At Schumer Family Dental Care, we want you to have a healthy, radiant smile that projects personal confidence. We know, however, that it’s difficult to have that kind of smile if you have missing or badly damaged teeth.
In years past, your only options for replacing missing teeth or damaged teeth were bridges or dentures. Today, fortunately, modern dentistry offers a safe and healthy alternative to bridges and dentures in the form of dental implants. At our clinic in Elk Grove Village, Dr. David J.Schumer and Dr. Stefan M. Schumer, father and son, offer their patients a full range of dental implant services.
What Exactly Are Dental Implants?
Briefly explained, an implant is a titanium post or screw that is placed into your gum to replace the tooth root. This screw will serve as a foundation for the abutment and the crown (replacement tooth) that will be attached to the post. Implants are designed to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even an entire dental arch.
The Dental Implant Procedure
To be done properly, the implant process requires a minimum of two to three dental appointments.
During your first appointment, a titanium screw will be inserted into your jawbone, replacing the missing tooth root. This procedure requires implant surgery performed using local anesthesia. Afterwards, you may receive a temporary cap to fill the space where your tooth was located.
It may take a few months for your jawbone to attach to the titanium screw, allowing the screw to become a secure part of your jawbone.
Once the implant screw and jawbone have fused, a second appointment will be scheduled, during which an impression will be made of your teeth. Also, the abutment that will support the crown (the replacement tooth or teeth) is attached to the implant post.
Next, you will receive a temporary crown to be worn during completion of the healing process around the abutment.
Finally, the crown or crowns will be attached to the abutment(s), and the procedure will be complete.
You can now treat your new tooth or teeth the same way you would treat your natural teeth, with daily brushing and flossing to maintain your oral health.
How Long Does It Take, and Is There Any Discomfort?
The entire implant process can take four to eight months. It’s essential to remember, however, that every implant situation is different, and some of these steps may be combined or possibly eliminated completely, depending on your particular situation.
During the implant process, you may have some discomfort which can usually be controlled with over-the-counter medications. Our dentists will also advise you on the types of foods you should probably avoid during the healing process.
Benefits of Implants
Once in place, implants offer multiple benefits over traditional bridges and dentures. For example, implants give you the look and feel of natural teeth. Beyond appearance, over time, the titanium post melds with your jaw bone, helping prevent bone loss, a common problem with bridges and dentures.
Finally, with routine dental care, including regular dental checkups and daily brushing and flossing, implants can last a lifetime!
In contrast, a typical bridge will probably last about 7-10 years, while dentures typically will need to be replaced in about 5-7 years.
Implants in Elk Grove Village, IL
At Schumer Family Dental Care, we want you to have that radiant smile you’ve always dreamed of having, and we urge you not to hesitate reaching out to us if you are interested in dental implants.
Contact our dental office today to schedule your initial dental implant consultation.
