At North Dental Professionals, Dr. Paul Chaiken and his team provide high-quality dental care to the residents of Chicago and Skokie, IL. One of our key services is dental implants. Implants are a permanent solution for patients with missing teeth. They are an essential restorative dentistry treatment that offers a lasting solution. With dental implants in Skokie and Chicago, we can help restore your smile for a lifetime.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone beneath your gums. They act as sturdy bases for mounting replacement teeth. Unlike dentures or bridges, implants do not slip or shift in your mouth. This stability helps improve your speech and appearance.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants have become the top solution for replacing missing teeth because they work so much like your natural teeth. While dentures and bridges can help, implants provide advantages that other options simply can’t match.
The common benefits of dental implant treatment in our Skokie, IL, office include:
Look Natural
Dental implants are custom-made to blend perfectly with your smile. The crown (visible part) is shaped and colored to match your surrounding teeth so well that even you might forget it’s not real. Because implants fuse with your jawbone, they feel stable and comfortable. Unlike dentures, implants will not slip or click. You can laugh, talk, and smile without worrying about your teeth.
Long-Lasting
With good care, your implants could last the rest of your life. While dentures typically need replacement every 5-8 years and bridges every 7-15 years, implants are designed to be permanent. The titanium post that acts as your new tooth root actually bonds with your jawbone, creating an incredibly strong foundation.
They Protect Your Oral Health
Missing teeth cause your jawbone to shrink over time, which can change your facial shape. Implants prevent this by stimulating bone growth just like natural tooth roots do. Unlike bridges that require grinding down adjacent teeth, implants leave your healthy teeth untouched. This helps maintain better long-term dental health.
Restore Full Function
With implants, you can eat all your favorite foods without hesitation – even crunchy apples or chewy steak. Unlike dentures that can slip when eating or talking, implants stay securely in place. Many people find they can taste food better and speak more clearly with implants compared to other tooth replacements.
Easy Care
You don’t need special cleaning solutions or adhesives. You care for implants just like your teeth. We recommend that you continue to brush, floss, and visit us for dental checkups after treatment. This simple routine helps ensure your implants stay clean, healthy, and problem-free for years to come.
The Dental Implant Procedure
The journey begins with an initial consultation. Dr. Paul Chaiken will assess your oral health, take X-rays, and discuss your medical history. This evaluation helps determine if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants.
Implant Surgery
Getting dental implants is a multi-step process that takes time but provides long-lasting results. It all starts with a consultation visit where Dr. Paul Chaiken will examine your mouth, take detailed X-rays, and review your overall health. This important first step helps determine if implants are the right solution for your missing teeth and ensures your jawbone can properly support them.
The actual implant procedure begins with placing a small titanium post into your jawbone where your tooth root used to be. You’ll receive local anesthesia so you won’t feel pain during this surgery, though you may feel some pressure.
Healing
After we place the post, your body needs time to heal as the bone gradually grows around the implant in a natural process called osseointegration. This healing phase typically takes three to six months as your jawbone forms a strong bond with the implant.
Once your jaw has fully healed and the implant is secure, Dr. Chaiken will attach a connector piece called an abutment to the implant post. He will then take dental impressions.
Final Restoration
The final step involves placing a custom-designed crown, bridge, or denture. We work with a dental lab to ensure your new teeth looks and functions just like teeth.
The lab makes the restoration to match your existing teeth in color and shape. We will guide you throughout the process and ensure you’re comfortable at each stage of your treatment.
Aftercare with Dental Implants
Caring for your implants will make them last for many years. Just like your natural teeth, implants need daily brushing and flossing to stay clean and healthy. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and gentle toothpaste to avoid scratching the surface of your implants.
Regular dental checkups at North Dental Professionals play a key role in maintaining your implants. During these visits, Dr. Chaiken will carefully examine your implants to ensure they remain secure and function properly. The professional cleanings you receive will remove any hardened plaque that regular brushing can’t eliminate, protecting both your implants and the surrounding gum tissue.
Dental Implants vs. Traditional Dentures and Bridges
Dental implants offer several advantages over dentures. Implants are permanently fixed and do not need to be removed for cleaning. Dental implants also prevent bone loss, which is a common issue with dentures. Our implant restorations closely resemble natural teeth and offer the same function.
Unlike dental bridges, which rely on surrounding teeth for support, we anchor implants into the jawbone. This independent structure helps preserve your adjacent teeth. Dental implants have a longer lifespan than bridges, which need replacement every 5 to 10 years.
Cost and Insurance Coverage for Dental Implants
The cost of dental implants can vary based on the number of implants needed and the complexity of the procedure. Many dental insurance plans cover only a portion of the cost. Our team at North Dental Professionals will help you navigate your insurance benefits. We can explore financing options to make the treatment more affordable.
Replace Your Lost Teeth Today
If you want dental implants, schedule a consultation with Dr. Paul Chaiken and our North Dental Professionals team. You can also call 708-274-4192. We’re here to guide you on your journey to better oral health.