Dental Implants
Dental Implants are considered the best option to replace missing teeth for many reasons we will discuss below. Missing one or more teeth can be both inconvenient and detrimental to your oral health. When you are missing a tooth, the jawbone beneath it and the area surrounding where the tooth used to be can become prone to infection and deterioration.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a great option to replace missing teeth. They provide a secure mechanism to attach a denture or crown to. Unlike removable dentures, implants are secured into the jawbone with a titanium screw and capped off with a beautiful crown. The replacement crown is color-matched to closely resemble your remaining teeth for a radiant, completely natural look. Click here for dental implant FAQs.
How do you care for dental implants?
Care for your implants is simple. You can eat all your favorite foods and are not restricted in any way (although chewing on ice or utensils should always be avoided). As with your own teeth, we recommend you continue to brush and floss like normal and of course, continue to visit Lafayette Dentistry for check-ups. With proper care, dental implants can last for decades.
Lifetime Tooth Replacement
Whether you’re missing a single tooth or multiple teeth, Dr. Lalonde delivers a permanent solution for a natural-looking, lifelong smile. Dental implants placed by a Prosthodontist offer the highest long-term success rate of all tooth replacement options.
Types of Dental Implants
Dental implants have come a long way since 600 A.D. Fortunately, we don’t practice these methods anymore, but in those days, humans used seashells planted into the gums to simulate teeth! 1 In recent times, modern dental implants have been attempted in the last 100 years. So, even though the practice of implantology has been around for a long time, it still continues to develop by leaps and bounds every year. The reality is, oral implants change lives every day. They are the most natural form of tooth replacement, and the closest we can get to the way the tooth originally was. They are an answer to enjoying many aspects of life to the fullest- eating, drinking, talking, and yes, even kissing!
Here are 2 types of dental implants with information about additional scenarios for undergoing dental implantation, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry
- Endosteal: These dental implants are placed in the jawbone. Typically made of titanium and shaped like small screws, they are the most commonly used type of implant today.
- Subperiosteal: These dental implants are placed under the soft tissue, but directly on top of the jawbone. This type of implant may be used in patients who do not have enough healthy natural jawbone and cannot, or do not want to, undergo a bone augmentation procedure to rebuild it. These were one of the most popular implants used in the 80s.
If your jawbone is not able to support dental implants, several techniques can be used to rebuild bone, restore your natural jawline, and provide a sturdy foundation for implant-supported teeth. These include:
- Bone augmentation. This involves restoring or regenerating bone in your jaw when it is not able to support implants otherwise. Research shows that using bone additives and growth factors to fortify the bone generally achieves the best results.
- Sinus lift. Also called sinus augmentation or sinus elevation, this involves adding bone below the sinus membrane in cases where the natural bone has deteriorated due to missing upper back teeth.
- Ridge expansion. If your jaw isn’t wide enough to support dental implants, bone graft material can be added to a small ridge, or space, created along the top of your jaw.
All-On-4 Dental Implants
Missing a significant amount of teeth can really impact your health and confidence. Across America, there are close to 36 million adults who do not have all of their upper and/or lower teeth.
There are many replacement options to go with, such as dentures. There is also an option that is cost-efficient and gives quick, permanent results. With All-on-4, Dr. Lalonde can help restore a patient’s smile in one visit!
What is All-on-4?
With All-on-4, only four dental implants need to be placed in the upper or lower jaw in order to secure all of the teeth being replaced. The uniqueness of All-on-4 is that no additional procedures, such as bone grafting, are required.
What makes All-on-4 a good option?
Unlike other restorative dental procedures, All-on-4 has a shorter recovery time which enables patients to enjoy their smiles just one day after their procedure! The reason for this is that the procedure permanently replaces a full arch using only four implants, all done in one appointment.
There are many other advantages to this procedure, listed below:
- There isn’t a need for messy adhesives and temporary dentures
- It doesn’t require bone grafting since it uses the existing bone structure for support
- The implants help prevent further bone loss
- All-on-4 lasts for a lifetime and are easy to care for
Single Dental Implant
A dental implant provides patients with amazing long-term benefits and is the recommended solution for tooth loss. It offers not only cosmetic improvement but also exceptional strength for a low-maintenance and high-value treatment for even just one missing tooth. Implants are made of titanium, which is naturally compatible with the body and enables it to function, and feel, just like a normal healthy tooth.
Multiple Dental Implants
Dental implants are extremely versatile and offer the best solution for missing teeth, whether you have one missing tooth or multiple. Dr. Lalonde and his highly trained team are here to assess your oral health and consult with you about the best treatment plan to meet your need.
Dental Stabilization Implants
It can be difficult to keep dentures in place, but fortunately, Dr. LaLonde offers denture stabilization implants. Multiple implants provide the most stable and natural anchor to keep dentures in place, than any other dental solution.
If you are missing one or more teeth and want to explore the options of dental implants, give our office a call today! We can discuss your treatment options and determine the right course of action to get your smile back on track.
Not your average implant dentist.
As a certified Prosthodontist, Dr. Lalonde offers patients the comfort and confidence of knowing they are in good hands. Dr. Lalonde is one of only 15 board-certified implantologists in the state of Indiana. His advanced training combines with 30 years of clinical experience to produce consistently beautiful smiles.
As a certified Prosthodontist, Dr. Lalonde offers patients the comfort and confidence of knowing they are in good hands. His advanced training combines with over 40 years of clinical experience to produce consistently beautiful smiles.
Lasting Benefits of Dental Implants
- Strong and stable, functioning like a natural tooth.
- The best long-term solution for replacing missing teeth.
- Permanent. (No more removing teeth, slurring speech, or limiting food choices)
- Designed to last a lifetime.
A better solution for denture wearers.
Before dental implants, the only solution for missing teeth was the instability of traditional dentures. As a certified Prosthodontist, Dr. Lalonde has the expertise to create an implant-retained denture that snaps securely into place. The result is amazing stability that restores natural function.
Before dental implants, the only solution for missing teeth was the instability of traditional dentures. As a certified Prosthodontist, Dr. Lalonde has the expertise to create an implant-retained denture that snaps securely into place. The result is amazing stability that restores natural function.
Educational Videos
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Consequences of Missing Teeth
Dental Implant FAQs
Dental Implants After Previous Tooth Extraction
Dental Implants — High-Tech Teeth
How to Choose an Implant Dentist
Immediate Tooth Replacement With Dental Implants
Mini Dental Implants
Replacing All Your Teeth: Know Your Options
Single Tooth Replacement: Know Your Options
Frequently Asked Questions
Are implants right for me?
In general, most people are candidates for dental implants, as long as they are in good health. Certain diseases or conditions can alter the implant process, so it’s essential to meet with Dr. Lalonde so he can assess your situation. Dr. Lalonde is happy to work with you to design a solution specific to your individual needs.
Are Dental Implants Safe?
The US National Library of Medicine 1 records the first-ever dental implants in 600 A.D., “Mayan population roughly around 600 AD where they excelled in utilizing pieces of shells as implants as a replacement for [lower jaw] teeth.” Wow! We’ve thankfully come a long way since then, and now, over the course of over 50 years of modern implantology more than, “3 million people in the United States have implants, a number that is growing by 500,000 annually.”
Every patient has their own unique plan and procedure when it comes to implants. That’s why it’s imperative for your overall health and safety to have a trained and highly skilled professional perform your procedure. You want the best of the best! Someone who won’t quit to give you the perfect smile you so dream and long for. It is a possibility when you’re in the correct providing hands! Fortunately, Dr. Lalonde is not only all of the above, but he is also actually board-certified in this category, meaning it’s his specialty, and he’s set apart from the average dentist in dental implants! This is his focus and training, and he will strive to give you the smile of your dreams through cosmetic restorative dentistry.
What is the Dental Implant Procedure?
By definition, dental implants serve as a tool providing artificial tooth roots that are small, titanium roots. Everyone has heard of or has a friend with titanium, artificial hip or knee, and actually, these implants are made of the same titanium that dental implants are made of. So, therefore, since we know that artificial hips and knees are safe, we know that this metal is very safe and inert in the body. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry offers a synopsis of an average implant procedure.
“When dental implants are placed in your jawbone (A), they bond with your natural bone. They become a sturdy base for supporting one or more artificial teeth, called crowns. A connector – known as an abutment (B) – is placed on top of the dental implant to hold and support your crowns. The crowns are custom-made to match your natural teeth and fit your mouth (C).”
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are the best, long-term solution for missing teeth. They can last for decades with proper care. Following are some recommendations to maintain your implants:
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Twice daily brushing and nightly flossing
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Avoid opening hard “things” with your teeth, or chewing on the tips of pens and pencils
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Practice good overall health—refrain from smoking
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A procedure done by Dr. Lalonde, a skilled Prosthodontist, will ensure a more secure and long-lasting implant
How much does a dental implant cost, and is it covered by insurance?
Many variables affect the cost of a dental implant procedure, such as patient needs, bone quantity, and the amount of work required. Dr. Lalonde and the Lafayette Restorative Dentistry team will meet with you to design a treatment plan specific to your dental implants. We will work with you and your insurance company to determine the costs and coverage, if applicable, involved.
There is no denying the investment dental implants require. However, when advanced technology, longevity, and improved quality of life are taken into consideration, the value received is evident.
What is dental bone grafting?
When we think of the bones in our body, we obviously think of the skeleton as the framework that keeps us upright. We know these bones can change over time, explaining the growth process of the human body and diseases such as osteoporosis, and your jaw bone is no different! This is the bone that helps support your teeth.
There are many disease processes that can cause your jaw bone to resorb or break down, such as from periodontal disease. Bone resorption inside your mouth can cause many dental problems. Your facial appearance can be affected, causing a gaunt, hollow look in the cheeks, an “aged” look. That bone loss can also affect the ability to perform tooth replacement procedures, such as implants. No worries though, modern dental bone grafting techniques give way for more people than ever before to have beautiful, healthy smiles.
What is Bone Grafting?
In general, according to Healthline: “A bone graft is a surgical procedure used to fix problems with bones or joints. It is also useful for growing bone around an implanted device.., where there is bone loss or a fracture. A bone graft may fill an area where the bone is absent or help provide structural stability.”
Dental Bone Grafting
Here’s how the US National Library of Medicine puts it, “Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone with material from patient′s own body, an artificial, synthetic, or natural substitute. Bone grafting is possible because bone tissue has the ability to regenerate completely if provided the space into which it has to grow. As natural bone grows, it generally replaces the graft material completely, resulting in a fully integrated region of new bone.”
This procedure not only gives health and strength to the jaw bone, but it also helps in preparation for dental implants. For dental implants to be stable and strong, they need to have 1 – 2 mm of bone totally surrounding the whole length of the implant. The Mayo Clinic, along with other medical websites, list dental bone grafting on the list of possible procedures (when needed- if the jaw is not big enough) for implants!
Dr. Lalonde is a board-certified implantologist and therefore specializes in dental implants for every need. He’s an excellent resource to gauge what you need to pursue the smile of your dreams. Contact us today for a consultation at the office to meet Dr. Lalonde and this amazing team!
Should I Get Dental Implants, Dentures, or a Bridge?
Adult tooth loss comes in many shapes and sizes. Whether the loss was from an injury, gum disease, or other causes, there are millions of people affected by it. It causes challenges in self-esteem, chewing, and facial aesthetics, but, fortunately, tooth loss can be treated in many ways. Experts these days provide several options for people with one or more missing teeth, so inquiry about dental replacements is a great way to begin finding out what those are!
Here are some dental replacement options coupled with their definitions. With this information, along with direction from a dental professional, you can accurately assess your personal dental replacement needs!
Dental Implants
Dental implants provide the closest way to restore missing teeth, compared to the original, natural tooth. According to WebMD, “Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. Advantages of dental implants include improved speech, appearance, comfort, and convenience.” Implants require the same maintenance as your regular teeth! Learn more about dental implants here!
Dentures
Dentures are generally considered partial dentures or complete dentures. Another article from WebMD states: “A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues … Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.” Some partial dentures can even be considered a bridge (see below)! Dentures have their own benefits such as cost efficiency, and, in some cases, immediate access after tooth removal. Click here for more information on dentures!
Bridge
A dental bridge, very practically, bridges a gap formed by a missing tooth. Healthline 4 says it like this: “A dental bridge is a false tooth (called a pontic) that is held in place by the abutment teeth on either side of the gap.” There are actually 4 different types of dental bridges! Click here 4 for a breakdown of all those types.
As a board-certified Implantologist and a Prosthodontist, Dr. Lalonde 1 offers patients the comfort and confidence of knowing they are in good hands. Dr. Lalonde is one of only 15 board-certified implantologists in the state of Indiana. His advanced training combined with almost 40 years of clinical experience to produce consistently beautiful and healthy, long-lasting smiles.
Click here to explore our website for more information on restorative dentistry from Dr. Lalonde!
Considering Dental Implants?
Check our Dr. Lalonde’s guide: 11 Important Factors When Getting Dental Implants.
Learn some of the pitfalls he has seen over the years that can save you time and money!
