Dental Implants — Topeka & Silver Lake, KS

Why Choose Michel Dental For Dental Implants?

• Partnered With Topeka & Silver Lake’s Best Implant Surgeons
• Replace 1 Tooth, Multiple Teeth, & Entire Arches
• Team of Accomplished & Highly Trained Dentists

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the only tooth loss solution that replaces the entire structure of a missing tooth. Below the gumline is a small titanium implant post that acts as the roots of your new tooth. On top of it, a small connector piece called an abutment seamlessly secures the beautiful, custom-made crown, bridge, or denture into place. The end result is a completely restored tooth that looks, feels, and functions just like natural. The boundless benefits this unique placement provides is why dentists and patients alike consider dental implants the gold standard of tooth replacement.

The 4 Step Dental Implant Process

At Michel Dental, we highly recommend dental implants for replacing missing teeth, whether there’s an entire arch missing or just a single gap. However, we also know that it’s important for all our patients to understand and feel comfortable with the treatment they receive. We’ll make sure that you know exactly what you can expect during the process. If you have any questions about how dental implants work in Topeka & Silver Lake, contact our practice today.

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Initial Dental Implant Consultation

The first step is to thoroughly examine your mouth. This typically involves X-rays in addition to a visual inspection. The first goal is to determine whether dental implants are right for you based on your oral health and the state of your jawbone. If you do choose to move forward with dental implants, we can discuss the various options with you and help you form an estimate of the cost (which tends to vary depending on the extent of tooth loss). We can then develop an overall treatment plan for you.

Dental Implant Surgery

We work with some of the best oral surgeons and similar specialists in the community; we can refer you to one of them for your dental implant surgery. his collaborative approach results in second-to-none quality for our valued patients, and our team members will be sure to keep every stage of treatment running smoothly so that convenience isn’t left by the wayside either. 

During the procedure, a small incision is made in the gums, and your dental implant will be placed in an appropriate area. Thanks to anesthesia or some form of sedation, you’ll remain comfortable during the procedure, and in most cases, you can expect to return to work the next day. Any minor pain or discomfort that you experience afterwards can usually be managed with medications bought over the counter.

Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment

During the healing process, the jawbone gradually fuses with the dental implant and essentially make it part of your body. This process is called osseointegration, and it ultimately forms a stronger, more durable foundation for your new teeth. It takes a few months before osseointegration is complete.

Once your implants are firmly in place, you’ll receive a small connector called an abutment, which is what will hold your replacement tooth. It sits on the post just above your gum line. Your gums will need to heal before you can move on to the final stage of the process. (Note that in some cases, you might receive your abutment at the same time as the dental implant post.)

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

You’ll return to Michel Dental so that one of our dentists can give you your beautiful new custom restoration. You’ll receive a crown, an implant-supported bridge or dentures depending on the type of tooth loss. After they’ve been placed, all that’s left is periodic checkups so that we can make sure your new smile stays healthy; artificial teeth can’t get cavities, but if you don’t keep them clean, you could develop gum disease, which might result in implant failure if you leave it untreated.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Because dental implants in Topeka & Silver Lake replace the root of a tooth in addition to the white crown, they can accomplish many things that more traditional options, like dentures or bridges, simply cannot. Once your implants, abutments, and restorations are in place, they should look and feel almost exactly like your original pearly whites. Here are just a few of the ways that dental implants can transform your smile and overall quality of life.

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Day-to-Day Benefits

• Lifelike appearance – Your implant restorations will seamlessly blend into your smile. In fact, it’s a virtual certainty that no one around you will think that your smile is any less than 100% natural – unless you tell them, of course!
• Unmatched reliability – With their secure foundation in your jawbone, you won’t have to worry about your implants coming loose or slipping out at awkward times.
• Improved diet – Because dental implants rebuild your teeth from the roots up, they replenish almost all of your original chewing strength. You’ll be able to eat all of your favorite foods again, from tough steaks to crunchy apples.
• Greater comfort – Unlike dental bridges or dentures, dental implants don’t rest atop the gums or require the removal of healthy tooth structure. As a result, they shouldn’t cause tooth sensitivity or gum irritation.

Health Benefits

• Keep your jawbone strong – One of the most important benefits of dental implants in Topeka & Silver Lake is their ability to stimulate the jawbone to keep it from breaking down. This also prevents the aged, sunken facial appearance that often develops after tooth loss.
• Maintain good oral health – It’s very easy to keep dental implant restorations clean. All you have to do is brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash – just like with natural teeth! This makes it much easier to avoid oral health problems like gum disease.
• Prevent future health problems – By encouraging better oral health, dental implants naturally promote better full-body health. In fact, people with complete, healthy smiles have a much lower risk of developing health conditions such as heart disease, malnutrition, and arthritis.

Long-Term Benefits

• Enjoy a long-lasting solution – On average, you can expect a traditional dental bridge to break down every 10 to 15 years, and a denture every five to seven years. In contrast, dental implants have a much longer lifespan; as long as you take good care of them and visit your implant dentist in Topeka & Silver Lake regularly, your implants can last for the rest of your life!
• Live longer – Rebuilding your smile with dental implants may help you live longer. Studies show that people with at least 20 teeth (or implants) at age 70 have a significantly higher chance of living longer than those with 20 teeth or fewer at the same age.
• Save time and money – While dental implants initially cost more than dentures or bridges, they might never have to be replaced. Because of this, many patients have found dental implants to be the more cost-effective solution in the long term.

Who Dental Implants Can Help

Another valuable benefit of dental implants is their overall versatility. Patients across a wide spectrum of tooth loss can receive them successfully with the right type of custom restoration. Possible options include the following:

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Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

We can help practically any patient overcome tooth loss with dental implants. In some cases, we may recommend preliminary treatments like bone grafting or periodontal therapy before getting dental implants to maximize their chances of success. Typically, you’ll need three things to be a good candidate for dental implants:

• Great oral health
• Good overall health
• Adequate jawbone density

Once we’ve ensured dental implants are a good choice for you, we’ll review all your tooth replacement options. We’ll be more than happy to help you pick which type of dental implant is right for your extent of tooth loss.

Missing 1 Tooth

Single implants can be paired with all-ceramic dental crowns, which fit right in between natural teeth without requiring any major alteration to your healthy dental structure. It’s likely that you won’t even remember which tooth isn’t original after some time has passed!

Missing Multiple Teeth

All-ceramic dental crowns can be positioned in multiple places throughout the mouth, although an implant-retained bridge may be a better reconstructive option if a patient is missing multiple teeth in a row. The prosthetic is anchored in place with one implant on either side of the gap to provide maximized stability and support.

Missing All Teeth

Implant dentures can work wonders when it comes to replenishing entire arches of teeth all at once! The prosthetic fits into place over a small number of angled dental implants, which makes this tooth replacement option more affordable than supplying one implant per lost tooth. It can be fixed in place or left removable in nature depending on a patient’s preferences.

Learn About Implant Dentures

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

At Michel Dental, we believe dental implants are both an effective tooth replacement solution and a wise, long-term investment in the future of your smile. So, how much do dental implants cost? The truth is that every smile is unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all number. However, you can better understand how much it costs to replace missing teeth in Topeka & Silver Lake with dental implants by considering the factors below.

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Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

It is important to note that some patients require additional pre-treatment to prepare for dental implants. For example, patients with gum disease or a weak jawbone must first address these issues before they can undergo dental implant treatment. Gum disease therapy, bone grafts and other related procedures can influence the overall cost of dental implants.

Our office is happy to partner with local experts to complete your dental implant treatment, including the surgical portion, which carries its own unique cost. Whether you need to have bone grafts performed to expand available bone tissue or gum disease to address a gum infection, you can expect every step of your care to be managed by dentists who have their own respective fees.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

As you can see, each treatment has a unique goal and requires a different number of implants. Generally speaking, treatment that requires a higher number of implants, such as implant dentures, will cost more than replacing a single tooth with just one dental implant and crown. The materials used to fabricate your implants and specific restorations will also influence the final price tag of your procedure. Our team is always transparent about the materials and manufacturers we work with and the costs associated with them, so you can make an informed decision on your care.

Final Dental Implant Restoration

The cost of the restoration is largely reflected by the number of implants you need to have replaced to make your smile complete. For example, if you need a single crown to cover a dental implant, this will be substantially cheaper than an implant bridge or denture to cover multiple implants. Regardless of the number or complexity of the restorations needed to cover your implants, you can expect them to look like an incredibly natural part of your overall smile.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

While every plan is different, many dental insurance companies do not include implant treatment as part of their coverage. However, you may still be able to apply your insurance benefits to certain stages of treatment, such as the initial consultation or if you need gum disease therapy prior to surgery. Our team will gladly review the details of your plan to ensure you’re getting the best value possible for your tooth replacement procedure.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Just because you don’t have dental insurance doesn’t mean you can’t still make your dental implant treatment fit into your budget! For example, CareCredit allows for monthly financing over the span of several months, often with little-to-zero interest attached. This can make nearly any dental treatment affordable. Alternatively, signing up for our office’s Smile Savings Plan allows you to get guaranteed flat rates on preventive services and discounts on procedures done in-house.

Advanced Dental Implant Procedures

If you’re considering dental implants for tooth replacement, you may need some treatments to get you ready. Advanced dental implant procedures allow patients to get implants even if they have other oral health complications. For patients with weaker or thinner jawbones, a bone graft can increase the volume of the jaw to accommodate implant placement. A sinus lift aims to add bone to the upper jaw to allow for secure placement of dental implants. We partner with local specialists to offer these amazing services. Read on to learn more about how you could benefit from these treatments!

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Bone Grafting

In order to place dental implants, there has to be enough jawbone for a successful surgery. For patients without enough jawbone, bone can be grafted onto the jaw. This adds tissue to the area of deficiency, making it possible for the placement of implants. The extra bone will usually come from a different part of your body, a bone bank, or it will be made of synthetic materials. A thin collagen membrane is placed to prevent the bone graft from growing gum tissue or shrinking. Sometimes, this procedure can even be performed on the same day as your dental implants, but this will vary from case to case.

If there is a significant amount of bone loss, it’s possible for a block of bone supported by screws to be placed. This bone can come from your chin, behind your teeth, or it can be synthetically made. This procedure will almost always require a waiting period of at least a few months before your dental implant placement.

Sinus Lifts

A sinus lift can successfully add volume to bone in the top arch of your smile or the back parts of your jaw. When you lose teeth toward the back of your smile, it’s common for your sinuses to collapse into the newly vacant space, eliminating room for dental implants. Thankfully, a sinus lift can create space for new bone to accommodate your dental implants. Once the sinuses are lifted, we must allow a few months to heal before you can receive a bone graft.

Maintaining & Caring For Your Dental Implants

The greatest benefit of getting dental implants is that, with the proper care, they can last for a lifetime! Traditional restorations such as dentures, crowns, and bridges only last between 7 and 10 years on average, even with great care. That means that by getting dental implants to replace your missing teeth in Topeka & Silver Lake, you’ll be able to avoid frequent replacements and repair visits for your restoration as well. Fortunately, like your natural teeth, dental implants are easy to care for, and you won’t need to drastically change your routine. Here are five aftercare tips to extend the lifespan of your new smile.

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Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Just like your natural teeth, your implant restorations need to be regularly cleared of any food debris and plaque to prevent any infection from developing. This is especially important right after you have surgery, because while your gums are healing, you’ll be at an increased risk of an infection causing implant failure. As long as you brush twice each day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss at least once every day, and rinse with antibacterial mouthwash daily, you will be able to keep your new smile healthy and your dental implants strong and sturdy.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Oral hygiene is essential, but maintaining a healthy diet that’s well-balanced is also incredibly important to the longevity of your dental implant. Just like you would with natural teeth, it’s recommended that you keep sweet foods to a minimum. Dental implants are capable of breaking down all kinds of foods, but you should still use caution when consuming them to avoid damage to your restoration and the implant itself. Make sure your diet consists of a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Break Bad Habits

Dental implants are durable, which is why they are able to last for decades and even for the rest of your life. However, just like natural teeth, dental implants are not meant to be used to bite or chew inedible objects. This includes pens, pencils, ice cubes, materials used for packaged items (such as tape) and bottles. You should also avoid biting your nails, which can wear down the restoration and even cause it to crack.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Just like your natural teeth, your implant restorations aren’t indestructible, and it’s important to be mindful of bad habits that could damage them. A great way to do this is to quit smoking, protect your teeth from grinding, wear a protective mouthguard while participating in activities that could result in dental trauma, and be mindful while eating foods that are sticky, chewy, or hard. By taking these precautionary steps, you can prevent your implants from becoming damaged, loose, or wearing them down.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

In addition to taking precautionary measures at home, it’s important to visit our office every six months for routine checkups and cleanings. During your appointments, we’ll examine your implants to make sure that they look healthy and are fully functioning. Plus, if we do find an issue, we’ll be able to treat it before it compromises the health of your new smile. These appointments are also a great time to ask any questions you may have about dental implant aftercare instructions in Topeka & Silver Lake.

Dental Implant FAQs

Dental implants in Topeka and Silver Lake are the most reliable option for replacing missing teeth. You’ve heard about their benefits, and you’re ready to regain a complete smile, but you still have some concerns. It’s normal to have a few questions, which we will address during your initial consultation. While you wait for your appointment, here are the answers to a few of the most common questions we hear to help make the best decision for your smile.

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Can I Get Dental Implants If I Have Gum Disease?

Although gum disease is preventable, it’s a leading cause of tooth loss. If you’ve lost one or more teeth from periodontal disease, you aren’t a candidate for dental implants if the infection is still active. After completing periodontal therapy, your new smile will have the healthy foundation it needs to thrive. Besides treatment for gum disease, you may also need additional procedures to repair any damage caused by the infection, like tooth extractions or bone grafting.

How Long Does the Dental Implant Process Take?

Unlike traditional tooth replacement treatments, like a bridge, it will take several months to rebuild your smile using dental implants. The process of replacing the entire tooth structure will occur in multiple steps, each of which is necessary to ensure the overall success of your smile. Patients can expect the course of treatment to last anywhere between four and 12 months. Although it may take a bit longer, it’s time well spent because your new smile can last for decades with the right aftercare.

Does It Hurt to Get Dental Implants?

It is normal to be concerned about a painful process because you will need oral surgery; however, you have nothing to fear. If you only need a single implant, a local anesthetic is often all that’s needed. If your case is complex, you might need sedation or anesthesia. Rest assured, you won’t feel any pain during your placement surgery. As with any surgery, you can expect there to be some discomfort while you heal, but you can manage it with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Can Dental Implants Fail?

Dental implants are the most predictable option to replace missing teeth. Although they have a nearly perfect success rate, they can fail. Generally, the risk of implant failure is less than 5%, so it is very rare. You can help prevent complications with your new smile by maintaining your oral hygiene at home and visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups.

Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Dental Implants?

If you’re ready to replace your missing teeth in Topeka and Silver Lake with dental implants, the cost can be concerning, but there’s no need to worry. Many dental insurance carriers will cover a portion of the cost after paying your annual deductible until you reach your yearly limit. Our office will work on your behalf with your insurance carrier to reduce the amount you need to pay. We will explain your payment options to cover any remaining balance, like using third-party financing with CareCredit. We will help you find the solutions you need to keep your new smile affordable.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Unlike other traditional tooth replacements like dentures and dental bridges, which will need to be replaced after 10 years or so, dental implants can typically last several decades to even a lifetime! Of course, their longevity will mainly depend on the person’s lifestyle, which can impact their oral and overall health. Simply put, the best way to ensure long-lasting dental implants is to regularly brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash every day. It’s also necessary to visit your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings so they can monitor your progress and address any underlying issues. Make sure to avoid chewing on hard/sticky objects, or using your teeth as tools for opening packages.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

For the majority of patients with excellent oral and overall health, dental implants are incredibly successful when placed by a trained professional. If you don’t have sufficient jawbone density or you have gum disease, your dentist can resolve these issues with preliminary services to help raise the success rate of your dental implant surgery. Patients who are struggling with diabetes, cancer, or other medical issues that can make their procedure or recovery risky can discuss the best approach during their initial consultation.

What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?

Although it’s quite rare, dental implants still have a possibility for failure. The most common reasons for this are peri-implantitis and failed osseointegration. The former is a kind of gum disease that accumulates around and destroys the gum and connective tissues holding the implants in place, and it’s usually due to poor oral hygiene. In other cases, the implant may simply fail to properly integrate with the jawbone, especially if the patient didn’t have sufficient bone density at the start of the treatment.

Other reasons for failure may include tobacco use, chronic teeth grinding, radiation to the neck/head, poor oral hygiene, and certain medical/health conditions (like diabetes, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, or cancer). If you’re struggling with any of these issues, consult your dentist and physician for instructions on minimizing your risks of implant failure.

Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?

For most people, their jaws won’t fully mature until they’ve reached young adulthood. Placing dental implants before the jaw can grow completely may end up interfering with further bone development, increasing the risk of complications. For this reason, most dentists won’t place implants for anyone under 18 years old. In fact, some people’s jaws won’t fully mature until their mid-20s. Generally speaking, men’s jaws usually take longer to completely develop compared to women’s jaws. Speak with your dentist first and they’ll evaluate your oral health to see if dental implants are a viable option for you.

Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?

For most people, taking one or two days off work is enough for getting dental implants. That said, every person’s situation is different, so your dentist will recommend how many days might be necessary depending on your specific case. Those with more physically demanding occupations may need to take off three to four days of work at the very least. This is because strenuous activity can end up diverting blood from the implant site, delaying or interfering with the healing process. In any case, you might consider scheduling your placement surgery on a Thursday or Friday so that you have the weekend free to get plenty of rest.