Restore Your Smile With Dental Implants

If tooth decay or injury results in missing teeth, it can not only alter your appearance and affect the impression you make, but it can also impact your ability to eat and speak properly. Rather than hide your smile away, consider that restoring missing teeth is now easier than ever, with more options available. One such option for those seeking a permanent, natural-looking solution is dental implants.

If you’re a patient in Grain Valley, Odessa, Bates City, MO, or surrounding areas looking for an easy-to-manage tooth loss solution, dental implants could be right for you. At our convenient locations in Warrensburg and Oak Grove, MO, our implant dentists, Dr. Kingsolver and Dr. Young at Ridgeview Family Dental can provide these revolutionary restorations to patients across northern Missouri.  

Explore our guide to learn more about dental implants and how they can restore your smile.

What are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth made up of three parts — the titanium post, the porcelain crown, and the abutment which connects the two together. 

The porcelain crown lies atop your gum and acts as your new tooth. Not only is it color-matched to blend seamlessly with your smile, but it also will function just like your natural teeth. The titanium post is surgically implanted into your jawbone beneath the gum line and acts as your new tooth root. 

Through a process called osseointegration, the post will fuse with your jawbone just like your natural tooth roots. This is what gives your dental implant its unmatched stability. It’s thanks to this unique process that you’ll be able to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.

Benefits of Dental Implants

If you want a tooth replacement that allows you to live without restraints, look no further than dental implants. Unlike dentures, implants never have to be removed and unlike dental bridges, none of your natural teeth need to be altered in order to place them. This can be appealing for many patients who want a long-lasting and permanent tooth loss solution. 

In fact, dental implants provide several benefits that other tooth replacements can’t match, including:

  • Natural appearance and function
  • Secured to your jaw for unmatched stability
  • Easy to maintain
  • Resistant to decay
  • Prevents jawbone from shrinking
  • Stain resistant 
  • Can last up to a lifetime

Additionally, it’s important to know that if you’ve been missing teeth for an extended period of time, the jawbone can deteriorate due to a lack of stimulation from the tooth roots. Over time, this can lead to a sunken appearance, weakened jawbone, and gaps in your smile that can also put your other teeth at risk. 

Unlike other restoration options, dental implants are the only solution that actively fights against jawbone deterioration (resorption) and can even stimulate jawbone regrowth. For this reason, the experts at Ridgeview Family Dental highly recommend dental implants to patients seeking a solution that’s as beneficial to the health and appearance of their natural smile as possible.

Candidacy For Dental Implants

While dental implants are an effective and highly recommended solution for tooth loss, they aren’t always right for everyone. To qualify for dental implants, you’ll need to have: 

Strong, Dense Jawbone — Because dental implants are surgically implanted into the jaw, it’s important to have enough bone for the post to fuse with. If you don’t have enough jawbone density, it can lead to complications, including implant failure. 

Healthy Gums — It’s crucial for the success of your implant that there is no excess bacteria or decay present during your surgery or healing process. If your gums are infected or unhealthy due to gum disease or other oral infections, it can cause complications during your healing process. 

Healthy Immune System — After placing your implant, osseointegration takes at least a few months to complete. If your immune system is compromised due to medications or health conditions, it can increase the risk of implant failure. For this reason, your consultation and medical history are crucial in determining your eligibility for implants. 

If you suffer from bone loss or gum disease, Dr. Young or Dr. Kingsolver may be able to prepare you for treatment with a supplemental procedure. A supplemental procedure is one that can help make you eligible for dental implants by treating the underlying issue. If any supplemental treatments are necessary, we will discuss them with you during your consultation and factor it into your treatment plan.

Dental Implant Process

Getting dental implants is a three-step process that’s typically completed over the course of several months. These steps consist of:

Initial Consultation — During this visit, your expert implant dentist, Dr. Young or Dr. Kingsolver will evaluate your teeth, gums, and jawbone to determine if implants are the right treatment for you. We’ll also explain the treatment process, review your medical history and smile goals, as well as answer any questions you have.

Implant Placement — Once we determine you’re ready, your implant dentist will place your implant or implants directly in your jaw and protect the area with a temporary restoration. After the surgery is finished, you’ll need to allow at least three to six months for your jaw to heal.

Final Restoration — After the implant has integrated with your jaw and the healing process is finished, you’ll return to our office so we can attach your permanent restoration to complete the treatment.

Dental Implant Care

The first week or two after surgery is crucial to the success of your treatment. Make sure to follow any post-op instructions from Dr. Young or Dr. Kingsolver, such as avoiding hard or crunchy foods and rinsing your mouth with warm salt water after meals. It’s also important to avoid drinking alcohol or smoking during this phase of your treatment.

After your surgical area has healed, caring for dental implants becomes much easier. All you need to do is brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day — just like your natural teeth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Once your treatment is complete, the success of your dental implants rests in your hands. In most cases, your implants will last for at least 25 years. The crown itself may need to be replaced after 15 years due to normal wear and tear. Your implants can last up to a lifetime if you maintain excellent at-home oral hygiene in combination with visiting Dr. Kingsolver and Dr. Young for regular checkups at least once every six months.

As long as your implant surgery is performed by an experienced and qualified dentist like Dr. Young or Dr. Kingsolver, there’s no reason to worry. In fact, dental implants have an overall success rate of 90%-95%. Implants are also the only restoration that prevents your jawbone from shrinking, making them the healthiest option in the long run.

Unfortunately, most insurance providers will only offer partial coverage for dental implants and some may offer none. The amount of payment you receive can vary based on the terms of your plan and your chosen provider. If you have any questions, our team will be happy to help you maximize your insurance benefits.

If something goes wrong with your dental implant, it’s important that you remain calm and call us right away at (660)747-9117. Don’t attempt to fix the problem yourself, as this may result in permanent damage and set your treatment back. Dr. Young or Dr. Kingsolver will make sure you get the care you need as soon as possible.

Visit Ridgeview Family Dental For Dental Implants

No matter how many teeth you’re missing, dental implants can provide the attractive and durable solution you need. With the help of implants, your smile will remain healthy and beautiful for many years to come. We’re proud to help Missouri residents of Grain Valley, Odessa, Bates City, MO, and surrounding areas revitalize their smiles. 

If you’re interested in dental implants, call one of our convenient locations in Warrensburg or Oak Grove by calling (660)747-9117 or filling out the contact form at the bottom of this page. Scheduling a consultation with our implant dentists is the first step on your journey to a new smile.

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511 North Ridgeview Drive
Warrensburg, MO 64093

  • Mon-Fri: 8:00am – 5:00pm *
  • * Alternating schedule on Monday and Friday

 

2016 South Broadway
Oak Grove, MO 64075

  • Tues&Thur: 8:30am – 5pm