Dental Implants – Channahon, IL

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Freedom and ability to eat – Slippage is a common problem with dentures, but dental implants are secure because of osseointegration, which provides stability for a stronger bite. As a result, eating and chewing foods of all kinds is possible.
• Improved oral health – While traditional dentures involve relying on additional products, i.e., denture cleanser, to keep your replacement teeth clean, dental implants in Channahon require the same products and care as natural teeth—a toothbrush, non-abrasive toothpaste, and dental floss—to reduce the risk of gum disease.
• Higher quality of life – Denture-wearers frequently complain about the insecurity of their false teeth; however, those with dental implants don’t have this problem. Instead, they have more confidence when speaking, eating, and smiling.

Health Benefits

• Protecting existing tooth structures – When placing a dental bridge, existing tooth enamel must be removed, but our implant dentist in Channahon can put an implant in the appropriate socket, which keeps healthy teeth intact.
• More jawbone stimulation – After tooth loss, the jawbone deteriorates over time; however, dental implants continue to stimulate the bone when you chew or bite down, leading to better oral health in the long run.
• Teeth remain in place – When one or more gaps are not replaced, the remaining natural teeth can shift out of alignment. Dental implants prevent this from happening and ensure that your teeth stay beautifully straight.

Long-Term Benefits

• High success rate of placement– When performed properly, dental implant surgery has a success rate of 95%. Even after 10 years, this rate remains high at 90%, given that a person maintains their smile as instructed.
• Long-lasting dental implants – At most, dentures and dental bridges may last up to 10 years, at which point they need to be replaced. Dental implants can go more than 30 years!
• Lower cost in the long run – At the beginning, dental implants do cost more. However, in 10, 20, or even 30 years, these prosthetics can save you money because they do not require frequent replacement and adjustments like traditional dentures and bridges.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

Many people find that having dental implants placed is not nearly as uncomfortable as they expected. For one thing, there are not many nerve endings in the jawbone to begin with, and the mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic beforehand in any case. Furthermore, in many cases patients are sedated before dental implant placement, which further reduces the body’s ability to register pain.

Once surgery is complete and the numbness in the mouth has worn off, most patients experience some level of discomfort for a few days, but they can typically manage it with a prescribed or over the counter pain medication. It is recommended to call the dentist if discomfort worsens instead of improving after two or three days.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

The success rate of dental implants is 95%; as such, the procedure is considered extremely safe. Before an implant dentist starts planning the surgery, they will evaluate the mouth and jawbone for signs of potential complications, such as low bone density and gum disease. Addressing these issues ahead of time can make dental implant surgery safer. An implant dentist also needs to confirm the presence of diabetes, cancer, or other medical conditions that might complicate implant surgery or the healing process so that they can be addressed properly.

What Causes Dental Implants to Fail?

Dental implant failure is very rare; most patients can safely expect their implant posts to last for decades as long as they continue to give them proper care. However, failure is still a possibility, and it generally occurs due to peri-implantitis or failed osseointegration. Peri-implantitis is a type of gum disease that forms around implant posts as a result of poor oral hygiene. Failed osseointegration means that the post does not form a bond with the jawbone, which can happen if there was not enough bone density to begin with. There are other factors for dental implant failure as well, such as teeth grinding and tobacco use.

What is the Right Age for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are not recommended unless the patient’s jaw is fully developed because the post could potentially interfere with bone development. Implants are thus usually not placed in patients younger than 18. Young adults should have their jaws evaluated to make sure that dental implants are a viable option. There is no upper age limit for implant surgery, but older patients are more likely to have health conditions that can interfere with the success of the treatment.