Tooth Replacement in Medina, OH

Do you have missing teeth but don't want to deal with removable full or partial dentures? Do you find it difficult to floss around dental bridges? Or, perhaps you have an ill-fitting denture that hurts and shifts unexpectedly. 

If any of these sound familiar, replacing missing teeth with dental implants in Medina, OH eliminates these problems and allow you to go back to chewing comfortably and smiling with confidence.

Dental implants have been around for over 40 years, but many people still aren’t quite sure what they do and how they work. We've shared several questions below that we tend to hear most often from our patients that provide valuable information, so we hope you'll find it helpful!

If you are interested in learning more about dental implants in Medina, OH, please call Sinick Family Dental to arrange a convenient dental appointment with Dr. Sinick to discuss your needs.

The way dental implants work can be confusing to understand. There are several different parts to an implant, and we don't use all of the pieces at one time. If you aren’t a dental professional, it can be complicated trying to figure out all of the different parts and the sequence of the entire process.

But you should know that dental implants are one of the most important advances we have seen in dentistry in decades. Implants provide us with the ability to improve oral health and the appearance of patients who have lost a tooth.

A dental implant is made up of three separate parts. The first is the implant, which is a screw-like titanium rod that our dentists place in your jaw bone. The second is a connector piece between the implant, called an abutment, and the third and final part, the dental crown that looks like a tooth inside your mouth. 

Why do dentists recommend dental implants?

One of the reasons dental implants are so beneficial is that they are not just an aesthetic solution. Of all the solutions available to replace missing teeth in Medina, OH, dental implants are considered the “gold standard,” and with good reason.

Your tooth root doesn’t just hold your tooth in place; it also stimulates the regeneration of bone in your jaw. When you lose a tooth, however, this process stops, and the bone in the area starts to dissolve or shrink back into the body. As it does, it leads to bone recession and can threaten the stability of healthy neighboring teeth.

However, since a dental implant acts as a replacement root for a missing tooth, it keeps the jaw bone strong and healthy. When our dentists place your restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) on the implant, the result is a tooth that looks, functions, and feels as close to a real tooth as possible.

We now place dental implants at our Medina, OH dental office. This saves you the time and money involved with having to go to a specialist. Another benefit is that you can have the entire implant process – from surgery to the crown – in a familiar location with a team of dental professionals you already know and trust.

If you would like more information or would like to see if you are a candidate for dental implants, please give us a call at (330) 587-9292.

How long does it take to get a dental implant?

A straightforward dental implant procedure to replace a missing tooth in Medina, OH takes three to four months.

First, you will have the dental implant placed into your bone. The implant is made out of titanium with a special coating on the outside that fuses to your bone. It takes about three months for your bone to heal around and integrate with the dental implant to form a solid foundation. During these three months, it will appear as if you don’t have a tooth in that area. We can make you a temporary device that has a fake tooth, so people won’t know you are missing a tooth.

After three months of healing, we will take an impression of the area to make a crown for you. The crown is the part of the tooth that you can see and will use to chew. The fabrication of the dental crown typically takes two to three weeks. There is one more piece to an implant system. It is a connector between the implant and the dental crown.

If you need to replace a single missing tooth, dental implants are an excellent option. Other options like a dental bridge often require us to alter the teeth adjacent to your missing tooth to anchor the prosthetic in place. You may also find a dental bridge difficult to clean properly. 

When you replace a single tooth with a dental implant in Medina, it looks, feels, and functions the same as a natural tooth. You can floss, brush, and chew on your dental implant just as you would a natural tooth.

Drs. Christopher and Jessica Sinick and the team at Sinick Family Dental will explain all your treatment options and help you get you back to eating comfortably and smiling with confidence again.

I have multiple missing teeth. Can dental implants help me?

At Sinick Family Dental, there are several ways we use dental implants to replace multiple missing. If you have two or more missing teeth, we can place multiple single implants next to each other.

If you are looking for a cost-effective way to replace three or more missing teeth in a row, we would recommend a dental bridge held in place by dental implants. Restoring multiple teeth with dental implants will allow you to chew just as you did before you lost the teeth. 

You have unique dental needs, but in many cases, dental implants can be placed the same day as the extraction of your tooth. Other times, bone grafting may be necessary and a waiting period of three to four months will be required before the implant can be placed. Each situation is unique, and we will let you know what will work best for you.

My dentures don’t fit well anymore. Can dental implants help?

Do you have a denture or partial that shifts and slips when you speak or chew? Do you worry that when you laugh or sneeze the denture will come out?

Using dental implants to replace missing teeth will give you peace of mind knowing that your denture is held securely in place. 

Sometimes we can adapt existing dentures to accommodate dental implants that hold your denture securely in place. In other cases, we may need to design a new denture or partial. In some cases, a new partial or denture will have to be made to attach correctly to the implants.

The implants can snap onto a removable denture so that it can come in and out when you want, making cleaning the appliance and the implants easy. We can also fix the denture to the dental implants so it doesn't come out but can be removed by us for routine dental cleanings. 

If you care for your dental implant by being diligent with your oral hygiene and keeping up with preventive dental exams and cleaning appointments, the implant post (the part that’s rooted in your jaw) should last a lifetime. You will need to have the dental restoration replaced periodically, but the implant itself becomes a permanent part of your dental anatomy.

The primary reason that dental implants fail is because of poor oral hygiene and neglect that leads to gum disease. Since the implant post relies on the support of bone and gum tissue that surrounds it, excellent gum health is crucial. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, you can develop periodontal disease that can result in implant failure.

When we place your dental implant at our Medina, OH dental office, we will provide the instructions you need to care for your dental implant properly.

How do I know if I’m a candidate for dental implants?

Generally speaking, most adults who are healthy enough for oral surgery are good candidates for tooth replacement with dental implants in Medina, OH, and age is not usually a factor.

However, a good candidate for a dental implant does need to have enough dense bone in their jaw to support the implant post. Dr. Christopher and Dr. Jessica can determine this for you by taking x-rays of your mouth.

Even if you don’t have sufficient bone in your jaw now, however, there are procedures available like bone grafting that builds up bone in the area to make implant placement successful.

Using dental-implant supported dentures is a great solution to replace missing teeth. If you have questions or would like a consult, please call our team at (330) 587-9292.