Safe Dental Implants in Phoenix, AZ
Tooth loss can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, significantly impacting your daily life. It can also affect your oral health.
Dr. John Dovgan places dental implants to provide the ultimate support for restorations, allowing you to chew and speak normally.
Should you secure your restoration with dental implants at our Phoenix, AZ, office?
We can customize the shade of the resin to precisely match the shade of the rest of your smile for a lifelike appearance.
Long-Lasting
With proper at-home maintenance and bi-annual checkups, your dental implants can last several decades or even a lifetime. However, your restoration will eventually need to be replaced.
Protect Your Oral Health
Dental implants fuse with the jawbone, acting as artificial tooth roots. They stimulate the jaw in a way that prevents bone atrophy, further tooth loss, and a sunken facial appearance.
Restored Strength & Aesthetics
Dental implants provide unparalleled stability to your restorations, allowing them to function like natural teeth. Additionally, implant-supported restorations fit securely against the gums for the most natural-looking results.
Studies Show
Impressive Long-Term Success Rates
Can implant dentistry meet your needs?
Single Missing Tooth
If you are missing a single tooth, an implant can attach a porcelain crown directly to your jawbone.
Multiple Missing Teeth
Patients with two or three consecutive missing teeth can choose an implant-supported dental bridge.
Completely Edentulous Smile
If you are one of the millions of Americans missing all of their teeth, implant-retained dentures are a more stable, aesthetic alternative to removable dentures.
Implants are made from biocompatible titanium material that naturally integrates with the surrounding jawbone in the months following implant surgery. These metal posts act just like your natural tooth roots, delivering important stimulation to your jawbone each time you speak and chew. This prevents bone recession and helps you keep your facial structure full and healthy.
Thanks to the continuing advancements being made in dentistry, most patients with missing teeth are eligible for dental implants. In general, Dr. Dovgan will ensure that you meet basic requirements, such as:
Bone Density
In order for a dental implant to have long-lasting success, it must be completely surrounded by dense, healthy bone tissue. Individuals who have experienced some degree of bone loss can restore their implant candidacy with a bone grafting procedure performed by Dr. Dovgan.
Oral & Overall Health
In addition, dental implant candidates should be in good general health, and should not have any medical condition that could hinder treatment or recovery. Patients should also be free of gum disease and tooth decay. We provide treatment for periodontal disease and decay to resolve these issues before implant placement.
Are implants worth the time and money?
Our team in Phoenix understands that choosing dental implant treatment is a significant decision. However, teeth replacement with dental implants is a worthwhile investment in your oral health, and with proper maintenance, implants can last a lifetime.
To help minimize out-of-pocket costs, we offer a number of financing options for our patients, including CareCredit® and LendingClub. Our skilled and experienced financial team can help you determine the best option for your budget.
A dental implant-supported crown consists of three parts: an implant, abutment, and final restoration…
To plan your surgery, our practice uses:
- ORTHOPHOS® SL 3-D cone beam scanner: This scanner takes highly detailed images of your teeth, jawbone, and sinuses so that we can plan and customize your surgery. 3-D images also highlight whether you are lacking bone density in your jawbone. If this is the case, we may recommend bone grafting to ensure your implants are optimally stable.
- Surgical guides: Surgical guides are custom-made trays that pinpoint the exact area where your implants should be placed and provide greater precision during surgery.
We know the idea of surgery can be scary, but our Phoenix team will guide you from start to finish…
The dental implant process is generally completed in several stages, including an in-depth planning session, preparatory procedures, surgical placement of the implants, and restoration with a crown, denture, or bridge. As a highly trained implant dentist, Dr. Dovgan can perform every aspect of your dental implant procedure at our Phoenix office, providing you with convenient, high-quality care. Understanding what to expect during the dental implant treatment timeline, from start to finish, can help you make informed decisions and be an active participant in your care.
1. Treatment Planning
The first step of dental implant treatment is a consultation with Dr. Dovgan. During this appointment, he will talk with you about your goals and assess the health of your teeth and gums. To obtain an accurate view of your jawbone and important orofacial landmarks, Dr. Dovgan will also use our ORTHOPHOS SL 3-D cone beam scanner. This x-ray unit captures thousands of images to create an accurate representation of your dentition. Once all relevant information has been gathered, Dr. Dovgan will create a personalized treatment plan to meet your needs.
One of the advantages of using 3-D diagnostic technology is that it allows Dr. Dovgan to provide patients with the most accurate care available. Our computer software program can manipulate the images, giving Dr. Dovgan a 360-degree view of your jawbone. He can even place virtual implants onto the digital scan to ensure there is enough bone density.
2. Creating a Surgical Guide
We will also use the information we gather to fabricate a custom surgical guide. This device is placed over the dental ridge during surgery. Special markers highlight the areas where the posts should be inserted, making the procedure incredibly precise.
3. Preparatory Procedures
Some patients require preparatory procedures prior to implant placement. For example, if you have gum disease or tooth decay, you will need restorative procedures, as these concerns can seriously impede the success of your treatment. These conditions can also potentially lead to implant failure.
In addition, dental implants require plenty of healthy bone tissue to be successful. Therefore, patients lacking bone density will need a bone grafting procedure to prepare the jawbone for the implant posts. Fortunately, Dr. Dovgan provides all necessary preparatory procedures in our Phoenix office for added convenience.
4. Implant Surgery
Once you have healed from any preparatory procedures, you can undergo implant placement surgery. The procedure can be completed in about one hour in our Phoenix office and involves:
- Anesthesia: First, Dr. Dovgan will numb the surrounding tissues with local anesthesia for your comfort. Sedation can also be administered, if desired, to alleviate dental anxiety and help you relax. We offer both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation.
- Preparing the site: Before the implant can be placed, the bone must be prepared. Dr. Dovgan will make a small pilot hole in the jawbone, then gradually increase the depth and diameter appropriately using a series of special drill bits.
- Placing the implant: Once the site is prepared, Dr. Dovgan will insert the implant into the jawbone.
5. Osseointegration: Fusion of the Jaw and Implants
Once your implants are in place, they must become fused to the jawbone tissue. This process can take four to six months. As you heal, you will undergo periodic checkups that will allow Dr. Dovgan to monitor your progress.
Dental Implant Recovery:
Controlling Pain and Other Side Effects
Healing after dental implant surgery takes three to six months in total. During this time, Dr. Dovgan will schedule follow-up appointments at our Phoenix practice and provide thorough instructions for at-home care to ensure that your dental implant recovery is a success. Our team will help you learn what to expect during the earliest stages of recovery and how to control side effects such as pain and bleeding.
Immediate Side Effects Of Dental Implant Surgery
You can expect several easily manageable side effects after your dental implants have been placed:
- Soreness: Following dental implant surgery, some degree of discomfort is typical. In general, soreness is most noticeable during the first two to three days. To mitigate discomfort, take over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription pain meds as directed by Dr. Dovgan.
- Swelling and bruising: To reduce inflammation, apply a cold compress to the cheek and jaw area. Leave the compress on for 20 minutes, then remove it for 20 minutes. Repeat this process as often as possible during the first 24 hours. Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen can also help reduce swelling.
- Tooth and gum sensitivity: This type of discomfort may be triggered by heat, cold, or pressure. These side effects subside as the healing process continues.
- Bleeding: Typically, post-operative bleeding diminishes after about 48 hours. If bleeding persists, place a piece of gauze over the site and close down with firm, steady pressure. You can also moisten a tea bag and bite down on it for about 15 minutes. The tannic acid in tea helps shrink blood vessels and capillaries, effectively reducing bleeding.
Dr. Dovgan provides Phoenix patients with ongoing care during their recovery to make certain that you experience the best possible outcomes. These guidelines should be followed precisely for a comfortable and successful recovery:
- Avoid strenuous activity: For the best results, avoid strenuous exercise for about a week. Elevating the heart rate can result in additional bleeding, swelling, and discomfort.
- Eat a soft food diet: Hard, crunchy, and sticky foods can irritate the surgical area and cause more discomfort. Until otherwise instructed by Dr. Dovgan, eat soft, cool foods such as smoothies, pasta, eggs, fish, applesauce, yogurt, and pudding.
- Keep the surgical area clean: It is important to keep the implant site clean for proper healing. For the first day or two, rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution. Once you are able, gently clean the area with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments: Dr. Dovgan will schedule periodic checkups to monitor the fusion of the implants to your jawbone tissue. It is extremely important that you attend all of these visits so he can assess your healing, identify any potential problems, and determine when it is time to place your restorations.
Implant-supported restorations look just like natural teeth…
When the implants have fully integrated into the jawbone, Dr. Dovgan can attach your final restoration. First, he will remove the temporary restoration and replace it with an abutment (small connector). The abutment extends just beyond the gum line, providing a foundation for your restoration. Once the area has healed, roughly two weeks later, you can return for your second visit to our Phoenix office.
The type of restoration you receive will depend on how many teeth are missing. For example, we can replace a single tooth with one dental crown. If you are missing a row of missing teeth, you likely need an implant-supported bridge, while full-arch teeth replacement will require a denture. Dr. Dovgan will connect your new restoration to the implants using screw retention or dental cement.
Although the entire process can last several months, the results will be well worth the wait. Once you receive your final crown, bridge, or denture, you will have:
- A smile that looks and feels just like your natural teeth
- An improved ability to eat your favorite foods
- A boost in your self-confidence
Although your restorations will need to be replaced every decade or so, the implants themselves can last a lifetime with proper care.
A dental implant is a threaded post placed in the jawbone during an oral surgery procedure. In most cases, implants are crafted from titanium.
This feature sets dental implants apart from traditional teeth replacement options, which only restore the crown of the tooth. With a success rate of approximately 98 percent, dental implants are widely regarded as today’s superior solution for tooth loss.
Every element of your smile works together for proper function and oral health. When one element is compromised, it can cause a domino effect of dental issues. For example, a single missing tooth can lead to shifting, mobility, bite issues, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems. Replacing a missing tooth restores proper function and preserves your smile for years to come.
Though the treatment timeline is longer than that of traditional restorations, dental implants provide a lifelong solution to missing teeth.