Dental Implants in Kenosha, WI

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When choosing implants, it is important to understand the different options to see which options would be the best for your teeth. Learn more about each option, click on the link below:

Single Tooth Implants
Implant Supported Dentures
All-on-4 Dental Implants
All-on-6 Dental Implants

About Dental Implants

Here you’ll find all the information you need about dental implants, the best solution for a beaming smile that looks like natural, healthy teeth.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are usually the most suitable treatment for missing teeth. After removing a decayed or damaged tooth, the crown (the visible part of the tooth) and the root are taken with it.

When replacing a tooth with a dental implant, the implant is set into the jawbone allowing it to fuse with your natural bone, becoming a solid, secure foundation for your replaced teeth. The versatile nature of dental implants means not only a single tooth but several teeth can be replaced using an implant-supported bridge.

Dental implants are widely regarded as being the closest you’ll get to natural, healthy teeth, allowing you to eat, laugh, smile, play and enjoy your everyday activities with confidence without being conscious of your teeth.

• Dental implant – a substitute tooth root usually consisting of a titanium cylindrical and/or tapered post

• Abutment – the part of the implant that connects the replacement tooth or teeth to the dental implant

• Crown – a custom-made replacement tooth, matching your natural teeth

Who needs dental implants?

People of all ages can have dental implants, and they can be a suitable solution for almost anyone missing one, many, or even all of their teeth for a variety of reasons such as defects, injury, disease or decay. Dental implants are even suitable for adolescents after puberty when the jaw has finished growing – typically 16 years for girls and 18 years for boys.

A quick consultation with an implant dentist can determine whether dental implants would be suitable for you, taking into account both your needs and your medical and dental history.

How do dental implants work?

Teeth replaced using dental implants feel, look and function the same as your natural teeth, and are cared for exactly as you would with your natural teeth including brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist for cleanings and regular check-ups.

After a consultation with a dental implant dentist to create a personalised treatment plan, several steps are usually involved in placing a dental implant:

• The dental implant, usually a titanium tapered and/or cylindrical post is surgically set into the jawbone.
• The implant will osseointegrate (fuse) with your jawbone as you heal. The two will bond together to form a long-lasting, strong foundation for your replaced teeth – this process can take several weeks, or in some cases months while you continue with your daily life between appointments.
• When the bonding process is finished, a connector called an abutment is then placed onto the top of the implant to allow the tooth to be connected to the dental implant.
• Depending on the patient’s requirements, a single tooth, dentures or an implant-supported bridge are then connected to the abutment.

What types of dental implants are available?

Dental implants are a safe, effective and proven method for the replacement for the foundation of the natural tooth as a whole – the tooth root. Because dental implants fuse with the jawbone, they form a strong, sturdy base for your tooth replacements.

There are several types of dental implants available, including:

• Endosteal implants – these are those most commonly used type of implant. They are typically shaped like screws, plates or cylinders, and are placed directly into the jawbone.

• Subperiosteal implants – usually placed beneath the gum, but either on or above the jawbone for patients with a shallow jawbone, or those who do not want to, or are unable to undergo the jawbone rebuild procedure.

Your dental implant dentist will have been trained to explain the various types and sizes of implants available and assist you in determining your options, depending on the tooth or teeth that need replacing.

Why are dental implants usually the first choice when repairing damaged or missing teeth?

• Almost indistinguishable from healthy, natural teeth. Dental implants are stable and strong, and look and function no differently to natural teeth. Other dental treatments may lead to deterioration of the jawbone and can interfere with speaking, eating, smiling and other aspects of daily life.

• Dental implants are a long-term solution and are built to last. The traditional method of using tooth-supported dental bridges may last several years if properly cared for – often up to 10 years – whereas dental implants can last a lifetime with the correct care and occasional adjustment made.

• No need to be self-conscious about your teeth. Worrying about going out in public where you feel people may judge you because your smile looks different, or that your dentures might fall out at the worst possible time is a thing of the past with dental implants. You’ll be able to smile, laugh, speak and eat with the knowledge that you, and not your teeth can lead your life.

• Keep a natural smile and face shape. Your face can sag and look sunken without teeth. With the use of dental implants, your smile and natural shape of your face can be maintained.

• Healthy bone protection. Empty spaces in your mouth from the loss of one or several teeth can attribute to further health problems such as the deterioration of your jawbone. Dental implants are the only solution proven to not only provide a lifelong solution, but actually help to protect and stimulate natural bone growth while preventing bone loss.

• Keep your teeth where they belong. With dental implants, you can keep your teeth in your mouth – not in a cup as with dentures. You are able to care for your dental implants exactly as you would with your natural teeth – you can floss and brush without the worry of them falling out.

• Speak naturally. Removable dentures often come with a separate set of issues – one being having to adjust to altering your speech, or struggling with pronouncing some words. As dental implants function in just the same way as natural teeth, you’re able to speak as normal.

• Continue eating your favourite foods. No more worrying about what foods you can or cannot eat. With dental implants, you can enjoy all of your favourite foods while biting naturally, enjoying the whole eating experience without any of the worry associated with dentures.

• No more cavities. Implant restored cavities or replacement teeth cannot suffer cavities, however, you should still care for your teeth regardless of this fact.

• Teeth stay in place – silently. Traditional dentures have a tendency to slip at the most unwanted of times – usually when you’re talking, smiling, laughing, kissing, yawning or coughing. When this happens, they usually need to be repositioned back into place. Not so with dental implants, which won’t shift, clock or move.

• Protect your natural, healthy teeth. In order to place a tooth-supported bridge, the sides of teeth either side of the missing tooth often need to be ground down, which damages otherwise healthy teeth to replace those that are missing. The bridge is supported by and attached to these healthy teeth. On the other hand, dental implants are inserted into the jawbone without affecting your healthy teeth, while also ensuring adjacent teeth don’t shift as they can when an empty space is left over time.

• More reliable than other methods. Dental implants have a proven record of being a long-term, reliable solution with predictable outcomes when compared with other dental treatment options such as dentures, bridgework and retreating endodontic (falling root canal) therapy.

How much do dental implants cost?

Each and every dental implant treatment is as unique as the patients themselves, meaning the number of necessary appointments, procedures and costs can vary. After consulting with a dental implant dentist who will examine and assess your specific needs, they will provide a customized treatment plan that will estimate the cost and number of appointments required, and keep you updated with any necessary amendments throughout the process.

As dental implants are intended to be a long-term solution, they invariably last much longer than other available treatments, but cost no more than other tooth replacement procedures.

While the initial outlay may be slightly higher for dental implants compared to a bridge, over the long term a bridge has to be replaced more frequently, incurring a higher long-term cost. Overall, patient satisfaction is much higher when using dental implants over traditional dentures and bridges.

Are dental implants safe?

Contemporary dental implants have proven to be an effective, safe method for replacing missing teeth for over 30 years.

Typical dental implants are made from titanium which is biocompatible, meaning that is easily accepted by the body, serving as a sturdy foundation for tooth replacement. A process called osseointegration takes place when an implant is inserted into your bone, which fuses to the implant, locking it into place. The process ensures your replacement teeth are fully stabilised and strong enough to withstand daily use, functioning just the same as natural, healthy teeth.

Dental implant surgery is proven to be one of the most safe and predictable dental procedures when performed by a trained and experienced dentist. Allowing your replacement teeth to look, feel and work as they would naturally while simultaneously stimulating bone growth beneath the missing tooth, dental implants are the strongest device currently available for supporting replacement teeth.

Are dental implants right for me?

If one or more of your teeth are missing, then dental implants are probably right for you! Most people in good health and whose jaw has finished developing are good candidates, whether they were born with one or more teeth missing or have lost one or more teeth from injury, periodontal (gum) disease, infection, decay or any other reason. Dental implants are also an option for people who can no longer wear, or don’t want the related drawbacks of traditional removable dentures.

A consultation with a dental implant expert is the best way to determine if you are a viable candidate. When you speak to a consultant, be sure to mention if you smoke, if you have any medical conditions even if they don’t seem relevant, and if you’re taking any over-the-counter and/or prescription medications.

How do I care for my dental implants?

It is normal to worry that dental implants may need specialist care to look after them, but teeth restored with dental implants are cared for no differently than your natural teeth. You brush, floss and maintain regular dental check-ups and cleaning just as you normally would. Your dental implant dentist may recommend supplementary cleaning aids to help you to keep your replacement teeth healthy at home.

Dental implants are still just as open to general wear and tear as with natural teeth, even if they can’t get cavities, so they need to be cared for to ensure the last as long as possible. With correct care and regular check-ups, dental implants could last you a lifetime.

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Dental Implants – Frequently Asked Questions

Why do people have dental implants?

As the most natural feeling and looking tooth replacement method, dental implants are popular for a variety of other reasons. Unlike traditional methods such as bridges or dentures, they do not click or slip, enabling you to talk, laugh and eat without worry. Dental implants also help to maintain facial structure as they are the only tooth replacement procedure that helps to promote natural bone growth.

Dental implants – what are they?

Typically made from titanium, a biocompatible material that fuses well with natural bone, dental implants are usually cylindrical and/or tapered posts used to replace the tooth root. A connector piece, known as an abutment, is either built into or placed onto the dental implant which allows the replacement tooth or teeth to be sturdily connected. Lastly, the crown (the custom made replacement tooth) is connected to the dental implant using the abutment, finishing off the procedure.

What is the process for getting a dental implant?

The implant will be placed into your jawbone by your dentist, who should be a fully credentialed expert in dental implants. During the healing process, osseointegration will take place, meaning the implant will fuse with your natural bone, forming a strong, sturdy bond for the replacement tooth to be connected to. When the implant has fully bonded with your jawbone, a small connection piece is placed onto the dental implant allowing the replacement tooth to be connected to the implant.

Can any dentist provide my dental implant?

Being the sophisticated dental procedure that it is, requiring careful placement to avoid unnecessary complications or failure of the implant, dental implants should only be provided by a properly trained dental implant expert.

Where can I find a dental implant expert?

Qualified dental implant experts who have met key training, education and competency requirements can be found in a directory maintained by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID).

Are dental implants the right choice for me?

If you have one or more teeth missing and want a natural-looking, hassle-free smile that won’t embarrass you, then dental implants are most definitely the right choice for you.