Dental Implants
Dental Implants in Eagan, MN
Permanently replace one or more missing teeth
Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel and function like natural teeth. Also known as denture implants or permanent dentures, they restore your ability to eat virtually anything—and help preserve your facial structure, preventing bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.
With a denture implant, you won’t sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge a space. You also avoid the inconvenience of removing a denture or a "partial" at night—plus they’re more comfortable and won’t slip. At Now Care Dental, our skilled dentists can perform denture implants and denture repairs, so you can smile with confidence.
What are denture implants?
The implants are tiny titanium posts which are inserted into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes and are surgically placed into the jawbone to create a strong foundation for artificial teeth.
Small posts are then attached to the implant, which protrude through the gums. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth—or dentures. Once the implants are in place, they will serve you well for many years if you maintain good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and visit your dentist regularly.
The traditional denture implant process
Placement of dental implants usually involves two surgical procedures over the course of six to eight months. The majority of dental implants can be performed in the office under local anesthesia, with or without general anesthesia.
First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the jawbone. Following this first phase, you should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet.
After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, our doctors will uncover the implants and attach small posts, which act as anchors for the dentures. These posts protrude through the gums, but when the artificial teeth are placed they are unseen.
The single-stage denture implant alternative
With the most recent advances in dental implant technology, our skilled dentists can place single stage implants—which do not require a second procedure to uncover them, but do require a minimum of six weeks of healing before artificial teeth are placed.
There are also select cases when implants can be placed with crowns at the same time as a tooth extraction – during one visit. First, we’ll perform the actual implant surgery and initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary.
Then your dentist will fit you with a permanent prosthesis, as well as any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process. Here are types of prostheses used in this process:
Single prosthesis (crown)
Used to replace one missing tooth. Each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant.
Partial prosthesis (fixed bridge)
Can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants.
Complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge)
Replaces all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. The number of implants varies on the type of complete prosthesis recommended. A removable prosthesis (over denture) attaches to a bar or ball in socket attachments; a fixed prosthesis is permanent and removable only by the dentist.
Are you a candidate for implants or new dentures?
If you are considering denture implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly along with your medical and dental history. If you mouth is not ideal for implants, ways of improving outcome, such as bone grafting, may be recommended.
With our new iTero® element scanner, not only does it reduce our carbon footprint by using less plastic impression trays and materials, it will cut down on the time you wait between appointments for your dental implants. We'll be able to review your digital case with you immediately and when we are both satisfied your custom digital records will be sent to my lab specialist to prepare your case.
Set up a dental implant consultation today!
To schedule a dental implant treatment or denture repair at Now Care Dental, call our Eagan, MN office at (651) 686-6800. Answering services are available 24/7. Clinic hours are 10am to 8pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Teeth-In-An-Hour™
Now you can have beautiful teeth-in-an-hour
Teeth-iN-An-Hour™ is a revolutionary implant procedure that provides patients with fully functioning teeth on dental implants in one single procedure that lasts about an hour.
The computer-guided implant surgery is done arthroscopically, which results in less postoperative discomfort, swelling and bruising. With this same-day dentures procedure, patients can often resume normal activities the next day.
A 3D CBCT (conebeam) scan is taken of the jawbone to generate a three-dimensional model used with virtual reality software to plan the implant placement. The results? A more accurate implant placement and less chair time for the patient at the surgery office.
In order to be good candidates for Teeth-in-an-Hour™, patients must have a healthy jawbone with sufficient bone quantity and quality to support the prosthesis. Any tooth extractions and bone grafting required must be completed before the Teeth-in-an-Hour procedure.
Call (651) 686-6800 to schedule an appointment or complete our appointment request form.