Upgrade Your Smile With Dental Implants
“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.” — Mother Teresa
Dental implants are an exceptional, natural-looking way to replace any number of missing, damaged, or extracted teeth. Beyond restoring the completed look of your smile, implants play a critical role in maintaining the quality of your oral health.
Whether you’re missing one tooth or an entire arch, our Charleston dental team has a solution for you. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lowcountry offers several dental implant solutions to replace missing teeth and renew your beautiful smile.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants
are considered the gold standard of restorative treatments thanks to their high success rate and longevity. Dr. Dillard uses dental implants to permanently replace lost, extracted, or broken teeth from root to crown. They can also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures.
Your implants are custom-designed to closely mimic the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth. Best of all, dental implants are placed directly into your jawbone for unmatched support and strength𑁋so they’ll never come out or move around. Our Charleston patients can enjoy a completely restored, beautiful new smile after the healing period is complete.
Replace Full Arches With TeethXpress®
Missing multiple teeth but tired of wearing dentures? Dr. Dillard can secure a full denture with four to six dental implants using our TeethXpress treatment option. With TeethXpress, patients can regain confidence in their smiles𑁋without worrying about their teeth falling out or sticking to a restrictive diet.
This permanent tooth replacement won’t slide around or fall out when eating or speaking. TeethXpress offers the ability for your new teeth to be placed the same day your implants are inserted. Learn how Dr. Dillard helps fully edentulous patients enjoy the benefits of dental implants combined with the full coverage of a traditional denture.
The Dental Implant Process
At Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lowcountry, getting dental implants is a multi-step process that occurs over several months. The process is completed efficiently and skillfully by your Charleston dentist, Dr. Matt Dillard. Our practice utilizes innovative implant technology and high-quality techniques to ensure unmatched results.
We also want to make sure we give you enough time to heal between each step. It’s important to give your body time to recover after your implants have been secured. The healing period increases the likelihood of long-term success and provides a strong, stable foundation for the placement of the abutment and crown.
Dental Implant Candidacy
Dental implants are the gold standard for missing teeth restoration𑁋but not every patient is immediately eligible for implants and may require a supplemental procedure before treatment. During your consultation, Dr. Dillard will closely inspect every aspect of your smile and identify whether you’re ready for dental implants.
Unhealthy habits play a big role in qualifying for implants and having a successful placement. In some cases, it may be necessary to make some lifestyle changes to be a candidate. If you’re not ready for immediate implant placement, our oral surgeon can include preliminary strategies for preparing your smile for this revolutionary treatment.
Treatment Options Compared
Whether you’re missing one tooth or several teeth, Dr. Dillard can customize a tooth restoration to meet your specific needs and long-term oral health goals. We’ll help determine the best possible tooth replacement treatment for you and your smile. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lowcountry also offers solutions for partially and fully edentulous patients.
There are various methods available to replace missing teeth depending on the patient and the condition of their mouth. If you’re ready to transform your smile, call today to get started. Imagine a smile like you’ve never seen, beautiful and completely natural.
Tooth Loss and Your Health
Looks aren’t the only feature that suffers after teeth are extracted or go missing. A smile with missing teeth can take a toll on your health, mentally and physically. Specifically, partially and fully edentulous patients often face several immediate and long-term issues tied to missing teeth and the lack of stimulation.
Our Charleston dentist offers dental implants as a remarkable solution to tooth loss and insufficient jawbone. Implants help prevent oral infection, eliminate imperfections, and provide you with a smile that can last a lifetime with proper care.
Ease Your Worries With Sedation Dentistry
Dental anxiety and fear are serious obstacles that prevent many patients from getting the care they need and achieving their best smiles. At Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lowcountry, we offer sedation dentistry to meet your individual comfort needs and make your visit stress-free. Best of all, you’ll leave our office with a smile that you can’t get anywhere else.
Dr. Dillard is trained to provide intravenous (IV) sedation to help patients remain comfortable and calm throughout their appointment. Your comfort and safety are our priority, which is why we’ll always go the extra mile to ensure you feel as relaxed as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions𑁋Dental Implants
If you’re looking for answers about dental implants, look no further. Dr. Matt Dillard and our team of experts will be here with you every step of the way. If you want a natural-looking smile that works like new, our dental implants could be right for you. Call (843) 881-8775 to learn more.
How long is the dental implant process?
Getting dental implants is split into three appointments. The first appointment is your consultation to see if you’re an ideal candidate for dental implants. At your second appointment, Dr. Dillard will place the implant fixture. This is the section of the implant that acts like the root of a natural tooth to hold the implant firmly in place. It will take about three to five months for the bones in your jaw to develop a secure bond with the implant fixture. During your third appointment, Dr. Dillard will complete your smile by attaching the attractive porcelain crown.
Is the dental implant procedure painful?
At Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lowcountry, we do everything we can to keep you comfortable during your procedure. Dr. Dillard will administer dental sedation to help you relax completely and ensure you don’t feel any pain.
Is it possible for a dental implant to be placed the same day as an extraction?
Depending on each patient’s jawbone strength, getting a new dental implant fixture placed the same day as an extraction may be possible, and this can even reduce your overall recovery time. But in other cases, Dr. Dillard will recommend waiting until your jaw is fully healed from extraction to begin the implant process.
Is there a specific amount of time should I take off work when getting implants?
Recovery time varies from patient to patient. We suggest resting at home for at least 24 hours after your procedure. We’ll provide a post-operative care guide that tells you how to protect your implants following your surgical procedure.
Is it possible for dental implants to decay?
No. The dental implants themselves are not subject to tooth decay. But the gums that surround them can become vulnerable to infection. You can protect your smile by practicing good oral hygiene every day.
What is the life-span of dental implants?
Dental implants are the most sought-after tooth-replacement option because of how long they can last. If cared for properly, they can stay strong and healthy for over 25 years.
Following your procedure, it’s crucial that you maintain your routine visits to Dr. Dillard’s office. We even recommend scheduling an extra appointment — for a total of three a year — just to be safe.
Dental Implants Can Change Your Life
If you are living without all of your teeth, dental implants and implant-supported treatments are the ideal solutions for fully restoring health and function to your smile.
At Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lowcountry, our mission is to provide high-quality care in a friendly environment. For patients who’ve spent years with missing teeth and are ready for a boost in confidence, our dental implant solutions are designed to restore your smile and the quality of your life for years to come.