Get a Permanent Solution with
Mount Pleasant Dental Implants
If you’re searching for a permanent, natural-looking solution to missing teeth, dental implants might be the right option for you. As an expert in prosthodontics, Dr. Vinson is highly skilled in the restoration of dental implants. Once she determines that you’re a good candidate for the treatment, she will work closely with a surgeon to develop a plan that's right for you. You’re in good hands at Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant. Let us help you restore your smile!
Things to Consider
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are quickly becoming the preferred method of treatment for missing teeth. There are many benefits of dental implants, including their durability and natural appearance. If cared for with proper dental hygiene habits, dental implants can last a lifetime.
Since they are permanently attached with a titanium post that acts as a tooth root, dental implants look and feel natural. This means that you can comfortably chew and speak without having to worry about your dental implants shifting or falling out. They offer a quality of life that you can't get with dentures or partials, plus renewed confidence once your treatment is complete. You deserve the smile of your dreams, contact us today.
What to Expect
The Dental Implant Procedure
Dental implants consist of posts that are surgically placed into the jaw by a surgeon selected by Dr Vinson, where they function as a sturdy anchor for the crown. This is a popular option for patients who want to permanently restore their smiles. However, the procedure does require healthy jawbone and gums. Once the dental implant is placed and fully healed, Dr. Vinson will attach a custom-made, natural looking crown to the abutment that's attached to the post. If you have one or two missing teeth, dental implants could be right for you. Contact us for more information regarding your personal case.
The details of your dental implant procedure may vary based on whether you need a single-tooth restoration or a full-mouth restoration. However, the implant process always begins with a consultation at our office, where Dr. Vinson will assess your smile to help you determine whether implants are the right treatment for your needs.
Treatment begins with a series of dental x-rays and images. Dr. Vinson will use these images to craft your personalized implant placement plan. Once this treatment is finalized, you’ll come back in for your placement appointment. Your mouth will be cleaned and numbed, and a small opening will be made in your gum and jaw bone. Next, the implant will be placed precisely in the proper location. The area will be cleaned, then sutured shut. If you need multiple implants, this process will be repeated.
Once you’ve had your implants placed, they will need to heal for a period of 3-6 months so that they “osseointegrate” (bond permanently with your jaw bone). During this time, Dr. Vinson will create your implant-supported restoration. Before it’s placed, you may need to come in for several appointments to have it fitted and ensure that it looks seamless with the rest of your smile. During your final appointment, your restoration will be permanently attached.
After Implant Placement
The Healing & Recovery Process
The initial recovery from a dental implant after surgery will take several weeks. However, it will take 3-6 months for your implant to bond with the surrounding tissue. Once this happens, your restoration can be placed.
Immediately after your implant placement surgery, you can expect swelling, discomfort and bruising around the implant site, as well as minor bleeding. Dr. Vinson will prescribe you pain medication and antibiotics, in most cases. As you heal, eat soft foods until the surgical area is back to normal. This usually takes about a week. In addition, keep brushing and flossing, but be very gentle around the surgical site to avoid discomfort or damaging your stitches.
Most of your discomfort should go away within about a week. If you’re still feeling a lot of pain or swelling after a week, make a follow-up with Dr. Vinson right away. After about two weeks, the implant site should feel completely normal, and you should be able to brush it normally, eat your favorite foods, and get back to your day-to-day life.
Why You Should Get Implants
From A Prosthodontist
Very few dentists are prosthodontists. There are only about 3,500 prosthodontists in America. Prosthodontists, like Dr. Vinson, have studied implant dentistry and restorative dentistry at the best dental institutions. This means that Dr. Vinson is a specialist when it comes to placing dental restorations, so you will get better overall results from your treatment.
Working with a prosthodontist like Dr. Vinson is the best way to ensure that your new smile looks great, and that you can get the highest-quality dental implants. Contact us now to schedule a consultation at Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant.
does is hurt
To Get A Dental Implant?
No. You will not experience any pain or discomfort during your appointment. Dr. Candice Vinson will numb the treatment area with an anesthetic spray and a numbing needle. You can also choose to be sedated at our office with nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas.” Together, numbing and sedation will ensure that you feel completely safe and comfortable throughout the entire dental implant procedure.
However, you can expect some discomfort once your numbing and sedation wear off. Dental implants are much less invasive than some other treatments like tooth extractions, but they still involve creating an opening in the gums and jaw bone, and some pain is to be expected because of this.
Dr. Vinson will provide you with instructions and tips on how to deal with your pain, such as taking an over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen, icing the cheek near your implant site, and resting with your head elevated above your feet to reduce pain and potential bleeding. You should follow her healing instructions closely to speed up your recovery process and reduce pain and discomfort.
Do I have to
Replace My Missing Tooth?
Yes. If you’ve lost a tooth, we highly recommend that you have it replaced. Tooth loss is a serious oral health issue, and can lead to further complications. For example, after you lose a tooth, the nearby teeth will tend to shift toward the now-empty area where the tooth used to be.
This can ruin the alignment of your teeth, change your appearance, and even raise your risk of cavities if your teeth become harder to clean. Getting a dental implant prevents this, and keeps your mouth healthy.
Another big problem after tooth loss is bone resorption. This is a process by which the bone underneath the missing tooth weakens over time. Within a year of tooth loss, the bone may lose up to 25% of its mass.
Dental implants are the only way to prevent this. Unlike bridges and dentures, which sit on top of the gums, implants are placed directly into the jaw bone. This means that, just like a natural tooth, they place pressure on the jaw when you eat, bite, and chew. This keeps the tooth strong and prevents bone resorption.
Missing teeth have other obvious negative effects, too. They affect your appearance and self-esteem, and can make it harder to eat your favorite foods or to speak clearly. For all of these reasons, we highly recommend that you have your missing tooth replaced with a dental implant from Dr. Vinson at Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant.
What can I Eat After
Dental Implant Surgery?
You should consult with your instructions from Dr. Vinson. Usually, you’ll eat a diet of liquid and very soft foods like smoothies, yogurt, ice cream, and pudding for 2-3 days. Then, you can eat some firmer foods like rice, pasta, and mashed potatoes.
After about a week, you can start adding most of your usual foods back into your diet, but should avoid sharp, tough, crunchy, and chewy foods for at least 2 weeks. This ensures your mouth heals properly.
Questions?
Speak to Our Dental Implant Team Today
Our skilled staff at Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant is standing by to answer any questions you may have about dental implants. Visit our office or contact us today to learn more about our dental implant procedure or to discuss whether this permanent solution for missing teeth is the right treatment for you. We want to make sure you are informed and confident about any treatment you receive at our practice.
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