Dental Implants Durham and Durham, NC
Serving the Durham, NC community
Dental Implants can be a great alternative to replace missing teeth. Implants can restore your smile and eating function without having to grind down adjacent teeth and without the need for removable partial dentures.
At The Smile Shop, we partner with specialists including periodontists and oral surgeons who expertly place your implant to complete the dental implant process. Our experienced dentists will coordinate with the specialist and oversee your treatment so you can be assured of continuity of care.
If you have any questions about dental implants in Durham, NC and would like to discuss your options concerning a single missing tooth or an entire arch, please schedule a dental implant consultation with us today! We will be happy to evaluate your needs, explain your options, and formulate a treatment plan that is customized for you.
- What is a dental implant?
- Why do so many dentists recommend dental implants?
- How does the dental implants process work?
- Who is a good candidate for a dental implant?
- What does restoring a dental implant involve?
- What’s the difference between a bridge and a dental implant?
- How can implant-supported dentures benefit me?
- What’s the best way to care for my dental implant?
- How long will my dental implant last?
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions the most like a natural tooth. It consists of three parts, and each plays an important role.
- The implant post — A dental implant is a tiny cylindrical post that acts as a replacement root. It is placed surgically in your jaw by a skilled oral surgeon and left to heal for several months.
- The abutment — After the implant post heals, we attach an abutment, which is a small piece that connects the implant post to the dental restoration.
- The restoration — A dental restoration restores form and function to your implant. Our Durham dentists will help you decide if a crown, bridge, or full or partial denture is the right restoration for you.
Why do so many dentists recommend dental implants in Durham, NC?
There are numerous benefits to choosing dental implants instead of tooth replacements like bridges or dentures.
- Dental implants are a standalone tooth replacement that doesn’t require the alteration of healthy teeth as dental bridges do.
- Unlike other tooth replacements, dental implants act as an artificial tooth root that stimulates the regeneration of bone in your jaw and helps prevent bone loss.
- After the implant heals in your jaw, it becomes a permanent part of your dental structure and should remain in place for a lifetime.
- A dental implant can be paired with a high-quality crown or bridge and can be used to anchor full or partial dentures in place.
How does the dental implants process work?
Dr. Dolin, Dr. Spriggs, and Dr. Alessandro begin with a personalized, comprehensive dental exam to determine your best treatment options. If we decide together that a dental implant is right for you, we will refer you to a specialist who places the implant in your jaw.
Our dentists work with the implant specialist to oversee the process and monitor the healing process. The specialists take great care to ensure that the implant has healed and is healthy and stable before our dentists restore it with a permanent crown. The implant placement is performed under localized anesthetic to minimize any discomfort during the procedure.
Who is a good candidate for a dental implant?
To be a good candidate for a dental implant, you should be healthy enough to undergo oral surgery, and you also need enough dense bone in your jaw where they will be placed. This might be an issue for you if you have suffered bone loss as a result of waiting too long to replace the tooth. Advanced gum disease or periodontitis can also attack and weaken the bone and structures that support your teeth.
However, even if you have been told that you are not a good candidate for implants, call our Durham, NC dental office. Our dentists work with leading specialists in the area who may be able to use a procedure called bone grafting that will add enough strength to support a dental implant.
What does restoring a dental implant involve?
Restoring the implant with a crown is very similar to the process used to place a crown on a natural tooth. We take an impression of the implant so our dental lab can fabricate a custom crown that is designed specifically for your smile.
It takes a few weeks for the crown fabrication to be completed. Once it is finished, we place the crown onto the implant, and review how to brush, floss, and care for your new dental implant and crown.
What’s the difference between a bridge and a dental implant?
Dental implants and bridges are both tooth replacements, but they work very differently.
A bridge is designed to fill the open space that’s left when a tooth is lost. The drawback to bridges is that to place them, we need to alter the shape and size of adjacent healthy teeth.
A dental implant is a full replacement—from root to crown—for a missing tooth, so we don’t have to involve other teeth. The implant is placed surgically in your jaw, and as it heals, it integrates with the bone and tissue that surround it and takes the place of the missing tooth root. After it heals, your Durham, NC dentist will restore the dental implant with a crown, bridge, or denture.
Unlike a dental bridge that sits on top of your gum, a dental implant that’s placed in your jaw stimulates healthy bone regeneration to keep it strong and healthy.
How can implant-supported dentures benefit me?
If you currently have dentures or have been treatment planned to transition to them, implant-supported dentures are another great option to increase stability.
Dentures rely on the anatomy of your bone and tissue for support. Traditional dentures do restore your smile and allow you to eat comfortably, however, it has been estimated that even if they fit perfectly, they will only function around 30 percent as well as your natural teeth. This means that you will need to adapt to new chewing and speaking techniques for the denture to function appropriately.
Dentures that are supported by implants are much more stable than traditional dentures. They can reestablish function that is similar to your natural teeth while beautifully restoring your smile. If you’ve had problems with ill-fitting dentures, or are interested in improving your eating function, implant retained dentures could be a great option to give you back your smile.
What’s the best way to care for my dental implant?
Once your implant heals, and a restoration is placed, caring for it is not much different than caring for your own teeth. You should brush twice a day and floss once, and preventive cleanings and exams are especially critical when you have an implant.
The greatest threat to the long-term success of a dental implant is gum disease that breaks down the bone and tissues that hold it in place. When our Durham dental implants dentists see you every six months, they can check for signs of gum disease and take steps to treat it before it threatens your implant.
How long will my dental implant last?
Dental implants are unique because as they heal, they fuse with surrounding bone and tissue to form a strong bond. The implant becomes a permanent replacement root, and if you care for your teeth and gums properly, it should stay in place for a lifetime.
However, please note that the restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) we attach to it will eventually need to be replaced at some point.
Frequently Asked Questions
More than 120 million adult Americans have at least one missing tooth. Tooth loss is a pervasive issue that can happen for a variety of reasons. From tooth decay, gum disease, infection, abscess, failed root canal, or injury from an accident, the loss of one or more teeth can have a severe impact on your life. Not only is it embarrassing, but it can also make eating and speaking difficult.
At The Smile Shop, we can help our Durham, NC patients restore their smiles and improve their appearance. We recommend restoring your teeth as soon as you can to avoid further oral health issues.
Why It's Important to Restore Your Teeth
There are many reasons why someone would lose their tooth: cavities, abscesses, or trauma. Regardless of the reason, the result is difficulty chewing, speaking, and smiling with confidence. Over time, nearby teeth will shift to fill in the space, which can cause damage and further problems. Often, this results in a misaligned bite and further tooth loss.
Underneath the surface, the jaw bone starts to recede. Without a tooth root to anchor or stimulate it, it can start to change the landscape of your face and smile. This process is known as "resorption." Once jawbone volume recedes, it's hard to get back.
We always promote prevention to save our patients time and money, but if you lose one or more teeth, you should replace them! Your general dentists, Drs. Kate Dolin and Adam Spriggs, recommend dental implants as the only tooth replacement option that replicates the tooth root.
Are You Interested in Dental Implants?
Give your Durham general dentists a call at The Smile Shop. We are available at any time to answer any questions or schedule an appointment.
Dental implants are a remarkable innovation that has made tooth replacement possible for millions of people. One of the benefits that our Durham, NC patients appreciate is that a dental implant can last a lifetime when cared for correctly.
Let’s take a quick look at how dental implants work.
A dental implant is a tiny titanium screw that is surgically placed in your jaw and allowed to heal so it can fuse with the bone and tissue in your jaw.
After it heals, we'll add a tooth replacement like a dental crown, bridge, or denture to restore function, but the star of the show is the dental implant in your jaw that holds the restoration securely in place.
Since the restoration needs the stability of the dental implant to stabilize it, your jaw bone must remain strong and healthy. Periodontal disease is the greatest threat to your dental implant because it’s an infection that attacks the bones and structures that support it. If the foundation for the implant—your jawbone—starts to break down due to gum disease, the implant loses its support and may need to be removed.
When one of our patients at The Smile Shop is considering dental implants, we spend time talking to them about the lifelong commitment that’s involved. Brushing and flossing conscientiously are essential, and you must also stay current with your twice-yearly dental exams and teeth cleaning appointments.
When you see our Durham, NC dental implants dentist at regular intervals, they can monitor the health of your teeth and gums and stop cavities and gum disease in their tracks.
Contact Our Durham Dental Clinic
Please call The Smile Shop if you have questions about dental implants or the other tooth replacements we offer.
Dental implants replace your missing tooth root and provide a permanent fixed base for dental crowns to attach to. They are very popular as a long-term tooth replacement option that is immovable and will not shift or fall out.
Since they feel, look, and function just like real teeth, they are popular among many patients.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants in Durham, NC, are made with medical-grade titanium that we implant into the jaw bone. As it heals, the implant fuses to the jaw bone and forms an unbreakable union. This creates a foundation for your new teeth; you will never have to worry about slippage that can happen with bridges or dentures.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are incredibly versatile in restoring the function and appearance of one or multiple teeth.
There's no special care involved, you simply brush and floss them like you would your natural teeth. It's essential to also maintain dental check-ups and exams with your general dentist in Durham, NC.
Because they fuse to your jaw bone, you never have to worry about them slipping or falling out. This permanent, long-term solution allows patients to feel confident about how they look and what they can eat.
Dental implants also make eating incredibly easy. Do you love eating steak? Without teeth in place, eating meat or other foods can be difficult, as chewing requires the use of multiple teeth. Dental implants keep your smile looking natural while allowing you to chew and speak.
Restore Your Missing Teeth
A missing tooth can affect you on many levels. It has an impact on your appearance, your ability to eat and speak, and further dental problems. Your general dentists, Drs. Kate Dolin, Adam Spriggs, and Daphne can restore your smile to its former glory.
Replace Missing Teeth with Dental Implants!
You couldn’t find a better way to replace missing teeth than dental implants in Durham, NC. Getting a dental implant can be life-transforming, but it doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re considering an implant, be prepared for a process that can take anywhere from six to eight months to complete.
The first step is a thorough dental examination with Drs. Spriggs, Dolin, or Toussaint so they can check the bone in your jaw to see if you can get an implant. Once they determine that you’re a good candidate, a top specialist in our area will expertly place the implant in your jawbone.
The next step requires your patience because the implant needs plenty of time to heal and integrate with bone and tissue in your jaw that will hold it in place. The healing process can take anywhere from three to six months or longer in some cases.
Once the tooth implant integrates with your jawbone, our Durham, NC dentists attach a small connector piece to it called an abutment. In the final step, they secure a customized dental restoration like a crown, bridge, or denture to the abutment to complete your smile and restore normal function.
There’s a saying that good things are worth waiting for, and if you’ve been living with missing teeth, dental implants in Durham, NC can improve your entire outlook on life. All of our patients who have gotten dental implants at The Smile Shop tell us that the results were absolutely worth the wait.
Contact Our Durham Dental Office
If you want a solution for missing teeth, we would love to meet with you to explain the process in greater detail. Please call us at (919) 941-5549 to schedule a dental implant appointment.
Meet Our Doctors:
Drs. Kate Dolin and Adam Spriggs
We are Drs. Kate Dolin and Adam Spriggs, a husband and wife dental team.
Natives of small towns in West Virginia, we met while attending the West Virginia University School of Dentistry. Prior to dental school, we both practiced as dental hygienists; collectively, we have over 20 years experience in the dental field.
Our mission is to provide personalized comprehensive care in a calm and soothing atmosphere. Dental treatment can be complex and often specific to each individual. We believe patient education is a vital aspect of each visit so informed decisions ...
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