Dental Implants: An Optimal Solution for Tooth Loss

Close-up Of A Smiling Man Matching The Shades Of The Implant Teeth.

Did you know that approximately 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth? And, it’s estimated that close to 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. While having a missing tooth may not appear to be as problematic as missing several (or all) teeth, there is a slew of oral and other health problems that can result from missing teeth.

Dental implants are an attractive option for people missing one tooth or multiple teeth. As a long-term solution, dental implants help patients avoid problems such as misalignment of the existing teeth and jaw, speech difficulty, inadequate nutrition, and periodontal disease.
At Penn Dental Medicine, we routinely help people of all ages to restore their smiles with dental implants. In fact, our prosthodontics program—the only one of its kind in the Greater Philadelphia area—specializes in restorative procedures. Learn more about dental implants and how they can help you.

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are made of durable materials—such as titanium—designed to be lasting and compatible with human anatomy. Your prosthodontist surgically places posts in your jaw, serving as an anchor for new replacement teeth.

Who is Eligible for Dental Implants

The ideal candidate for dental implants is someone who is in good general and oral health. In particular, you will need adequate bone in your jaw to support the implant and healthy gum tissue, free from periodontal disease. If you have questions about your eligibility, ask your doctor if you qualify.

What Are the Benefits of a Dental Implant?

A dental implant can provide a number of benefits, including:

  • Implants look and function like a natural tooth.
  • Patients maintain more natural biting and chewing.
  • A single tooth can be replaced without sacrificing the health of neighboring teeth.
  • The bone of the jawbone and tooth root is better preserved.
  • Implants are easier to keep clean than a bridge.

Full mouth implants last longer than dentures.

What Can I Expect During My Procedure?

Your experience with dental implants will vary depending upon whether you are receiving a single implant or a full-mouth restoration. However, during both procedures, you can expect to have multiple appointments. Over the course of these visits, the general process will include preparation of the site, placement of the implant, and restoration of the implant. The timeframe for either process will vary from patient to patient, based upon your needs and rate of healing.

How Painful is Getting a Dental Implant?

It’s important to remember that your prosthodontist performs oral surgery when placing your dental implant. This means you will likely experience some level of pain. However, it’s not as bad as most people fear! The area of your missing tooth (or teeth) will be numbed and your prosthodontist will instruct you on best pain management practices following your procedure. Typically, pain is mild after surgery and subsides after two weeks (often sooner.)

How Much Do Implant Teeth Cost?

The best way to know what the cost will be for your dental implants is to schedule a consultation with one of our prosthodontic students (and faculty instructor.) At PDM, we are committed to making dental procedures—including dental implants—affordable for our patients. This includes providing varying forms of payment (including Care Credit.)

What is the Downside of Dental Implants?

While many people are eligible for dental implants, in some cases, bone health may not be sufficient. And, it’s important to realize that (as we mentioned earlier) there are several steps involved with a dental implant procedure:

  • Placing the implant in the jawbone.
  • Waiting several months for the implant to heal and fuse to the bone.
  • Placing the artificial tooth or teeth.
Who Performs These Services?

At Penn Dental Medicine, surgical placement of dental implants is performed by postdoctoral residents under the direct supervision of faculty specialists. Restoration of dental implants may be performed by postdoctoral residents or predoctoral students depending on the case complexity. All implant services are directly supervised by faculty from our school every step of the way, ensuring the highest quality service for our patients.

Schedule an appointment about Implants

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