East Tennessee Periodontics offers affordable dental implants for patients missing one, multiple or a full arch of teeth. Dr. Robert Cain is a highly trained and experienced periodontist that completes all phases of the implant process in his Knoxville dentist office.
Dr. Cain has incorporated digital, CAD/CAM, and IV sedation dentistry into his practice to guarantee patient comfort and satisfaction. He welcomes patients from Maryville, TN, who have missing or damaged teeth and need replacement options.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is made up of a few different parts. The main part is a small metal post, usually made of titanium. Titanium is a special material that works well with the human body, so it’s safe and effective. This metal post is placed into your jawbone during a surgical procedure.
Once it’s in place, the implant acts like a tooth root. It stimulates the jawbone, which helps prevent the bone from shrinking or weakening over time. Over a few months, the implant fuses with the bone around it, creating a strong and stable base for your new teeth.
What Goes on Top of the Implant?
The implant supports a dental prosthesis, a custom-made replacement tooth or teeth. The type of prosthesis you need depends on how many teeth you’re missing:
- Single Tooth: If you’re missing one tooth, one implant will be placed, and a dental crown (a fake tooth) will be attached to it.
- Multiple Teeth: If you’re missing several teeth in a row, two or three implants can support a dental bridge (a set of connected fake teeth).
- Full Arch: Multiple implants can support a full denture if you’re missing all your teeth in an arch (upper or lower). This is a complete set of teeth that looks and functions like natural teeth.
The Dental Implant Process in Maryville, TN
The planning phase is the most essential part of the dental implant process. After a complete and thorough evaluation of your health and an examination of your teeth and mouth, Dr. Cain can then create a treatment plan to replace your missing or damaged teeth.
Each step in the procedure will be meticulously mapped out to ensure the best possible end result. The time it will take to complete the entire implant process is solely based on the individual patient, but generally, it will take at least three to six months.
This time frame will be extended if you require any treatments first such as gum disease therapy.
Surgery
The first step is the surgical phase, where Dr. Cain will place the dental implants into your jawbone. These implants are small titanium posts that act like artificial tooth roots. The procedure usually takes about one to two hours for a single implant, but it may take longer if you’re getting multiple implants.
To make sure you’re comfortable and pain-free during the surgery, Dr. Cain will use sedation dentistry. This means you’ll be relaxed and won’t feel any discomfort.
Healing
After the implants are placed, they’ll need time to heal and bond with your jawbone. This process, called osseointegration, usually takes about three to six months.
In some cases, Dr. Cain may place a temporary restoration (like a temporary crown or denture) while your implants heal. This temporary solution helps you eat, speak, and smile normally during the healing process.
The Abutment
Once the implants have fully fused with your jawbone, the next step is to attach the abutment. The abutment is a small connector piece that sits on top of the implant and holds your new tooth or teeth in place. Dr. Cain will take impressions of your mouth to create a custom-made restoration that fits perfectly.
The Restoration
The final step is placing your new prosthetic teeth. Depending on your needs, this could be a dental crown for a single missing tooth or a bridge or denture for multiple missing teeth.
Dr. Cain will attach the restoration to the dental implants at his office near Maryville, TN. Once everything is in place, you’ll have a fully restored smile that looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth.
How To Maintain Implants
Taking care of your dental implants is key to keeping them strong, healthy, and looking great for years to come. Follow these simple steps to maintain your implants once you complete treatment:
Brush and Floss
Just like natural teeth, dental implants must be brushed daily. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to gently clean around the implants and the gums. Brush at least twice a day to remove plaque and keep your mouth fresh.
We recommend an interdental brush or water flosser for implant restorations. These types of floss help you clean between the teeth and around the implants. You can floss before you brush for a better clean.
Use Mouthwash
Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash to kill bacteria and keep your gums healthy. This can help prevent infections and keep your breath fresh. We also recommend an alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent dry mouth.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking can slow down healing and increase the risk of implant failure. We will recommend that you stop smoking during implant treatment. If you smoke, try to quit or cut back to protect your implants and overall oral health once you complete treatment.
Visit Dr. Cain Regularly
Regular dental check-ups are essential to keep your dental implants in good shape. Our dentist will check the implants, clean hard-to-reach areas, and make sure everything functions. We recommend that you visit Dr. Cain every six months.
Dental Implant FAQs
Read answers to questions about dental implants in our Maryville, TN, dental office:
How long does it take to fully heal after getting a dental implant?
It usually takes 3 to 6 months to fully heal after getting a dental implant. This is because the implant needs time to bond with your jawbone. During this time, your bone grows around the implant and helps hold it in place.
Everyone heals a little differently. Some people may heal faster, and others may take a bit longer. Dr. Cain will check how things are going and let you know when you’re ready for the next step.
Can I get a dental implant the same day my tooth is removed?
Sometimes you can get a dental implant on the same day your tooth is removed. This is called a same-day implant. But not everyone is a good match for it.
You need to have healthy teeth and gums and you need enough bone to hold the implant in place. If your mouth is not ready, we recommend that you wait a few months to let the area heal.
Do dental implants feel like real teeth when chewing or talking?
Yes. Implants are anchored into your jawbone like real tooth roots, so they don’t slip or click like dentures. Over time, they let you chew almost as well as natural teeth. Unlike real teeth, implants can’t feel hot or cold, but they still sense pressure, so chewing feels normal. Implants also won’t affect your speech once you’re used to them.
Do you need to replace dental implants?
Most dental implants are designed to last often 20 years or more, and many last for a lifetime. Unlike regular teeth, implants won’t get cavities. But we need to replace your crown, bridge, or denture every 10 to 15 years.
Can dental implants replace front teeth?
Yes, dental implants can replace front teeth. If you have a single tooth gap or all your front teeth missing, you can get an implant restoration. Dental implants can fill the missing tooth gap to create a fuller smile.
Can dental implants help prevent bone loss?
Yes! When you lose a tooth, the bone in that spot can shrink because it’s no longer being used. Dental implants act like natural tooth roots and help keep the bone strong by stimulating it when you chew.
Implant posts stop the bone from shrinking and keep your jaw healthy. Tooth implants are a good choice if you want to protect your bone and keep your smile looking natural.
How many dental implants can I get at once?
This depends on the type of restoration you need. If you need to replace all your teeth with implants, we can use as few as four implants to secure a tooth arch. You don’t need to replace all your teeth with individual implants. Dr. Cain will let you know how many implants you need based on your number of missing teeth.
What are the signs that an implant might be failing?
Implant failure is rare but can happen if you smoke or don’t care for your oral health. Signs that a dental implant might be failing can include:
- Pain or discomfort around the implant that doesn’t go away.
- Swelling, redness, or bleeding in the gums near the implant.
- The implant feels loose or moves when you touch it.
- Trouble chewing or biting on the implant side.
- Bad smell or taste in your mouth near the implant.
- The gums around the implant start to pull away or look different.
Call Dr. Cain if you notice these symptoms. He can help you heal your mouth and can provide a new implant once you’re healthy.
Replace Missing Teeth
Get dental implants in Maryville, TN. Call Dr. Cain today at (865) 276-7173 or request an appointment online. If you have questions about treatment or want to know if you’re a good candidate, let us know! We will be happy to help.
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