Dental Implants in Indianapolis, IN
There are many reasons why you may be missing a tooth (or teeth). Perhaps you lost a tooth while playing sports or maybe severe decay has led to an extraction. Whatever the reason, a missing tooth can harm both your physical and emotional health.
Dr. KinneyLearn more about our dentist constantly strives to better the lives of his patients. Furthermore, he has enjoyed training and gained years of experience in placing dental implants. This innovative restorative procedure uses modern technology to mimic your natural tooth root and thus restore balance to your mouth.
An implant is made up of three components:
If you are a candidate for dental implants, then our team will guide you through the process. Your new, fully functional smile is within reach!
Designed to mimic your natural tooth root, the titanium post is carefully inserted into your jawbone. Over time the jaw will bond to the implant and create a stable foundation for your new restoration.
This small connector sits on top of the placed implant. The abutment connects your titanium post to your new restoration, holding it in place so you can enjoy eating, speaking, and laughing as normal.
Implants can be used if you have lost a single tooth or multiple teeth. Once the implants have settled, Dr. Kinney adds your crown, bridge, or denture to restore your smile fully.
‘‘Dr. Kinney is amazing! He's professional and has his patients best interests at heart. The staff is friendly and very welcoming and take the time to really know you.’’
Carolyn C. (Keystone Patient)
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a minor surgical procedure that is usually completed at a dental office. An incision is made in your gum to gain access to the bone beneath it, and then grafting material is added. Most often, the grafting material is processed bone minerals around which your body will deposit new bone cells.
The grafting material itself can come from your own body. However, it often is taken from an animal or human donor that has been treated by a laboratory to make it sterile and safe. It can even be a synthetic substance.
Grafting material comes in a variety of forms: powder, granules, putty, or a gel that can be injected through a syringe. The graft, which is generally covered by a collagen membrane for optimum bone repair, will act as a scaffold onto which your body will build new bone.
Bone grafting is used in dentistry for a variety of reasons such as:
Saving teeth – increases the bone support around a tooth
Extractions – prepares the area for a potential implant
Dental implants – regenerates enough bone to place an implant
Sinus Surgery
A sinus membrane lift, or sinus augmentation, involves adding bone to fill in the bottom of the sinus cavity. This can be necessary to support your jaw or in preparation for dental implants.
Before scheduling surgery, your Indianapolis dentist will assess the shape, location, and health of the sinus using x-ray imaging. Your options for anesthesia will also be discussed.
When the area has been completely numbed, an incision will be made in your gum to expose the bone that’s used to contain your missing tooth or teeth. A small opening will be made in the bone to reveal the membrane that lines the sinus. This membrane will be raised, and the space beneath it will be filled with bone grafting material. The gum is then stitched back up.
- Is dental implant surgery painful? Most people find dental implant surgery very easy to tolerate. Any post-operative discomfort can usually be managed with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or OTC pain-relievers. Ice can also be helpful.
- Are dental implants expensive? At the outset, implants are more expensive than other tooth-replacement methods such as dentures or bridgework. However, they also last many years longer and should never need replacement. So they offer the best, most cost-effective option when viewed as a long-term investment in your health, comfort, and well-being.
- How do you care for dental implants? They require exactly the same care as natural teeth. This includes daily brushing and flossing, along with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings. Although implant teeth will never decay, the gum tissues around them can become inflamed or infected in the absence of good oral hygiene. Dental implants should last a lifetime with proper care.
- Can my body reject a dental implant? Strictly speaking, implants can’t be rejected because they contain no living cells or genetically coded material. The titanium is completely biocompatible, and allergies are extremely rare. But an implant can fail to integrate with the jawbone if an infection develops in the absence of good oral hygiene, or if it is subjected to biting forces too soon. However, this is rare; implants regularly achieve success rates above 95%.
- Am I a candidate for dental implants? There’s a good chance you are, but this can only be determined after a complete oral examination that includes x-rays of your jaws. Please schedule a consultation to begin the exciting process of restoring your smile and bite.
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