Dental Implants Raleigh
Enjoy a Smile That Can Last a Lifetime
While there are many benefits to dental bridges and traditional dentures, dental implants stand high above the rest when it comes to performance, longevity, and natural-looking aesthetics. These prosthetics are changing how teeth are restored. As the only complete form of tooth replacement on the market, we at Falls Family Dental are pleased to help you and your loved ones enjoy life with a full set of teeth that look and feel good day after day. Call us to schedule a consultation to find out if you’re a good candidate for treatment with dental implants in Raleigh.
Why Choose Falls Family Dental for Dental Implants?
- We Partner with Trusted Implant Dentists in the Area
- Rebuilding Raleigh Smiles for 30+ Years
- In-House Dental Membership Plan Available
What Are Dental Implants?
When looking at a tooth, you will notice there is a root and a crown. The same is true for a dental implant, only its parts are referred to as the post and the restoration. The titanium post acts just like a natural tooth root in that it lives within the jawbone and delivers stimulation to keep healthy teeth and facial features in place. The custom restoration can be a crown, bridge, or denture that is secured on top with the help of a metal abutment (attachment) to create a full, complete smile.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
- Initial Dental Implant Consultation – When scheduling a consultation with Dr. Thore, you can expect to go over your medical history as well as undergo a full examination to determine if you can immediately move forward with dental implant surgery or if you require preliminary treatments first.
- Dental Implant Surgery – Dr. Thore partners with local specialists in the area who will place your dental implants into the appropriate areas of your jawbone so that they deliver maximum support over time.
- Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment – The osseointegration process begins the moment your implants are positioned within the bone. This can take 4-6 months to complete. You will then receive your metal abutments, which are attached to the tops of your implants and can take about two weeks to heal.
- Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s) – We will capture an impression of your smile early on so that your new teeth will be ready to put in place during the final phase of treatment.
Benefits of Dental Implants
From the benefits you can expect to see day to day to those that positively impact your overall health and long-term well-being, there are many unique advantages to choosing dental implants. Many patients find that they can freely eat all their favorite foods as well as smile with greater confidence. Additionally, these prosthetics are known to remain in place for decades or even a lifetime because of how easy they are to maintain. With millions of Americans already enjoying their dental implants, we want to help you take the next step so that you, too, can experience life with a new and improved smile.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Your new dental implants are strong, durable, and long-lasting. But if you want them to stay that way, they still need care like regular teeth. With a little daily effort, you can protect your investment and keep your smile looking great for many years.
At Falls Family Dental, we know the importance of quality maintenance and are here to guide you every step of the way. Read more below to find some excellent tips that will help you confidently support your dental implants in Raleigh.
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
Though dental implants are prosthetic, they need consistent brushing and flossing. Plaque and bacteria can still build up around the gum line and lead to infections that can weaken or cause the implant to fail.
To keep your implants clean and healthy:
- Brush twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss daily with implant-friendly floss or a water flosser.
- Use a non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid scratching the surface.
Oral care isn’t difficult, but being consistent and doing it correctly can be tricky. At our Raleigh dental office, we can show you the best tools and techniques to take your dental hygiene to the next level.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Your diet plays a big role in your oral health, even with implants. But while you can truly eat anything you want, a balanced, nutrient-rich diet is best. It can help keep your gums and jawbone strong and prevent inflammation that can lead to issues with your implant.
Here are some general guidelines for implant-friendly foods:
- Load up on leafy greens, lean proteins, and dairy for gum and bone support.
- Don’t overindulge in sticky candies and hard foods that can strain or stick to your implants.
- Drink plenty of water to help wash away food particles and bacteria, especially during meals.
Break Bad Habits
Certain habits can shorten the lifespan of your dental implants. If you want your investment to last, it’s time to kick a few bad habits to the curb, such as:
- Smoking, vaping, or using tobacco which increases your risk of gum disease.
- Chewing on ice, pens, or other hard objects that can damage your implants.
- Skipping oral hygiene routines or dental visits.
Protect Your Dental Implants
Dental implants are strong, but they’re not immune to failure. Taking a few extra steps can protect your smile from unnecessary wear and tear. For example, if you grind your teeth at night, it’s a good idea to talk to our team about getting a custom-fitted nightguard.
If you play contact sports or do high-impact activities, wear a mouth guard! Need a recommendation? Just ask Dr. Thore. She can point you in the right direction when it comes to the best product for your unique smile.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
Even with excellent at-home care, regular dental visits are essential. These routine checkups allow us to check your implants and catch any potential issues early. During your visits to Falls Family Dental, we’ll:
- Clean around your implants with special tools.
- Examine your gums and bone structure.
- Make adjustments or offer guidance as needed.
Keeping up with checkups ensures your dental implants in Raleigh stay strong, secure, and looking great for a lifetime.
Dental Implant FAQs
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are sought-after for numerous reasons, including that they are a long-lasting tooth-replacement solution. But how long do they last, exactly? While their lifespan depends largely on the patient’s health, habits, and lifestyle, they often last for 30 years or more with proper care.
Important note: Dental implants don’t require any special care or expensive cleaning products. Instead, you can maintain them with the same best practices you use to keep your teeth healthy and your gums infection-free, like flossing daily, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, and scheduling a dental checkup and cleaning every six months.
How Successful Are Dental Implants?
Another considerable perk of choosing dental implants is that they have an impressive success rate of over 95%. We mentioned above a few factors that will prolong their lifespan, including routine dental checkups and cleanings at our office. This is particularly important because we need to examine your restoration every six months or so to ensure that it’s in good condition and, if something is wrong, it’s addressed right away.
What Should I Do if My Implant Feels Loose?
If your dental implant feels loose, do not take the “wait and see” approach. Instead, contact us right away to schedule an emergency exam. Abnormal symptoms like this are often due to implant failure, and there’s a good chance that we can prevent that from happening if we intervene quickly.
Am I Too Old to Get Dental Implants?
Candidacy for dental implants is determined by factors such as the strength of a patient’s jawbone and the health of their gums, not by age. So, whether you’re 45, 65, or 85, you shouldn’t let your age stop you from scheduling a consultation with us. At your visit, we can review your dental and medical history, conduct an oral exam, and determine if dental implants are the best tooth-replacement solution for you.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Dental Implant Surgery?
There are a lot of factors that need to be considered, including how many dental implants a patient is receiving. That said, we usually ask that patients take the next few days off of work to focus on resting and recovering from the procedure. Around the three-day mark, the swelling and bleeding should subside. Even then, it’s important to follow the aftercare instructions we give you since it can take several months for your jawbone and dental implant to successfully fuse together.
Are Dental Implants Expensive?
This is a common question we hear from our patients and, rest assured, we’re here to help you get the care you need at a price you can afford. So, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our Raleigh dental team! Once we know more about your dental needs, we can provide you with an estimate of the cost and review the financial solutions available, including flexible financing and our own in-house savings plan.