Dental Implants Springfield
New Teeth for Life
Among dental professionals around the world, there is no debate—dental implants are by far the best tooth replacement option available today. They offer the next best thing to natural teeth when it comes to strength, aesthetics, and longevity, and now you can get dental implants in Springfield or Palmer with Dr. Gramse. If you don’t want to just replace your missing teeth, but feel like they were never gone in the first place, schedule an appointment with us today.
Why Choose Dr. Laura Gramse Family Dental Care for Dental Implants?
- Partnered with Local Dental Implant Experts
- Dentist That Prioritizes People Over Profit
- Trusted by Springfield & Palmer for Decades
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root that is placed directly into the jawbone. It’s a small titanium post that resembles a screw, and once in position, it bonds directly with the bone just like a real tooth root. This makes it extremely stable, and it can be topped with a crown, bridge, or denture to bring back as many teeth as a patient needs.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
- Initial Dental Implant Consultation: Are dental implants a good choice for you? Let’s talk about it! Dr. Gramse will examine your mouth and go over your various replacement options so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and situation.
- Dental Implant Surgery: If you agree to get dental implants, you’ll have the placement surgery performed by a local specialist who has worked with Dr. Gramse for years.
- Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment: While you’re healing, osseointegration will take place, which means your implants become firmly attached to your bone. After a few months, a small connector piece called an abutment will be placed on your implant(s), which will attach directly to your restoration(s).
- Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s): The big day has finally arrived! Dr. Gramse will place your specially-made crown, bridge, or denture to your implant(s), completing the process.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants continue to gain popularity with an estimated 500,000+ placed annually. Experts believe this number will continue to grow as more people learn about these unique restorations. They are the only ones that are embedded directly into your jawbone, so they offer additional benefits over alternatives like dentures or dental bridges.
Continue reading to learn more about the many benefits of dental implants, and feel free to contact us for additional information.
Day-to-Day Benefits
Tooth loss can detract from your daily quality of life because you need a full set to thoroughly chew food, enunciate words, and smile authentically. Fortunately, dental implants can help because they:
- Require Few Dietary Restrictions. Your jawbone fuses with the titanium pole of your implant, so it functions like a sturdy standalone structure. As a result, it returns 90% to 100% of your chewing power compared to 10% to 30% with other treatments so that you can enjoy all your favorite foods.
- Are Easy to Clean. Your restoration is a permanent part of your smile and maintaining it is as easy as brushing and flossing twice daily.
- Look Lifelike. The prosthetic placed over your dental implant is usually made from a resilient ceramic that can be customized to match the shade, shape, and size of your natural teeth for seamless results that boost your confidence.
Health Benefits
Not only do dental implants restore your smile’s appearance and functionality, but they can also boost your oral and overall well-being by:
- Strengthening Your Jawbone. After tooth loss, up to 25% of the surrounding jawbone density can be lost within the first year because there’s no root to stimulate new bone growth every time you bite down. The metal rod of your implant acts like a root to keep your jaw active and healthy enough to provide a firm foundation for your teeth.
- Prevent Oral Issues. It’s easier to thoroughly brush and floss dental implants than other restorations, increasing your mouth’s resistance to decay, disease, and injuries.
- Preserve Dental Alignment. When teeth fall out, the ones left behind are likely to shift out of alignment to try to fill in the gap. This can wear down your enamel unevenly, resulting in gaps, overcrowding, or cause a bite misalignment. Dental implants ensure everything remains where it should.
Long-Term Benefits
Your dental implants fuse with your jawbone to become a permanent part of your grin, which means you can enjoy many long-term advantages like:
- High Success Rate. These prosthetics are reported to have an incredibly high success rate of 95%, even up to 10 years after their initial placement.
- If cared for correctly, your new teeth could last 25+ years, or the remainder of your natural life.
- Save on Expenditures. They’re more firmly rooted in your mouth and won’t fall out mid-meal or conversation, so you won’t have to invest in frequent repairs or replacements like other replacements. Plus, you won’t have to purchase adhesives, soaking solutions, or other supplies that can add up over time.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Many factors influence the cost of dental implants in Springfield, but they are more affordable than you might think. Your treatment will occur in several steps, each with different costs. This gives you more time to pay because you won't have to come up with a lump sum before you can get started. Not to mention, our office offers various financial options to keep dental implants within your budget. You won't have to compromise quality or aesthetics to keep dental implants affordable.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
There's no flat fee for dental implants because every mouth and situation differs. You'll require an initial consultation with your implant dentist in Springfield. They'll examine your mouth to ensure dental implants are right for you. During their examination, they may find you require a little prep work before your placement surgery, like tooth extractions, gum disease treatment, or bone grafting. Besides your placement surgery, any preparatory procedures will be factored into your estimate.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
The amount you'll pay for dental implants is also affected by the number of teeth you are replacing. You'll need to pay for each component of the prosthetic tooth, which includes:
- Implant Post: A titanium implant post is placed into your jawbone to serve as a new tooth root.
- Abutment: An abutment is a special fixture that connects your restoration to your implant.
- Restoration: You will require either a crown, bridge, or denture.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
Dental implants in Springfield are the most cost-effective solution to replace missing teeth because they are proven to last for 30 years or more with the correct care, like brushing and flossing. You won't have to budget for replacements every few years, like with traditional bridges and dentures. In addition, dental implants also improve your oral health, so you're less likely to need costly procedures later. As the next best thing to a real tooth, a dental implant offers priceless benefits. You'll enjoy a solution that looks and feels natural.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Your dental insurance probably won't cover the entire cost of dental implants, but your benefits can be used to reduce the amount you will pay out-of-pocket. Your insurance may cover your consultation and some of the expenses for preparatory procedures and medically necessary treatments after meeting your annual deductible. Your dentist will work on your behalf to maximize your coverage to keep dental implants affordable.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
A member of our dental team will discuss your estimate and payment options, so you'll know exactly what you'll have to pay before committing to anything. In addition to dental insurance, our office also accepts:
- Traditional Payments: We accept cash, personal checks, and most credit cards for your convenience.
- Financing: Based on your credit approval, you can make monthly payments for any out-of-pocket expenses using a third-party financing company, like CareCredit.
Dental Implant FAQs
How long do dental implants last?
Because dental implants in Palmer are a relatively modern procedure, there aren’t many studies out there that have been going on for long enough to capture their true lifespan. However, many of the existing studies show that with good oral hygiene and healthy habits, it’s possible that they can last for 25 or more years.
To get the most out of your dental implants, routine checkups and cleanings with Dr. Gramse, as well as daily brushing and flossing at home are critical.
How successful are dental implants?
Dental implants have been shown to have a success rate of 95 percent after 10 years of placement, which means that 95 percent of patients who receive dental implants will still have them 10 years later.
In some cases, there are outside factors and habits that can increase your risk of dental implant failure, like smoking, poor oral hygiene habits, and underlying, untreated medical conditions. However, Dr. Gramse and our team will be able to assess your risk of implant failure at your initial consultation to help determine if you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
What causes dental implant failure?
One of the top causes of dental implant failure is peri-implantitis, which is an infection that affects the supportive soft and hard tissues around the dental implant. As it worsens, it can cause the implant to eventually become loose or even fail, and this is often the result of poor oral hygiene.
Another cause of dental implant failure is when the implants don’t integrate with the jawbone. This can result from teeth grinding, tobacco use, certain underlying medical conditions, etc., and Dr. Gramse will screen patients for these risks during the initial consultation.
Can I get dental implants if I smoke?
Smoking can put you at a greater risk of osseointegration failure, meaning your dental implants wouldn’t properly fuse with your jawbone. However, just because you smoke doesn’t mean you can’t get dental implants. We ask that you quit smoking at least two weeks before your dental implant surgery and three to six months following your procedure to give your implants the best chance at success.
Will people be able to tell that I have dental implants?
Dental implants have a natural look and feel, making them virtually impossible to distinguish from your natural teeth. Additionally, the prosthetics themselves are sleeker than traditional dentures, making it easier for you to speak clearly and chew a wider variety of foods.
