If you’re missing some teeth, you may struggle with self-confidence, eating comfortably, or speaking clearly. If loose dentures are an issue, you may avoid eating in public, scared they’ll slip and cause embarrassment. At Signature Smile Arts in Homewood, IL, our dentists offer full-service dental implants procedures, from start to finish. Beyond what’s considered necessary for implant dentistry, we use 3D imaging for precision treatment planning–and we offer sedation dentistry for optimal comfort.
To schedule your dental implants consultation with one of our experienced and highly skilled dentists, call our Homewood dental office today at (708) 799-5353.
The Problem with Missing Teeth
Why do you need missing teeth replaced? While you may feel fine with one or two lost molars (after all, the spaces don’t show when you smile), it’s important to understand the oral health implications of leaving lost teeth unreplaced.
- Other teeth drift out of place, altering occlusion and appearance
- Occlusal changes can trigger headaches, jaw pain, grinding, and TMJ dysfunction
- Risk of additional tooth loss increases
- Jawbone tissue degenerates without teeth roots, causing a more aged appearance
- Food can become trapped in the space, increasing risk for cavities and gum disease
- Inadequate chewing of foods can lead to digestive issues
- Increased tooth wear and strain on remaining teeth as they assume the workload for lost teeth
- Reduced self-confidence, even if the spaces don’t show, due to speech issues
How 3D Imaging Improves Dental Implant Planning
Our 3D cone beam imaging technology, or CBCT, partnered with digital scanning and photos significantly improve our ability to plan precise implant placement surgery. These tools provide us with detailed mapping of the jawbone, sinus cavities, and nerves beneath the gums. Knowing exactly where these biological components exist helps us plan ideal placement for dental implant posts. 3D imaging makes dental implant placement faster and safer for patients.
Sedation Options for a Stress-Free Dental Implants Procedure
Our dentists offer patients anesthesia, oral sedation, or IV sedation for optimal comfort during the surgical process of placing dental implants into the jawbone. Sedation dentistry reduces or alleviates patient anxiety and stress, for controlled comfort throughout the surgery.
You and your dentist will determine the proper comfort measures for your case, based on your feelings and your medical and dental history. We also need to evaluate a complete list of your medications and other health treatments before recommending sedation.
Placing and Restoring Your Implants, Start to Finish
Some dental offices don’t provide full-service dental implants procedures, so the patient must visit an oral surgeon or periodontist for the outpatient surgery. However, the implant dentists at Signature Smile Arts in Homewood, IL, can perform the surgical procedure, oversee the healing process, and deliver and place the final prosthetics, whether you need multiple single implants or an implant-retained denture or bridge.
After your implant posts are installed, your jawbone will grow, integrate, and fuse with the posts to create a firm foundation for replacement teeth. This can take three to nine months, sometimes longer.
Once the posts are secure, a short surgery will reveal the implant post heads so that we can secure abutments. Your custom replacement teeth will attach to the abutments, resulting in prosthetics that look, feel, and function like healthy, natural teeth. And with implants, your jawbone won’t deteriorate. If you maintain good oral health, visit our office twice a year for checkups and cleanings, and avoid accidents, your dental implants could last the rest of your life!
Why Patients Choose Signature Smile Arts for Dental Implants
Our Homewood, IL, dental office is your home for general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentistry. Dr. Alex Shore holds both fellowship and mastership from the International Dental Implant Association. He is also certified in the 3 on 6™ full mouth rehabilitation system, an innovative and exciting implants procedure by Smile Systems Institute. Schedule your dental implants consultation with Dr. Shore today by calling us at (708) 799-5353. We look forward to partnering with you in creating your dream smile–healthy, strong, and beautiful!
