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Dental Implants Columbia, SC

Tooth loss doesn’t have to ruin your appearance or ability to eat. A dental implant is a solid foundation (root) for the new replacement tooth (crown). Titanium dental implants, the dental prosthetic closest to nature, allow you to talk, chew, and smile with complete assurance.

Dental implants are the best tooth-replacement option for most people, but they’re not suitable for everyone. To learn whether you are a good dental implant candidate, please call (803) 781-9090 or email Smile Columbia Dentistry today to schedule an appointment at our Columbia, South Carolina dental office.

Dental Implant Benefits

Dental implants are a tooth replacement option structured like your natural tooth so it can look and function like your natural tooth. A dental implant is a titanium post placed in your jawbone, just like your natural tooth root. The post is then topped with an aesthetic dental crown made of an advanced dental ceramic.

Dental implants are the best tooth-replacement option for many people because they:

  • Look like natural teeth
  • Have no diet restrictions
  • Require no special care
  • Provide even pressure across your gums and jawbone to promote their health and prevent bone loss
  • Can be permanent restorations with proper care

With all these benefits, it’s not hard to see why dental implants continue to grow in popularity. Short of growing a new tooth, nothing beats a dental implant for appearance and function.

All-on-4 Dental Implants

Among our advanced implant dentistry techniques is All-on-4. This lets us replace an entire arch of teeth using just four dental implants. We can complete this procedure in just one surgery. Even if we need to extract teeth, most people can leave with a brand-new smile that day.

Thanks to the advanced science behind the design, even people in Columbia with reduced bone because of wearing dentures can get All-on-4 without needing a bone graft. This, combined with the small number of implants, makes the procedure relatively affordable while delivering attractive, functional results.

mature couple posing in grass and smiling

Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants in Columbia, SC?

Most people in Columbia, SC, are candidates for dental implant dentistry. However, there are a few restrictions that may prevent you from getting a dental implant, such as:

  • Periodontal disease
  • Smoking
  • Poor overall health
  • Lack of bone to support the implant

In many cases, you may still be able to get implants, but you will require additional treatments, such as periodontal therapy, treatment of other health conditions, or a bone graft. Mini implants can sometimes be used for people with little supporting bone.

A Complete Dental Implant Practice

Some people have to deal with multiple dental practices throughout the implant dentistry process — one for placing the dental implant and one for restoring the tooth. Not at Smile Columbia! Our Columbia, SC, implant dentists are trained to place and restore dental implants so we can rejuvenate your smile under one roof.

Advanced Digital Workflow

Smile Columbia Dentistry remains at the forefront of dental technology. We have improved our dental implant procedure with a new, smoother digital workflow that is fully integrated with Glidewell’s Hahn tapered implant system. This procedure starts with highly detailed imagery using our Planmeca ProMax CBCT (cone beam computed tomography). This shows us your bone’s exact configuration and density so we can select the precise shape, size, placement, and orientation for your dental implants. We can then create a surgical guide that makes surgery efficient and accurate. This will make your dental implant process faster and help improve the quality and longevity of results.

Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF)

Dr. Adam Hahn utilizes the second-generation platelet concentration technique of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to improve his dental implant procedures. PRF concentrates natural healing factors present in your own blood to help your body heal. We take a small sample of your blood, then place it in a centrifuge to concentrate the healing factors. We mix the PRF with bone graft material and place it at the implant site.

The PRF helps your body fight infection and build the tissue scaffolds critical to early healing. It also stimulates the development of blood vessels for the healthy bone around the implant.

Dental Implant FAQ

How Much Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are custom at our Columbia, SC, dental office. Your teeth, gums, smile, and health are different from your neighbors, so your dental implant process will also be different. You may require different procedures before we can implant your new teeth, so we can’t give you an accurate estimate without seeing you first.

You might be wondering, does dental insurance cover dental implants? The good news is some dental insurances cover dental implants. Be sure to check with your insurance provider first.

We also offer financing options through credit cards and extended payment options like the GreenSky, Lending Club, and Credit Care.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants can last your lifetime! There have been numerous studies to ascertain the life of a dental implant. If implanted properly, they’ve been shown to last over 30 years!

We use titanium for the implant. Titanium is used in many medical procedures because it is biocompatible and doesn’t degrade in the body. We have no reason to suspect that the titanium will fail. So as long as you take care of your gums with good oral hygiene and avoid tobacco, you’ll likely never have to replace your implant. The crown (the visible part) will need to be replaced every 10-15 years.

What is the Dental Implant Process?

You’ll visit our Columbia, SC, dental office for a consultation and examination of your mouth, teeth, gums, and health. At this initial appointment, we’ll determine if you need any procedures before you can get dental implants, such as gum disease treatment or a bone graft.

If necessary, you’ll undergo those procedures in consecutive appointments. When it’s time for dental implants, you’ll need someone to drive you to and from our office as it is a surgical procedure. We’ll place your implant as well as a temporary crown. Next, you’ll have 3 – 6 months of healing. Be sure to eat soft foods, avoid tobacco and dairy, and use any prescription we prescribe. After your surgery site completely recovers, we’ll place your final crown. Now you can enjoy all your favorite foods and a beautiful smile.

Why No Dairy After Dental Implants?

Dairy causes an inflammatory response in your body and your mouth. This impedes the healing process, and you might have to wait longer before receiving your final crown. Dairy also induces nausea and vomiting. The pressure from vomiting could cause your implant site to reopen and heal more slowly.

Do Dental Implants Hurt?

At Smile Columbia in Columbia, SC, we can take every precautionary measure to ensure you are comfortable before, during, and after your dental implant procedure. You’ll be sedated during the procedure, and we offer oral sedation before arriving at our office if you have dental anxiety.

Our office is welcoming and relaxing, and our dental team is here to make you feel comfortable during your visit.

Your Tooth Replacement Solution: Dental Implants, Columbia SC

To learn whether you are a candidate for dental implants, please call (803) 781-9090 or contact Smile Columbia Dentistry today and schedule an appointment at our Columbia, South Carolina office.

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