Overland Park Single-Tooth Implants

Reasons you might be a good dental implant candidate

1. You are medically healthy.
2. You are a non-smoker.
3. You have a healthy mouth free from periodontal disease.
4. You are willing to commit to the maintenance dental implants require.
5. You are completely grown (18 years old for girls, 21 for boys)
6. You have adequate bone for implant placement. A majority of bone deficient areas can be treated with bone grafting procedures.
7. You have adequate space for dental implant placement.

What Are Single-Tooth Dental Implants?

Dental implants can be a great way to replace a missing tooth. They are a particularly good choice when the teeth on either side of the gap have small or no fillings since other tooth replacement options involve the restoration of the adjacent teeth in some way. Single tooth dental implants are not connected to the neighboring teeth and function similar to a natural tooth. They are the most ideal tooth replacement option that dentistry has to offer.

Ward Periodontics offers:

• Onsite 3D CT scans that are read by a board-certified radiologist (at no additional cost to you) to precisely plan your dental implant.
• Computer-guided implant placement with our X-Guide navigation system.
• Surgical removal of infected tooth/teeth and various bone grafting options.
• A team approach to your implant care. We work with your preferred dentist to create the smile you desire.
• A supportive and friendly team of dental professionals to support you through the process of tooth replacement.
• Financing options to make implants affordable for you.

Contact us today at (913) 563-7400 to get started.

The Single Tooth Implant Process Timeline

After you’ve been approved for the surgery, the implant process typically takes two appointments at Ward Periodontics. However, the entire process can take up to 3-6 months, depending on how long it takes for your implant to heal.

At your first appointment, Dr. Ward will place your dental implant using the treatment plan she developed based on the images and x-rays taken during your consultation. After your mouth has been cleaned and numbed, we will surgically place your implant using our X-Guide machine, ensuring that it’s placed in the optimal position for rapid healing. 

Once your implant has been placed, the area will be sutured shut, and it must heal for a period of 3-6 months. During this time, your jaw bone bonds with your dental implant, and the small piece of titanium becomes a permanent part of your mouth. During this time, Dr. Ward will work with a trusted dental lab to craft a porcelain crown. 

Once your mouth has healed, you’ll come back in for your final appointment to have your crown permanently attached. Dr. Ward will check the crown for the proper fit and attach it to your dental implant permanently using dental cement. This completes the single-tooth implant process.

The Healing Process For Single-Tooth Implants

There are two phases of the healing process for single-tooth implants. During the initial healing process, your gums and jaw will begin to heal around the jaw bone. For the first 24-48 hours after your surgery, you may experience some bruising, discomfort, and swelling around the implant site. You may want to eat only soft foods for the first week or so after your procedure to avoid irritating the area. In addition, it’s important to continue brushing and flossing normally. Use care around your implant and be gentle to avoid irritating it and causing discomfort. 

Give yourself about 4 days before you start exercising in order to avoid pain and discomfort around the implant site and ensure that your mouth heals properly. Within about 2 weeks, you should feel no more pain or discomfort. 

This is when the second phase of the healing process begins. This is called “osseointegration.” During the next 3-6 months, your implant will continue to heal and bond with the gum and jaw bone surrounding it, and it will eventually become completely integrated into your jaw bone.

Tips on How to Care For Your New Dental Implant

You can treat a single-tooth dental implant just like you would treat any of your other teeth. Brush your teeth at least twice per day for two minutes, and floss around the implant to remove food debris from the gum line. In addition, it’s important to come see Dr. Ward every six months for a check-up and oral exam. With proper care, you can expect your implant to last 30+ years.

Using X-Guide for Better Implant Placement

An X-Guide machine is a surgical navigation unit that uses a light and a camera to detect real-time changes and provides vital information to guide the implantation process. It produces 3D, real-time navigation for dental implants. Unlike the printed guided process, there is no extended turnaround time, so same-day guided surgery is a reality. 

Benefits of X-Guide

Using an X-Guide machine during the implantation process helps Dr. Ward to better assess how to place the implant. Not only does this simplify the process for Dr. Ward, but it also makes it easier for you! The benefits of this procedure include:

• Quicker Treatment
  • With more control over the entire dental implant process, X-Guide allows for quicker, more accurate placement. This means you can spend less time in the dental chair!
• More Precise Treatment
  • There is no guesswork with X-Guide implant mapping. Dr. Ward will be able to avoid tender nerves and find the optimal insertion point with precise accuracy, which means less trauma at the insertion site and quicker healing so you can get back to your normal life!
• More Affordable 
  • X-Guide mapping is just a fraction of the cost of traditional implant guided dentistry.