Dental Implants – Lisle, IL

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

During the initial dental implant consultation, Dr. Marchese performs a highly detailed exam to confirm certain aspects about your oral health and the severity of your tooth loss. Not only will he determine which teeth need replacement, but he’ll make sure no tooth decay or gum disease is present. In the event preparatory treatments are needed, including gum disease therapy, decay removal, tooth extractions, bone grafts, sinus lifts, or another treatment to make dental implants viable, he’ll let you know during the consultation. Furthermore, you’ll have an opportunity to ask any questions you have about your unique treatment plan ahead of surgery.

Dental Implant Surgery

On the day of your surgery, Dr. Marchese will administer local anesthetic to your mouth to remove any feelings from your gums and nearby oral structures. From there, a small incision is made in the gum tissue so that a tiny hole can be created. This is where the implant will be placed and given time to integrate. After the implant is attached, the gums are then stitched closed. Our team is happy to go over all the most important aftercare steps you’ll need to keep in mind to ensure a speedy recovery.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

The implant itself requires time to fully integrate with the jawbone, typically about 3 to 6 months. The fusion of titanium post to organic bone tissue is known as osseointegration and it is a crucial aspect of the dental implant process. This is because there is no periodontal ligament holding the implant in place. Once the fusion is finished, an abutment can be attached. Abutments are small metal connectors that keep the restoration attached to the implant and provide stability. To place them, Dr. Marchese reopens the gum tissue, attaches the abutment, then stitches it closed one more time to give it a few more weeks to heal.

Delivery of Dental Restoration(s)

When all healing phases are complete, a permanent restoration can be attached to finally fill the gap in your smile. The restoration used will depend entirely on how many teeth you were missing. Of course, whether you need a single dental crown, an implant bridge, or an implant denture, you can expect a restoration that looks incredibly natural and keeps your bite even. Thanks to our office’s ability to color-match it with existing teeth, no one but you and our team will even know you had teeth replaced!

Day-to-Day Benefits

Unlike traditional dentures or bridges, your new dental implant will never slip or pop out of place, and you’ll find that it’s practically indistinguishable from the rest of your smile. In addition, you’ll regain as much as 70% of your biting force, allowing you to confidently and comfortably continue to enjoy eating all your favorite foods. As far as daily maintenance is concerned, caring for your dental implant is exactly the same as caring for your natural teeth. All you need to do is brush and floss every day, as well as come to your implant dentist in Lisle here at Arbor Dental Care on a regular basis.

Health Benefits

Believe it or not, implants offer many benefits for your oral health and even your overall well-being. For instance, the implant post serves as a root, stimulating new bone growth to keep your jaw strong. Otherwise, it would start to dwindle and weaken with time. Additionally, a dental implant stops other teeth from drifting and doesn’t damage surrounding healthy teeth to preserve your natural smile. Also, because you’ll have a stronger bite, you’ll be able to maintain a healthier diet, providing your body with better nourishment and vitality.

Long-Term Benefits

With a strong jawbone, you can retain a more youthful facial structure and avoid that older, sunken look that commonly occurs with dentures over time. In addition, compared to other replacement options, dental implants are the most reliable solution to treat tooth loss with a success rate of over 95% even decades after placement. In fact, with the right care, you can expect your dental implant to last for many decades to come and not need to be replaced, saving you money in the long run.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

You’ll need three things to be considered a “good candidate” for dental implants:

• Good overall health: Placing dental implants is a surgical procedure, so you’ll need to be healthy enough to undergo minor surgery.
• Great oral health: Issues like tooth decay and gum disease can cause dental implants to fail, so these problems will need to be corrected first.
• Adequate jawbone density: Your jawbone needs to be strong enough to support your dental implant(s). If it isn’t, you may need to complete a bone graft or sinus lift beforehand.

If you’re lacking any of these three factors, there’s no need to worry! You may still be able to get dental implants. We’ll help you figure out what steps you need to take next (such as periodontal therapy, a tooth extraction, bone grafting, etc.) to get you ready for your brand-new smile.

Dental implants can retain a variety of restorations, including crowns, bridges, and dentures. No matter how many teeth you’re missing, they can help you regain a full set of pearly whites!

Missing 1 Tooth

Implant-retained dental crowns are an excellent way to replace a single tooth. We’ll surgically insert a small titanium post where your missing tooth’s roots were. Once it’s fused with your jawbone, we’ll attached a beautiful, custom-made dental crown to the top of the post that blends in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.

Missing Multiple Teeth

If you’re missing several teeth in a row, they can all be replaced at once with an implant-retained bridge. This involves placing two implants on either side of the gap to anchor the new dental structure between them into your smile. This provides superior support without wearing down the adjacent healthy teeth.

Missing All Teeth

While traditional removable dentures can quickly replace a full arch of missing teeth, they often cause irritation and inconvenience later on as they lose their fit. With a few strategically placed implants, an implant denture can replace all your teeth while providing improved function and comfort.

Learn More About Implant Dentures

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

The preliminary treatments that might be performed before dental implant placement include gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, and bone grafting. They do add to the overall cost of the process, but in the long term they help ensure the success of your new smile, and they are typically partially covered by dental insurance.

Implant surgery has a cost of its own, and it’s normally affected by the location of the surgical site and the type of sedation needed. The entire treatment will be completed in-office, so you don’t have to worry about receiving a bill from a different practice.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

The overall cost of implants is affected by:

• The Number of Implants: It often takes one implant to replace a single tooth, two implants to replace a row of teeth, and 4 or more implants to replace an arch.
• Type of Restoration: Crowns, bridges, and dentures all have different costs; smaller restorations are naturally less expensive.
• Material: Sometimes implants are made out of zirconia instead of titanium, which affects the overall cost.
• Brand: There are different implant manufacturers that meet the needs of various patients. The manufacturer we choose will affect the amount you end up paying; feel free to ask about where we’re getting your implant as well as any brand specific benefits.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

It can be tempting to try and save money by choosing traditional dentures or bridges over implants, but dental implants can end up paying for themselves many times over. You don’t need to pay for a replacement every 5 to 10 years like you would for dentures and bridges, and there are no special solutions you have to buy for maintenance. Also, because they’re easier to take care of, they can help you avoid gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues that would require costly care.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Most insurance plans do not pay for the actual dental implants, though there are some exceptions. Parts of the final restoration or preliminary treatments are often covered, however. Our team can review your benefits with you and help you figure out how to maximize them.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

To help you pay for dental implants, we can help you apply for CareCredit financing, which allows you to pay the cost of care in monthly installments instead of all at once. The plans offered through CareCredit have little to no interest to worry about.

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

One of the most crucial things you’ll need to do is get plenty of rest after receiving your new tooth roots. By doing so, you’ll allow plenty of time for the blood clots to form around your implant sites, which are fundamental for recovery. Immediately after your visit, remember to:

• Avoid touching the surgical site with your tongue or fingers
• Avoid spitting excess saliva and instead swallow it or use a tissue to absorb it
• Refrain from smoking tobacco products to prevent infection
• Keep away from using straws as the suction can disturb the blood clots

Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement

For several days after your dental implant surgery, you’ll likely experience one or some of the following common symptoms:

• General discomfort: This can be alleviated with rest and pain medication.
• Intermittent bleeding: Use gauze pads and light pressure to control any bleeding.
• Swelling: Try using a cold compress to minimize discomfort and prevent inflammation.

If you notice anything unusual or side effects that worsen over time, notify our team immediately for help.

Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery

Since your metal posts will need time to integrate with your jawbone, you’ll want to avoid biting down around your dental implants. Instead, stick to softer foods that won’t require much or any chewing to enjoy. These can include meals like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, pasta, yogurt, applesauce, and pudding. Once your implants have successfully fused with your bone tissue, you may begin to work up to your normal dietary choices.

Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene

Keeping your mouth clean is incredibly important during your recovery, as you’ll need to keep bacteria and infection at bay. Simply implement the following oral hygiene practices:

• Brush your teeth 24 hours after your surgery: Be extremely careful around the implant site.
• Gently rinse with salt water: This can decrease the risk of swelling and help fight off bacteria.
• Use alcohol-free mouthwash: When using mouthwash, tilt your head from side to side instead of swishing it around, and then let it pour from your mouth instead of spitting.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

Once our team has finally attached your new pearly whites to your dental implants, you might feel some tenderness in your gums for several days. Your mouth will also need to grow accustomed to having your new teeth in place. Thankfully, your new smile should feel completely normal after this short downtime, and you shouldn’t experience any discomfort or complications during this time. If you do, let us know so we can help you right away.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Your new restorations shouldn’t get cavities, but this doesn’t mean the rest of your natural teeth will be completely safe. Even the gum tissue surrounding your dental implants can become vulnerable to bacteria and plaque without proper care. That’s why, if you want to make the most of your renewed smile, you must continue brushing, flossing, and rinsing your teeth regularly every day.

Eat a Healthy Diet

One of the best things about dental implants is your renewed ability to enjoy the majority of your favorite meals like before. Since these restorations will allow you to chew more effectively than other traditional options, you can expand your dietary choices to include healthier foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. You should also avoid overindulging in starchy and sugary treats, which can make your smile more susceptible to bacteria and decay.

Break Bad Habits

To avoid damaging or harming your dental implants, it’s a good idea to quit bad oral habits that can ruin or damage your results. Not only will you need to refrain from biting into hard objects, like ice cubes, but you also shouldn’t use your teeth as tools, such as opening a package. Using tobacco products should be strictly avoided, as this can increase your risk of a failed dental implant along with serious conditions like oral cancer.

Protect Your Dental Implants

If you typically enjoy participating in contact sports, you’ll want to keep your pearly whites safe from getting hurt or knocked out. Try investing in custom mouthguards to both cushion and protect your smile. You can also consider getting nightguards for bruxism if you typically clench or grind your teeth during sleep. This can prevent you from wearing down your normal and artificial teeth, preserving their structure for longer.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Other than at-home care, make sure to schedule routine visits with your dentist every six months. They’ll examine your mouth and the progress of your dental implants. If they find any underlying issues that can risk treatment failure, they can provide the necessary treatments to maintain your smile. These regular checkups will also help you avoid needing more costly procedures in the long run.