Key Takeaways
- Endosteal implants are titanium posts surgically placed directly into the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots.
- These implants have a 95% success rate and can last a lifetime with proper care.
- The complete treatment process takes three to nine months, including healing time for the implant to fuse with the jawbone.
- Candidates need adequate jawbone density, good overall health, and cannot be heavy smokers or have uncontrolled chronic illnesses.
- Endosteal implants can replace single teeth or multiple teeth through implant-supported bridges or dentures.
Discover the Perfect Smile with Our Hilliard Implant Dentist
Are you ready to transform your smile and regain confidence? Endosteal dental implants might be the perfect solution for you. There are multiple dental implant treatment options available with endosteal implants, including implant-supported dentures, single-tooth replacements, and more.
Call our implant dentist in Hilliard, OH, today at (614) 771-6060 to learn more about the implant treatments we offer at our dental practice. Our dental practice near you welcomes new and returning patients from Columbus, Dublin, Upper Arlington, Grove City, Westerville, and surrounding areas in Ohio.
What Are Endosteal Dental Implants?
Endosteal dental implants are tooth restorations placed directly in the jawbone. Typically made of titanium, they’re the most common type of implant used for replacing teeth. Endosteal implants mimic the shape of a natural tooth root as they’re placed into the jaw, creating a secure foundation for a permanent restoration, such as a dental crown, to be placed on top of the titanium implant.
Advantages of an Endosteal Dental Implant
An endosteal implant provides various advantages, including:
- Long-lasting solution: With proper care, an endosteal implant can last a lifetime.
- Natural look and function: You won’t have to worry about slipping or sliding around, as endosteal implants are secure in the jaw and provide a natural appearance.
- High success rates: While there’s always a small risk with any surgical procedure, endosteal implants have a success rate of around 95%.
- Preservation of the jawbone: By replacing a missing tooth, patients won’t have to worry about jawbone deterioration and will have a healthy bone structure.
- Improved oral health: When a lost tooth goes unreplaced, surrounding teeth can shift and create poor oral health. With a full smile, patients can achieve good oral health for years to come.
- Easy maintenance: There are no special instructions for endosteal implants. Simply care for them just as you would your natural teeth.
How Do Endosteal Implants Work?
Endosteal implants work by replacing the missing tooth root. During the endosteal implant procedure, a small titanium post is surgically placed into the jawbone by an oral surgeon. The implant is left to heal and fuse with the bone, a natural process known as osseointegration. Once the implant has fused with the jawbone, the dental surgeon attaches an artificial tooth to the metal post. While the entire procedure is completed in one visit, the recovery period varies between three and six months.
Patients will achieve a beautiful, complete smile that functions just like their natural teeth.
Do You Qualify for an Endosteal Dental Implant?
Your oral surgeon or dentist will determine your candidacy for endosteal dental implants. To be a good candidate for endosteal implants, you need adequate jawbone density and must be in good overall health. Patients with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, or those who smoke or use tobacco products may not be candidates, as it increases their chances of implant failure.
Endosteal dental implants aren’t recommended for patients with severe bone loss. For those specific cases, your dentist may consider other tooth replacement options or a supplemental procedure, such as bone grafting or a sinus lift.
Ideal candidates for endosteal implants meet the following criteria:
- Excellent oral and general health
- Healthy gum tissue
- Fully grown jawbone and enough bone in the jaw
- Can maintain a pristine at-home oral hygiene routine
- Visits the dentist twice a year for checkups and dental cleanings
Endosteal Implant Alternatives
While an endosteal implant is the most popular type, there are other alternative implants and tooth replacement options. A dental professional may recommend any of the following alternatives:
- Zygomatic Implants: These are longer than an endosteal implant and are anchored into the cheekbone rather than the jawbone. They’re suitable for patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw.
- Subperiosteal Implants: These implants are placed on top of the jawbone but beneath the gum tissue. Subperiosteal implants are suitable for patients who have lost a significant amount of bone density in their jaw and are unable to support an endosteal implant.
- Removable Dentures: These are a non-surgical option for patients who have lost several teeth or all of their teeth. Dentures can be removed for cleaning and maintenance.
- Dental Bridges: A prosthetic device that replaces one or more missing teeth by attaching to the surrounding natural teeth on either side of the gap.
To determine the best tooth replacement option, your dentist or oral surgeon will evaluate your dental health and discuss your smile goals. If you’re in Hilliard, contact our dentist today to schedule your implant consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes someone a good candidate for endosteal implants near me?
Ideal candidates for endosteal implants in the Hilliard area have adequate jawbone density, healthy gums, good overall health, and maintain excellent oral hygiene. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes or heavy tobacco use may not qualify.
Do endosteal implants hurt more than regular dental work?
Endosteal implant placement typically causes minimal pain due to local anesthesia and sedation options available at our Hilliard practice. Post-procedure discomfort is manageable with over-the-counter pain medications and usually subsides within a few days.
How long does the procedure take for endosteal dental implants?
While the surgical procedure for endosteal dental implants only takes one visit to the dentist, the entire endosteal implant process typically takes several months to complete. The implant will naturally fuse with the jawbone before the permanent restoration can be placed on top of the metal posts.
Patients can expect the entire treatment to last between three and nine months. However, some patients may need to undergo additional surgery, such as bone augmentation, to create the solid base needed for the implant body.
What’s the difference between endosteal implants and dentures in Ohio?
Unlike removable dentures, endosteal implants are permanently anchored in your jawbone, providing superior stability and natural function and helping preserve jawbone structure. Our Columbus area patients often prefer implants for their long-term benefits.
Fill the Gaps in Your Smile By Scheduling an Appointment
Endosteal dental implants are a highly effective and long-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth. Not only do they look and function like natural teeth, but they also help preserve the integrity of the jawbone and prevent surrounding teeth from shifting.
To learn more about endosteal dental implants, get in touch with our Hilliard dentist today by calling (614) 771-6060. We welcome new and returning patients from Columbus, Dublin, Upper Arlington, Grove City, Westerville, and surrounding areas in Ohio.