Dental Implants – Beachwood, OH

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

The start of the dental implant process requires a scheduled consultation with Dr. Koops. While discussing the option of receiving dental implants, he will examine your smile and take necessary images to better evaluate the status of your jawbone. He will also go over your medical history, as certain health conditions (i.e., diabetes, autoimmune disorders, etc.) can make dental implant placement more challenging. Your oral health will also be under review, as any signs of decay or gum disease must be treated before moving forward with implant placement.

Dental Implant Surgery

Whether you are given the green light immediately after your consultation to schedule your dental implant surgery or you must wait to undergo preliminary procedures like bone grafting or periodontal treatment, the entire process will be performed in-house. Dr. Koops will administer local anesthesia so that you feel no pain or discomfort throughout treatment. He will then make one or more small incisions in the gums so that the vacant socket is exposed. Using the information previously collected, he will position each implant into its appropriate place before closing the gum tissue and placing healing caps over the posts.

Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment

When finished with surgery, you will be instructed to return home and rest. Osseointegration is a process that must occur successfully if your new smile is to last 30 years or more. This means that the implant posts must fuse with the underlying bone tissues. This will ensure that a firm and stable foundation is prepared to support a customized restoration. After healing from your surgery, you will be called back into our office to receive your metal abutments, which are small, metal connector appliances that keep the restoration attached to the implant post(s).

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

When ready, your custom-made crown, bridge, or denture will be available for placement when you return to our dental office. Here, we will perform a quick evaluation of your posts to ensure they are firmly in place before securing your new teeth on top. We’ll ask about the fit and comfort, as we want you to feel good about your new smile. Once everything is in place, you will be free to leave and start enjoying the many benefits of these customized prosthetics.

Day-to-Day Benefits

Once you’ve healed from the dental implant procedure, you’ll be able to enjoy immediate benefits, such as:

• Easier Maintenance – With traditional dentures, you need to attend routine adjustment appointments and buy special oral hygiene products. The same cannot be said for dental implants; simply brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash like you normally would!
• Increased Confidence – Since dental implants are fused directly to your jawbone, they are incredibly stable. That means you won’t have to worry about slipping and shifting while you’re talking, eating, or going about your day-to-day life.
• Ability to Eat Most Foods – Tooth loss can make chewing uncomfortable. Fortunately, dental implants can fill the gaps in your smile, allowing you to enjoy a delicious and varied diet once more.

Health Benefits

Of course, dental implants also benefit your oral and overall health. Here are a few examples:

• Jawbone Preservation – Dental implants are unique in several ways, including the fact that they are the only tooth-replacement solution that can preserve your jawbone.
• Protection for Your Natural Teeth – Since dental implants are self-supporting, we don’t need to alter your healthy, natural teeth in any way.
• Better Overall Health – In addition to preventing dental drift, dental implants help prevent other problems, like indigestion and malnutrition.

Long-Term Benefits

Although dental implants require a larger upfront investment, they come with several long-term benefits that make them well worth the cost, including:

• High Success Rate – Dental implants have an impressive success rate of 95%, and it’s even higher for patients who don’t smoke.
• Youthful Appearance – While the post stimulates your jawbone to prevent bone loss, the visible portion of your dental implant (the crown, bridge, or denture) preserves your facial structure by keeping cheeks from appearing sunken.
• Long-Lasting Results – Arguably one of the biggest perks of dental implants is that they can last for 35+ years with routine maintenance, like brushing twice a day and getting a checkup and cleaning every six months.

If you would like to learn more about what sets dental implants apart from the rest of your tooth replacement options, call our team of friendly professionals! We’ll be more than happy to answer your questions.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

At times, a patient needs preliminary work before they can get dental implants. Such services may include bone grafts, gum disease therapy, tooth extraction, etc. They’ll add to your treatment cost if required, but also ensure your new smile’s success. Thankfully, most dental plans partially cover them.

Of course, implant surgery incurs its own cost as well. This amount is shaped by implant location, anesthesia, etc. However, we provide the treatment wholly in-office. Our office won’t force you to work with an outside specialist.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

The distinct features of your implants will also affect treatment costs. The most common of these are:

• Implant Number – Placing more implants means higher expenses. The major exception is the implant denture, which is more cost-effective than replacing each tooth separately.
• Implant Size/Material – In reality, implants can come in different sizes and materials. Zirconia ones cost more than titanium kinds. Meanwhile, longer implants are more expensive.
• Implant Brand – One implant provider may charge more for their stock than another. After all, different manufacturers make dental implants differently.
• Restoration Type – Crowns, bridges, and dentures all have distinct prices. Usually, the smaller restorations are less expensive.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

At first, you may think to get dentures or dental bridges. Their upfront cost is lower than that of dental implants. However, the latter restorations are the more cost-effective choice.

You see, most implants only have a one-time cost. Their long lifespans mean they need few (if any) repair visits. They also don’t need extra products (adhesives, pastes, etc.) to work. So, an implant’s initial price is often its final one.

Even better, implants help prevent oral problems. They avoid the tooth erosion and gum irritation that dentures can cause. Plus, they’re as easy to clean as natural teeth. That means implants save you money otherwise spent on dental treatments.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Dental insurance doesn’t normally cover dental implants. For most plans, the titanium posts are needless luxuries. Patients must thus pay out of pocket for them.

On the other hand, exceptions do exist. Your plan may allow for partial coverage. Given that fact, look into your policy’s benefits beforehand. Our dental team will gladly help you do so.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Insurance isn’t the only way to make dental implants affordable. Patients can rely on a dental practice’s payment options for financing. Should you pick a good one, dental implants will be budget-friendly.

For instance, consider Orange Place Family Dentistry. We provide:

• In-House Membership Plans – For a flat annual fee, our membership plan offers a 15% discount on dental implants.
• CareCredit Financing – Our office works with CareCredit, a third-party financier. They’d let you pay for dental implants in monthly installments.

Ultimately, we want your dental implants to work well and fit your budget. Please find out how best to finance them by visiting our office soon.