Unlock Your Beautiful, Functional Smile with Natural-looking Dental Implants
Are you missing one or more teeth because of injury, decay, or gum disease? Wilmington Smiles offers dental implants as a permanent solution to tooth loss. A dental implant acts as a tooth root and supports a crown, bridge, or denture to replace any number of missing teeth in the mouth.
Missing teeth in Wilmington, North Carolina? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory Garrett for dental implants structured to look and function like natural teeth. With our dental implants, you’ll eat, smile, and talk like you never lost teeth!
Related Web Stories
The dental implant procedure
The dental implant treatment takes about 6-9 months, but it’s worth the wait because you’ll get something close to the real deal. Restoring your smile with a dental implant usually takes the steps below.
- Initial consultation: The first step is a consultation with an implant dentist to rule out decay, gum disease, and other problems that may compromise your implant. During this exam, we use dental X-rays to determine whether you’ve sufficient bone to support an implant.
- Pre-surgery procedures: While some patients go straight to implant surgery after the initial exam, others may require supplementary procedures to make them eligible for implants. For instance, if you have severe bone loss, we recommend a bone graft to replenish lost bone tissue. Furthermore, if you want to replace a failing tooth, it must be extracted first to give way to an implant.
- Implant surgery: Placing an implant only requires numbing the treatment area with local anesthetics, but sedation dentistry is available for added comfort. Once you are comfortable, the dentist surgically inserts a titanium post at a precise location in the bone before suturing the wound to kick-start healing.
- Healing and fusion: The implant site will be left for 4-6 months to allow the implant to fuse with the bone through osseointegration. After this integration, the implant and bone become one biological structure to form a stable foundation to support the replacement tooth (teeth).
- Abutment placement: After healing, the dentist places a metal appliance that connects the implant fixture to the crown or other restoration.
- Tooth restoration: The final step is to cover your implant with a natural-looking crown. Good news! Instead of waiting weeks to restore your implant with a crown, our office offers CEREC crowns to rebuild your smile in a single visit!
Top-rated Dental Implant Dentist Near Me
Dental implants offer life-changing benefits, including restored oral function, renewed confidence, and preserved oral health. To restore your smile with dental implants, call (910) 208-6721 to schedule an appointment with Wilmington Smiles.
Dental Implants FAQs
Can dental implants help prevent bone loss in the jaw?
Yes, one of the most underrated benefits of dental implants is how they support your jawbone. When a natural tooth is lost, the bone beneath it begins to shrink due to lack of stimulation. Implants act like artificial tooth roots, preserving bone density by stimulating the jaw as you chew. Over time, this helps maintain your facial structure and oral health, which is something traditional bridges or dentures don’t do.
Are dental implants suitable for patients with existing dental restorations?
Definitely! Many patients at Wilmington Smiles already have crowns, bridges, or dentures. Dr. Garrett can evaluate your current dental work and plan implant placement that complements and strengthens your existing restorations. Sometimes, older restorations may be upgraded with implant-supported versions for better stability and function.
How does the healing process work after implant placement?
Healing is a critical phase. After the implant post is placed in your jaw, it undergoes osseointegration—a process where the bone fuses with the implant. This takes about 4–6 months. While that may sound like a long time, patients typically follow their normal routines during this phase. Dr. Garrett closely monitors healing to ensure everything integrates properly before placing the final restoration.
Can dental implants affect adjacent teeth?
One of the advantages of implants is that they don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support. A dental bridge, for example, often requires grinding down healthy adjacent teeth for support. Implants, on the other hand, are self-supporting, preserving the integrity of surrounding natural teeth. They also prevent neighboring teeth from shifting into the gap a missing tooth leaves.
What materials are used for dental implants at Wilmington Smiles?
Dr. Garrett uses high-grade titanium for the implant posts—this metal is known for being biocompatible and incredibly durable. For the visible part of the implant, like a crown or bridge, we use lifelike ceramic or porcelain materials that are color-matched to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
Is the implant procedure painful?
Thanks to local anesthetic and advanced techniques, most patients report minimal discomfort. During the procedure, you won’t feel a thing. Afterward, some soreness is normal for a few days, but it’s often milder than expected. Dr. Garrett may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers and will provide detailed aftercare instructions for a smooth recovery.
How do I care for my dental implants long-term?
Dental implants are low maintenance but not no maintenance. You’ll still need to brush twice a day, floss regularly, and visit Dr. Garrett for routine check-ups. While implants can’t get cavities, the gums around them are still vulnerable to inflammation or infection if not cared for. Dr. Garrett will tailor hygiene tips based on your unique needs to ensure your implant stays strong and secure for decades.
