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Dental Implants – Fort Valley, GA

The Longest-Lasting
Tooth Replacement Solution

Dentures and dental bridges are extremely useful for those missing any of their teeth, but they tend to last about 10 to 15 years at a time; after that, they’ll likely need to be replaced due to the wear and tear they’ve suffered. Furthermore, these restorations can’t do anything to prevent the bone loss in your jaw that can eventually lead to a collapse of your facial structure. If you want a longer-lasting form of tooth replacement that will also help you maintain the overall shape of your face, get in touch with us to ask Dr. Marable if dental implants in Fort Valley, GA are right for you.

Woman smiling after replacing missing teeth with dental implants

Why Choose Fantastic Smiles for Dental Implants?

What is a Dental Implant?

Three animated dental implant supported replacement teeth

A dental implant is not actually a type of prosthetic tooth. Rather, it is a thin titanium post that the actual prosthetic (a crown, a bridge, or dentures) will be attached to. Since implants are made out of biocompatible materials, they will gradually fuse with the surrounding bone tissue once they have been surgically placed in your mouth. The number of implants you receive depends on the extent of your tooth loss and the kind of restoration required.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

Animated dental implant supported dental crown placement

Getting dental implants in Fort Valley involves a longer process compared to traditional bridges and dentures. While the treatment may extend over several months to a year or more, the end result is well worth the wait. With proper care, these implants can last for 30+ years! During your consultation, we will discuss the specifics of the dental implant procedure in detail. For now, here's a brief overview of the four fundamental steps.

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

dentist having dental implant consultation

You’ll start off your journey to a new smile with a consultation with Dr. Marable. During this session, he'll discuss your specific goals for dental implants and conduct a thorough examination of your mouth and jaw to ensure your eligibility.

Dr. Marable will outline each step of the treatment process to provide clarity on what to expect. This is also your opportunity to ask any questions about how dental implants work in Fort Valley. Depending on your situation, preliminary procedures may be necessary before the surgical placement of implants. For instance, if your jawbone has weakened post-tooth loss, Dr. Marable will guide you through procedures like bone grafting to establish a solid foundation for your long-lasting implants.

Dental Implant Surgery

dentist performing implant surgery

When your mouth and jaw are prepared, Dr. Marable will skillfully insert the posts into your jaw. The surgery is relatively uncomplicated, and thanks to modern anesthetic techniques, it should be painless.

After creating small incisions in your gums, Dr. Marable accesses your jawbone and strategically places the implants to mimic the functions of natural teeth. The gums are then carefully stitched closed, and you're sent home to begin the healing process.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

patient smiling while looking in dental mirror

The next phase is osseointegration, where the biocompatible implant posts fuse with the bone and tissue in your jaw, forming a strong base for your replacement teeth. This process typically spans three to six months for most patients.

Once you've healed, you’ll return to our office for the installation of abutments. These small metal connectors play a crucial role in linking your implants to the final restorations. Following the placement of abutments, you'll be granted a few additional weeks for further healing.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

patient smiling while sitting in dental chair

After recovering from the abutment placement, the exciting moment arrives – getting your new teeth! Your implant dentist in Fort Valley will attach your custom crown, bridge, or denture onto the abutments. Dr. Marable will check your bite before you get to enjoy your fully restored smile!

Benefits of Dental Implants

Older woman in turtleneck sweater smiling

The major advantage of dental implants is that they allow us to replace the root of the tooth. Obviously, this goes a long way towards keeping your new teeth stable; dentures will not slip at inconvenient times as long as they have been anchored to sturdy implant posts. These advantages along with so many more simply cannot be enjoyed with replacement options like traditional bridges or dentures. With the ability to improve health, beauty, and confidence, there are many benefits of dental implants in Fort Valley.

Lifestyle Benefits

Man holding red apple while giving thumbs up

  • Diet: Have you been avoiding your favorite foods just because they are difficult to chew with dentures or missing teeth? Dental implants allow you to eat a wide variety of delicious items, including steaks, veggies, and more!
  • Confidence: Smiling and speaking in personal or professional settings can be embarrassing if you have a slipping denture or missing teeth. Dental implants look, feel, and function just like a healthy, natural smile. Get boosted confidence and self-esteem with the ability to show off your grin wherever you go!
  • Maintenance: Tired of taking your dentures out for daily cleaning? Or are you having difficulty cleaning gaps in your teeth? Thankfully, dental implants in Fort Valley can be cared for just like your natural teeth. Be sure to brush, floss, and visit our office regularly to maintain a healthy smile.

Health Benefits

Man with grey hair smiling while wearing glasses

  • Bone health: As the only replacement that restores the tooth from the roots up, dental implants act as artificial tooth roots. They stimulate the jawbone to prevent it from deteriorating when you lose teeth. In turn, this helps you keep any natural teeth you still have while also giving you a more youthful facial appearance.
  • Dental health: Dental implants keep your jaw strong, but they also help maintain the position of your natural smile. Even one missing tooth can cause the rest of your teeth to shift. However, dental implants keep teeth healthy and aligned.
  • Overall health: Dental implants promote better oral health, including lower risk of gum disease. This helps decrease the risk of overall health issues connected with gum disease like heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and more.

Long-Term Benefits

Woman smiling in grey shirt with grey background

  • Durability: Dentures must be replaced every 5 to 7 years. However, dental implants are designed to last decades or even the rest of your lifetime with proper care. Our implants are made with quality materials that keep you smiling!
  • Predictability: While dental implants require surgery, they have a success rate of 95% even after 10 years. This gives you peace of mind that you won’t get with other treatments.

Cost: Dental implants require a step-by-step process that is usually more costly compared to traditional dentures or bridges. However, with their durability and health benefits, they can actually help you save money in the future from avoiding dental care and the costs that come with it.

Who Dental Implants Can Help

Man and woman smiling after replacing missing teeth with dental implants

Whether you have lost one tooth, a few teeth, or all of your teeth, dental implants in Fort Valley may be the ideal treatment for you. Even patients who have already suffered from bone loss in their jaw or are dealing with gum disease can be candidates for implants once they have undergone the proper preparatory procedures. Dr. Marable can evaluate your oral health and adjust the implant process depending on your needs.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Ideal candidates for dental implants:

  • Are in fair overall health. You should be well enough to recover from minor surgery.
  • Have good oral health. It is important that you are free of active gum disease and other conditions that might interfere with your implants’ long-term success.
  • Have adequate jawbone density and volume. Your bone will bond with your implants, so it must be strong enough and large enough to support them.
  • Stick to good habits. Excellent oral hygiene and other smart lifestyle choices can help your implants stand the test of time.

Even if are not sure if you qualify for dental implants, we encourage you to visit us for a consultation. Most adults do qualify, either right away or after some preparatory procedures, such as a bone graft or gum disease therapy.

Missing 1 Tooth

Animated dental implant supported dental crown

It takes just one dental implant post to replace a single tooth. That said, you won’t be able to receive a crown right away. We’ll need to wait until the implant is fully joined with the bone. After that, we can take an impression of your mouth in order to design a dazzling crown.

This type of single tooth replacement is superior to a traditional bridge because it allows your nearby teeth to remain intact. It also rebuilds the lost tooth from the root up, allowing you to enjoy the most natural-feeling results possible.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Animated dental implant supported fixed bridge

Have you lost at least three teeth in a row? While getting individual implants to replace each of them would be one possible approach, more often than not we’ll recommend a more conservative treatment. With just two dental implants, we can place a beautiful, reliable dental bridge in your mouth.

If your missing teeth are not consecutive, your dental implant dentist in Fort Valley may recommend a different solution. It may be best to place a few single-tooth implants. It is also possible that you will qualify for a partial denture.

Missing All Teeth

Animated dental implant supported denture

When it comes to replacing all of your teeth at once, the appropriate number of implants tends to vary. That said, it usually takes anywhere from 4 to 8 posts to provide adequate support for a full arch of prosthetic teeth. In many cases, implant dentures are permanently locked in place (they can only be removed by a dental professional). However, it is also possible for us to design a removable, or “Snap-On” denture that you can take out of your mouth daily for cleaning and maintenance. After Dr. Marable assesses your needs, he will make an appropriate recommendation for the type of implant denture you should receive.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

dental assistant explaining the cost of dental implants in Fort Valley to a patient

It’s important to consider a number of factors when determining the cost of dental implants in Fort Valley. Naturally, you’ll have to think about the correct number of implant posts to get as well as the price of each individual procedure. However, you should not overlook the long-term benefits of investing in dental implants. Not only will they allow you to enjoy a strong, stable smile, but they can easily last for several decades, meaning you’re less likely to need to pay for a replacement in the future.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

implant dentist in Fort Valley talking to a patient

While virtually any healthy adult suffering from tooth loss makes a good candidate for dental implants, many patients need to undergo preliminary procedures to ensure their new teeth have a reliable foundation. Bone grafting, gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, and more add to your overall treatment costs, but they increase the long-term success of your implants. Plus, they’re often eligible for some degree of insurance coverage.

Dental implant surgery also incurs its own cost, which is influenced by the location of the surgical site within the mouth and the type of sedation required. As an implant dentist in Fort Valley, Dr. Marable can conveniently perform this procedure in-house, saving you from having to pay a separate bill to an outside specialist. 

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

close-up of a patient with a dental implant

Each part of your dental implant – the implant post, abutment, and restoration – has a different price depending on the specific material it is made from as well as the brand that makes it. Our team will be transparent about why we might choose one brand or material over another.

Additionally, your treatment will have a higher cost the more teeth you’re replacing. Not only will you have to pay for each implant, but your restoration will cost more if you’re bringing back a full arch of teeth with a denture than if you were only recreating a single tooth with a crown.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

group of people laughing outside

You might be tempted to save money by getting a denture or bridge, but in the long run, dental implants in Fort Valley actually pay for themselves several times over. Traditional solutions require you to purchase daily maintenance products and adhesives, and they must be repaired or replaced every decade at least. Dental implants, on the other hand, only require the same oral hygiene products you’d use for real teeth, and they can easily last for 30+ years. They’re definitely an investment worth making!

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

dental insurance form on a blue clipboard

Although most dental insurance providers do NOT pay for the implants themselves, they most likely mitigate some other aspect of your treatment, such as preliminary procedures or your final restoration. Our team at Fantastic Smiles will gladly take a look at the details of your plan to help you maximize your benefits. We’re even in-network with many of the nation’s leading PPO plans!

Making Dental Implants Affordable

smiling dentist holding a pink piggy bank

Of course, we understand that many patients need extra help funding their smile care. Our Smile Savers Plan is a great alternative to insurance – for a flat fee, you access two free cleanings, bitewing X-rays, and emergency exams a year, plus a 25% discount on all other services, including dental implants. We also partner with CareCredit and GreenSky to help you break up your treatment costs into low- or no-interest payment plans.

Dental Implant FAQs

Illustration of dental implants in Fort Valley

Dental implants are an excellent way to replace missing teeth thanks to their numerous benefits. However, they are quite an investment, so it pays to be well-informed. Here are the answers to some of the most popular questions we receive about dental implants in Fort Valley. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, just give us a call . We’d be happy to explain more about the procedure and get you started with an initial consultation.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

The lifespan of dental implants usually depends on the health and lifestyle choices of the patient. To ensure that implants last, it’s crucial that you brush twice and floss every day. Attend regular cleanings and checkups, and avoid chewing on anything particularly hard or sticky. When maintained properly, dental implants can last for 30+ years. That’s several times longer than traditional bridges and dentures.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

The jawbone doesn’t have very many nerve endings, your mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic before the procedure begins. You will also most likely be sedated, lowering your body’s ability to register pain. While your surgery itself shouldn’t be uncomfortable, you may experience some soreness for a few days afterwards. Take prescribed and over-the-counter pain relievers as directed. Cold compresses can also help. Give us a call if discomfort worsens instead of improving after two to three days.

How Successful Are Dental Implants?

When placed by a skilled professional, dental implants can have a success rate of over 95%! This success rate of your implants will depend on how well you take care of them with oral hygiene, routine checkups, a healthy diet, and other lifestyle choices. Success can also vary depending on the location of the implant in the mouth. For example, molars receive more strain from chewing than front teeth, so they have a slightly lower success rate.

Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?

Most dental professionals will not place implants in patients younger than 18. If dental implants are placed before the jaw has finished growing, it could interfere with further bone development and potentially result in complications. Some people’s jaws take until their mid-20s to fully develop. On average, men’s jaws take longer to develop than women’s jaws do. During your initial consultation, we can determine whether or not dental implants are the ideal tooth replacement option for you.

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