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The experienced implant dentists at our Omaha practice will create a customized treatment plan for replacing missing teeth. Call us to find out if dental implants, dentures or a dental bridge may be right for you. Although the entire implant process takes anywhere from a few months to over a year, you are left with a highly durable, secure and natural-feeling tooth replacement.
The First Step: Your Consultation in Omaha
Each patient's case is different. Call us to arrange a consultation, before doing anything else. Our experienced dentists will examine your teeth and mouth. They'll review your dental and general health history. With you, they'll discuss your goals for your smile, teeth and long-term oral health. They will let you know your options for replacing missing teeth during your consultation. Recommendations may include dental implants, a dental bridge or dentures, and they will help you decide which one meets your expectations.
Our staff provides you with a proposed treatment plan if you choose dental implants. The plan includes an estimated timeline.
A Typical Implant Dentistry Timeline
The timeline for completing your tooth implants depends on various factors, including:
- The type of implants used (mini vs. traditional)
- The condition of the jaw bone and whether bone grafting is needed
- Your medical and dental history
Plan for multiple dental appointments. Restoring missing teeth is a process and is never a one-and-done visit. We want your replacement teeth to function and feel just like your natural teeth. It takes time to create lasting, effective results. The time to complete could span a couple months up to more than a year. It really depends on the individual.
What About Mini Dental Implants?
Mini dental implants are miniaturized versions of traditional implants. Multiple mini implants are placed in the jaw to support dentures. Because these restorations are smaller in diameter, the procedure to place them is generally faster than other methods. The tradeoff is that the implant may not be quite as exceptionally durable as a larger implant, which is embedded and fused deep within the bone. Nonetheless, mini teeth implants could be right for your goals. Ask our dentists about the differences between the types.
Making Sure the Bone and Gum Tissue is Healthy Enough for Implants
Our dentists will examine the condition of your gum tissue and the bone beneath your teeth. Both of these supportive structures must be healthy enough to hold a dental implant. It may take several weeks to a few months to treat gum tissue or bone, if that is a necessity. We want to make sure your mouth is able to successfully support dental implants before proceeding, so issues such as gum disease or insufficient bone must be ruled out or treated prior to implant placement.
Allowing Time for Osseointegration
The dental implant is placed in the presence of healthy bone and gum tissue. The procedure typically takes at least one hour to place one dental implant. We'll make sure you know how much time to budget for your surgical appointment.
Time must be allowed for osseointegration to take place, after the implant is placed. During osseointegration, the titanium post bonds and fuses with the bone in which it is placed. This process may take 4-6 months.
Osseointegration is an important process. It is what makes dental implants exceptionally durable, functional and secure. An anchoring effect is created when the implant bonds with bone. The result is a stable tooth replacement that allows you to chew, speak, smile, floss and brush with confidence.
Placing the Final Tooth Restorations
The dentists check the stability and health of the implant after osseointegration is complete. It's time to place the tooth restoration if the tissues have healed completely. At this point, you will visit us a few more times to get the custom dental crowns or dentures just right. We want the tooth replacements to look, feel and function like natural.
Get Started Today
If you think dental implants may be the right way to restore your smile, please call The Dentists at one of our four Omaha locations: Hillsborough: 402-445-4647, Ralston: 402-733-4441, Village Point: 402-505-7474, Dundee: 402-502-5593. We are happy to answer your implant dentistry questions and arrange a consultation for you with one of our experienced dentists.