Why Implants Stand Apart from Other Options
Dental implants work differently from traditional tooth replacements because they replace the entire tooth structure, not just the visible portion. A titanium post gets surgically embedded into your jawbone, acting as a replacement root. Your body recognizes this post as compatible and begins growing bone around it over the following months—a natural bonding process called osseointegration that creates remarkable strength.
After this integration period, Dr. Connor or Dr. Prouty attaches a connector piece called an abutment, which holds your custom-made crown. The final restoration matches your surrounding teeth so precisely that most people can’t tell the difference between your implant and natural teeth.
The real advantage shows up in how implants protect your long-term oral health. Your jawbone needs stimulation from tooth roots to maintain its density and shape. When teeth go missing, that stimulation disappears, and your bone gradually shrinks away. Implants provide the same stimulation natural roots once did, keeping your bone strong and preventing the facial collapse that can make people look older than their years.
Your Path to New Teeth
Getting dental implants in Dakota Dunes begins with Dr. Prouty and Dr. Connor evaluating whether you’re ready for the procedure. They’ll review your complete health picture, examine your mouth carefully, and use advanced imaging to assess your bone quality and quantity. This planning phase ensures your implants get placed in optimal positions for both function and appearance.
Some patients need preliminary treatments before implant placement. Active gum disease requires treatment first because healthy gums are essential for implant success. If your bone has already deteriorated significantly, bone grafting is used to build up the area before placing implants. These extra steps might extend your timeline, but they dramatically improve your chances of long-term success.
The surgery itself happens while you’re comfortably sedated—this is where Infinity Sedation Dentistry’s specialized training makes a real difference. Patients at all three locations, including Dakota Dunes, Watertown, and Sioux Falls, benefit from sedation options that eliminate anxiety and ensure you remain relaxed throughout the procedure. Most people are surprised by how little they remember afterward and how manageable the recovery feels.
You’ll wear a temporary tooth during the healing months so your smile stays complete while your implant integrates. Once Dr. Connor or Dr. Prouty confirms the implant has fully bonded with your bone, you come back for your permanent crown. This final visit is straightforward—just attaching and adjusting your custom restoration until everything feels just right.
Real Benefits You’ll Notice Immediately
Eating becomes enjoyable again once you have dental implants. All those foods you’ve been avoiding—crusty bread, fresh vegetables, nuts, tough meats—are back on the menu. Implants handle the same chewing force as natural teeth, so you don’t need to worry about anything breaking loose or causing discomfort.
Speaking clearly matters more than people realize until missing teeth start affecting their pronunciation. Gaps create whistling sounds, and dentures can slip while you’re talking, causing mumbling or clicking noises. Implants eliminate these problems because they stay anchored exactly where they belong.
Daily maintenance couldn’t be simpler. You care for implants the same way you care for natural teeth—brush twice daily, floss once, and visit your dentist regularly. No special cleaning solutions, no overnight soaking, no removing teeth before bed. This simplicity appeals to patients who want their tooth replacement to feel like a natural part of their body, not a dental appliance they manage.
Implants also prove more economical over the course of your lifetime, despite their higher upfront cost. Traditional bridges last about a decade before needing replacement, and dentures require adjustments and eventual replacement as your mouth changes shape. High-quality implants often last 25 years or more, and many patients keep their implants for the rest of their lives with proper care.
Determining Your Candidacy
Most adults who’ve lost teeth can successfully receive implants, though certain factors influence the process. You need sufficient bone density to support the titanium posts, though bone grafting solves this issue for many patients. Your gums should be healthy or treatable, and any systemic health conditions, such as diabetes, need to be well-managed rather than out of control.
Younger patients who’ve lost teeth from accidents or decay are often excellent candidates because their bones are strong, and healing typically progresses smoothly. Older adults benefit tremendously, too, especially those frustrated with dentures that never quite fit right. Dr. Prouty and Dr. Connor have successfully placed implants in patients ranging from their twenties through their eighties.
Habits like teeth grinding require management through protective night guards that prevent excessive force on your implants. Smoking creates healing complications and increases failure risk significantly, so committing to quitting before surgery improves your outcome substantially.
Maintaining Your Investment
Your implants need the same attention you’d give natural teeth. Plaque builds up on implant crowns just like it does on regular teeth, potentially causing inflammation in the surrounding gum tissue. This condition, called peri-implantitis, can jeopardize your implant if left untreated. Consistent brushing and flossing prevent this problem entirely.
Professional cleanings at Infinity Sedation Dentistry remain important too. Your hygienist uses special instruments designed specifically for cleaning around implants without scratching their surfaces. Dr. Connor and Dr. Prouty check your implants at these appointments, verifying that everything remains stable and healthy.
The crown portion of your implant might eventually need replacement after many years of service, similar to how natural teeth sometimes need crowns due to wear. The implant post itself rarely fails once fully integrated, so replacing just the crown is far simpler and less expensive than the original implant placement.
Dental Implants in Dakota Dunes
Gaps in your smile don’t have to be permanent, and you don’t have to settle for tooth replacements that feel like compromises. Contact Infinity Sedation Dentistry in Dakota Dunes, Watertown, or Sioux Falls to meet with Dr. Kevin Connor and Dr. Brian Prouty about dental implants in Dakota Dunes. They’ll assess your situation honestly, explain what’s possible, and design a treatment approach that aligns with your goals and lifestyle. The smile you’ve been missing is closer than you think—one consultation could be the start of getting it back.