Dental Implants in Springfield, IL
Oral Surgeon Springfield
Laugh, Speak, Eat, and Live With Confidence in Your Smile Again
If you are missing teeth or have damaged teeth that require extraction, we can restore them with dental implants in Springfield, IL. Dental implants are a healthy tooth replacement option that restores your smile’s appearance and oral function. When properly cared for, a dental implant can last a lifetime.
Dr. David Fischer, Dr. Jordan Williams, Dr. Mark Stephens, and Dr. Joseph Long offer many types of dental implant treatments to help patients achieve the complete and confident smile they deserve. If you have missing teeth, failing or damaged teeth, or wear dentures and seek a more convenient alternative, contact Oral & Facial Surgeons of Illinois in Springfield, IL, today.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are prosthetic screws by which a crown or other type of restoration is attached. When we complete the restoration process and attach the final piece, your dental implant will closely resemble a natural tooth. Each part of the implant serves an important purpose to the overall success of your restoration:
- The medical-grade titanium screw replaces your tooth root and fuses with your jaw bone to provide the proper foundation for the other two pieces. This is placed by your surgeon.
- The metal abutment connects to the titanium screw and allows a way to attach the crown or prosthesis.
- The prosthetic crown is the final piece to be placed, and it is designed to look and function like your other teeth. This is usually placed by your general dentist.
Benefits of Dental Implants
There are many options available for tooth replacement, but dental implants offer patients the most benefits, both short and long-term. Some of the benefits include:
- Improved chewing ability
- Versatility in treatments and use
- Easier to maintain and clean
- Jaw bone preservation
- Increased stability
- Permanent teeth replacement
The unique design of dental implants helps set them apart from other tooth replacement options. During your consultation, we will evaluate your oral health and determine if dental implants are right for your goals, your oral health, and your budget. Contact our office in Springfield, IL, today to schedule an appointment.
Types of Dental Implants
The right dental implant treatment for you will depend on how many teeth you wish to replace, your overall oral health, and your budget. We offer many types of implants and will determine the right choice for your specific needs.
- Single Tooth Replacement. If you have one missing or damaged tooth, we can replace it using a single dental implant. You can receive a single implant anywhere in the mouth to restore one or more teeth.
- Same-Day Implants. If you need a tooth extracted and have a healthy jaw bone, we can place the dental implant immediately following extraction. This saves time and money by reducing the number of procedures necessary to restore the tooth.
- Implant-Supported Bridge. A traditional dental bridge relies on existing molars for support and can cause them damage. They also do not fully restore function. With an implant-supported bridge, your adjacent molars do not need to support the bridge and because of the sturdy implant post, you regain full functionality of the replacement teeth.
- Full-Arch Restoration. Patients missing many or all of their teeth, or those who wear dentures, can achieve a fixed and fully functioning smile. Full-arch restoration involves using multiple implant posts to support a fixed denture, restoring your ability to eat and speak comfortably with no moving parts.
The Dental Implant Procedure
When you come in for your consultation, your doctor will take 3D CBCT scans and examine your condition and health history, which will help him develop a treatment plan specific to your needs. During this appointment, you will discuss your goals for treatment, have any questions answered, choose your form of anesthesia, and go over instructions for your pre- and post-operative care.
After you feel confident and understand what to expect during treatment, we will schedule your surgical appointment. Choosing a later date for your procedure gives you time to review your instructions again and prepare yourself adequately. If any questions come up between your consultation and your surgical appointment, please feel free to contact our office.
When you arrive for your procedure, we will administer the type of anesthetic you and your surgeon chose. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, your surgeon will place the implant using one of several techniques discussed at the consult. Often, a surgical guide is used to most accurately place the implant in the most ideal position. The surgeon may also place the abutment that day. This saves another minor procedure after healing, and shapes the gums appropriately for the crown. If you are undergoing multiple tooth replacement, you may instead receive a temporary set of teeth for full-arch restoration or an implant-supported bridge.
After your implant has healed and fused with the jaw bone, and your restorative dentist will place the custom prosthetic crown. For full-arch restoration cases, the restorative dentist creates the final arch of teeth and will attach it to the implant posts once all of them have healed.
Cost of Dental Implants in Springfield, IL
At Oral & Facial Surgeons of Illinois, we accept many forms of payment and financing options to make oral surgery more accessible to our patients. The cost of your dental implant treatment will depend on how many implants you need, if you require additional procedures like bone grafting or tooth extraction, your choice of anesthesia, and your insurance coverage. To find out how much your insurance plan covers the cost of implants, contact your insurance provider directly. We will provide you with a cost estimate for your dental implant treatment during the consultation visit.
Denture Replacement With Dental Implants
Patients who wear dentures often find that they cause oral sores and feel embarrassed to remove their teeth during meals. In order for the jaw to remain strong, it needs stimulation from teeth roots or implant posts. Dentures have neither, which leaves you susceptible to jaw bone loss. Severe jaw bone atrophy can cause sagging facial features or require extensive bone repair down the road.
Our surgeons can replace a denture through full-arch restoration, a life-changing treatment that uses dental implants to secure a fixed prosthesis. The implants provide stability so that you can eat comfortably while also preventing jaw bone loss. Your prosthesis is custom made for you, providing natural-looking and beautiful results. Learn more about denture replacement in Springfield, IL, by contacting our practice.
Dental Implants in Springfield, IL
We encourage you to contact Oral & Facial Surgeons of Illinois in Springfield, IL, if you suffer from damaged or missing teeth, or if you are unsatisfied with your current dentures. During your appointment with Dr. David Fischer, Dr. Jordan Williams, Dr. Mark Stephens, Dr. Joseph Long, or Dr. Joshua Deuel, we will evaluate your oral health and explore all of your tooth replacement options. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you regain your smile.
Hear From Dental Implant Patients
These patients can tell you about the firsthand experience undergoing dental implant treatment at our office.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dental implants
How long do dental implants last?
When kept clean and cared for, a dental implant can last a lifetime. The screw itself should never need to be replaced. If the crown becomes damaged or worn down, we can simply replace it.
How soon after an extraction can I have an implant?
If the jaw bone is healthy, your oral surgeon can insert a dental implant post immediately following tooth extraction. If there is not enough jaw bone, you may need a bone graft to rebuild the bone. You will receive the implant once the bone graft heals, which takes about 6 months.
What happens if you have a tooth pulled and don’t replace it?
There are many benefits to replacing an extracted tooth, such as restoring oral function and confidence in your smile. When you chew, teeth roots stimulate the jaw bone, keeping it strong and healthy. Without a tooth, the jaw bone will deteriorate over time due to lack of stimulation. As the jaw bone weakens, adjacent teeth may move into the open space, throwing off the alignment of your other teeth. Jaw bone loss can lead to sagging facial features, and you may experience trouble eating.
Do dental implants come loose?
A dental implant should not come loose or move at all. If the crown ever comes loose, it can be tightened or replaced. The implant post itself fuses to the jaw bone to create a solid foundation that can last a lifetime. If your dental implant ever feels loose, contact your dentist or oral surgeon right away. A loose dental implant could mean the post did not successfully fuse to the jaw bone or the bone has deteriorated because of peri-implantitis, a preventable infection similar to gum disease.
Questions? Let Us Know
We’re here for you. If you ever have questions about your treatment or would like to know more about procedures, payment information, or anything else, please reach out to us at any time.