Dental Implants and Implant Restoration
Losing one or more teeth can affect both the appearance and function of your smile. Missing teeth may leave some patients feeling self-conscious and can make it more difficult to chew certain foods or speak comfortably. Tooth loss can also contribute to changes in the surrounding teeth, gums, and jawbone over time, making it important to consider options for restoring your smile and maintaining your oral health.
If you are missing one or more teeth, dental implants may provide an effective, long-term tooth replacement option. Dental implants are designed to closely replicate the appearance and function of natural teeth while providing a stable foundation for a dental restoration.
A dental implant restoration typically consists of three components: a titanium implant post that is placed in the jawbone and functions similarly to a natural tooth root, an abutment that connects to the implant, and a custom restoration. Depending on your needs, dental implants can support an individual replacement tooth, a dental bridge, or a denture.
As a Greenville native and fourth-generation dentist, Dr. Preston Hamrick is proud to continue his family’s tradition of serving the community. He takes the time to build personal relationships with his patients, understand their individual needs and goals, and recommend treatment options tailored to their oral health.
Read on to learn more about dental implants, or call Heritage Dentistry today at 864.292.5125 to schedule a consultation or learn more about our Greenville, South Carolina dental services, including root canal therapy.
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Dental Implant Process
When considering dental implants, it is important to understand that the process of getting dental implant(s) is just that: a process, one that will require multiple appointments stretched out over several months, or even up to one year.
This process begins with an initial consultation with Dr. Hamrick, who will conduct a thorough oral examination to determine whether dental implants are a viable treatment option for you. In certain cases, individuals may have lost too much jawbone to support an implant or have an underlying medical condition that affects their ability to build bone mass and heal, in which case alternative treatment options or procedural modifications may need to be pursued.
If dental implants are a good fit for your needs, X-rays and images will be taken of your mouth, which will be used to create your personalized dental implant treatment plan and timeline. At your next appointment, Dr. Hamrick will first clean your mouth, then numb the area to reduce or eliminate discomfort. Dental sedation will also be available to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. Next, Dr. Hamrick will make a small incision in your gums to access the jawbone. Next, a hole is drilled into the bone, and the implant is placed. Once the post is properly positioned, we will clean, disinfect, and suture the area shut.
Before we can place the permanent crown, you will first need to wait for the post to fully fuse with your jawbone, which can take anywhere from 3-6 months. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled during this healing period so Dr. Hamrick can monitor your progress. Your customized restoration will also be crafted during this period.
Once the post is fused, you will return for your final visit, when your restoration is permanently attached to your implant. Once attached, you can begin to enjoy having a bright, full smile right away!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are a popular option for individuals who are missing a tooth or teeth. There are several reasons why dental implants are so popular, which include the following:
- Provide the same type of stability and support as a natural tooth/tooth
- Anchored directly to your jawbone, just like natural teeth
- Long-lasting solution provided proper self-care is taken
- Restored ability to eat all kinds of food
- Improved ability to enunciate and speak without impedance
- Stimulates your jawbone like your natural tooth would, which prevents loss of jawbone
- Will not shift like traditional dentures
- Maintains the strength and shape of your jaw
- Adjustments are not necessary, which will save you time and money
- Alleviates stresses to the jaw that cause pain and/or limited mobility
- Restores the natural look and feel of your full smile
Healing Process and Maintenance
The healing process following placement of a dental implant generally takes 1-2 weeks. It is common to experience mild bleeding, swelling, and bruising around the implant site for the first 1-3 days following your procedure. Swelling and discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter medicine or prescribed painkillers and ice therapy, placing the ice on the area for 10-minute intervals. To help ensure a fast recovery time and avoid complications, be very gentle when cleaning around the treatment area and follow a soft food diet. On average, the pain and discomfort should subside after about 3-7 days, though you may still have lingering symptoms such as stiff jaw muscles or a sore throat.
Once you have completed the healing process and your permanent restoration has been placed, you will not need to modify your oral health care routine. So long as you brush and floss your teeth twice daily, eat a healthy diet, and lead a generally healthy lifestyle, your implants will last you for many years to come. We also encourage our clients to schedule regular dental cleanings at least every six months to ensure the health and sustained brightness of your smile. In addition to giving your teeth a professional cleaning, these visits are also an opportunity for Dr. Preston Hamrick to evaluate your overall oral health, as he looks for any indications of gum disease or any other underlying issue that may require treatment and can monitor the health of your implant.
Fall in Love with Your Smile Again
At Heritage Dentistry in Greenville, South Carolina, we are committed to providing 5-star customer service that is relationship-based, along with a comprehensive range of treatment options that will ensure your sustained oral health and make you fall in love with your smile again. To schedule a consultation for dental implants or learn if you're a candidate for our services, including bone grafting or all on 4 dental implants, contact our Greenville dental team for an appointment and regain your confidence today at (684) 292-5125.
Cost of Dental Implants
The total cost of treatment will depend on the number of implants needed and whether additional procedures such as tooth extraction, bone grafting, or treatment of periodontal disease are necessary prior to placement of your implant (s).
For patients with dental insurance, the total cost of dental implants will depend on whether the procedure is covered under your plan, and if so, how much is covered. Our staff is happy to review your coverage to determine whether your plan does cover the procedure and ensure you maximize your benefits and have minimal out-of-pocket expenses.
If you are a patient at our practice and do not have dental insurance, consider joining our membership club. Because we value your loyalty, we have launched this club to help save you money on treatment and simplify payments for preventative care. We offer three levels of membership: child, adult, and perio membership. Professional dental cleanings, doctor exams, necessary X-rays, and a 5% discount on all other treatment (some exclusions apply) are included in all membership packages.
You can sign up today and start saving money on treatment online or call us at (864) 292-5125.
For your convenience, we accept all forms of credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
Learn More About Our Services
- All on 4 Dental Implants
- Bone Grafting
- Children's Dentistry
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Dental Bonding
- Dental Bridge
- Dental Cleanings
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Exams
- Dental Fillings
- Dental Implants
- Dentist
- Dentures
- Family Dentistry
- Full Mouth Dental Implants
- Gum Contouring
- Gum Grafting
- Implant Supported Dentures
- Invisalign
- Periodontal Therapy
- Porcelain Veneers
- Root Canals
- Scale and Root Planing
- Sedation Dentistry
- Teeth Whitening
- Tooth Extractions