Whether you're missing one tooth or several, dental implants can restore your mouth to a natural, healthy state. A dental implant mimics the tooth-root structure to maximize your ability to eat, chew, and speak with full confidence.
At Hardin Advanced Dentistry, we place and restore dental implants right in our office, so you can receive all of your dental care in our state-of-the-art facility.
Please call (513) 813-2716 to speak with us about arguably the best implant dentistry Cincinnati, Mason, Ohio, and beyond has to offer.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is an artificial replacement for a missing tooth. While natural teeth consist of a crown and a root, implants comprise three elements:
What are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
Our Cincinnati dental implants are often the ideal tooth-replacement option, because unlike traditional tooth-replacement solutions (such as bridges, dentures and partials) implants replace the missing tooth's root as well as the crown. Dental implants do not require support from adjacent teeth, and they keep the jawbone strong because it has a purpose – to support the tooth's root.
For this reason, dental implants have many benefits, including:
- Independence The implant will not damage neighboring teeth by relying on them for support
- Comfort The implant will look and feel like a natural tooth
- Integration Bone tissue grows around the implant for seamless integration
- Beauty Implant crowns, bridges, or dentures can be made with all-ceramic materials
- Longevity With proper oral hygiene, dental implants last most people for a lifetime
Dental implants have a success rate of 95 to 98%. With dental implants, patients don’t suffer increased sensitivity or tooth decay.
Am I a Good Candidate
for Dental Implants?
The conditions for successful treatment with implants are relatively few. To be considered a good candidate for one of the best dental implants Cincinnati, Ohio has to offer, you should:
- Have generally good health
- Be free of gum disease
- Have adequate bone structure in your jaw
Depending upon your own unique situation, some preparatory treatments such as bone grafts and sinus grafts may be needed so that you’re ready to receive the implants.
A few conditions may limit the suitability of dental implants for replacing your missing teeth, including the following:
- A jawbone that has not yet reached its full, adult size
- Heavy smoking (and unwilling to quit)
- Pregnancy
- Uncontrolled diabetes and other chronic diseases
- Severe grinding or clenching of teeth
You may still be a good candidate even if you have one or more of these conditions. We’ll assess your unique oral health needs to determine whether or not implants are right for you.
Choosing Your Implant Prosthesis
Your gums need to heal for a week or two following your abutment placement before an artificial tooth can be placed. After your gums have adequately healed, more impressions of your mouth and remaining teeth will be made. Your porcelain crown is made based on these impressions. Your periodontist cannot place the crown until your jawbone is strong enough to support the new tooth and its functionality.
There are two main types of artificial teeth from which to choose:
Removable implant
prosthesis:
Similar to a traditional removable denture, this prosthesis consists of artificial teeth surrounded by plastic pink gum. It is mounted on a metal frame that can snap into place and be removed for nightly cleaning.
Fixed implant
prosthesis:
You can’t remove the teeth for daily cleaning with this type. The artificial tooth is permanently cemented or screwed onto an individual abutment. Each dental implant has its own individual crown.
What is the Dental Implant Process?
- Your periodontist removes the damaged tooth
- Bone grafting may be required as the jawbone is prepared for surgery
- The dental implant post is positioned once the jawbone fully heals
- A several-month healing period elapses
- An extension to the dental implant post, called an abutment, is attached
- The crown is placed
The full implant process may take anywhere from three to eight months or longer, depending on your situation and circumstances. Much of the process time is spent healing and waiting for bone growth (osseointegration). The process of osseointegration begins once the implant post is placed in your jawbone. During this time, the jawbone grows around and binds with the surface of the post. This process can take up to six months. Just like roots support your natural teeth, the process of osseointegration helps to provide a solid base for your artificial tooth.
Placing
the Implant
During your dental implant surgery, your expert periodontist will make an incision, opening your gum and exposing the bone beneath. Small holes are drilled into your jawbone where the implant posts will be placed. The implant is then placed deep into the bone, serving as an artificial equivalent of a natural tooth root.
You’ll be left with a gap in your teeth at this point. Usually, a partial temporary denture can be placed for the sake of aesthetics. This denture can be removed for cleaning each night while you sleep.
Placing
the Abutment
Once the osseointegration process is complete, an additional surgery to place the abutment is the typical next step. The abutment is the piece upon which the crown will eventually be placed. To place the abutment:
- Your periodontist makes an incision to expose the implant post
- The abutment is attached to the post
- Gum tissue is closed around (not over) the abutment
The abutment is frequently attached to the dental implant when the post is placed. In these cases, you don’t need an extra step in the surgical process. However, since the abutment is exposed beyond the gumline, it’s visible every time you open your mouth. For this aesthetic reason, many patients prefer to attach the abutment in a later procedure.
What are Mini Dental Implants?
If you aren’t a good candidate for conventional dental implant surgery, mini dental implants may be a viable alternative strategy. Some of the differences between conventional dental implants and mini dental implants include:
- Mini implants are nearly half the width of a traditional implant
- A mini implant is not fully submerged
- Grafting is not necessary if implant failure occurs
- Mini implants are less expensive
- Mini implants do not contain a screw (and are still solid!)
Implant
Surgery Risks
Since no surgery is completely risk-free, dental implant surgery does pose some risks. Luckily, problems are rare, and if they do occur they're almost always minor and easily treated. Implant surgery risks include:
- Nerve damage
- Tooth damage
- Infection
- Sinus problems
What Can I Expect After My Surgery?
No matter how many stages your dental implant process requires, there are some common discomforts associated with the surgery, including:
- Discomfort around the implant area
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Minor bleeding
Contact Dr. Tara if discomfort or swelling gets worse in the immediate days following your surgery. Pain medications or antibiotics may be necessary. During certain stages of your implant process, you may need to eat soft foods for a week or two to help your recovery.
What are Implant-Supported Dentures?
If you’ve worn dentures before, you are likely all too aware of their shortcomings. Dentures require messy adhesives, occasionally shift, agitate the gum line and necessitate food restrictions. For many of our Mason and Cincinnati patients, dentures are an imperfect, but practical, solution to significant tooth loss.
Implant-supported dentures, on the other hand, can offer you a more comprehensive way to restore a lifelike smile and improve functionality if you are missing several or all of your teeth.
While a lone dental implant typically only reinforces a single crown, multiple implants can support a full denture prosthesis and replace an entire row of teeth.
Implant-supported dentures offer many benefits, including:
- Comfortable fit
- Improved chewing function
- Realistic smile
- Freedom from denture adhesives
- Better speaking ability
As we mentioned earlier on this page, not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants. If your jawbone isn’t dense enough to support an implant or you suffer from complicated dental issues, another dental solution may better address your needs.
At your initial consultation, our experienced Mason dentist will assess the condition of your oral health and help you determine which treatments are right for you.
Implant FAQ's
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an artificial replacement for a missing tooth root. The implant itself is not the tooth – once the screw becomes one with your jawbone, the tooth is attached to the implant via an abutment.
Can a general dentist do implants?
There are two components to implants, the surgical phase which involves their placement into the jawbone, and the restorative phase which involves the prosthesis (crown, denture, bridge). A general dentist can do both, but often a periodontist or oral surgeon will do the surgical component.
Do dental implants hurt?
Most patients say the implant procedure was not nearly as bad as they expected. In fact, most will say the tooth extraction was harder to endure than the implant surgery. We at Hardin Advanced Dentistry also offer sedation for the anxious patient.
What anesthesia will be used?
All implant surgeries will use local anesthesia at minimum. This is no different than what is given during a filling or crown procedure. For the anxious patient or more involved surgeries, sedation is possible through an oral dose of medication or an IV. Read more about sedation dentistry here.
How long is the implant process?
This question is asked a lot and unfortunately there is no good answer because every case is different. At best, a tooth needing an implant can be extracted and the same day an implant can be placed with a temporary tooth attached to the implant. At worst, the implant can be placed and require months to integrate within your jaw bone until the restorative phase can be started. All of your questions and concerns will be answered during your consultation.
Do dental implants last forever?
Forever is a strong word, but if our teeth can last a lifetime, so can a dental implant. Of course the implants need to be cared for both at home and in the office for routine maintenance. A car would not last forever if the oil was never changed. The same goes for your teeth and implants.
Do dental implants look real?
Yes, dental implants look very real, and can be mistakable for a natural tooth. See our gallery for before and after pictures of implants and you’ll be hard pressed to tell which is an implant and which is a real tooth.
Are dental implants worth it?
Yes, absolutely! We only get two sets of teeth throughout our lifetime that are free. Fortunately with the advent of dental implants, you can buy your third set. Restoring function and esthetics is priceless for most people. Not replacing a lost tooth can be detrimental over time to your other teeth. A space causes the other teeth to shift which will change your bite ultimately leading to tooth wear, periodontal issues, and jaw pain.
Are dental implants safe?
Yes! Dental implants are typically made from titanium which is highly compatible with our bodies. Titanium is used by many fields of surgery for joint replacements and for plating broken bones. Dental implants have been around over 50 years with a high success rate.
Do I need bone grafting before my dental implant?
Some do and some don’t. Typically, the longer the tooth has been missing, the higher chance you have of needing a bone graft. The best time to graft is at the time of the tooth’s removal. If you did not have this done, however, we can still grow bone to place your implants!
Where does the bone come from if I need bone grafting?
Grafting material can come from many sources. It can be harvested from your own body, from a cadaver, from an animal, or as a synthetic material. Each has its pros and cons and can be discussed with your provider at the consultation.
Why choose
Dr. Tara Hardin?
Dr. Hardin is a Las Vegas Institute Fellow, granted only after a minimum of 278 hours of advanced education and experience in aesthetics, physiologic science, and a comprehensive practical examination. Additionally, she is an Accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an accreditation granted only to those with superior performance and knowledge in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. These qualifications are compounded by almost two decades of experience and continued education.
Learn more about Dr. Hardin
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What convinced me to try Hardin Dental, was that she not only emphasizes your smile, but also the health of my teeth.
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Now I smile with confidence and I have people telling me my teeth look beautiful.
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My experience at Hardin was nothing but positive. Dr. Tara Hardin made me feel very comfortable and important.
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The best thing about Hardin Advanced Dentistry is that Dr. Tara Hardin is just a perfectionist with what she does in the field of cosmetic dentistry.
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Hardin Dentistry is very professional and makes us feel extremely comfortable.
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I had a great experience at Hardin Advanced Dentistry.
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My experience at Hardin Advanced Dentistry has been wonderful.
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The thing that I like most about Hardin Advanced Dentistry is the professionalism and timeliness of her staff, and the outcome of the work that was performed on my teeth.
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Amazing dentist and staff and the best work ever! I highly recommend this place!
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From the initial phone call to my appointment, everyone treated me very kindly. I couldn't have asked for more as a patient. Thank you all for everything.
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I am so glad I am a patient here! It is a great feeling to have my "repairs" completed and now I am just in "maintenance mode with a clean bill of health at every check-up!"
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Everyone is always so pleasant and every visit is a great experience.
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Everything went very smoothly and they were very comforting and eased my worries.
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Dr. Tara and her staff are the best. Organized, efficient, gentle, thorough, and very skilled are just a few of the adjectives that I would use to describe my experience.
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Best dental office ever. Dr Tara is one of the most knowledgeable dentists I've ever known.
