Dental Implants – Downers Grove, IL
Permanently Put Tooth Loss Behind You
From single tooth replacements to full smile makeovers, Dr. Xhelo has placed hundreds of dental implants over the course of his career. Dental implants in Downers Grove are permanent and stable tooth replacements and are a great option for patients who are missing a tooth or multiple teeth. Not only are implants fixed and do not need to be removed, but they also create a natural smile, are strong like natural teeth, and do not require treatment on the neighboring teeth like other options. Implants are the only solution that replaces both the tooth above and below the gum line for seamlessly natural-looking results!
Why Choose Dentique Dental for Dental Implants?
- In-House Dental Implant Placement & Restoration
- ICOI Fellow with Extensive Hands-On Implant Training
- Calming & Friendly Staff is Great for Anxious Patients
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically placed below the gumline and into the jawbone. They are designed to mimic the natural roots of teeth, and due to their biocompatibility, they can fuse with the bone through a process called osseointegration. This allows dental implants to provide a strong, stable foundation for any type of restoration to be attached to, allowing us to replace one, several, or all teeth with this procedure.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
In deciding whether to move forward with a complicated treatment like dental implants, it can be helpful to know the steps you’ll be taking. We want to be completely transparent with you and will walk you through the entire process from beginning to end. Overall, getting dental implants entails four main stages:
- Consultation
- Surgery
- Healing (or osseointegration)
- Restoration
When you have your consultation, we can answer questions you may have about the process, and we can let you know what to expect next.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
This one-on-one time with Dr. Xhelo will help determine whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants. Our team will collect X-rays, ask you about your oral and medical health history, and walk you through each of your options. By the time the appointment ends, you will know what your dental implant treatment plan will look like. With a solid plan in place, we can set you up for success in the next steps of dental implant treatment.
Dental Implant Surgery
When you consent to moving forward with our recommended treatment plan, we’ll schedule the next step of your procedure—your dental implant placement surgery. As a Fellow of The International Congress of Oral Implantologists and with his extensive training, Dr. Xhelo is able to complete this step in-office. This not only is much more convenient for you, but it also means you can work with a team you already know and trust and know exactly where to turn if you have concerns or questions at any point.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
The following three to six months after your treatment, osseointegration (which is when the implants fuse with the jawbone) and healing will take place. It’s important to follow our post-operative instructions if you want to give your implants the best chances of successfully becoming integrated with the bone. A few months later, we will insert a piece called an abutment, which will connect the implant post to the restoration.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
After your healing is complete and your abutments are attached, we’ll secure your customized restoration within your mouth to complete your smile. Whether you are receiving a single crown or a full denture for the whole arch, your restoration will be completely secure and ready to use just as you would normal teeth. We recommend starting off with soft foods until you get used to your new teeth, however, so that you don’t accidentally bite your tongue or cheeks. But as soon as you catch on, your smile is whole and ready to go!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants in Downers Grove are a top choice among patients because of the variety of life-changing benefits they offer. Because they stimulate the jawbone by replacing the root structure of your missing teeth, you’re able to enjoy your original chewing power, a smile that looks and feels home-grown, and your jawbone won’t deteriorate with time.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
At Dentique Dental, our philosophy is to provide custom-tailored care, ensuring you get the best outcomes from treatments designed to meet your unique needs. As such, your dental implant procedure can be customized to replace one, several, or all of your teeth.
Missing One Tooth
For a single missing tooth, Dr. Xhelo will place one dental implant below the gumline to restore the missing root of the tooth. After it has fused with the bone, he can then secure a free-standing dental crown to it to fill the gap in your smile.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Instead of having to settle for a traditional dental bridge, we can secure a bridge to two dental implants placed at either side of the gap in your smile left by consecutive missing teeth. This will eliminate the need to alter your natural teeth, preserving and rebuilding your smile at the same time.
Missing All Teeth/All-On-4 Dental Implants
Dr. Xhelo offers All-On-4 dental implants in Downers Grove, which lets you enjoy faster results by securing a complete denture to four strategically placed dental implants. Depending on your situation, you may instead opt for traditional implant dentures, which utilizes four to eight dental implants to secure a restoration.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
We want you to have the smile that you deserve, which is why we’re happy to accept and be in-network with many dental insurance plans, like Delta Dental, Ameritas, MetLife, Cigna, and more. We’ll file claims on your behalf whenever possible, but know that many plans don’t cover the complete cost of dental implants, so an out-of-pocket expense can likely be expected. For those without insurance, our in-house dental membership plan is just $50 and provides you with a 20% discount on all major services, as well as 50% off all preventive treatments.
Dental Implant FAQs
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants have the potential to last for more than three decades, which is one of the many reasons so many patients choose this tooth-replacement solution. It’s important to note, however, that their lifespan rests heavily on how well you care for them. That’s one of the many reasons patients considering this smile-rebuilding service need to commit to good oral hygiene habits, including brushing twice a day and coming in for a checkup and cleaning twice a year.
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
Although dental implant failure is relatively rare, it can happen. The two most common causes are peri-implantitis and failed osseointegration. If you aren’t familiar with either, peri-implantitis is a form of gum disease and failed osseointegration is when the dental implant and jawbone don’t fuse together properly. The best way to prevent either of these problems from surfacing is by following all of the aftercare instructions provided, including keeping your mouth clean following the procedure and quitting unhealthy habits, like smoking.
How Can I Tell If My Dental Implant Is Failing?
If your dental implant doesn’t feel secure, you’re in pain, or you’re experiencing any other abnormal symptoms, it’s important to get in touch with our Downers Grove dental team since it could be the result of dental implant failure.
Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?
Most patients need to take a day or two off of work following their procedure. However, the exact length of time we recommend dedicating to recovering will depend on factors like how extensive your treatment was and how physically demanding your job is. If you’re hesitant to use your PTO, you can also schedule your appointment on a Thursday or Friday so you have the weekend to recover.
Will People Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?
If there was once a noticeable gap in your smile or you were missing all of your teeth, then the people around you will certainly notice a difference. That said, dental implants are custom-made for each patient to ensure that they look and function beautifully. So, if someone is meeting you for the first time, they won’t be able to tell which teeth are natural and which ones are dental implants.
Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?
In short, dental implants aren’t suitable for children, teens, and even adults in their early 20s. That’s because the jaw needs to be fully developed before this tooth-replacement option is on the table. The good news is that if you’re not quite a candidate yet, we can rebuild your smile with a different tooth-replacement solution in the meantime, like a dental bridge.