77 Westport Plaza Dr.
Suite 205, St. Louis, MO 63146

Dental Implants in St. Louis, MO

Smiles by Choice prioritizes your comfort and satisfaction by striving for excellence in our dental implant services. Spearheaded by the expertise of Dr. Louise First, along with our proficient dental hygienists and assistants, we commit ourselves to providing dental implants that mirror the aesthetics and function of your natural teeth. In addition, we restore smiles with precision, ensuring seamless transitions that enhance your expression and oral health.

Ready to rejuvenate your smile? Connect with us today and journey towards a healthier, brighter smile, one implant at a time.

Understanding Dental Implants and Their Benefits

Dental implants are artificial teeth attached to your jawbone via an FDA-approved titanium screw. The porcelain crown of the implant serves as the tooth, while the screw acts as the root. Once healed, it operates and appears like any other natural tooth.

Boasting a residency from Southern Illinois University in implant dentistry, Dr. First is adept at placing and restoring implants for our Missouri patients. Before recommending dental implants, Dr. First thoroughly examines your teeth and oral health. In some scenarios, alternatives such as dental bridges or removable dentures might be suitable.

Understanding Dental Implants and Their Benefits

However, dental implants offer unique benefits that may better align with your needs:

  • They mimic the look and function of natural teeth.
  • They help deter jawbone loss and provide support for surrounding teeth.
  • They restore bite strength by integrating with your jaw.
  • They feel natural, promoting seamless speech patterns.

Signs You May Benefit More from Dental Implants

During your initial consultation, we’ll assess any oral health issues you might be dealing with. This is an essential step since the following signs indicate the need for dental implants:

Gaps in your teeth can cause both physical discomfort and aesthetic concerns and even impact your eating ability, potentially posing a health risk.

While dental bridges and removable dentures may be better suited for multiple consecutive missing teeth, an implant could more effectively remedy single-tooth gaps.

While tooth decay and cavities don’t necessitate a dental implant immediately, you may eventually require one. Specific individuals also lose teeth due to genetic factors or previous oral trauma, such as accidents or root degradation.

If you’re dealing with ongoing tooth pain, we’ll pinpoint the cause and assess whether the tooth can be saved. In cases of severe damage, our team might recommend a dental implant as a replacement.

Our jaws play crucial roles in eating, speaking, and maintaining facial structure. Missing teeth can lead to jaw weakness and deterioration, compromising these functions. Dental implants in St. Louis, MO, unlike other dental treatments, can help preserve and improve jaw health. By replacing missing teeth, implants reduce strain on the jaw and lend support to the remaining teeth.

FAQs

The entire dental implant process can take seven months to a year due to the multi-stage nature of the procedure. First, we extract the damaged tooth and let the bone heal, occasionally using bone grafts. Then, we insert the screw and finally attach the porcelain crown.

Generally, it takes around two weeks to recover post-implant placement. Therefore, we advise scheduling your appointments mid-week to ensure you can take a few days off work for initial recovery. While full integration can take up to six months, discomfort and sensitivity typically subside after the initial two weeks.

Not always. Many dental implants can be placed without bone grafts. However, we thoroughly examine your jaw health and can ascertain whether a bone graft is necessary.

Reach Out to Us for Safe and Effective Dental Implants

At Smiles by Choice, Dr. Louise R. First and our specialized team are committed to preserving as many of your natural teeth as possible. But don’t despair if some teeth are beyond salvage ā€“ that’s where dental implants come in. We can help you restore oral functionality and maintain or regenerate your jaw health.

For more information about dental implants in St. Louis, MO, and neighboring areas, give us a call today.