Dental Implants in Fond du Lac, WI

Even the best dental care in the world sometimes isn’t enough. As we age, sometimes we lose teeth to decay, gum disease, or accidents. Previously, you were limited to temporary or uncomfortable solutions to replace missing teeth. But now, restoring your smile and your oral health is possible with dental implants that are not only comfortable and functional but also indistinguishable from natural teeth, giving you the confidence to smile again.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a revolutionary approach to tooth replacement that restores function while protecting your oral health. A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth with a titanium screw or post, providing a secure foundation for a replacement tooth that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth. If you are missing multiple teeth, multiple replacement teeth resembling a denture can be attached to several implants in the jawbone.

Dental implants are the only permanent, fixed solution to replace missing teeth, offering many advantages over other restoration options. An implant placed in the jawbone fuses with the surrounding bone through a process called osseointegration. This stops the jawbone deterioration that occurs after tooth loss and prevents the sunken, aged appearance commonly seen when individuals wear dentures for long periods.

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Dental implants are the only permanent way to replace missing teeth, often lasting a lifetime.
• Osseointegration with the jawbone preserves the jawbone, preventing facial features from sagging.
• Caring for dental implant restorations is easy – you brush and floss them like natural teeth.
• Unlike dentures, dental implants do not slip, shift, or pinch.
• Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth.
• There are no restrictions on what you can eat with dental implants.
• You can get anywhere from one dental implant to a full arch of dental implants without damaging any remaining natural teeth.

Dental Implant Procedure

Placing dental implants in the jawbone is the first step toward restoration of your missing teeth. Dr. Todd Sarauer or Dr. Brady Sarauer will refer you to a surgeon to place the implant. The titanium implants are placed in the jawbone, and the gums are sutured over the area. You will recover at home for a few days, then return to your normal routine. There may be some swelling and discomfort for 3-5 days, which is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain medications and ice packs.

Over the next few months, the implants will fuse with the jawbone, creating a stable foundation for the restorations that will replace the visible portion of the missing teeth. When osseointegration is complete, the surgeon will release you back to Drs. Todd Sarauer or Brady Sarauer and he will restore the implant with a crown or other prosthesis.

Dental Implant FAQs

Who is a candidate for dental implants?

Anyone in good health who needs one or more missing teeth replaced is a good candidate for dental implants, provided they have sufficient jawbone to support the implants. Bone grafting may be needed if there is insufficient bone. However, individuals with uncontrolled diabetes, a bleeding disorder, or certain autoimmune diseases may not be good candidates for dental implants.

Do dental implants hurt?

The surgery is not painful at all, as we use a local anesthetic and, for many patients, anesthesia. During recovery, you will experience some mild to moderate pain that may last 3-5 days. Most patients are surprised at how little discomfort they experience.

How long do dental implants last?

Titanium implants typically last 30 years or more and are meant to last a lifetime. The crowns or dental prosthetics often last 20 years or more. If a restoration is damaged or worn and needs replacing, it can be repaired or replaced without disturbing the implant.

Do dental implants look like real teeth?

Yes. The only people who will know they are not natural teeth are you and your dentist.

If you have any other questions about dental implants or want to learn more about how we can replace your missing teeth, please call our office at Sarauer Family Dental Phone Number (920) 922-7012 to schedule a consultation with Drs. Todd Sarauer or Brady Sarauer