Dental Implants in North Carolina
Providing dental implant solutions in Durham, Raleigh, and Goldsboro.
Losing a tooth can disrupt everyday activities, making what once seemed simple, like eating and speaking, significantly more challenging. Beyond functional issues, a missing tooth can impact your self-esteem, making you hesitate to smile or laugh. With dental implant technology continuously advancing, over 3 million Americans now enjoy the benefits of these replacements, a number that’s steadily growing. Dental implants provide more than a cosmetic fix—they are also a durable solution that restores the natural function of your teeth. With these implants, you’ll enjoy enhanced oral health and a boost in self-confidence.
Understanding Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots, typically made from biocompatible titanium. Visually, dental implants look like small screws or cylinders with 3 components:
- The post that sits underneath the gums
- The pin that comes out from the post beneath the gums
- The crown that sits on top of the pin
We surgically place dental implants into the jawbone beneath the gumline to serve as a foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture. Over time, these implants integrate fully with the jawbone, providing reliable stability.
We use dental implants when patients have lost one or more teeth due to decay, periodontal disease, injury, or other causes. By replacing missing tooth roots, dental implants provide the strength and stability needed to eat different types of food without difficulty. They also help stimulate and maintain your jawbone, preventing bone deterioration and supporting your overall facial structure.
The Dental Implant Process
Getting a dental implant begins with a free consultation. During this visit, we assess your dental health, discuss your needs and goals, and design a personalized treatment plan. This first step helps us understand your expectations so we can provide the best outcomes.
If your case is straightforward, the actual implant surgery might take as little as 30 minutes. During this procedure, we use surgical techniques to place the implant post into the jawbone. While the procedure may cause some discomfort, it’s generally manageable. Most patients find that taking a prescribed pain pill initially, followed by over-the-counter pain relievers, is sufficient for managing pain. In fact, many patients return to work the next day.
After the implant is placed, a critical phase of healing begins. It takes about 3-5 months for the bone to integrate fully with the implant, a process known as osseointegration. This step is crucial as it provides a stable base for the new tooth. Once this phase is completed, we will fit and secure your custom-made artificial tooth onto the implant. The end result? A complete smile and restored dental function!
Why Choose Dental Implants?
Replacing your missing tooth or teeth with dental implants provides substantial benefits.
Dental implants…
- Stay put: Dental implants are securely anchored into the jawbone, offering a stable and permanent solution that doesn’t slip or move like dentures might.
- Prevent shifting: They help maintain the alignment of surrounding teeth by filling the gap. This prevents other teeth from shifting into the empty space and affecting your bite.
- Stimulate the jawbone: Implants mimic the root of a natural tooth, stimulating and preserving the jawbone, which will otherwise deteriorate over time when teeth are missing.
- Last for many years: Long-term care is simple. With good oral hygiene and routine dental checkups, dental implants can last for decades. They are designed to be a long-term solution, and their care involves standard dental hygiene practices similar to those for natural teeth.
Cost and Financing
We understand that the cost of a dental procedure is an important consideration for our patients. Dental implants are an investment in your long-term oral health. Unlike dentures, they do not come loose, and they promote overall oral health by not requiring support from adjacent teeth, unlike traditional bridges. While bridges may seem more cost-effective initially, they often need multiple replacements over time, incurring additional costs. In contrast, dental implants are a more cost-effective solution over the long term, requiring straightforward maintenance.
Many patients ask us whether dental insurance covers the cost of dental implants. Coverage varies significantly by policy: Some plans may cover the crown but not the implant post, while others may offer different types of coverage. It is vital to understand your insurance benefits thoroughly.
In general, a dental implant can cost between $3,500 and $4,500. This cost includes initial X-rays, surgical placement of the implant, and your final crown. Additional procedures like bone grafts, gum grafts, or sinus lifts will increase the total treatment expense. However, as each patient’s situation is unique, we provide a detailed cost breakdown during your free consultation tailored to your specific needs.
Traditional vs. Mini Dental Implants
At Carolina Dental Arts, we offer traditional dental implants and mini dental implants. Both types replace missing teeth, but we can use mini implants in additional contexts. For instance, due to the larger size of conventional implants, some patients with narrow or weak jawbones are ineligible for implant solutions or must undergo bone grafting. Mini implants, measuring half the size of conventional ones, allow individuals with bone loss or those seeking minimally invasive options to enjoy the benefits of dental implants.
Traditional dental implants vs. mini dental implants at a glance:
Feature | Conventional Implant | Mini Implant |
---|---|---|
Eligibility | Requires an ample jawbone | Often suitable for those with bone loss |
Size | 5 mm wide, on average | Less than 3 mm wide |
Design | 2 pieces, plus the restoration | 1 piece, plus the restoration |
Procedure | More invasive surgical technique | Minimally invasive technique |
Healing Time | 3-5 months | 3-4 weeks |
Cost | Approximately $3,500-$4,500 | About half the cost of a conventional implant |
At your free consultation, we will determine which type of implant is right for you. We will consider the location of the missing tooth in your mouth, the condition and quality of your jawbone, and your personal preferences.
Replace Your Missing Teeth With Dental Implants
Are you ready to restore your smile? Say goodbye to missing teeth and hello to confidence with dental implants. Whether you need to replace a single tooth or multiple, our team at Carolina Dental Arts is eager to help you smile proudly again.
Don’t wait any longer to experience the benefits of optimal dental health. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can typically get a conventional dental implant after a tooth extraction once the site has healed, which usually takes a few months. However, if it has been years since the extraction and your jawbone has receded, there may not be enough space for a conventional implant. In these cases, we may be able to place a mini dental implant instead.
Thanks to the less invasive nature of mini implants and their simplified placement technique, we can generally extract a tooth and place the mini implant in the same visit.
Ideal candidates for dental implants should have a sufficient jawbone density to accommodate the implant. It’s essential that they are committed to excellent oral hygiene and are in good overall health. Candidates must also be fit for oral surgery and effectively manage any medical conditions, such as diabetes.
It’s important to note that smoking can delay the healing process of dental implants and increase the likelihood of complications.
Additionally, dental implants are generally not recommended for children or teenagers. Their jaws are still growing, which can affect the long-term success of the implants.
Dental implants do not get cavities because they are made from materials like titanium and ceramic, which are not susceptible to decay like natural tooth enamel. However, it’s still crucial to maintain good oral hygiene with implants to prevent issues like gum disease, which can affect the surrounding tissues and the longevity of the implant. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are key to the success of the implants and the health of the natural teeth.
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