Dental implants are a safe, durable replacement for missing teeth. Dental implants function and appear like natural teeth. Wilmette Dental in Wilmette, IL, is committed to ensuring your optimal comfort and quality care. We use the latest techniques to ensure efficient, stress-free treatment.
Dental implants may be paired with replacement crowns for full tooth replacement. They may also be used to anchor dentures. Our doctors will recommend your teeth replacement plan based on your individual needs and preferences.
Benefits Of Dental Implants
Dental implants are an aesthetic, effective solution for tooth loss. There are many great benefits to choosing dental implants. Dental implants can:
- Restore your smile
- Improve your oral health
- Improve your speech
- Improve comfort
- Improve function
- Protect healthy bone structure
- Provide a long-term tooth replacement solution
Considerations
There are several factors that our doctors will consider before recommending dental implants. Some of these include:
- Adequate bone support to anchor the implant
- Healthy gum tissue
- Sinus and nerve location
- Overall health, including any chronic illnesses
In some cases, our doctors may recommend advanced treatment for your upper or lower jaw. Your individual plan is based on your unique needs and goals for your healthy smile. Be sure to let us know about any medications you are taking. Your health and safety are paramount.
Why Dental Implants Are The Gold Standard
No other tooth replacement option replicates the full function and biology of a natural tooth the way a dental implant does. The titanium implant post replaces the tooth root, not just the visible crown, restoring the complete structure of the tooth from foundation to surface.
The Advantages Of Dental Implants Over All Alternatives:
- Prevention of jawbone resorption through root-level bone stimulation
- Complete independence from adjacent teeth with no alteration required
- Unrestricted chewing function comparable to natural teeth
- Permanent fixed restoration that does not shift or require adhesive
- Natural appearance that integrates seamlessly with surrounding teeth
- Lifespan of 25 years or longer with proper maintenance
- Preservation of facial structure by preventing bone loss over time
Bridges and dentures replace the visible tooth but do nothing to address the bone loss that follows tooth loss. Implants are the only restorative option that treats both the cosmetic and biological consequences of missing teeth.
Implant Placement & Healing Process
Implant placement is a surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia, with sedation available for patients who prefer additional relaxation. Our doctors place a titanium implant post precisely into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth using advanced imaging-guided planning.
Following placement, the implant integrates with the surrounding bone through a natural biological process called osseointegration. Over three to six months, bone grows around and fuses with the implant surface, creating a permanent, stable foundation equivalent in strength to natural tooth roots.
Once osseointegration is confirmed, a custom abutment and crown are placed to complete the restoration. Our doctors coordinate the full implant process in-house, from initial evaluation through final restoration, ensuring continuity of care and a streamlined treatment process.
Bone Health & Implant Stability
Successful implant placement requires sufficient bone volume and density at the implant site. When teeth have been missing for an extended period, bone resorption may reduce the available bone to a level that requires augmentation before implants can be placed.
Our doctors evaluate bone quality thoroughly before treatment planning. When bone grafting is needed, it is performed as part of the overall implant treatment plan to rebuild the foundation and create the conditions for long-term implant stability. Placing implants promptly after tooth loss minimizes bone deterioration and often eliminates the need for grafting.
Implant Restorations For Function & Appearance
The crown, bridge, or denture placed over the implant determines the final aesthetic and functional result. At Wilmette Dental, implant restorations are fabricated from high-quality ceramic materials using advanced CAD/CAM technology.
Next-day ceramic crowns are precision-milled to exact specifications, delivering a natural appearance, precise fit, and exceptional durability. Each restoration is designed to match surrounding teeth in color, shape, and proportion, producing a result that is virtually indistinguishable from natural dentition.
Technology Used In Implant Dentistry
Precision planning is fundamental to implant success. Our doctors use CBCT three-dimensional imaging to evaluate bone anatomy, identify the precise location of nerves and sinus structures, assess bone density and volume, and plan implant position, angle, and depth before surgery begins.
This advanced planning reduces surgical risk, improves the accuracy of placement, and translates directly into better long-term outcomes. Digital scanning technology captures precise impressions for restoration fabrication, eliminating the discomfort of traditional impression materials.
Who Is A Candidate For Dental Implants?
Most adults in good general health with adequate bone volume are candidates for dental implants. Ideal candidates have one or more missing teeth, healthy gum tissue free of active periodontal disease, sufficient jawbone to support implant placement, and realistic expectations about the treatment timeline.
Patients with certain medical conditions, those who smoke heavily, or those with insufficient bone may require additional evaluation or preparatory treatment before implants can be placed. Our doctors provide thorough consultations to determine candidacy and develop a realistic treatment plan for each patient.
Long-Term Care For Implant Success
Implants are remarkably low-maintenance but require consistent care to remain healthy and functional long-term.
Long-term implant maintenance includes:
- Brushing twice daily and flossing around implant restorations
- Attending regular professional cleanings and implant evaluations
- Wearing a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth
- Avoiding habits that place excessive force on implant restorations
- Prompt evaluation of any changes in how the implant feels or functions
While the implant itself cannot develop decay, the surrounding gum tissue and bone require ongoing care to prevent peri-implantitis, an inflammatory condition that can threaten implant stability.
Restore Your Smile With Lasting Confidence
At Wilmette Dental, our doctors are trained in comprehensive in-house capabilities to deliver implant outcomes that meet the highest clinical standards. To see if dental implants may be right for you, contact Wilmette Dental for a consultation.