Dental Implants in Anchorage: What You Can Expect
In 1965, a dentist placed the first dental implants. Since then, countless people have benefited from the procedure. Dental implants give you the functionality of real teeth, allowing you to chew, speak, and smile confidently.
South Anchorage Dental Center is the ideal choice for anyone considering dental implants in Anchorage. With our expertise in dental implant procedures and affordable payment options, you can take advantage of this marvelous invention to restore your smile. Here’s what you can expect when you choose dental implants at SADC.
Would you like to experience the benefits of dental implants? Contact us for a consultation at SADC!
What Are Dental Implants?
The purpose of dental implants is to replace missing teeth. Dental implants can provide an extremely effective replacement, whether you already have missing teeth or damaged ones that need replacement.
The dental implant consists of a titanium screw that is inserted into your jaw. The screw provides an anchor for a prosthetic tooth. Dental implants offer a permanent solution to tooth loss, giving you a natural-looking smile and all the chewing power of your original teeth.
Reasons to Choose Dental Implants
There are many reasons that our patients choose dental implants in Anchorage. Here’s why so many people find dental implants to be such an excellent choice.
- Dental implants look like natural teeth.
- They fit comfortably.
- Dental implants provide a permanent solution to tooth loss.
- Dental implants last longer than other teeth replacement options.
- Since the implants are anchored to your jaw, eating and chewing are as easy and sure as with natural teeth.
- You can speak more clearly since the implants secure your teeth replacements.
- Dental implants preserve the natural shape of your face.
What Are the Steps in Implant Placement?
From start to completion, the entire dental implant procedure takes approximately six months. However, our patients find that the results are well worth their time. Each step in the process is important and should be completed by a knowledgeable dentist, such as our team at SADC. Here are the critical steps to getting dental implants in Anchorage at SADC.
Preparation
The first phase of treatment is preparation. We start with a consultation. This is when we assess the condition of your mouth, gums, and jawbone. We determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Then, we discuss your options, giving you any answers you need to make an informed decision.
After that, preparation continues with a full set of 3-D images. These x-rays show us what is happening beneath your gums so that we can plan your treatment correctly.
Implant Placement
Next comes the most important phase of treatment. After you receive an anesthetic, your dental care professional begins the implant process. Now, the dentist inserts the metal posts into your jaw. After the posts are put into place, a miraculous thing begins to happen. The implant integrates with your jawbone over the course of the next three to six months. Until you’re ready for the next phase of treatment, we provide you with a temporary prosthesis.
Adding Abutments
When the implants are integrated with your bone, it’s time to put on the abutments. We start by exposing the implant along the gum line and screwing on the abutment. An abutment is simply a connector that will join the dental implant with the artificial tooth.
Crown Placement
After about two weeks of healing from the abutment placement, we are ready to anchor in your prosthetic teeth. This completes the dental implant process so that you have a bright, attractive smile and perfectly working teeth.
Dental Anxiety and Dental Implants
If the thought of sitting through a long procedure makes you feel extremely anxious, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a full mouth of dental implants if needed. While the dental implant procedure can take some time when you are replacing multiple teeth, we offer sedation dentistry options to help you manage your anxiety, including inhaled sedation or IV sedation. Then, you can rest through your procedure and wake up already on the path to a more beautiful smile!
Types of Prosthetic Teeth Used with Implants
Depending on how many teeth you need to replace and what options you chose, your new prosthetic could be crowns, bridges, or full dentures. Here’s a look at each of these choices.
Crowns
A crown replaces an individual tooth. You could have one dental implant with one crown to replace a single missing tooth. Or, if you have lost more teeth and want the most natural-looking smile, you may choose to have multiple crowns.
Bridges
A fixed implant bridge comprises two implants with a porcelain tooth replacement for the missing teeth in between those two spots. Dental bridges can help you keep the natural shape of your mouth and avoid dental problems in the future.
Full Dentures
If you are missing most or all of your teeth now, full dentures may be your best option. You might wonder, “If I’m getting dentures, why do I need implants?” Dental implants with dentures make the most sense for many of our patients. While dentures alone certainly can provide an adequate solution to tooth loss, dentures aren’t as stable and secure as dentures with implants.
Cost of Dental Implants
According to GoodRx, the cost of one dental implant and crown ranges from $3,500 to $6,700. However, depending on the type of tooth replacement you choose and the number of teeth you replace, the cost might be less than you expect. The best thing to do is to have a consultation with a dentist at SADC to estimate your own costs. Then, you can make the decision that is right for you.
First, though, consider the types of help you can get with the costs. At SADC, one of our most important goals is to put excellent dental care within the reach of our clients. That’s why we work with so many insurance companies and offer a dental savings plan. We accept cash, credit cards, and checks, along with Care Credit, Proceed Financial, and our own SADC Savings Plan.
Our dental savings plan reduces the costs you pay for dental implants and other dental services if you don’t have access to dental insurance. In the case of dental implants, your diagnostics are included, your 3D imaging scans are 50% off, and you get 20% off of all treatments.
Why Choose SADC for Dental Implants?
South Anchorage Dental Center offers the best dental care from a team of professionals. For over 20 years, we have been restoring smiles with dental implants and other procedures designed to help you enjoy eating, speaking, and looking your best.
We use up-to-the-minute technology to ensure the best results and your satisfaction with every step of the dental implant process. Learn more about our dental care team on our website and by visiting our office for a consultation. We provide education, financial resources, and expert dental services to help you achieve optimum dental health.
Looking for high-quality teeth restoration with dental implants? Set up an appointment with SADC to get started!
