Dental Implants

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is one of the most effective and cutting-edge restorative treatments available. This procedure replaces a missing tooth with a false tooth and implant that fuses directly with your jaw bone. The end result is a natural solution that looks, feels, and functions just like your original tooth. You care for the implant as normal, brushing and flossing, and attending scheduled cleanings and exams.

There are several different types of dental implants, including:

• Single-tooth implant: This treatment replaces one missing tooth with an implant.
• Full mouth rehabilitation with dental implants: Completely transform your smile with a full restoration — including crowns, bridges, removable dentures or even fixed dentures — supported with implants to help stabilize the dentures.
• Mini implants: Although seldom used, this treatment is less invasive than traditional dental implants and is also a good option to stabilize dentures.

Does Green Dental offer dental implants in the office?

Yes! Dr. Brooks Green and Dr. Gordon Green both proudly offer dental implant and surgical services in our Lyons office. By providing this outpatient treatment to our patients, we can make sure they get the care they want and need based on their medical history and goals for their overall oral health plan. You also have the convenience of coming in for your treatment to a place you are already familiar with.

What is getting a dental implant like?

Since dental implant treatment is an outpatient surgical procedure, there are many steps to take as a part of the experience. This includes comprehensive dental exams, medical history reviews, and a treatment plan that we will discuss with you before deciding on dental implants. We will also use a CT machine to assist in the placement of the implant. This machine provides us with a 3-D view of the area and allows us to carry out the procedure more seamlessly.

During the initial surgery, we will utilize local anesthesia and oral or IV sedation if desired to keep you comfortable, relaxed, and free from pain throughout the duration of the procedure. In this step, if the tooth that is being replaced is still present but damaged, we will remove those pieces and prepare your jawbone through grafting, if necessary. Next, we will embed the titanium implant anchor directly into the bone.

After the implant is placed, we use platelet rich fibrin — made from your own blood — to help speed healing and protect the surgical site. You will still require several months for the anchor to fully heal, which allows your jaw bone to naturally fuse with the titanium post. This will secure it in place and make your dental implant even more like a real tooth.

Once the surgical site is healed and the titanium post holds steady, we will install the dental crown, or false tooth, over the titanium anchor. If you have ever received a dental crown treatment, this step of the process is quite similar. The false tooth has been cast and shaped to mimic the rest of your teeth — including the one you lost. The size and color have been carefully considered so that it blends in with your smile.

Once installed, your dental implant is complete! Enjoy your new smile — and the confidence boost that will likely come with it. Don’t be surprised if your friends and loved ones can’t tell the difference between your implant and the rest of your natural teeth.