Do you have many lost or missing teeth? Dr. Matthew Jenne and our team provide all types of dental implants to patients in Garner, NC, to replace missing teeth. Dental implants consist of a sturdy titanium post, abutment, and dental crown. This restorative solution can also secure dental bridges or dentures.
Patients who replace their lost or missing teeth with dental implants receive many benefits. Even one single implant can help prevent dental problems down the road.
Dental Implants at Garner Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement. They give patients back almost full functionality, along with looking natural in their smile.
A single implant consists of a post, abutment, and restoration. First is the implant post. This small screw is made of titanium, the same material used in medical procedures like hip and knee replacements. Titanium is special because your body accepts it and allows bone to grow around it.
Next is the abutment. This is a connector piece that attaches to the top of the implant post. It sticks up just above your gum line and holds your new tooth in place. Finally, there is the restoration. This is the part you see. We work with local dental labs to create custom-made crown, bridges, and dentures that looks just like your natural tooth.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Implants are unique because they’re the only restoration that replaces the tooth root. This gives them many advantages that other tooth-replacement solutions don’t offer.
Bone Support and Preservation
Dental implants stand out because they replace both the tooth root and the visible part of the tooth. When a tooth is missing, the jawbone in that spot begins to shrink over time. An implant prevents this by acting like a natural root.
Once the implant post is placed in the jaw, it helps keep the bone strong and even encourages it to rebuild itself as the post bonds with the bone tissue. This helps maintain the shape and stability of your jaw.
Exceptional Strength and Stability
Since dental implants are firmly anchored in the jawbone, they provide unmatched stability compared to other tooth replacement options. They restore your full biting and chewing power, allowing you to enjoy all your favorite foods without restriction.
You don’t need to worry about your teeth slipping, shifting, or falling out in social or eating situations. Unlike dentures, implants do not require adhesive or special supports—they stay secure on their own so you can speak, eat, and laugh confidently.
A Natural Look and Feel
Dental implants are designed to mimic natural teeth in appearance and function. While any new dental restoration takes a little time to adjust to, most patients find implants easier and faster to get used to compared to options like dentures, which can feel bulky or uncomfortable.
Implants blend seamlessly into your smile, and others will not be able to tell the difference. They also fit into your daily routine as easily as real teeth. Instead of soaking or using special cleaning tools, you simply brush, floss, and keep up with regular dental visits. Maintaining healthy gums is important, as they help support the implant and keep it strong.
Protecting Your Long-Term Oral Health
Replacing missing teeth with dental implants helps prevent additional problems down the road. Gaps in your smile can increase your risk of losing more teeth, and the surrounding teeth may become more vulnerable to decay or gum disease. Filling those spaces helps protect your oral health and maintain proper function.
Some alternatives, such as traditional bridges, require reshaping nearby healthy teeth to hold the restoration in place, which can lead to extra stress and wear over time. Dental implants avoid this issue entirely because they support themselves without affecting the teeth around them.
Bone Grafting for Successful Implants
Many patients are told they “don’t have enough bone” for implants. Dr. Jenne’s hospital surgical training includes bone grafting procedures that can make implants possible even after significant bone loss.
You may need grafting as a pretreatment if you have:
- Long-term tooth loss (bone resorbs over time)
- Tooth extraction sites requiring preservation
- Sinus lift procedures for upper back teeth
- Ridge augmentation for thin bone
Dr. Jenne has operating room experience with full mouth rehabilitation cases. He’s comfortable with advanced surgical procedures like bone grafting. Many general dentists refer these cases to specialists, but Dr. Jenne can often handle them in our Garner office.
During your consultation, Dr. Jenne will evaluate your bone density and discuss whether you need grafting for optimal implant success.
The Dental Implant Process in Garner, NC
Dr. Jenne begins with a thorough evaluation using his hospital-trained diagnostic approach. He’ll:
- Examine your oral health and remaining teeth
- Review your complete medical history and medications
- Take X-rays or 3D scans to assess bone density
Dr. Jenne welcomes you to discuss your goals and will answer all your questions. Then he’ll create a personalized treatment plan based on your number of missing teeth.
Surgical Placement
Dr. Jenne is an oral surgeon and can place the titanium implant post in your jawbone. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia in our comfortable Garner office. Dr. Jenne follows strict sterile protocols and precise surgical technique.
He places one or more implant posts in the jaw bone during surgery. Then he’ll place a cap or tempoary restoration.
Implant Healing (3-6 Months)
After surgery, you need time for your implant to fuse with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. You’ll have a temporary restoration to maintain as you heal. Dr. Jenne monitors your progress with follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing.
Once you heal, Dr. Jenne will place the abutments. You need more time for the gums to heal around this connector piece before you get your final restoration.
Final Restoration
Once fully healed, you’ll return to our office. Dr. Jenne will remove your temporary and place your final custom crown, bridge, or denture to the implant. He makes careful adjustments to ensure comfortable fit and proper bite alignment.
Ongoing Care
As a second-generation dentist, Dr. Jenne is committed to long-term relationships with his patients. Regular checkups ensure your implants remain healthy and functional for decades. Most patients complete the entire process in 4-6 months, though individual healing varies.
Dental Implant FAQs
We recommend dental implants to eligible patients who want to replace missing teeth. Learn more below.
Can a dentist whiten dental implants?
No. The material that creates the dental implant crown is highly resistant to stains from food, bacteria, tartar, and plaque. Your dentist will recommend teeth whitening before placing the dental implant crown in order to match your ideal smile.
How long do dental implants last?
Teeth implants can last a lifetime! You will not have to worry about replacing them. If damage occurs on the implant crown, your dentist can easily replace it without having to remove the implant post. The only reasons a dentist will need to remove the implant post are for significant damage from an accident or gum disease.
How painful is it to get dental implants?
Although the dental implant process spans a couple of months, it is not a painful process. Any oral surgery or dental treatments to prepare your mouth for the implant will be accompanied by a local anesthetic. We will numb your mouth so that you do not feel pain or discomfort.
How long do dental implants take to settle and adjust to?
Dental implants may take up to six to eight months to fully settle and adjust. It is common for it to take a long time to adjust to implants, as the healing process post-procedure may be longer due to the invasive nature of the procedure.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation
Do you want a lasting tooth replacement? Call our office at 919.238.3470 or request an appointment with Dr. Jenne on our website today.
Let us know if you have more questions about the implant process. Dr. Jenne will ensure your treatment runs smoothly each step of the way.
Learn more about dental implants on our website:
