Dental Implants

Infection, injury, gum disease, and severe tooth decay are the most common reasons that people lose natural teeth. If you have lost a single tooth, multiple teeth, or all-natural teeth due to one of these issues, consider replacing them with dental implants in Chesterfield, MO.

The longer you go with missing teeth, the more likely it is you will experience problems chewing and speaking. The gap left by the missing teeth can also cause problems with your alignment, and your face will look more aged than it should. Bone loss is likely to occur as well.

What Are Dental Implants?

Each dental implant contains a titanium rod that Dr. Kardaris places below your gum line, a piece called an abutment that attaches to the top of it, and an artificial tooth. The rod functions as a tooth root. Patients appreciate dental implants over other tooth replacement options because they look, feel, and function like natural teeth.

Dental implants are non-removable, so you must brush and care for them just as you would for your natural teeth. Our dental practice will provide you with special dental floss called threaders that you can pull underneath implant teeth.

What to Expect during the Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implant installation happens in phases to ensure that your jaw has adequate time to recover. The first phase is your initial consultation. During this appointment, Dr. Kardaris inspects your gums and remaining teeth and takes several X-rays to help plan your implant surgery.

The gums surrounding the gap left by your missing tooth must be strong enough to support your new dental implant. If the bone in the area is too weak for the procedure, Dr. Kardaris can usually transplant small bone fragments from another area in your mouth or use donor bone. She will let you know if you are a good candidate for dental implants by the end of your first appointment.

Installing the titanium rod

At the next appointment, Dr. Kardaris will provide you with anesthesia to block pain before using a dental drill to create a small cut on your gum line. She then places the rod to support your abutment and new replacement tooth and closes the cut on your gums with a few stitches. Dr. Kardaris places the abutment at this appointment as well.

You now need to wait a couple of months for your gums to heal and for the rod to fuse with your remaining jawbone in a process known as osseointegration. You face a much higher chance of implant failure if you do not wait long enough and osseointegration does not take place.

Attaching your replacement tooth

Dr. Kardaris attaches your replacement tooth to the abutment when you come in to complete the dental implant procedure. She ensures that your jaw has adequately healed before proceeding with the last step in this process.

Ready to Learn More About Dental Implants?

We invite you to contact New Age Dental to request a consultation regarding dental implants in Chesterfield, MO. This procedure can enormously affect your oral health and confidence, so please do not delay.