Dental Implants – Warsaw, IN

Lifelike Replacement Teeth Built to Last

Animated dental implant supported dental crown

It can be hard to feel confident about your smile when you’re always worried about a poorly fitting denture slipping around or falling out. Luckily, there’s one type of tooth replacement that you can always count on to stay in place. Dental implants are essentially the next best thing to having your natural teeth back, and here at East Center Dental, Dr. Michael Rudolph can handle the entire treatment in-house. To schedule your consultation for lifelike tooth replacement with dental implants in Warsaw, IN, call us today!

Why Choose East Center Dental for Dental Implants?

  • Start-to-Finish Dental Implant Treatment in One Location
  • Detail-Oriented Dentist with 30+ Years of Experience
  • iTero Goop-Free Digital Dental Impressions

What Are Dental Implants?

Three animated dental implants

Dental implants are screw-shaped posts that serve as the roots for your new teeth. They’re typically made from titanium, ceramic, or zirconia, since these materials encourage the growth of new bone tissue after the post is placed in the jaw. Eventually, the implant is just as embedded in the jawbone as the roots of your natural teeth. Then, it can support any number of prosthetic teeth for many years to come.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Man and woman enjoying the benefits of dental implants

More than 500,000 people get dental implants every year. They have quickly become one of the most popular ways to replace missing teeth. Because they are precisely placed in the jawbone, there are numerous benefits that you can experience. Here are just some of the huge differences you will notice when you get your dental implants.

Day-to-Day Benefits

Woman smiling at a desk

Dental implants should feel perfectly natural when they have completely healed. At this point, you should be able to enjoy all of the same things that you did before losing your teeth. Here are some of the benefits that you can experience every day:

  • Easy Maintenance: You take care of your dental implants the same way you care for your natural teeth. Brush, floss, rinse, and attend regular cleanings and checkups every six months.
  • Increases Confidence: The way that you feel about yourself is very important. However, tooth loss can lower self-esteem. By replacing your teeth with dental implants, you can show off your smile with pride again!
  • Restore Bite Force: Your bite force can be replenished by 90% or more! This is a lot more than what you can expect with dentures or dental bridges.

Health Benefits

Woman eating fruit salad

Your health will be positively influenced when you get dental implants. Here are a few of those benefits:

  • Prevents Bone Loss: Jawbone loss will eventually occur after tooth loss. Dental implants stimulate the jawbone, therefore allowing it to remain strong and healthy.
  • Better General Health: Excellent dental health will have an impact on your overall health. It can even lower your risk of serious medical conditions, like diabetes and heart disease.
  • Improved Dental Health: With dental implants, you are less likely to get cavities, gum disease, infections, and lose additional teeth.

Long-Term Benefits

Woman smiling outside

Dental implants are a great investment for your future! Here are some of the benefits that you can experience numerous years down the road:

  • Success: Dental implants have a very high success rate of over 95%. Your chances of experiencing dental implant failure are very low.
  • Save Money: You don’t need to stock up on adhesives or soaking solutions. You don’t have to worry about routine repairs or replacements either!
  • Long-Lasting: Dental implants can last upwards of three decades or even the rest of your life with proper maintenance.

Who Dental Implants Can Help

Animated smile during dental implant supported dental crown placement

One of the greatest things about dental implants is that basically any healthy adult can get them. As long as your mouth and jawbone are in good enough condition to support the implants (or you’re willing to undergo additional procedures to make that the case), there’s no limit to the number of teeth that dental implants can replace! Depending on the specific extent of your tooth loss, Dr. Rudolph can plan your treatment in one of the following ways.

Missing One Tooth

Animated smile during dental implant supported dental crown placement

Instead of needing to reshape two of your remaining teeth to support a dental bridge, Dr. Rudolph can simply place a single dental implant post in the gap and attach a crown on top. This solution seamlessly fills the space while leaving the rest of your dental structure untouched.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Animated smile during dental implant supported fixed bridge placement

A dental bridge can be secured onto two implants – each one placed at either end of the gap – to replace several consecutive missing teeth at once. For multiple missing teeth at sporadic locations along an arch, a small number of implants can hold a partial denture in place.

Missing All Teeth

Animated smile during dental implant supported denture placement

Just four to eight implants can be enough to support a full denture that recreates an entire row of lost teeth. Implant dentures are not only stabler and more comfortable than conventional dentures, but they also restore more of your biting force, helping you chew a wider range of foods with ease.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

A dentist explaining the cost of dental implants in Warsaw

Even if you want treatment, you may worry about the cost of dental implants in Warsaw. In particular, you might fear the procedure is too expensive for your budget. That’s understandable, as restorations can get pricey at times. Still, remember that implant surgery’s cost varies by patient. As such, you can’t know your treatment estimate before getting a consultation. Plus, we at East Center Dental will do our best to ensure affordable care. If you’d like to learn more about implant pricing, keep reading or contact our office for details.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

An implant surgery, which affects the cost of dental implants in Warsaw

You may need preliminary treatments before implant surgery. (For example, Dr. Rudolph may suggest gum disease therapy, tooth extraction, or bone grafts.) If so, these services would add to your overall expense. That said, these extra procedures would ensure your new smile’s long-term success. Furthermore, many dental plans partially cover them.

At the same time, surgery incurs its own cost. Your final bill will depend on where the implants are placed, what kind of sedation or anesthesia you need, etc. Fortunately, our team performs the placement in-office — you won’t have to worry about paying an outside surgeon.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

A model of implant parts, things that affect the cost of dental implants in Warsaw

Even the implants themselves will impact your treatment estimate. As such, you’ll want to take the following into account:

  • Implant Brand: Different manufacturers make implants differently. Therefore, how much you pay depends on which brand you get.
  • Implant Number: The more implants you get, the higher the treatment cost.
  • Implants’ Size or Material: Longer implants are more expensive than shorter ones. Similarly, zirconia implants are pricier than titanium models.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Dental tools and money, items that symbolize the cost of dental implants in Warsaw

True enough, dentures and bridges have a lower initial price. However, dental implants’ one-time cost saves you more money in the long run. After all, implants don’t need replacing or adjusting every 5-10 years as dentures and bridges do. They also don’t require that you buy special pastes, cleaning solutions, or adhesives. Best of all, implants are easy to clean and don’t irritate your mouth, preventing costly problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and jawbone loss. Studies even show that good oral health lowers your risk of systemic issues and the costs of addressing them.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

A dental insurance form, which affects the cost of dental implants in Warsaw

In general, dental insurance doesn’t cover dental implants. Most providers consider them purely cosmetic and thus not medically necessary.

On the other hand, there are exceptions. For example, a policy might offer partial coverage for implants or preliminary treatments. For that reason, our team will review your dental plan to ensure you maximize your benefits. You can trust that we’ll deliver, as we have years of experience in this field.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

A patient paying the cost of dental implants in Warsaw

Even without insurance, there are ways to make implants affordable. Consider the following options from us at East Center Dental:

  • In-House Membership Plan: For a low monthly fee, our office offers discounts on a variety of procedures — including dental implants!
  • CareCredit Financing: With the third-party service CareCredit, you can pay for dental treatment with monthly, low-interest installments. That way, you could cover the cost over time instead of all at once.

Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants

A woman admiring her new dental implants

When you get dental implants, such prosthetics could keep your smile complete and healthy for a lifetime. Still, that’ll only happen if you take proper care of them! In truth, implants need regular upkeep like natural teeth do. Without it, they could fail from damage or oral infection. Thankfully, we at East Center Dental have some ways to help. Below are a few simple precautions and tips on dental implant care in Warsaw. By following them properly, you’ll surely enjoy your new, gorgeous grin for a long time.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

A smiling man brushing his teeth

True, dental implants themselves can’t get cavities. They’re artificial, made of titanium and porcelain. Even so, they still require that you maintain good oral hygiene.

 

You see, the teeth and gums around your implants are still at risk. Should they suffer from a tooth infection or gum disease, your prosthetics could loosen or fail to fuse. From there, you’d have to replace them with new ones – an expensive and involved process.

 

Given these facts, it’s crucial that you clean your implants often. More specifically, remember to brush them twice daily, floss them once daily, and rinse them with mouthwash.

 

Eat a Healthy Diet

A person eating from a bowl of healthy foods

Implants let you eat a wide range of foods. After all, they restore your bite force and act similarly to natural teeth. That said, you’re better off maintaining a healthier diet.

 

The simple fact is that some foods don’t go well with implants. Hard items –pretzels, nuts, jawbreakers, etc. – can chip or crack them. On the other hand, sticky or sugary stuff can decay surrounding teeth and wedge between implants.

 

Meanwhile, a “mouth-healthy” diet benefits your implants. Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese have calcium, strengthening your jawbone. Similarly, leafy green veggies have folic acid and other vitamins that help to prevent gum disease.

 

Break Bad Habits

A brunette woman biting her nails

If you’re not careful, bad oral habits can cause your implants to fail. Therefore, try to stop as many of them as you can.

 

For instance, refrain from using tobacco products. These items slow recovery from implant placement and encourage gum disease. As those effects occur, your implants are less likely to fuse correctly.

 

Chewing on hard objects – ice, fingernails, packaging, etc. – is also a bad idea. If you do, you’ll end up damaging your implants.

 

Protect Your Dental Implants

A dentist showing their patient a mouth guard

Yes, implants are durable – their titanium bases and porcelain surfaces ensure that. However, they aren’t indestructible or unbreakable. So, you’ll need to protect them from forces that might cause chips or cracks.

 

Your best bet is to wear a custom mouthguard. In sporting events, this tool would prevent dental injuries. As for nightly tooth-grinding, a special mouthguard for sleep could keep your implants safe.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

A young woman undergoing a dental checkup

Lastly, good implant care involves regular dental checkups. Attending these visits every six months ensures your restorations work consistently.

 

At any given checkup, a dentist can monitor your oral health and spot issues early. Therefore, frequent ones allow a dental practice to treat problems before they threaten your implants.

Dental Implant FAQs

happy man talking to dentist about dental implants in Warsaw

If you suffer from extensive tooth loss, you may be thinking about rebuilding your smile with dental implants in Warsaw. You can review the information above to determine whether this method of tooth replacement is right for you. However, it’s completely normal to have a few concerns about the process before committing to it. To help you, our team at East Center Dental has decided to answer some frequently asked questions from patients.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are one of the most permanent solutions for missing teeth, capable of lasting well over 30 years. Of course, their exact lifespan depends heavily on your oral health and lifestyle. You can help your upgraded smile’s durability by brushing twice a day along with daily flossing and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash. Make sure you visit Dr. Rudolph every six months for a checkup and cleaning as well!

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

Before the procedure begins, we will numb your mouth with a local anesthetic to ensure you’re completely comfortable. You’ll also most likely be sedated during your surgery which means your body’s ability to register pain will be much lower. For the first few days following dental implant placement, your mouth may feel sore and irritated. Fortunately, you can easily manage your discomfort by taking over-the-counter pain medication and using cold compresses.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Dental Implant Surgery?

Most patients can return to their usual activities the day after surgery. However, it’s incredibly important you avoid strenuous exercise for the first 1-2 weeks as it can hinder the healing process. Although you can expect some bleeding and swelling after your procedure, it should stop within 3-4 days. While you recover, make sure you take your prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as directed. It’s worth noting you may need up to six months for the implants to fuse with your jawbone via osseointegration.

Will People Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?

Your restorations are going to be personalized for your smile because your implant dentist in Warsaw takes impressions of your mouth to create them. Once they are placed, people shouldn’t be able to tell the difference between them and your natural teeth. The implants are secured in your jaw like tooth roots, so you won’t need to hold your jaw in an awkward way to keep them in place as you might with poorly fitting dentures. The combination of natural appearance and secure fit is unmatched!

What Should I Do If My Dental Implant Feels Loose?

If your dental implant feels loose, then you should call our Warsaw dental team ASAP. This is one of the most common signs of dental implant failure, which means that we need to intervene right away for the highest chances of saving it.

Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?

Obviously, infants, toddlers, and young children are not candidates for dental implants. Since it usually takes 20+ years for the jaw to fully develop, it’s typically not recommended for teens either. Of course, there are lots of factors that impact candidacy, such as gender. After all, women’s jaws typically develop faster than men’s jaws. All that to say, don’t hesitate to talk to our team about the available options. Although dental implants may not be an option now, we can restore your smile with a dental bridge or denture until they are!

Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat with Dental Implants?

Fortunately, dental implants expand your diet more than they restrict it. A good guideline to follow is to not eat anything that would harm your natural teeth. For example, consuming sugary treats in excess can result in serious oral health problems, like gum disease, whether you have dental implants or not. So, keep foods and drinks that are packed with sugar to a minimum. Similarly, you should be careful when eating raw nuts and other crunchy foods.

Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?

Most likely, yes. If work is particularly hectic right now, then you can try scheduling your dental implant procedure on a Thursday or Friday afternoon so you have the whole weekend to recover. However, if your job is physically demanding, then you may need to take more than two or three days off. Remember, exercising and lifting heavy objects can divert blood from the implant site, delaying healing in the process.

Do Dental Implants Decay?

Dental implants are crafted from high-quality dental materials, not enamel. So, they don’t decay like your natural teeth do! Of course, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to brush and floss anymore. Quite the opposite since you’re still vulnerable to gum disease and your dental implants can fall out if they aren’t cared for properly. For these reasons, we recommend committing to a solid oral hygiene regimen, which starts with brushing and flossing and extends to the foods you eat and how often you get a checkup and cleaning.

Can I Get Dental Implants If I Smoke?

It’s possible! However, smokers have a higher rate of dental implant failure, so it will definitely be a discussion at your consultation. At a minimum, you need to refrain from using tobacco products for two weeks before your procedure and three months afterward. If you don’t, numerous complications can arise, negatively impacting the success of your surgery as well as your oral health.