Free Guide to Dental Implant Options in St. Louis

Understanding Dental Implants: What They Are and How They Work

Dental implants are replacement teeth made of a titanium post that acts like an artificial tooth root. The post is surgically placed into your jawbone where a natural tooth root would be. Once the implant bonds with the bone over several months, a crown (the visible part of the tooth) is attached to the top. This creates a tooth that looks and functions like a natural one.

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The implant process involves three main parts. First, the titanium post is inserted into the jawbone through a surgical procedure. Second, the bone grows around the implant in a process called osseointegration, which typically takes three to six months. During this time, the implant becomes a permanent part of your jaw. Third, once osseointegration is complete, your dentist attaches an abutment (a connector piece) and then the crown.

Implants differ from other tooth replacement options like dentures or bridges. Dentures sit on top of your gums and can be removed. Bridges use adjacent teeth for support and cannot be removed by the patient. Implants, by contrast, are fixed in place like natural teeth and don't require support from neighboring teeth. They also preserve jawbone structure better than dentures, which can cause bone loss over time.

In St. Louis, many dental practices offer implant services ranging from basic consultations to complex full-mouth reconstructions. The cost of a single implant in the area typically ranges from $1,500 to $3,000, though this varies based on the dentist's experience, the location in your mouth, and whether bone grafting is needed. Some practices may offer payment plans to spread costs over time.

Practical Takeaway: Before pursuing implants, understanding the three-part process and how implants compare to other options helps you make an informed decision. Research multiple St. Louis dental offices to learn about their implant techniques and pricing structures.

Types of Dental Implants Available in St. Louis

Several types of implants exist, each suited to different situations. The most common is the endosteal implant, which is placed directly into the jawbone. These implants look like small screws and are typically made of titanium. They work best when you have adequate jawbone height and width. Most St. Louis dental providers primarily offer endosteal implants because they have high success rates and are well-established in dental practice.

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Subperiosteal implants sit on top of the jawbone but under the gum tissue. These are used when the jawbone is too narrow or shallow for an endosteal implant and the patient wants to avoid bone grafting. Subperiosteal implants are less common than endosteal implants and require a custom-fitted design based on your jaw structure. Some St. Louis dental offices may recommend this option if your bone structure makes it necessary.

Mini implants are smaller in diameter than standard implants and may be used to support dentures or replace smaller teeth. They require less bone and can sometimes be placed with less invasive surgery. However, they may not be suitable for all situations, particularly for replacing larger back teeth that experience significant chewing forces. A few St. Louis practices specialize in mini implant placement.

All-on-four implants represent another approach where four implants support an entire arch of teeth (upper or lower). This option works for people who have lost many or all teeth on one arch. Instead of placing an implant for each missing tooth, four strategically positioned implants support a full set of prosthetic teeth. This approach costs less than individual implants for every tooth but requires careful planning. Several St. Louis dental centers offer all-on-four treatment.

Zygomatic implants are anchored into the cheekbone rather than the jawbone when insufficient jaw structure exists. These are rarely needed and only a few specialized centers in the St. Louis area perform this procedure. They typically require referral to an oral surgeon with advanced training.

Practical Takeaway: The type of implant recommended depends on your jawbone structure, the number of teeth you're replacing, and your overall health. Ask your St. Louis dentist which implant type they recommend for your situation and why.

Bone Grafting and When It May Be Needed

Bone grafting is a procedure that rebuilds or increases jawbone where it has deteriorated or is insufficient for implant placement. When teeth are missing for extended periods, the jawbone naturally resorbs or shrinks because there's no tooth root stimulating it. This bone loss can make implant placement difficult or impossible without grafting first.

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There are several types of bone grafting materials used in St. Louis dental offices. Autografts use bone taken from another part of your body, typically the back of your lower jaw or hip. These are considered the gold standard because the bone is living tissue from your own body, though they require an additional surgical site. Allografts use bone from a human donor that has been processed and sterilized. Xenografts use bone from animals, usually bovine (cow) sources, that has been processed for human use. Synthetic bone substitutes are engineered materials that provide a scaffold for new bone growth.

The bone grafting process typically takes four to nine months before implants can be placed. During this time, the graft integrates with your existing bone. X-rays and scans help your dentist determine when sufficient bone has formed. Some St. Louis practices use advanced imaging like cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to plan grafting procedures more precisely.

Bone grafting adds to the total cost and timeline of implant treatment. A bone graft procedure typically costs between $500 and $3,000 depending on the material used and the amount of bone needed. However, without sufficient bone, implants cannot be successfully placed. Your dentist can review imaging to determine if grafting is necessary before you commit to implant treatment.

Minor bone grafting is sometimes performed at the same time as implant placement, while major grafting requires healing time before implant surgery. Your St. Louis dental surgeon will explain the timeline and what to expect during the grafting and healing phases.

Practical Takeaway: If you've been missing teeth for a long time, ask your dentist whether bone grafting may be needed. Understanding this upfront helps you plan for the full timeline and cost of implant treatment.

The Implant Procedure: What to Expect Step by Step

The dental implant procedure varies slightly between patients and practices, but most follow a standard sequence. Before surgery, your St. Louis dentist takes X-rays and possibly CBCT scans to map your jawbone and plan implant placement. You'll receive instructions about eating, drinking, and medications before the procedure. Most implant placements are done under local anesthesia with sedation options for anxious patients.

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During the surgical phase, your dentist or oral surgeon makes an incision in the gum where the implant will go. The jawbone is carefully drilled to create space for the titanium post, gradually increasing the hole size to the final diameter needed. The implant is then inserted into this prepared space and the gum is stitched closed. The entire placement procedure typically takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on complexity and how many implants are being placed.

After placement, healing begins immediately. Bone begins growing around the implant in a process called osseointegration. During the first two weeks, you'll need to follow specific care instructions including eating soft foods, avoiding smoking, and being gentle with the surgical area. Most patients experience some swelling and discomfort for a few days, managed with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication.

Over the next three to six months, the bone integrates with the implant. During this time, you cannot have a tooth attached to the implant. Some St. Louis practices offer temporary prosthetics to maintain appearance during healing if the implant is visible. You'll have follow-up appointments to monitor healing and ensure everything is progressing normally.

Once osseointegration is complete, your dentist attaches an abutment to the implant through a minor procedure. The crown is then fabricated to match your natural teeth in color, shape, and size. This fabrication typically takes two to three weeks. The crown is finally cemented or screwed onto the abutment, completing your new tooth.

Practical Takeaway: Plan for the full timeline from initial surgery through crown placement, which typically spans four to nine months.