Smiling with confidence is only the beginning of the positive attributions that dental implants can offer our patients who have lost teeth. Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Bart Nierzwicki, can help his patients with preserving facial structure, preventing bone deterioration, and change the way they live with dental implants. These tiny titanium posts, which are surgically placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing, are designed to provide a foundation for teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
Implants act as metal anchors that substitute for the tooth root with small posts that stick out through the gums. The posts then become stable anchors for the replacement tooth or teeth. Not to mention, the person regains the ability to eat virtually anything without worrying about their teeth. Our professional and experienced team at Millennium Surgical in Chicago, IL, routinely provide dental implants, as they are a common procedure with our patients. We invite you to consult with Dr. Nierzwicki if you think dental implants might be right for you.
request an appointmentSINGLE TOOTH IMPLANT
A single prosthesis, or dental crown, is used to replace 1 missing tooth. Each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant.
TWO TEETH IMPLANT
A partial prosthesis, or a fixed dental bridge, can replace 2 or more missing teeth and may require only 2 or 3 implants.
OVERDENTURE OR FULL-ARCH BRIDGE
A complete dental prosthesis, or a full-arch fixed dental bridge, replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. The surgeon will make a recommendation as to the number of implants, as it depends on which type of complete prosthesis (removable or fixed) is chosen. A removable prosthesis (overdenture) attaches to a bar or ball-and-socket attachments. The fixed prosthesis (full-arch All-On-4 bridge) is not removable.
REASONS FOR TREATMENT
Our patients, who need dental implants, are not only replacing missing teeth. Implants can help patients avoid the hassle of removable dentures, preserve the integrity of their jawbone, and does not give the patient the appearance of sunken cheeks. Dental implants will help our patients look and feel their best, so they don’t have to sacrifice their personal appearance to the aging process.
If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly beforehand, and your medical and dental history will need to be carefully reviewed. If your mouth is not ideal for implants, we may recommend other ways of improving your outcome, such as bone grafting.
DURING THE PROCEDURE
Dental implants require a two-step surgery process that can be performed in the office under local anesthesia, or general anesthesia. The first surgery includes inserting the posts of the implants into the jawbone. The surgeon will place a temporary tooth or denture in its place. After 3 – 6 months when the implant has fused to the jawbone, the surgeon conducts a second procedure to place the artificial teeth into the small posts that protrude from the gums. We want to reassure you that if you are considering implants, most patients finish the process within 6 – 8 months, and experience minimal disruption in their daily life.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Your dental implant procedures will involve a collaborative effort between your oral and maxillofacial surgeon and your restorative dentist. Our surgeon will perform the implant surgery, tooth extraction, and bone grafting. Your dentist will fit and make the prosthesis and temporaries needed to complete the dental work.
PLAN YOUR PROCEDURE
Recovery Time 2 – 3 Days
Average Procedure Time 1 Hour
Post-op Follow-up 2 Weeks
Procedure Recovery Location Office
We want you to look and feel amazing. Dental implants can provide you with the needed structure to your jawbone with a post for a single, double, or overdenture implant procedure that can last for many years with proper care and routine dental visits. We advise all of our patients to take care of them and keep the mouth healthy with good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing). Contact our office today if you think you would like to learn more about the surgical implant process, and schedule a consultation.