Dental Implants

Restorative Dental Care

At Maplewood Dental Associates, we strive to provide high-quality cosmetic, restorative, and general dental care in a relaxed, friendly office environment. Our doctors and highly trained team of dental specialists work hard to help all of our patients achieve healthy, strong teeth.

We take a holistic approach to help our patients maintain optimal oral health. Generally, we seek to avoid tooth extraction and replacement - but when it is necessary, dental implants in Maplewood, MN, offer an unparalleled solution. Schedule an appointment for dental implants today.

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental Implant.

Dental implants are small, screw-shaped titanium posts that slide into the jaw area, usually occupied by tooth roots. They represent the latest and most effective evolution of the tooth replacement procedure.

Small, simple, and long-lasting implants are a durable and realistic tooth replacement option that maintains their function and appearance for years to come. The unique titanium screw fuses with the surrounding bone, providing a remarkably stable base for a new tooth.

The Dental Implant Process

We first examine your mouth's current condition to determine whether implants are right for you. If so, the minor dental implant procedure typically requires local anesthesia and lasts less than an hour. We place the titanium screws during the first appointment and allow them to heal.

At your next appointment, we cover the implants with a realistic, custom crown that matches your natural teeth. Implants boast an astounding success rate of 95% - higher than any other replacement option or cosmetic dentistry treatment.

Why Get Dental Implants?

Although each case differs, general telltale signs indicate whether a patient could benefit from dental implants. They are as follows:

— Missing tooth or teeth
— Loose dentures
— Infected tooth or teeth requiring extraction
— Loose bridges
— Deteriorating gum tissue and jaw bone
— Tedious denture care
— Broken or severely cracked tooth or teeth

It's important to note that dental implants aren't the only solution available, and not every patient is eligible to receive them. However, if you experience any telltale signs but can't have implants, we will create a custom treatment plan to address your issues.

Dental Implant Tooth Replacement Options

Implants include various replacement options, ranging from one single tooth to an entire dental arch. Your options include:

Dental Implants Replace One Tooth.Replace One Tooth — Our dentists insert one implant into the jawbone, replacing the old tooth's roots. After placing the implant and letting it heal, we affix a crown simulating a regular tooth's shape, look, and function. Replacing one tooth boasts the highest success rate and proves cost-effective in the long run.

Dental Implants Replace Multiple Teeth.Replace Multiple Teeth — Implants can still provide a great solution if you're missing more than one tooth. For instance, you don't necessarily need one implant for every tooth. We can use bridges to replace multiple teeth with only two implants, providing a stable foundation. Doing so avoids using other teeth as bridge supports, weakening them.

Dental Implants Replace All Teeth.Replace All Teeth Permanently — Implants can also provide a permanent solution for an entire dental arch. As few as four implants can support the arch. Patients whose jawbones deteriorated can benefit from five to six implants that support 10-12 teeth. The permanent replacements won't slip and will protect your jawbone for a lifetime. 

Dental Implants Support Removable Dentures.Support Removable Dentures — We can also place implants to increase the comfort, health, and effectiveness of removable dentures. Traditional dentures rest directly on the gums, causing them to shift. Furthermore, traditional dentures place pressure on the jawbone, accelerating bone loss and creating a sunken facial appearance. Implants transfer the dentures' pressure from the bone surface to its structure, preventing bone loss and shifting.

Dental Implant Maintenance & Care

Dental implants are solid, but poor oral hygiene and excessive biting can cause them to detach from the bone or fail. Peri-implantitis can arise when patients don't properly care for their implants. However, you can prevent this condition by brushing and flossing daily, avoiding sugary and acidic foods, and regularly receiving professional cleanings.

Excessive biting forces can cause a problem, whether you habitually grind or clench your teeth or don't have adequate implant support. We'll help you determine the number of implants needed to support your bite. If you grind or clench your teeth, we'll fit you with a night guard to protect your implants. Consistent, conscientious care helps ensure your implants remain a durable and realistic tooth replacement solution.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are a highly effective way to replace damaged, decayed, or irreparable teeth with a strong, natural-looking replacement. Dental implants offer numerous benefits, making them an excellent option for many patients:

 Natural Look: Modern dental implants mirror natural teeth's look and feel. Once the implant heals, it will look indistinguishable from your other teeth.
— Fuses to Jawbone: Unlike dentures, implants fuse with your jawbone. The titanium screws empower the bone to grow into and connect with the metal. As a result, dental implants feel as strong as natural teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with total confidence.
— Durability: Your dental implants will last a lifetime when properly cared for. They provide a permanent solution rather than a temporary fix. Therefore, implants are a valuable treatment option.
— Protects Your Bones: Dentures attach to the jawline through an adhesive, which puts pressure on your bone when eating or biting. Over time, this pressure wears down the jaw and causes bone loss. However, implants distribute pressure evenly throughout the jaw because they grow into the bone, thus protecting your mouth.
— No Effect on Natural Teeth: While some treatments may weaken or stress adjacent teeth, dental implants do not affect surrounding structures. Therefore, implants keep the other structures intact, such as your gums, bone, and surrounding natural teeth.
— Same Care as Natural Teeth: Dental implants don't require special care, creams, or maintenance methods. Since they look and feel like natural teeth, you can keep your regular oral hygiene regimen of brushing and flossing daily.

Dental Implants FAQ

What can dental implants treat?

Implants can treat missing, damaged, or severely decayed teeth. We can use implants to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire dental arch.

Do they hurt?

The implant procedure is a minor surgical procedure, but it's generally more comfortable than a tooth extraction. Most patients don't experience much discomfort, whether they choose local or general anesthesia.

How long does the procedure take?

The treatment length differs from one patient to another but can range from a one-time procedure to a six-month process with jaw surgery. Longer treatment lengths are generally the result of allowing the area to heal before adding the final crown. Implants typically require little time spent in the dentist's chair.

Who can get dental implants?

Anyone healthy enough for tooth extraction can receive a dental implant. We use implants to treat everyone, from adolescents with severe tooth damage to elderly patients that want a permanent set of dentures.

What happens if treatment fails?

While failure is rare, it does happen - but it's nothing to worry about. In the case of a failed implant, we can replace it with another.

Schedule Your Dental Implants in Maplewood, MN, Today!

Are you ready to protect your jaw and regain your smile with realistic tooth replacements? We're here to help. Dental implants are the perfect solution for those with missing teeth, whether from infection, trauma, or deteriorating gum tissue. 

Schedule your dental implant appointment at Maplewood Dental Associates today! We look forward to helping you achieve a full set of beautiful, healthy, and strong teeth.

ADA logoMDA logoInvisalign logoCareCredit logo