Dental Implants

What happens during dental implant placement?

*According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

When are dental implants necessary?

Are you a candidate for dental implant treatment?

Why are dental implants recommended over traditional restorations?

How does a dental implant work? 

If you are missing one or all of your teeth, dental implants are a landmark treatment that can restore the health, comfort, and confidence you deserve. Dr. Byron J. Nordhus places and restores dental implants at his Wichita practice. These titanium or ceramic posts are surgically inserted in the jawbone, where they become permanently fused to provide the ultimate support for dental crowns and dentures. To find out if dental implants are right for you, contact our office today and schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Nordhus where he can answer any questions about costs, benefits, and recovery time.

Do You Need Dental Implants?

If you have suffered tooth loss on any scale and have not replaced your lost teeth, or have a traditional restoration, it is highly recommended that you consider dental implants. However, it is important to note that not every patient is a candidate for dental implants.

Budgetary Concerns

While dental implants require a higher up-front, out-of-pocket cost, they are an investment in your future. If budgetary constraints are a serious decision factor for you, we accept financing through CareCredit and offer a five percent reduction for patients who pay in full, in cash, prior to treatment.

Dental Implants: A Multi-Step Process

Since dental implants require an individualized treatment plan, the timeline may differ for each patient. At its most complex, a patient seeking full mouth reconstruction, for example, may require 10 months or more. However, with a simpler case, such as one requiring only a single dental implant, treatment may be complete within six months. The dental implants process consists of six steps:

1. Initial Consultation and Treatment Planning

Careful planning is necessary in order to properly place dental implants. At your initial consultation, Dr. Nordhus will examine your teeth, gums, and facial bone structure to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants.  We will also inquire about your overall medical and dental history before creating a unique treatment plan and estimated timeline. 

2. Preparatory Procedures

In some cases, patients must undergo surgical treatments to become eligible for dental implants. For patients who have already experienced bone loss resulting from missing teeth, bone grafting or sinus lift surgery may be required. These procedures can add several months to the treatment timeline, as the new tissue will need some time to integrate with your jawbone. 

3. Implant Surgery

The actual implant surgery does not take  long,  and is usually an out-patient procedure, which is completed in one medical appointment. Most patients require only local anesthesia when undergoing dental implant placement surgery. If necessary, we offer IV sedation, oral sedatives, and nitrous oxide. During your surgery, Dr. Nordhus will place an incision in the gums and create a pilot hole in the jaw. The threaded implant will be inserted, and the gums will be stitched closed over the implant. After about four months, your implant will have fully integrated with the jawbone.

4. Osseointegration

Following implant surgery, the implant will require a period of 4-6 months to fuse with the jawbone, a process known as osseointegration. This period is critical to a successful outcome, as new bone tissue must grow in the small grooves around the implant in order to provide a stable foundation for your restoration. 

Since dental implants require an individualized treatment plan, the timeline may differ for each patient.

5. Abutment Placement

Once Dr. Nordhus has ensured that the implants can provide a suitable foundation, an abutment will be attached to the top of the titanium post, which will ultimately connect with your permanent restoration. After this procedure, your gum tissue will need time to heal around the abutment, which usually takes up to two weeks.

6. Permanent Restoration

As the final step, a crown, bridge, or implant-retained denture will be attached to your dental implants. Fabrication of your final restoration may add as much as a month to your timeline to ensure that the prosthetic fits comfortably and precisely in your smile.