Replacing lost teeth is crucial for restoring your smile and confidence and improving your daily life. Dr. James Dickert and Dr. Agatha Lynn specialize in dental implant treatments to replace missing teeth.
At West Ashley Family Dentistry, this advanced option restores your smile with a natural look and feel. Dental implants are the most realistic tooth replacement compared to traditional dentures and bridges. They also bring key benefits for your long-term dental health.
Dental Implants in Charleston, SC
A dental implant is a small titanium post that an oral surgeon places into your jawbone during surgery. This post acts like a tooth root to support a dental prosthesis. It’ll stimulate healthy bone growth, reducing the risk of jaw shrinkage, a common side effect of long-term tooth loss. Dental implants offer patients many benefits for overall and long-term dental health, including:
- Improved bone and gum health (compared to alternative restorations)
- Avoids degradation of remaining healthy teeth (as in conventional bridgework)
- Improves the look of your smile and lower face
- You’ll enjoy a healthy diet without restrictions
- You don’t have to worry about slippage or dentures falling out
Implants are a great option for adults who want to replace one or more missing teeth. We’ll take your budget, health, and goals into account before treatment. Our team will also recommend pretreatments if needed, so you’re ready for treatment.
The Dental Implant Procedure at West Ashley Family Dentistry
Before treatment, our dentists will need to make sure you qualify for dental implants. You need to have good oral health, enough jawbone, and be free of gum disease and other problems. If we find other issues, we’ll fix them before we place implants.
Sometimes, patients might need bone grafting to make sure there’s enough bone to support the implants. A bone graft takes healthy bone from other parts of your body and grafts it into your jaw. It creates a better base for the implant post to attach to. Dr. Dickert will work with a local surgeon who specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery to place the implant post.
Typically, it takes 3 to 6 months for the gums to heal and for the implant post to join with the bone. On your next visit, your dentist will attach the abutment to the post. The abutment piece secures the final tooth replacement to the post.
Dr. Dickert will place the final replacement on the post, which could be a custom dental crown, bridge, or denture. He’ll make sure it fits well and then firmly attach it to the post. You can take care of your dental implants just like real teeth by brushing them daily, flossing, and scheduling routine dental check-ups.
Types of Dental Implants We Offer
We offer several implant restorations at West Ashley Family Dentistry. We’ll find the right types of dental implants in Avondale, SC, based on the number of missing teeth and your oral health.
Single Tooth Implants
A single-tooth dental implant is the most popular type of implant we use today. When you lose a single tooth, we’ll recommend a dental implant when possible. It replaces all parts of the missing tooth, and we don’t need to prepare adjacent teeth for it to fit. This is usually the case with a dental bridge.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
Dental implants can effectively replace several teeth in a row. We’ll position implants to act as anchors for your custom dental bridge. This provides a secure restoration that’ll fit beautifully with your remaining teeth. Using implants also helps maintain the structure of your jawbone.
All-On-Four
Implant-supported dentures, or All-on-Four dentures, provide a comfortable and long-lasting result. All-on-Four replaces a full set of upper or lower teeth. We’ll work with a local specialist to place as few as four dental implants in your jawbone.
These implants will support a hybrid denture that stays securely in place and keeps your jawbone healthy. Say goodbye to dentures that slip or need adhesive every day to stay put. With regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups, your dental implants can last for many years.
Patient Review
“Amazing dental facility from start to finish! A few months ago I went in with major tooth pain and sensitivity, Dr Dickert gave me just more than a dental checkup. I am now smiling like I never have before thanks to my 8 beautiful porcelain crowns. The staff is friendly, their facility is clean and welcoming, but most of all the experience I got was the best and I cannot thank the staff enough for changing my life. I highly recommend this dental facility for all of your dental needs!”
– Lizza Batista
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to learn more? We can help. Read answers to common questions about dental implants in Charleston and Avondale, SC.
What’s the Recovery Time for Dental Implants?
The recovery time for the implant procedure can vary. It depends on your overall health, the number of implants, and the complexity of your case. Initial healing takes about 1 to 2 weeks.
You may experience some discomfort and swelling after this, but you can take regular painkillers to help manage the symptoms. You’ll heal over the next few months through a process called osseointegration. Just make sure to follow the advice your dentist or oral surgeon gives you after the surgery.
What’s The Best Age for Implants?
Implants are best for patients aged 18 or older. The jawbone should be fully grown to hold the implant. But we also consider other symptoms when deciding whether implants are right for someone. We’ll consider your health, the strength of your bones, and how well you take care of your teeth. Age is just one piece of the puzzle.
Does Insurance Cover Implants?
Most dental insurance plans don’t cover the cost of dental implants. However, some plans may offer partial coverage. If your plan doesn’t cover the implant, it might cover other parts of the process, like the crown on top.
The specifics depend on your insurance plan. The best way to find out is to check directly with your insurance provider. They can give you the most accurate information about what your plan covers and what you’ll need to pay out of pocket. We’ll help you take full advantage of your benefits after that.
Can You Get Implants for Multiple Missing Teeth?
Yes, dental implants are a good solution for multiple missing teeth. Instead of replacing each tooth one by one, an oral surgeon can use an implant-supported bridge or denture to replace several teeth. This method is a popular and effective way to restore both the look and function of teeth. Tooth implants offer a secure and long-lasting solution for multiple missing teeth.
Can You Get Dental Implants After Having Dentures for Years?
Yes, you can get implants after having dentures for years. All-on-Four implants can effectively replace old dentures. However, your dentist or oral surgeon will need to check the health of your jawbone and overall health before the procedure. Patients who switch from traditional dentures to implant-supported dentures might need a bone graft to qualify.
Dentures don’t keep your jawbone strong like natural teeth do. Without this stimulation, the bone can shrink and weaken. A bone graft helps rebuild and strengthen the jawbone so it’s strong enough to support dental implants. This procedure ensures a solid base for the implants, which is important for their success.
Schedule An Exam and Consultation Today
To learn more about how dental implants can replace your lost or missing teeth, schedule a dental exam with Dr. Dickert or Dr. Lynn. Our Charleston dental office welcomes new patients and provides personalized dental care tailored to your needs. Please call our office at (843) 371-5480 or request an appointment online.
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