawbone with titanium posts, and can last a lifetime. Eat, smile, and chew with self-confidence by replacing your dentures or missing teeth with dental implants.
Leading Implant Center in the Newton Area
We are a leading dental implant restoration center in Newton and Wichita and we offer advanced surgical and restorative implant therapy ensuring a predictable and quality result. Shortcuts are taken by some other providers to offer cheap and fast dental implants, which usually produces poor results. We promise to pay attention to the small details and to not skip the many important steps that yield the most aesthetic and longest lasting results.
Pros of Dental Implants.
Benefits and Processes
• When a tooth is removed, the jawbone shrinks in that area. A dental implant prevents the jawbone from shrinking.
• Healthy teeth will be shaved down for crowns or bridges while a dental implant doesn’t need too.
• When a dental bridge is placed or a partial denture is used, the remaining teeth are burdened with supporting an artificial tooth. They take on
additional stresses that the missing tooth’s root would have normally taken. With a dental implant, these remaining teeth will not have to take on this stress.
Dental implants are a relatively recent development; the first implant was placed in the 1960s. They are synthetic structures currently made of titanium or zirconia that are placed in the area of the missing tooth and centered where the root of the natural tooth was. Dental implants are attached to the jawbone and create a foundation or attachment for an artificial tooth or dental bridge. They can also help retain a denture, partial denture, or hybrid denture. There are 3 parts that make up the dental implant; the implant itself, which is inserted directly into the jawbone; the abutment, which is the part that connects the fake tooth to the implant; and the fake tooth above the gums, which is used to chew.
Bone augmentation, or “grafting,” is the process of increasing the amount of the bone in the location of the future implant so the implant has something to hold it in place. This area may have bone that has shrunk due to resorption when the tooth and its roots have been removed.
The bone grafting or augmentation usually involves adding (grafting) bone or bone-like materials to the jawbone. This graft can be your own bone, cadaver bone, bone processed from cow bone, or synthetic bone. The graft material will then fuse with the existing bone. The patient will need to wait for a few months after the grafting process for this fusing to be complete, but after it is fused there will be sufficient bone to hold the implant in place.
After the dental implant is inserted into the jawbone, a period of healing is needed for the bone to grow around the implant. Sometimes this can take 3-6 months. The implant will work in a similar manner as the root of a natural tooth. After this healing period, a crown will be attached to the dental implant. The result is a long term restoration that is natural looking, comfortable, and that functions effectively.
The success of dental implants relies on a patient’s candidacy for the treatment. This is determined by Dr. McCabe by making sure that a patient has sufficient bone density, a healthy immune system, healthy gums free of gingivitis or periodontitis, and that the patient does not smoke.
Dental implants also provide cosmetic benefits. The tooth on top of the dental implant has the feel and appearance of a natural tooth.
The procedure of placing and completing a dental implant will require multiple visits. The first visit will consist of collecting models of teeth, taking photos, and gathering other information on where the implant needs to be placed. The next part of the procedure involves placing the implant, which is basically an anchor placed into the jawbone. The site then requires several weeks to months for healing. During this healing time, the tissue and bone will grow around the implant, a process called “Osseointegration.” After the implant has fully integrated and healed, an artificial and natural-looking tooth is designed and fitted over the implant. This process usually takes 2 or more visits, and involves taking an impression and then attaching the tooth to the implant in the following appointment.
Caring for Dental Implants.
Eating With Caution
You can eat just about any food with your implants since they are strong, but chewing ice, trying to open packages with your teeth, or cracking open nuts is not advised. Dental implants are like any other investment: you need to take care of them.
Dental Hygiene
Infections can easily develop around your dental implant without flossing and brushing your teeth regularly. Studies have shown that patients who brush, floss, and have regular dental visits have dental implants that last longer. This is one of the most important parts of keeping your implants healthy and functional.
Keep Regular Appointments
Dr. Thomas McCabe advises that your implants be checked at least twice a year, with a cleaning appointment every 4-6 months. This way, any small problems can be identified and easily handled at an earlier stage instead of becoming large, uncontrollable issues.
Let Dr. McCabe and your hygienist know that you have dental implants
Dental implants look very similar to real teeth, so it’s very important that you tell your hygienist that you have dental implants so they don’t use regular cleaning instruments. Implants need to be cleaned with special instruments that do not scratch the surface of the implant.
Quit Smoking
Smoking presents the greatest risk for dental implant related complications and risks. This means someone who is looking to have a dental implant is strongly advised to, and should consider, quitting smoking.
Cost of Dental Implants.
A major concern for patients is: How much does an implant cost? The cost of a dental implant is determined by a number of factors:
Bone Amount and Density
Bone function is the foundation of implants. So, if you have had bone loss, you might need to have a bone graft prior the implant procedure.
The Quality and Number of Implants
The more teeth you want to replace, the more implants you will likely require, which will increase the total cost of the implant process. We also use top quality implants and parts including Astra, Straumann, Zimmer, and Nobel Biocare implants with custom abutments such as UCLA and Atlantis abutments. These are not to be confused with the many cheaper brands with less than impressive long-term success rates.
Bone Grafting or Sinus Lift
If there is not enough bone where the future implant needs to be placed, bone grafting might be needed to build-up the bone in that area to hold the implant. Usually the upper premolar and molar future implant area might need a sinus lift before the dental implant is placed.
Procedure
A single dental implant to replace one tooth will be priced differently compared to multiple implants being used to support a denture such as an All-on-4™ hybrid denture.
Gum Disease
Sadly, most of the patients who require dental implants often have gum or periodontal disease. In those cases, to avoid risking the health and success of the dental implant, the gums must be treated first. LEARN MORE ABOUT PRE-TREATMENT
The price for a single dental implant involves planning the entire implant process, taking an impression for a diagnostic wax-up, a 3D CBCT x-ray, placing a standard dental implant, fabricating the abutment, and inserting a custom made porcelain crown. This process ranges from $4,000 to $5,000. We believe that this is a reasonable cost in the Newton and Wichita area, especially in relation to quality. As mentioned above, sometimes additional services and treatment are needed like bone grafting, which could increase the cost. However, our practice will do everything we can to make it affordable.