Dental Implants – Columbus, OH
The Gold Standard for Smile Rejuvenation
A missing tooth can decrease your self-esteem and negatively impact your oral health. Aside from leaving an unsightly gap in your smile, missing teeth contribute to shifting of remaining teeth, bite problems, gum disease, and bone loss. Missing teeth can also affect your overall wellbeing.
Patients who experience tooth loss are more likely to suffer from decay and gum disease, which can lead to additional health problems that affect the heart, kidneys, brain, and circulatory system. We want every patient who walks through our door to maintain optimal health and wellness, as well as a smile they are proud to show off.
If you’re missing a tooth due to trauma or dental disease, consider the most modern and beneficial tooth replacement method to date—dental implants.
Why Choose Artistry Smile Center for Dental Implants?
- In-House Dental Implant Placement & Restoration
- We Accept & Maximize Dental Insurance
- Caring, Compassionate Dental Team
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants in Columbus are small, titanium posts that are designed to replace the root structure of missing teeth. They’re crafted from a biocompatible material, titanium, that is able to naturally fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. As a result, they’re able to offer an unwavering platform for any type of dental prosthetic to be attached to, including free-standing dental crowns, bridges, and dentures.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Interested in learning more about how dental implants work in Columbus? Below is a brief overview of the four main steps involved when it comes to replacing your missing teeth with long-lasting, high-quality implant posts. It should be noted that the entire process typically takes months, but it will ultimately be worth it once you’re able to experience the many benefits that come with your newly recompleted smile.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Are you a good candidate for dental implant surgery? Is any preliminary work needed to prepare your mouth for implant posts? These important questions will be answered during your initial consultation. Our team will review your medical history and perform a careful examination of your mouth and jaw. If we determine that dental implants are right for you, we can start creating your treatment plan.
Dental Implant Surgery
Placing dental implants involves a relatively simple surgical procedure. In order to access the jawbone, a small incision is made in the gums. After that, the implant posts are inserted into precisely chosen spots in the jaw. The gums are sutured shut, and protective caps are placed on the implant posts. Said caps will keep the posts safe from damage, and they’ll also help the gum tissue keep its shape during the healing process.
A local anesthetic will be used to keep your mouth numb throughout your dental implant surgery. As such, there shouldn’t be any discomfort during the procedure.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Over the next three to six months, the implant posts will fuse with the bone around them. This process, known as osseointegration, is critical for ensuring that the implant posts are able to provide the necessary support for your replacement teeth. Be sure to follow any instructions you’re given for making sure that osseointegration goes as planned.
Once the implant posts have formed a lasting bond with the jaw, you’ll be ready to receive your abutments, which are metal connector pieces that are attached to the implant posts. The abutments will eventually be used to secure the final prosthesis in place.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
Our team will take impressions of your mouth, which will be used to design and create a crown, bridge, or denture. The prosthesis will be personalized to fit your specific needs; not only will it fit comfortably inside your mouth, but it will be made to look like a natural part of your smile.
The prosthesis will be attached to your implant posts during one last appointment. We may need to perform a few last-minute adjustments to make sure everything looks good before you can walk out of our office with your new smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
When it comes to replacing missing teeth and closely imitating nature's design, dental implants are the best option. If you are considering this tooth-replacement solution for yourself, then schedule a consultation with Dr. Courtney. In the meantime, you can read on to learn a few noteworthy reasons why they are loved by patients and dentists alike.
Day-to-Day Benefits
Here are the benefits of dental implants that you’ll likely notice first:
- They Feel Natural – While other tooth-replacement solutions rest against the gums, dental implants are secured to the jawbone. That, combined with the fact that the restoration that’s secured on top is custom-made, makes them look and feel very natural.
- They Restore Your Bite Strength – Because dental implants replace the tooth root, as well as the portion of your tooth above the gum line, called the crown, you can enjoy a strong, lasting prosthetic that allows you to eat virtually any food.
- They Make Enunciating Clearly Easier – Have you had trouble enunciating clearly following tooth loss? If so, you’ll be happy to hear that dental implants can fill the open spaces in your smile, restoring your normal speaking patterns in the process.
Health Benefits
The benefits of dental implants in Columbus also extend to health. Here are a few examples:
- They Preserve More of Your Natural Smile – Although dental bridges can effectively replace up to four missing teeth in a row, they require the teeth surrounding the gap to be altered. Fortunately, that’s not the case with dental implants!
- They Allow You to Eat More Nutrient-Dense Foods – Eating apples, carrots, and other nutrient-dense foods can be difficult following tooth loss. Fortunately, dental implants can restore the strength of your bite so you can eat a more varied, well-balanced diet again.
- They Help Prevent Dental Drift – Once you’ve lost a tooth, it doesn’t take long for the teeth surrounding the gap to shift out of place, negatively impacting the alignment of your bite. Dental implants can prevent that from happening.
Long-Term Benefits
Dental implants are also worth the time and money that you invest upfront because:
- They Have a High Success Rate – The success rate of dental implants is over 95%. Starting from your initial consultation, we will walk you through how to reduce your risk of failure, including flossing consistently and avoiding all tobacco products.
- They Are Easy to Maintain – You can keep your dental implants in pristine condition with the same habits you use to care for your natural teeth, like brushing your teeth each morning and evening.
- They Can Last for 30 Years or Longer – While other tooth-replacement solutions usually last for 5-15 years, dental implants can last for over three decades.
Who Can Dental Implants Help?
Dental implants are an incredibly versatile answer to tooth loss. In fact, whether you’re missing one, several, or all of your teeth, it’s likely that you’ll be a good candidate for the procedure, so long as you have adequate jawbone density to support the implant posts. Based on your unique situation, our team may recommend any of the following pathways to restore your smile.
Missing One Tooth
To replace a single tooth, we can insert one dental implant below the gumline and into the jawbone. Once it fuses with the bone, we can secure an abutment to it that will attach a free-standing dental crown in place to fill the gap in your smile, all without having to alter your natural, healthy teeth.
Missing Multiple Teeth
For multiple missing teeth, we can secure a dental bridge to two dental implants located on either side of the gap in your smile. Or, if the spaces in your arch are spread out, we can pair an implant bridge with implant crowns to restore your entire row of teeth.
Missing All Teeth
For increased support and stability, Dr. Courtney may recommend implant-supported dentures or partial dentures. Secured with dental implants, implant dentures eliminate slipping and deter bone loss that can result with traditional removable prosthetics. Implant dentures will restore your smile and prevent future problems from arising, as well as eliminate the need for adhesive creams.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Every dental implant procedure that we plan at Artistry Smile Center is custom-tailored to meet your individual needs. As a result, there’s no one-price-fits-all when it comes to treatment. At your initial consultation, once Dr. Courtney has an opportunity to examine your mouth and create a treatment plan, our front desk staff will be able to provide you with a detailed cost estimate, including a breakdown of what your insurance may cover. We can also help you sign up for third-party financing through CareCredit.