Dental Implants – Jonesboro, AR
A State-of-the-Art Solution for Tooth Loss
Missing teeth can impact just about every facet of your life, but they don’t have to! If you’re tired of dealing with unsightly gaps, a limited diet, or unstable dentures, there is a solution available: dental implants in Jonesboro. With them, Dr. Shane Smith can restore your bite, bring back your smile, and renew your confidence and oral health at the same time. You can get started by calling or scheduling an in-person consultation today to discuss your options for tooth replacement with dental implants in Jonesboror, AR.
Why Choose Shane Smith DDS for Dental Implants?
- Locally Owned & Operated Dental Office
- Implants Placed & Restored in the Same Location
- CT Scanner Technology Guarantees Great Results
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What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is actually not a prosthetic tooth, but rather a titanium post that is used to mimic a tooth root. It is placed into the jawbone where it undergoes a process called osseointegration, in which it bonds to the bone. At this point, a crown, bridge, or denture can be placed on top, with the implant serving as a strong and steady foundation.
The 4 Step Dental Implant Process
- Consultation: Smith will give you an exam to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants, and he’ll also answer any questions and walk you through the treatment process.
- Placement: If you agree to get dental implants, Dr. Smith will schedule you for the placement surgery, in which the titanium roots are positioned within your jawbone.
- Healing: Over a period of 3-6 months, your mouth will heal, and osseointegration will take place. When your mouth is ready, you’ll return to Dr. Smith so he can attach abutments to your implants, which will connect them to your new teeth.
- Restoration: After about two weeks, Dr. Smith will attach your teeth to your abutments, and your refreshed smile will be ready!
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Longevity: While traditional bridges and dentures have an average lifespan of 7-10 years, dental implants can be trusted to last for about 30+ years.
- Reliable: Because dental implants are rooted within bone just like natural teeth, they will never slip and slide out of place, no matter what you are doing.
- Lifelike: No metal or acrylic attachments are necessary with implants, so the only thing people will see is a complete and attractive smile.
- No Bone Loss: Implants support the jaw from within and prevent bone loss; they are sometimes able to even reverse it.
Who Can Dental Implants Help?
If you have any number of missing teeth, then dental implants may be a viable solution. Decent oral health and a thick enough jawbone are required to undergo the treatment, and Dr. Smith can help a patient become a qualified candidate if they aren’t one already. The procedure can be tailored to meet any patient’s needs:
Missing Single Tooth
Without disturbing the teeth on either side, an implant can be positioned in the mouth and topped with a custom-made crown. The crown itself will be color-matched and shaped so that it blends right in with the smile.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Multiple single implants can be placed anywhere in the mouth, and two can be used to support a dental bridge as well. Compared to regular bridges, implant bridges look better, last longer, and offer more stability.
Missing All Teeth
An implant denture can be anchored to the jawbone with as few as 6-8 implants. We can create a brand-new prosthetic or retrofit existing dentures to fit over implants. Either way, the teeth will be rock-solid and offer much more bite strength compared to a regular prosthetic.
Dental Implants Post-Op Instructions
The few days after your dental implant surgery are crucial to the long-term success of your new teeth. Fortunately, as long as you take a few simple precautions and follow Dr. Smith’s guidelines to a tee, you can look forward to a smooth and speedy recovery. Your implants will also be more likely to stand the test of time. Ahead of your surgery, our team will provide you with dental implant post-op instructions in Jonesboro. While the details may vary, you can use the tips below as a basic reference.
What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery
For the first 48 hours after getting dental implants, you’ll need to take it easy and let your body focus on healing. Strenuous physical activity could make it difficult for your mouth to recover, so avoid exercise during this period. Make sure to get plenty of sleep and take any medications we’ve prescribed as directed. Drink plenty of water, but do NOT use a straw; it could dislodge the blood clot forming over the implant site, leading to a painful condition called dry socket.
Common Side Effects
Mild soreness, sensitivity, and general discomfort in your mouth are all normal following dental implant surgery, and you can manage them by taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers as we’ve instructed. Applying a cold compress to the outside of your cheek (for no longer than 15 minutes at a time) can reduce discomfort and swelling, another common side effect. For the rest of the day after your procedure, you’ll most likely experience light bleeding from the implant site. We’ll let you know how (and how often) to change the gauze pads over the site to slow the blood flow.
Diet
Until your mouth has fully healed, you’ll want to follow a soft food diet. After a few days have passed, you can gradually integrate heartier foods into your diet when you feel comfortable doing so. Before your dental implant surgery, we recommend stocking up on foods like:
- Mashed potatoes
- Plain yogurt
- Gelatin
- Ice cream
- Pudding
- Soft-cooked pasta, like mac and cheese
- Applesauce
To make sure your body is adequately nourished as you heal, eat foods that are high in protein. Also, stay away from hot, spicy, or crunchy foods, as they can irritate the implant site.
Oral Hygiene
Keeping your mouth clean is essential in preventing infections. After your surgery, you should be able to brush and floss as normal, but avoid getting too close to the area where the implants were placed. If we prescribed an oral rinse, use it according to our guidelines. If not, you can use a store-bought mouthwash as long as it doesn’t contain alcohol. Whatever the case may be, don’t spit too forcefully after rinsing since it could cause dry socket.
What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached
Most patients are fully healed within a week of their dental implant placement. However, you’ll need to wait up to six months for your implants to finish integrating with your jawbone. Once that process is done, we can secure your dental crown, bridge, or denture onto your implants, and voila! Your new smile is complete! After we place these restorations, your gums might feel slightly sensitive, but this should only be temporary and easily managed with over-the-counter pain medications.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
The price of dental implants is different depending on each case. This is because everyone has their own needs when it comes to replacing teeth. Some people may just need a single tooth replaced while others might need to replace an entire arch. Ultimately, Dr. Smith is here to cater to your needs and create a plan that will work best for you. Here are a few things that you should think about ahead of time when considering the overall cost of your treatment.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
Some people need to have treatments and procedures before they are able to have their dental implants placed. This includes treatments like gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, and bone grafts. These will add to the overall cost of the procedure but will help to ensure the success of your dental implants in the long run. Fortunately, these procedures are often partially covered by dental insurance. The cost of your surgery will be affected by the location of the surgical site and type of sedation you opt for as well for the most comfortable treatment possible.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
Here are a few of the different factors that contribute to the cost of your implant:
- Number of dental implants: For a single tooth, you will most likely require just one dental implant. However, if you are missing several teeth in a row or an entire arch, you will need more for optimal support.
- Type of restoration: Crowns, bridges, and dentures all have different costs. Generally, the smaller the restoration, the lower the cost will be.
- Material: Implants can be made from a couple different materials, like zirconia and titanium. This will affect the overall cost.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
It isn’t uncommon for patients to be tempted to choose dentures or a dental bridge because of their low initial cost, but the truth is that you may save more in the long run by opting for dental implants. You won’t need to worry about paying for replacements and repairs every 5 to 10 years, and you don’t need to add adhesives or soaking solutions to the shopping list. Implants will also help to prevent oral health issues like periodontal disease, tooth decay, and bone loss, ultimately preventing you from needing pricy treatments later on. By replacing your teeth with dental implants, you can save your oral health and wallet in the future.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Most dental insurance plans don’t cover dental implants, but there are some exceptions. Part of the final restoration and preliminary treatments are often covered. Talk to our dental team so we can look over your benefits and help you fully maximize them. Restoring the health and function of your smile shouldn’t mean stressing over finances.
Making Dental Implants Affordable?
To help make dental care for accessible to patients, we offer additional financing through CareCredit. This trusted, third-party financer offers flexible monthly payment plans with little-to-no interest. This way, the cost of your treatment can be split into manageable, monthly payments.
To learn more about how much your dental implants will cost, give us a call to schedule a consultation. We’re looking forward to helping you get your smile back for good!
Dental Implant Frequently Asked Questions
We understand if you have questions about dental implants—committing to any treatment that involves even minor surgery is a big deal! Fortunately, Dr. Shane Smith and our team are more than happy to share any information you need before making decisions about your oral care. Below, you’ll find answers to some of our most common dental implant-related questions.
Does getting dental implants hurt?
In short, no. The jaw does not have many nerve endings, and we numb the area before placing implants, so a patient ends up feeling practically nothing. A little swelling and tenderness are common afterward, but these can usually be easily managed with OTC medication.
How long will it take for me to get dental implants?
The answer to this question depends on many factors, such as how many teeth are going to be replaced and the current state of a patient’s mouth. A single tooth can sometimes be completed in a matter of months, while an implant denture may take closer to a year if issues like gum disease need to be resolved ahead of surgery. Dr. Smith can give you a more concrete timeline at your initial appointment.
Will I be able to take my dental implants out?
No, dental implants are fixed just like your natural teeth, so you don’t have to worry about removing them for cleaning or maintenance. Some types of implant dentures are removable, but the posts themselves will stay put.
Will I have to miss work to get dental implants?
We recommend that most patients take the day off of their placement surgery and maybe the day after, but they are usually able to resume their normal daily activities fairly quickly. You may need to take more time off if your job is physically demanding, as this may interrupt the clotting and healing process.
Can I get dental implants if I’m diabetic?
Yes, as long as you have your diabetes under control. Properly managed diabetes has little to no effect on the success of implant surgery. If you need help with your diabetes, our team can work with your primary doctor to ensure you’re ready for surgery.