Restore Your Bite with Dental Implants

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.

The Preparation Process

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 take 3D digital x-rays using our efficient, advanced 3D i-CAT® machine to more accurately analyze your facial structure and determine the best placement of your dental implants.

If you have waited to address missing teeth, you may have experienced some bone atrophy, or shrinkage, in the jaw. Dr. Nordhus can graft donor tissue to the area or perform sinus lift surgery to create an adequate foundation for your implant. 

Placing Your Dental Implant

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.

During a second surgery, Dr. Nordhus will place an abutment on top of your implant, and this will serve as the point of connection with your crown or denture. A special healing collar will help the gums heal around the abutment, leaving it exposed above the gumline. Once the gums have fully healed, Dr. Nordhus can begin creating your permanent restoration.

Benefits

Dental implants offer a wealth of very important benefits. Traditional dentures rest on the gums, held in place with a mild adhesive. However, they can still slip out of place when eating or speaking. Implant-supported dentures, on the other hand, will not shift out of place, allowing you to enjoy all the tough, crunchy, and chewy foods you love.

Implants also help you retain valuable bone mass. When a tooth is lost, the jaw will eventually begin to lose bone mass at the site of the gap. Dental implants are the only treatment that can prevent bone atrophy, making them one of the most important investments you can make in restoring a compromised smile.

Learn More about Dental Implants

Dental implants can restore your health, comfort, confidence, and quality of life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about the timeline for implants, costs involved, and answers to any other questions you may have about treatment.