Dental implants can restore your smile with a natural-looking tooth replacement.
With precision-guided implants, digital records of the jaw and teeth are utilized to analyze bone health in a minimally invasive and highly accurate fashion. By mapping out the critical anatomy for each individual, allows our office to strategically place an implant that is created specifically for each individual. A precision guide is fabricated to allow us to match the contours of your teeth and set the implant within tolerances typically achievable via human free-hand.
Precision-guided implants allow us to identify and control all instrumental variables critical to your procedure’s success. A custom-made crown is designed prior to your procedure as it provides optimal gum and tooth contouring and shaping.
Benefits of Precision Dental Implants:
- Safer surgery with more accurate implant placement
- Shorter operation time
- Smaller incisions with less bleeding and pain
- Shorter healing time
- Minimal bone grafting
What is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are a state of the art tooth replacement restoration. They are small, titanium screws that are made to function just like natural tooth roots. After being implanted into the jawbone, dental implants will fuse with the surrounding bone to act as an anchor point for a dental prosthetic such as a crown, bridge, or denture. Since they are implanted into the bone, dental implants also provide the stimulation necessary to maintain jawbone density. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option available that preserves the jawbone in addition to replacing missing teeth. Dental implants offer patients the following benefits:
- Stimulate and preserve the jaw bone to prevent bone atrophy
- Restores natural chewing and speaking functions
- Don’t slip or fall out like dentures
- Long-lasting (up to 20 years)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
You may be a candidate for dental implants if you have one or more missing teeth, as well as an entire mouthful of missing teeth. However, for dental implants to be placed safely, you must have enough bone mass in the jaw to properly support the placement of dental implants. In some cases, people with low bone mass may be able to have a bone graft in order to build up the bone before having implants placed. To determine if you are an ideal candidate for dental implants, schedule a consultation with Sedation Dental Care at Raleigh Smile Center.
What can I expect when having dental implants placed?
When having dental implants placed, you can expect to attend multiple dental appointments and undergo a recovery period. If your dentist determines that you are in need of a bone graft, then the first step of dental implant placement is undergoing a bone graft. During a bone graft, bone material is placed in areas lacking proper bone mass. As the graft heals, new bone material will begin to grow.
Approximately 3 months or so after having a bone graft, dental implants can be placed using a digitally guided approach. Your dentist will begin by taking an oral scan of your mouth. This scan will be used in coordination with CBCT scans that show the underlying structures. The information from both scans will allow your dentist to create a highly-detailed treatment plan. A template detailing the location and angle of each dental implant will be fabricated and used to place your implants according to this treatment plan.
Precision guided implant surgery uses a flapless surgical technique to place dental implants. This means that instead of an incision being made in the gums, your dentist will use the treatment template to “punch” a hole in the gums and bone for the implant post. This technique minimizes bleeding and pain, as well as eliminates the need for sutures. It also causes less postoperative discomfort and heals faster than the traditional approach.
Once the implant(s) have been placed, they will need to undergo a healing process known as osseointegration in which the bone fuses around the implant, securing it in place. This process normally takes about 3-6 months. When the implant has fused with the jawbone, then it is strong enough to have the dental prosthetic placed.
Will I need to follow any special instructions after having dental implants placed?
After having dental implants placed, it is imperative that you follow any and all instructions provided to you by your dentist. In fact, implant success is highly dependent upon patient adherence to postoperative guidelines. Generally speaking, these guidelines revolve around keeping the surgical site clean, practicing proper oral hygiene, temporarily adhering to a soft foods diet, taking all medications as directed, and avoiding behaviors that can potentially damage the implant. It is also important to note that most patients who have had dental implants placed report only minor postoperative discomfort that generally fades at the end of the first week. This is because dental implant surgery avoids the nerves responsible for creating pain signals.
Can dental sedation be used?
Yes! Dental sedation, also known as anxiety-free dentistry, is ideal for individuals who are having dental implants placed. . Your dental sedation options include:
- Valium
- Nitrous Oxide
- Oral & IV Sedation
- General Anesthesia
For more information about dental sedation, visit our dental sedation page or call our office to schedule a consultation.
Dental implants can restore your smile with a natural-looking tooth replacement.
Dental implants are a state of the art tooth replacement restoration. They are small, titanium screws that are made to function just like natural tooth roots. After being implanted into the jawbone, dental implants will fuse with the surrounding bone to act as an anchor point for a dental prosthetic such as a crown, bridge, or denture. Since they are implanted into the bone, dental implants also provide the stimulation necessary to maintain jawbone density. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option available that preserves the jawbone in addition to replacing missing teeth. Dental implants offer patients the following benefits:
- Stimulate and preserve the jaw bone to prevent bone atrophy
- Restores natural chewing and speaking functions
- Don’t slip or fall out like dentures
- Long-lasting (up to 20 years)
Did You Know?
Raleigh Smile Center uses precision guided implants, which is the latest in dental implant technology. Guided implant surgery is minimally-invasive, highly accurate, and provides shorter healing time.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
You may be a candidate for dental implants if you have one or more missing teeth, as well as an entire mouthful of missing teeth. However, for dental implants to be placed safely, you must have enough bone mass in the jaw to properly support the placement of dental implants. In some cases, people with low bone mass may be able to have a bone graft in order to build up the bone before having implants placed. To determine if you are an ideal candidate for dental implants, schedule a consultation with Sedation Dental Care at Raleigh Smile Center.
What can I expect when having dental implants placed?
When having dental implants placed, you can expect to attend multiple dental appointments and undergo a recovery period. If your dentist determines that you are in need of a bone graft, then the first step of dental implant placement is undergoing a bone graft. During a bone graft, bone material is placed in areas lacking proper bone mass. As the graft heals, new bone material will begin to grow.
Approximately 3 months or so after having a bone graft, dental implants can be placed using a digitally guided approach. Your dentist will begin by taking an oral scan of your mouth. This scan will be used in coordination with CBCT scans that show the underlying structures. The information from both scans will allow your dentist to create a highly-detailed treatment plan. A template detailing the location and angle of each dental implant will be fabricated and used to place your implants according to this treatment plan.
Precision guided implant surgery uses a flapless surgical technique to place dental implants. This means that instead of an incision being made in the gums, your dentist will use the treatment template to “punch” a hole in the gums and bone for the implant post. This technique minimizes bleeding and pain, as well as eliminates the need for sutures. It also causes less postoperative discomfort and heals faster than the traditional approach.
Once the implant(s) have been placed, they will need to undergo a healing process known as osseointegration in which the bone fuses around the implant, securing it in place. This process normally takes about 3-6 months. When the implant has fused with the jawbone, then it is strong enough to have the dental prosthetic placed.
Will I need to follow any special instructions after having dental implants placed?
After having dental implants placed, it is imperative that you follow any and all instructions provided to you by your dentist. In fact, implant success is highly dependent upon patient adherence to postoperative guidelines. Generally speaking, these guidelines revolve around keeping the surgical site clean, practicing proper oral hygiene, temporarily adhering to a soft foods diet, taking all medications as directed, and avoiding behaviors that can potentially damage the implant. It is also important to note that most patients who have had dental implants placed report only minor postoperative discomfort that generally fades at the end of the first week. This is because dental implant surgery avoids the nerves responsible for creating pain signals.
Can dental sedation be used?
Yes! Dental sedation, also known as anxiety-free dentistry, is ideal for individuals who are having dental implants placed. . Your dental sedation options include:
- Valium
- Nitrous Oxide
- Oral & IV Sedation
- General Anesthesia
For more information about dental sedation, visit our dental sedation page or call our office to schedule a consultation.