Dental Implants in Chicago, IL
Restore Your Healthy Smile
Missing teeth can wreak havoc on your daily life. Simple tasks like chewing or speaking can become difficult or painful. Even worse, gaps in your smile may lead to oral health problems like jawbone deterioration. Fortunately, dental implants can not only restore your smile’s functionality but protect your oral health from further complications. There’s a reason they’ve earned the title of the gold standard or restorative dentistry.
At Contos Smile Center, our restorative dentist in Chicago, IL, Dr. Contos, and our expert team are proud to offer this permanent solution for tooth loss. Read our guide to learn how you can benefit from dental implants and if you’re an ideal candidate for the procedure.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium fixtures attached directly to the jawbone for a secure and permanent solution to missing teeth. Because these posts are designed to mimic tooth roots, you won’t have to worry about jawbone deterioration or teeth shifting.
Your implant will be topped off with a natural-looking dental crown that our restorative dentist Dr. Contos can customize to match the shape, size, and color of your surrounding teeth. Depending on your personalized treatment plan, you can receive your restoration in as few as two visits to our Chicago office.
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Benefits of Dental Implants
There are several advantages of dental implants that have earned them the title of the gold standard of restorative dentistry. Some benefits of implants include:
- Restores Smile’s Function & Appearance: Implants can help you speak, chew, and smile with comfort and confidence.
- Durability & Longevity: Implants are affixed directly to your jawbone, meaning they’ll never loosen or shift out of place. They can also last a lifetime with proper care.
- Natural Appearance: Only your custom-made dental crown will be visible above the gumline. Additionally, because implants are rooted into the jawbone, the crown will fit snugly with your surrounding teeth.
- Promotes Jawbone Health: Because tooth roots stimulate the jawbone and maintain its density, their absence can lead to jawbone deterioration. However, implants mimic tooth roots, preventing this from occurring.
Who’s a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Implants are a great way to achieve a restored, healthy smile. Dr. Contos may recommend implants to patients who suffer with:
- Missing teeth
- Severely decayed teeth
- Ill-fitting dentures or bridges
- Irreparably damaged teeth due to injury or trauma
Patients must have good oral health and sufficient jawbone density to be considered an ideal candidate for dental implants. Without these qualifications, the implant procedure could be a failure, and may even lead to complications.
At your initial consultation with Dr. Contos, he’ll determine if you’re eligible for this procedure. If he discovers underlying oral health problems or poor jawbone density, he’ll likely recommend a supplemental procedure such as a bone graft to make you ready for the process.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Initial Consultation
Your journey to a restored smile begins with an initial consultation with Dr. Contos. He’ll perform a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, and jawbone to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for dental implants. If he discovers any underlying oral health issues, he’ll diagnose and treat them before your implant procedure.
Some patients may require supplemental procedures to be deemed eligible for dental implants. Sufficient jawbone density and healthy gums are essential to a successful implant procedure.
First Visit
Placing dental implants and your customized dental crown can be completed in two appointments with our Chicago, IL implant dentist. Dr. Contos will begin the procedure by administering a local anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel a thing while he works.
He’ll then make a small incision in your gums to access your jawbone and attach the implant fixture. Dr. Contos will then place a temporary crown over the surgical site to shield the area against bacteria while it heals. The healing process for dental implants can take between three to six months to complete. During this time, the process known as osseointegration takes place, in which your implant fuses to your jawbone for a stable and permanent fit.
Second Visit
After your mouth has healed, you’ll return to our dental office to receive your dental crown. Our Chicago, IL dentist will customize the restoration so it blends perfectly with your smile. He’ll attach the crown to your implant, ensuring it fits naturally and comfortably. After he makes the necessary adjustments, you’ll be able to leave our Chicago office with a restored smile!
Combining Dental Implants and Bridges
Implants are often used to anchor dental bridges and dentures. A customized arch of artificial teeth, known as pontics, can be held in place in the mouth by as few as four dental implants. With these four implants placed strategically across your upper mouth, and four on the bottom, you can enjoy a full set of securely attached, functional teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care. However, the dental crown may only last up to 15 years or more. To ensure your crown remains strong for years to come, it’s essential to maintain good oral hygiene. This includes brushing and flossing twice a day along with rinsing between meals.
It’s also important to schedule biannual appointments to our Chicago office for routine cleanings and exams. This will keep both your dental crown and oral health in good condition.
Receiving dental implants is a virtually painless experience. Dr. Contos will administer a local anesthetic beforehand to numb your mouth and ensure you don’t feel any pain. After the numbness has subsided, however, you may experience mild discomfort. This pain can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medications and cold compresses, and usually lasts for a short time.
If the pain persists past a few days or becomes unbearable, contact our Chicago office immediately at (773) 973-0531. Dr. Contos will assess your situation and relieve you of any painful symptoms.
The exact cost of your implant procedure depends on several factors, such as how many implants you received. Dr. Contos will provide you with a cost estimate at your initial consultation. We also recommend contacting your dental insurance provider beforehand to learn what your plan will cover.
You can visit our financing page to learn more about our affordable payment options. We also suggest looking into CareCredit, a third-party financing service designed to help patients pay for their treatments. Applying online is quick and easy, and you may be eligible for financial assistance regardless of your insurance status.
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Schedule Your Appointment with Dr. Contos
Dental implants are a permanent and natural-looking solution to tooth loss that can help you speak, chew, and smile with comfort and confidence. To learn if you’re a candidate for this procedure, call our Chicago office at (773) 973-0531 to schedule a consultation. You can also fill out our online contact form to request an appointment. We look forward to helping you restore your healthy smile!
Our Vision
We are dedicated to providing the highest level of service and quality to our patient community by cultivating strong relationships, communicating thoughtful treatment solutions, and providing an enjoyable atmosphere, we can empower our patients to take ownership of their oral health.
We are committed to researching and offering state-of-the-art dental solutions in order to deliver the most advanced treatment options to our patients.
