What Makes Dental Implants Different
Think of dental implants as artificial tooth roots. The implant itself is a small titanium post that your dentist surgically places into your jawbone where the missing tooth used to be. Over several months, your bone grows around this post through a process called osseointegration. Once healing completes, Dr. Prouty or Dr. Connor attaches a custom crown that matches your natural teeth perfectly.
This approach preserves your jawbone in ways that other tooth replacement options simply can’t match. When you lose a tooth, the bone that once supported it starts to deteriorate because it no longer receives stimulation from chewing. Implants prevent this bone loss by mimicking natural tooth roots, which keep your facial structure intact and prevent that sunken appearance that sometimes develops after tooth loss.
The Treatment Process Explained
Your journey toward dental implants in Watertown starts with a thorough evaluation. Dr. Connor and Dr. Prouty examine your oral health, take detailed imaging, and discuss your medical history to ensure you’re a good candidate. Most patients qualify for implants, though certain conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or active gum disease need addressing first.
The actual implant placement occurs under sedation, where Infinity Sedation Dentistry’s expertise truly shines. Whether you visit the Watertown, Dakota Dunes, or Sioux Falls location, you’ll find that sedation options help you stay completely comfortable throughout the procedure. You won’t remember the surgery itself, and most people report minimal discomfort during the recovery period.
After placement, you’ll need several months for the implant to fuse with your bone. During this healing phase, you may wear a temporary restoration to ensure you’re never without teeth. Once integration completes, you return for the final crown attachment. This appointment is quick and straightforward since the hard work is already done.
Benefits That Extend Beyond Appearance
Dental implants restore your ability to eat whatever you want without worrying about dentures shifting or food getting stuck under a bridge. You can bite into an apple, enjoy corn on the cob, or eat steak without any hesitation. The stability that implants provide feels remarkably similar to natural teeth.
Your speech improves, too. Missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures can cause whistling sounds or slurred words. Implants stay firmly in place, so you speak clearly and confidently. You won’t need to use messy adhesives or remove your teeth for cleaning, either. Just brush and floss like you normally would.
The longevity of implants makes them incredibly cost-effective over time. While the initial investment is higher than other options, implants can last 25 years or longer with proper care. Bridges typically need replacement every 10 years, and dentures require frequent adjustments as your bone structure changes.
Who Benefits Most from Implants
You’re likely a great candidate if you’re missing one or more teeth and have adequate bone density. Even if you’ve lost significant bone, procedures like bone grafting can often build up the area enough to support implants. Age isn’t typically a limiting factor either—both younger adults who’ve lost teeth to injury and older adults seeking better alternatives to dentures find success with implants.
People who clench or grind their teeth need to address this habit, typically with a night guard, to protect their investment. Smokers face higher failure rates because smoking impairs healing, so quitting before treatment improves outcomes significantly.
Life After Getting Implants
Once your dental implants in Watertown fully integrate and you receive your final restorations, maintenance becomes straightforward. Regular brushing, daily flossing, and routine dental visits keep your implants healthy. The crowns might eventually need replacement due to normal wear, but the implant posts themselves rarely fail when properly cared for.
Dr. Prouty and Dr. Connor monitor your implants during checkups at all three South Dakota locations, looking for any signs of problems before they become serious. Catching issues early—like gum inflammation around the implant—prevents more complex treatments down the road.
Dental Implants in Watertown
Missing teeth don’t have to define your smile or limit what you can eat. Schedule a consultation at Infinity Sedation Dentistry in Watertown, Dakota Dunes, or Sioux Falls to determine if dental implants are a suitable option for your needs and goals. Dr. Brian Prouty and Dr. Kevin Connor will guide you through every step, answer your questions honestly, and create a treatment plan tailored to your life. Your journey toward a complete, confident smile starts with a simple conversation—let’s have it.