Dental Implants Deliver Strong Smiles for Northwest Indiana Patients

Even one missing tooth can wreak havoc on your oral health. The remaining teeth move toward space, which can shift your bite. Bone deterioration begins as soon as the tooth is lost and gets worse the longer the opening remains. Without a full set of teeth, your confidence may wane, and your diet may become restricted. No matter how many teeth are missing, dental implants in conjunction with modern bridges and dentures can restore a smile to its full potential. Dr. Arnold, Dr. Shideler, or Dr. Wargo can evaluate your mouth’s condition and suggest the right treatment for your situation.

Dental Implants

Designed to mimic your natural tooth, a dental implant contains a small titanium post that serves as the root and a custom prosthetic that becomes the crown. With dental implants, we can replace just one tooth or utilize the implant as the base for bridges, dentures, or partials. After the implant is placed, one of our dentists will design the lifelike restoration that will attach to the post or posts.

Implant therapy is a two-part process. First, an oral surgeon will surgically position the titanium posts into your jaw bone, placing one post for each missing tooth. During a process called osseointegration, the bone adheres to the implants, creating a solid foundation for the custom restorations. Once your mouth heals, Dr. Arnold, Dr. Shideler, or Dr. Wargo will affix the prosthetic to the post, giving you back a solid, attractive smile.

Implant-Retained Dentures

Some patients can’t tolerate implant surgery or don’t have enough bone tissue to support a full set of implants. In this case, we can provide implant-retained dentures. First, you’ll have about three or four posts implanted into your jawbone. We can retrofit your current denture for dental implants, or we can create a custom design. The denture will fit snugly into place, eliminating the risk of slippage and the need for messy adhesives.

If you’re interested in this long-lasting, ultra-secure tooth replacement solution, call our Valparaiso or Chesterton office for a consultation with one of our dentists. They’ll be happy to discuss your options and provide a treatment plan that will have you smiling again.