Missing teeth are both a cosmetic concern and a functional problem. Over time, bone in the area of a missing tooth will start to shrink, causing the surrounding teeth to shift and changing the bite. Dental implants offer effective treatment with long-term results, helping patients avoid these common concerns after tooth extraction.

For almost 40 years, Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville has supported patients with tooth restoration using dental implants. We are board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons who specialize in this treatment. Our practice has invested in the latest surgical technology and resources, making care more comfortable, shortening recovery times, and providing a high success rate.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots. While traditional tooth restorations may only replace the dental crown — the part of your tooth that is visible above the gums — dental implants replace the entire structure of your tooth. This gives you back a tooth that is as strong and durable as your original.

Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville can place a dental implant to anchor one or several artificial crowns. Using multiple implants in combination, we can even restore an entire dental arch of teeth in a technique known as All-On-4. In general, successful treatment with dental implants requires skillful and precise placement, a proper foundation of the jawbone, and good oral health.

The Benefits of Getting Dental Implants

  • Replace missing or damaged teeth for a more aesthetically appealing smile.
  • Get long-term improvement. Dental implants should last you a lifetime with proper care.
  • Restore the full function of your original teeth. Dental implants can be a good option if dentures or missing teeth are keeping you from eating your favorite foods.
  • Teeth supported by dental implants are fixed in place. You do not need to remove them at night or worry about them slipping out of place.
  • Surgery is well established and relatively predictable. You can choose to sleep through the entire experience.

How We Diagnose and Determine Candidates for Dental Implant Surgery

You may be a good candidate for dental implants if you:

Have a damaged tooth that is not easily reparable.

Have one or more missing teeth.

Wear dentures but would prefer something more comfortable.

Patients should have no underlying health condition that would prevent them from receiving treatment or a social habit that might compromise a successful outcome. Our doctors can discuss treatment with you as part of your initial consultation.

What Types of Prostheses Do We Use With Dental Implants?

Dental implants can recreate the supporting structure of your smile and bite. They will typically require a multi-stage treatment to ensure a strong and lasting result. Our doctors will surgically place the dental implant, and in a follow-up procedure, your general dentist will attach the artificial tooth to the implant.

If you have a single missing or damaged tooth, Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville can replace it with a single artificial crown.

A dental bridge, a type of prosthesis, can also replace several teeth. Connecting a bridge to one or more than one dental implant can give your new teeth strength and stability.

An alternative to dentures, our doctors can restore the entire upper and lower set of teeth with as few as four dental implants for each arch.

Supporting Treatments for Dental Implants

Our office provides a variety of treatments to optimize the results of dental implants. These are recommended on a case-by-case basis, depending on the needs of each patient.

Bone Grafting

A bone grafting treatment optimizes the quality of the socket for implant placement.

Immediate Dental Implants

Typically, the implants are placed several months after tooth extraction. Advancements in surgical techniques make it possible for some patients to have a tooth extraction, bone grafting, and implant placement in the same appointment.

Same-day Dental Implants

With “Teeth in a Day,” our practice places implants and helps create the replacement tooth on the same day. This service is available for crowns, dental bridges, and even replacement of all of the teeth.

All-On-4 Implants

All-On-4 dental implants are a cutting-edge approach for patients who need to replace all of their top or bottom teeth. In one appointment, we can remove all remaining teeth, place multiple implants, and attach replacement teeth to the implants. Typically, we use four implants (hence “All on 4”).
Fixed dental bridge prosthesis: We can use an implant-fixed bridge prosthesis to replace teeth, bone, and lost soft tissue.

Zygomatic Implants

This is an advanced type of dental implant that is designed for people who are experiencing a severe amount of bone loss in the upper jaw.

Bar Attachment Denture

This prosthesis provides improved stability for denture use. It is secured in place to a system that uses dental implants and a bar attachment.

After-implant Placement

We can attach temporary teeth or implant bridges to restore the appearance of your smile until your general dentist can connect your final replacement teeth to the implants.

As Many As One In Six American Adults Struggle With Tooth Loss

It is critical to have missing teeth replaced, and one of the best ways to do so is with implants. Dental implants offer a more secure and comfortable alternative to dentures. Find out more by scheduling an appointment with us today!

Contact Us

What Are the Costs Involved in Getting Dental Implants?

The cost of dental implants varies depending on the treatment that each patient requires. Factors that can affect cost include:

  • The location of the implant.
  • Whether patients need bone or soft tissue grafting.
  • Health conditions that could lead to complications.
  • The material cost for the implant, abutment, and crown/bridge.

Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville’s pricing is in line with the extensive experience that our specialists offer. We have invested in the most advanced resources and technology to make treatment more precise, patients more comfortable, results more durable, and recovery time shorter. We will take the time to discuss pricing in a transparent and straightforward way so that you can make the best decision about your care.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Implants?

Each insurance provider has its own rules about which procedures and treatments it will cover. For this reason, you should check with your insurer to find out whether your policy will cover tooth extractions and dental implants. You can learn more online about our practice’s payment policies and how we help patients get the most from their coverage.

Read Our Reviews

The Dental Implant Process

Most patients complete their treatment with dental implants over multiple appointments. This allows our surgeons and their general dentist to create a stable, durable, and aesthetically appealing restoration.

How Long Are the Procedures and How Many Sessions Can Be Expected?

A typical treatment with dental implants includes three appointments:

  • Surgery to place your dental implant, which may take 1-2 hours for a single implant.
  • A follow-up procedure to uncover the implant. Not every patient will require this step.
  • A visit to your general dentist, who will attach the new crown to the implant.

Most people will need about three months from the date of implant placement before visiting their general dentist for their new tooth. However, we can provide “Teeth in a Day” treatment for some patients, which creates the replacement tooth in a single visit. Patients may also benefit from supplementary procedures, such as tooth extraction and bone grafting, before receiving implants. (Learn more about when you may need a bone graft.)

Initial Appointments, Scan, and Custom Treatment Planning

During your initial consultation, we will spend a lot of time talking about how dental implants work, the timeline, and likely costs. Once you move forward with this treatment, you may have a separate records visit to take cone-beam CT and intraoral scans. The process is entirely comfortable and non-invasive.
After your doctor has planned your treatment digitally using these scans, we will go over the specifics of your surgery and guidelines to follow in advance of the procedure. Your doctor may also recommend that you receive bone or tissue grafts to strengthen the area before placing dental implants.

The Surgical Placement of Implants

We use a combination of digital workflow tools, surgical guides, and advanced imaging technology for our procedures. These resources allow your doctor to plan every aspect of your treatment, virtually “see” the internal structures of your tooth, and place dental implants very precisely.

During the surgery, your doctor will remove the existing tooth and anchor a dental implant into the bone beneath your gums. For a single implant, we will schedule a two-hour procedure to ensure that you have plenty of individual time, attention, and care.

The Placement of the Tooth Prosthetic

We will either place your implants below the gums or attach a healing abutment to each. Patients with implants below the gums will have a brief follow-up procedure to uncover these implants. When the implants have fully integrated with your jawbone, you will visit your general dentist, who will attach your final teeth.

How Do I Know If Dental Implants Are Right for Me?

Consider dental implants if you need to replace missing or damaged teeth, and if you want to:

  • Improve the aesthetics of your smile and the strength of your bite.
  • Get a fixed appliance that will not move out of place as you speak or eat.
  • Avoid future treatment, which other less durable solutions may require.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

Dental implants are a safe and widely used treatment option. Our practice only performs procedures with biocompatible materials, the same types that are used in hip and knee replacement surgeries. Additionally, our practice only uses the highest-quality medical-grade components from manufacturers such as Straumann® and Nobel Biocare™, who have years of testing and research-based evidence behind them.

Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Which Is Better?

Dentures are a removable tooth replacement option. Over time, the bone supporting the dentures may shrink, and they may not fit as well. This can cause irritation and slippage while you are eating or speaking.

Dental implants are fixed in place, and the teeth that they support should not move or shift. You can brush and care for them just like your original teeth; there is no need to take them out at night. As a result, dental implants can provide a sturdier, more natural-feeling tooth restoration.

Is Dental Implant Surgery Painful?

Dental implant surgery with our practice is completely pain-free thanks to our anesthetic protocols. After receiving local anesthesia, the only thing that patients should feel is some subtle vibrations in their mouth, similar to what they would experience with a dental filling.

Our doctors are board-certified oral and maxillofacial specialists with training in a range of anesthetic techniques. If you prefer to sleep through the entire procedure, we can also perform the surgery using IV sedation. Your comfort and safety are our utmost priorities.

Recovery from Dental Implant Surgery

Recovering from dental implant surgery is usually easier than recuperating from a tooth extraction. Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville follows a precise approach and uses treatment planning technology to give patients a much more comfortable recovery. We also use specialized techniques during surgery to help speed the healing process.

How Long Does It Take to Heal After Getting Dental Implants?

In general, you should plan for at least one day away from work and normal activities and 5-6 days away from exercise.

Most of our patients wait three months after receiving dental implants before they go on to the next step in the process. This gives the implants time to integrate completely with the surrounding jaw bone.

How Long Do I Need to Wait After Getting Dental Implants Before I Can Eat Normally?

Chewing food might be difficult in the first 5-6 days after surgery. We recommend starting with a liquid diet and then moving on to soft, bulky foods, such as oatmeal. You should avoid chewing near the surgical site for 3-4 weeks.

Throughout your recovery, it is important to keep drinking liquids and to maintain the right diet so that your stomach can tolerate pain medications. Please see our post-operative guidance for more details.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants should last a lifetime. Because they restore the entire structure of the tooth — from the dental root to the crown –they are much more durable than traditional restorations.

For a dental implant to provide you with years of comfortable and natural use, it needs to be placed properly. Our surgeons take the time to plan procedures in-depth for highly effective outcomes.

Patients should also follow their general dentist’s guidance after receiving dental implants. Good oral health will help prevent tooth decay, which can weaken implants and their surrounding teeth.

Excellence in Dental Implants in Naperville, IL

Replace your missing or damaged teeth with restorations that have the appearance and function of your originals. We encourage patients from Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield, and the greater DuPage County community to schedule an appointment with our practice.

Find out more about how dental implants can give you back a natural-looking smile and a strong bite. Contact Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville online or by phone at (630) 961-5151.