Dental Implants – Rome, GA

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

The state of your mouth and your overall health can affect the ultimate success of your dental implants, so the first thing we’ll need to do is examine your mouth and determine what sort of preparations might be needed in order to make you a viable candidate for the procedure. For example, some patients require a bone graft, gum disease therapy, or extractions. If you are already a good candidate, we will start planning your implant placement surgery right away.

If you have questions during your consultation, don’t hesitate to ask! We want all of our patients to be well-informed about the treatments we recommend for them.

Dental Implant Surgery

Many dentists must refer patients to another practice for the implant placement surgery. However, Dr. Weldon is an experienced implant dentist in Rome who is able to perform it right here in our office, so you won’t have to worry about dealing with an outside specialist. During the procedure, our team will first numb your mouth and possibly sedate you. Next, incisions will be made in your gums, and the implants will be inserted at precise, pre-planned positions. Once the incisions are closed, you can go home to begin your recovery. Most patients are able to return to work within a day or two of their procedure.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

Osseointegration is the remarkable biological process through which your dental implants in Rome will bond with your jawbone. It is what enables the implants to serve as sturdy prosthetic tooth roots. Osseointegration typically requires a few months. Afterward, you may need to undergo a second minor surgery. Your implants will be exposed, and healing caps will be placed on them. After a brief recovery period, you will receive abutments, which are small connector pieces that will keep your restorations in place. (Some patients receive abutments on the same day as their initial implant surgery.)

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

To design your restoration, our team will take impressions of your mouth. Dr. Weldon will send those impressions, along with detailed design notes, to a dental laboratory. Once the lab fabricates your new crown, bridge, or denture, you will return to our practice. We will make sure that your new teeth look good and will provide you with a sturdy, comfortable bite before we secure them on your implants. There may be a bit of an adjustment period as you get used to using your prosthetic, but most patients find that in virtually no time at all, they are fully enjoying all the benefits of their restored smile.

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Boost your confidence – If you’ve previously worn dentures, you’re already familiar with how easily they can slip out of place when they don’t fit perfectly. With dental implants, you’ll never need to worry about that because they’ll be fully embedded in your jaw. You can smile with complete confidence knowing your smile looks natural!
• Eat whatever you want – Denture wearers know all too well the dietary restrictions they need to make if they want to avoid breaking or dislodging their prosthetics. By staying firmly in place and replicating the roots of your teeth, dental implants let you chow down on practically any foods.
• Enjoy an easy maintenance routine – In most cases, caring for dental implants is the same as caring for natural teeth. Instead of soaking your prosthetic overnight, you can simply brush and floss your replacement teeth as if they were the ones you’d been born with.

Health Benefits

• Jawbone health – Currently, dental implants are the only method of tooth replacement that stimulates the jawbone, which ordinarily breaks down after the natural tooth roots are gone. As a result, you keep your jawbone strong and healthy.
• Oral health – A healthy jawbone, combined with how easy it is to clean dental implants, reduces the risk of oral health problems that would otherwise occur with dentures and bridges. For example, jawbone deterioration makes your remaining teeth more likely to fall out, and dentures’ complex care routine makes harmful bacteria more likely to accumulate. You shouldn’t have to worry about either of these issues with dental implants.
• Overall health – Because implants minimize the chance of getting gum disease, you can also avoid the various overall health conditions linked to it, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Additionally, implants make it easier to eat a lot of crunchy, nutritious foods that denture wearers have to go without.

Long-Term Benefits

• Younger appearance – Keeping the jawbone strong comes with the added benefit of preventing your facial tissues from sagging and wrinkling. Therefore, dental implants can give you a youthful glow!
• Lasting results – The average lifespan of a dental implant is 30 years, compared to traditional prosthetics that rarely last for more than a decade.
• Saved money and time – While implants cost more than bridges and dentures at first, they’re an investment that pays for itself in the long run. Replacing a bridge or denture every few years can actually lead to more money spent over the decades. Plus, implants decrease your odds of needing gum disease therapy and other dental treatments. So, they’re almost always the more cost-effective choice!

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

The truth is almost any healthy adult with missing teeth is a good candidate for dental implants in Rome. Nevertheless, there are three basic criteria you must meet to be considered for this tooth-replacement solution, such as:

• Good Overall Health – Dental implants require oral surgery, meaning you’ll need to be well enough to undergo the procedure.
• Great Oral Health – Problems like cavities, decay, and gum disease can lead to dental implant failure, which is why they need to be addressed beforehand.
• Sufficient Jawbone Density – Your jawbone must be strong enough to support dental implants to ensure successful treatment.

Even if you don’t meet all the criteria above, preliminary dental treatments may help you be eligible to get implants. Some patients will need procedures like tooth extractions, periodontal therapy, or even bone grafting. At Weldon Dental of Rome, we’ll help you schedule these preparatory services to get you on the right track for a new smile.

Missing One Tooth

On its own, a dental implant can support a crown. This is a good alternative to traditional bridges that would require us to remove enamel from your remaining teeth. The crown will be carefully shaped to fit seamlessly into the gap, and it will be shaded to match the color of the surrounding teeth.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Two or three dental implants can act as the base for a bridge or partial denture. That way, you can replace multiple teeth at once with a minimal number of dental implants. Both bridges and partial dentures are far more stable when they use dental implants for support instead of your teeth.

Missing All Teeth

You will only need about four to eight implants to support a full denture. Most of the time, implant dentures are permanently fixed in place, so you’ll never have to deal with the inconvenience of them slipping at the wrong moment or having to take them out at night.

We’re also proud to be able to offer the All-on-4 technique as an efficient option for patients who have lost all or most of their teeth. The technique involves four dental implants placed in a way that potentially eliminates the need for bone grafts, and it often allows a temporary denture to be attached on the day of surgery.

Learn More About Implant Dentures

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Do you need preliminary treatment before dental implant placement? Procedures like gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, and bone grafting are sometimes necessary to ensure the long-term success of your new smile. Although these procedures will add to the overall final cost of the process, they are usually partially covered by dental insurance, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank.

The cost of your dental implant surgery itself is normally affected by the location of the surgical site and the type of sedation needed. At Weldon Dental of Rome, we complete the entire treatment in-house, meaning you don’t have to worry about receiving a bill from a different practice.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

The final cost of your dental implants is affected by the following:

• Number of Implants – The more implants you need, the higher your price will be.
• Type of Restoration – Crowns, bridges, and dentures all have different costs. Plus, you can expect larger restorations (like dentures) to cost more than smaller ones (like crowns).
• Material – Implants made of zirconia instead of titanium can influence the final price of your treatment.
• Brand – The implant manufacturer we use will affect the cost as well. At your consultation, feel free to ask for more information on the brand of your dental implant.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

To save money, some patients may be tempted to opt for traditional dentures or bridges over implants. However, even though dental implants have a higher upfront cost, they end up paying for themselves in the long run. Since they’re one of the most permanent methods of tooth replacement, you don’t have to replace them regularly as you would other solutions. Plus, implants are easier to take care of, meaning you can expect to pay less for your overall healthcare costs too.

Will My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Most dental insurance plans will not cover implants – but there are some exceptions. Some parts of the final restoration or preliminary treatments may be covered at a certain percentage. To ensure your benefits are being maximized, we’ll carefully review the details of your insurance policy and help you make the most out of your coverage.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

If you have dental insurance, we’ll gladly file claims on your behalf to help you maximize your benefits and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses significantly. For those who don’t have insurance, we offer additional financing through our trusted, third-party financer called CareCredit. With this method, you can make flexible, budget-friendly monthly payments that have little to no interest. To learn more about your options, don’t hesitate to reach out for more information!

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

The longevity of your new smile depends heavily on factors like your health, lifestyle, and oral hygiene practices. The good news is that proper dental implant maintenance doesn’t require special care beyond what’s needed to keep your natural teeth in good condition. To ensure they last as long as possible, you must brush and floss every day, visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning, and avoid poor habits that can damage your implants (i.e., chewing on ice, smoking, using teeth as tools). With proper care, you can expect them to last well over 30 years!

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

Since the procedure requires surgery, many patients are worried that it will be painful. However, it may surprise you to learn that the process is much more comfortable than you think. Before the procedure begins, you will be numbed with a local anesthetic and given a sedative to lower your body’s ability to register pain. Although the surgery itself shouldn’t hurt, your mouth will be sore for a few days afterward. Luckily, you can minimize discomfort by taking medication as directed and using cold compresses.

What Can Cause Dental Implant Failure?

Dental implants have a 95% success rate, but it’s still entirely possible for them to fail. The two most common causes are peri-implantitis and failed osseointegration (fusion of the implant to the jawbone). Peri-implantitis is a form of gum disease that develops from poor oral hygiene, damaging the bone and gums supporting the implant. Other causes that increase your risk of failure are chronic teeth grinding, tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, certain medications, and health conditions. At your initial consultation, your implant dentist in Rome will provide guidelines for lowering your chances of implant failure.

Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat with Dental Implants?

For the first couple of weeks following your surgery, you should avoid hard foods and alcoholic, sugary, or acidic beverages. Do not use a straw either! It can dislodge the blood clot and lead to a dry socket, which can be very painful. After your recovery, you’ll be free to indulge in all the foods you could eat with your natural teeth. Just make sure you exercise caution with hard, sticky, and chewy foods because they can damage your implants.

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

Do not touch the blood clot that has formed over your implant site. If it becomes loose or falls off, it can lead to dry socket. This painful condition is easily avoided when you do the following:

• Avoid spitting, especially with force.
• Do not use straws for the next several days.
• Avoid smoking or using any tobacco products.
• Keep your tongue and fingers away from the treatment site.

Common Side Effects

Mild side effects after dental implant surgery are relatively normal, especially over the first several days. These can be mitigated with painkillers and cold compresses as you rest. Common side effects include:

• Light bleeding – Use a gauze pad to apply light pressure to the treatment site. Bleeding is common for a few days.
• Swelling – This can last for over a week but is easily managed with cold compresses. Make sure to only apply the compress in 10-minute intervals.
• General discomfort – Painkillers (either prescription or over-the-counter) are ideal for managing any discomfort.

Diet

Stick to softer foods after surgery to prevent disturbing the implant site. It’s best to have these items in your fridge or pantry ahead of time so you don’t have to head to the grocery store after your treatment. We recommend the following:

• Scrambled eggs
• Grits
• Yogurt
• Smoothies
• Cooked cereals
• Mashed potatoes
• Cold or room temperature soups
• Ice cream
• Pudding
• Applesauce

Once you’re feeling comfortable, you can return to a normal diet. However, we do advise against eating any tough or crunchy foods until we examine your implant at your follow-up visit.

Health & Oral Hygiene

You should practice brushing and flossing the day after your surgery. Just make sure to use caution when cleaning around the implant site. To keep the area clean, use either a prescription mouthwash or a saltwater mixture. Rinse your mouth two to three times a day or after eating. Do not use any oral rinses that contain alcohol.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

By the time you’re ready to receive the permanent restoration, the hardest part of your recovery is well past you! Your personalized crown, bridge, or denture will be attached to the implants. This may trigger some minor sensitivity in the nearby gum tissue, however, that’s easily managed with painkillers. You should not experience any swelling or bleeding after placement. Enjoy your new smile and eat the foods you love!

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Just because the implant or the restoration attached to it cannot develop decay doesn’t mean poor oral hygiene can’t cause your tooth replacement to fail. For this reason, you’ll need to practice strict oral care every day to keep your dental implant healthy. This should include brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste and flossing once daily, especially around the implant’s dedicated restoration. That way, you can prevent plaque buildup as well as gum disease, ensuring your dental implant remains healthy.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Diet plays a much bigger role in the health of your dental implant than you may have previously thought. While you’ll be able to eat just about any foods you want, that doesn’t mean you should have an unhealthy diet. For example, keeping a balanced diet that consists of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and proteins is important for both your oral and overall health. Avoiding foods high in sugars and starches will help reduce the risk of plaque production.

Break Bad Habits

Bad habits that harm teeth can also harm your dental implants, so do your best to break them as soon as possible. Chewing on ice cubes, pens, pencils, and other inedible objects can easily damage the restoration attached to your implant and even cause the implant to fail. Additionally, you should always have the right tool for the job nearby should you need to open a package, bottle, or other container. Trimming your nails should also be done with a nail clipper, never your teeth.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Both your natural teeth and your dental implants need protection if they are at risk of injury or erosion. One of the most common examples of this is when playing contact sports like football, basketball, baseball, and hockey, to name a few. If you have a teeth grinding habit while you sleep, a nightguard can provide additional cushion and help you avoid cracking or wearing down your dental implant as well as your natural teeth. It’s best to consider a custom mouthguard over store-bought ones as well since they are longer-lasting, more comfortable, and provide the best protection overall.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

A checkup once every six months gives Dr. Weldon a chance to make sure no problems are present with your dental implant since it was placed. Not only can we examine the restoration and the titanium post that extends underneath the gum tissue, but we can clear away any harmful plaque or tartar that’s developed on the crown since your last visit. Our team will gladly go over the best oral care tips to keep your crown healthy for many years to come.