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Rediscover Your Smile with Dental Implants in Hopkins, MN

Unveil newfound confidence and rediscover your smile at our dental implant center in Hopkins. At Hopkins Family Dentistry, we work hard to create a comfortable experience for you and your family. With painless implant procedures that combine cutting-edge technology and expert care, you can say goodbye to clinic visit insecurities and hello to a radiant smile.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are metal structures that resemble a thick screw, inserted into the jaw where teeth are missing. They can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even all teeth. The components of dental implants include:

 

  • Implant Fixture: These are the screws themselves, made from titanium or ceramic. Implant fixtures can come in various shapes, sizes, and diameters.

 

  • Implant Abutment: These structures are fixed over the implant fixture. Implant abutments, which can be metallic or ceramic, may differ in height.

 

  • Crown: These are the caps placed where teeth are missing. Crowns can be fixed using cement or screw-retained. They can be made of metal, metal fused to porcelain, or entirely metal-free materials like zirconia.

 

How do Dental Implants Work?

Dental implants work by mimicking the natural tooth and its functionality. A dental implant fixture is placed inside the jaw under local or general anesthesia (in the case of full mouth rehabilitation). These fixtures serve as the roots of the natural tooth, bearing the entire chewing load. Attached to these fixtures is the crown or cap, which acts as the visible part of the natural tooth. This crown is used for tearing and chewing, transferring the chewing load to the fixture below. Unlike dental bridges, dental implants replace only the missing tooth without requiring any additional work on adjacent teeth.

 

What to expect during a Dental Implant Procedure?

At Hopkins Family Dentistry, we specialize in dental implants. If you’ve been anxious about visiting a dental clinic due to fear of the dental implant procedure, rest assured that we are here to make the entire process as stress-free and painless as possible. You will feel relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure.

 

Before the implant procedure, we will evaluate your medical history and conduct baseline investigations. A single implant should take no more than an hour. The entire procedure is performed under anesthesia, so you will not experience pain; you may only feel some tugging and slight pressure on your gums.

 

At Hopkins, we perform all our dental implant procedures in hospital-style suites under perfectly sterile conditions.

Types of Dental Implants

There are various types of dental implants. 

  • Singular Implants: These are used if the patient only has a singular tooth that needs replacement.
  • Multiple-tooth Implants: If the patient has more than one tooth that needs replacement, a multiple-tooth implant procedure is conducted. The teeth are replaced with an appropriate custom-made implant.
  • Full Mouth Implants: If the patient suffers from complete tooth loss, a complete mouth implant procedure is conducted. These replace all or most of the teeth in the mouth. 

Furthermore, implants are differentiated based on how they may be attached to the jawbone:

  • Endosteal Implants: This is the most popular implant option. An endosteal implant is typically shaped like a small screw or cylinder and is placed within your jawbone. It is frequently recommended for patients with previously fitted prosthetic teeth or bridges. 
  • Subperiosteal Implants: This kind of implant is placed on or above the patient’s jawbone.This is typically the recommended option for individuals with a deteriorated or weak jawbone or those who cannot wear regular dentures.

Steps in a Dental Implant Placement Procedure:

Implant Placement

Replacing a missing tooth begins with implant surgery, during which the fixture is placed in the jaw. This procedure is carried out under anesthesia and is painless.

Placement of Abutment

Three months after the implant placement, if the bone has properly fused to the implant (a process known as osseointegration), the fixture is connected to the abutment. In this second step of the process, the flap is raised again after an incision, also performed under anesthesia. In some cases, implant surgery and abutment placement can be done in one appointment, reducing the need for anesthesia and a second incision.

Placement of Crown

After the abutment is placed, a scan is performed and shared with the dental lab to fabricate the crown, which is then placed over the abutment.

Post-surgery, all aftercare tips are discussed with the patient and their family. We thoroughly explain post-operative pain and discomfort, as well as necessary precautions. The patient is then scheduled for follow-up visits, and the subsequent treatment plan for the prosthesis (cap/crown) is carried out accordingly.

Can Dental Implant Surgery Be Done in a Single Procedure?

Dental implant surgery used to be a two-step procedure, where the fixture was placed on one day, and then the abutment (the connector between the fixture and the crown) was placed after three months. This has now been streamlined through single-step surgery, where the abutment can be attached to the fixture on the same day as the fixture placement. This approach makes the procedure more convenient for both the implant dentist and the patient, as the patient does not have to undergo a second incision with the blade.

Top Advantages of Dental Implant Treatment?

  • They look aesthetically pleasing.
  • They do not compromise the condition of adjacent teeth, unlike crowns and bridges.
  • They provide better chewing ability and can withstand greater chewing forces.
  • Individuals with removable dentures often struggle with the discomfort and hassle these dentures cause. They frequently encounter issues with chewing and speaking, with the fear of dentures falling out and muffling their voices in public.
  • They function up to 90 percent like natural teeth.
  • The treatment success rate is between 96 to 98%.
  • People with dental implants typically do not experience digestion problems like those with dentures; improved chewing contributes to a healthier digestive system.
  • Dental implants enhance overall quality of life, which may not be the case with removable or fixed crowns and bridges.

Choose an Expert Dental Implant Dentist at Hopkins Family Dentistry

Hopkins Family Dentistry boasts expert dental implant dentists, including Dr. Arielle Avant and Dr. Mikaela Maier. Dr. Avant, a graduate of the Oregon Health and Sciences School of Dentistry, specializes in facial aesthetics and fosters a comfortable atmosphere for her patients. Dr. Maier, an alumna of the University of Minnesota, has refined her skills through advanced training programs and is dedicated to providing exceptional care. What sets us apart is not only our expert dentists but also our commitment to convenience and compassion. With flexible appointment times, affordable payment plans, and a friendly approach, we prioritize your comfort and satisfaction. Experience the difference at Hopkins Family Dentistry, where your smile is our priority.

FAQs

How long do dental implants last?

Dental implants can last up to 10 to 15 years if maintained properly. Proper oral hygiene and regular follow-ups are important for longevity.

For dental implants, you need to get a CBCT done along with all the medical and baseline investigations that your dentist will ask for. 

Single implants or basic procedures can be performed under local anesthesia chairside in the dentist’s operation room, but for procedures like full-mouth rehabilitations, a general operation and general anesthesia are recommended.

While the whole procedure is pain-free, mild discomfort or pain for a week can be expected, for which your dentist will recommend painkillers.

The cost of dental implants varies depending on the procedure and type of dental implants to be placed.