Free Guide to Understanding Dental Implants in St. Louis

What Are Dental Implants and How Do They Work

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made from titanium metal that a dentist places into your jawbone. Once the implant fuses with your bone over several months, it acts as a sturdy anchor for a replacement tooth or bridge. This process mimics how your natural teeth work—the root holds everything in place beneath the gum line while the visible crown looks and functions like a real tooth.

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The implant itself has three main parts. The fixture is the titanium screw that goes into your jawbone. The abutment is a connector piece that attaches to the fixture and sticks above the gumline. The crown is the visible artificial tooth that you see and use for chewing. When all three parts work together, they create a tooth replacement that feels and works much like your original tooth.

The science behind dental implants relies on a biological process called osseointegration. When the titanium implant is placed in your jawbone, your bone cells gradually grow around it and bond with the metal surface. This bonding typically takes three to six months, though it can sometimes take longer depending on your bone quality and the location in your mouth. During this healing period, you may wear a temporary tooth so you can eat and speak normally while the implant integrates.

Unlike dentures or bridges that sit on top of your gums or rely on adjacent teeth for support, implants stand independently. This means implants do not damage neighboring healthy teeth and can last 25 years or longer with proper care. Many people find implants feel more natural than other tooth replacement options because they function like real teeth and do not shift or move when you eat.

The procedure involves several appointments over months. First, your dentist evaluates your mouth and takes imaging to plan the implant placement. Then the fixture is surgically placed into your jawbone under local anesthesia. After healing, your dentist attaches the abutment and custom crown. Understanding this timeline helps you prepare mentally and physically for the process ahead.

Practical takeaway: Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that integrate into your jawbone to support replacement teeth. They work through a biological bonding process and can function for decades with proper maintenance.

Reasons People in St. Louis Choose Dental Implants

Tooth loss affects millions of adults in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 4 adults over 65 has lost all their teeth. However, tooth loss happens at younger ages too due to decay, injury, or gum disease. When people lose teeth, they often turn to implants because of the benefits this option provides compared to dentures or bridges.

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One major reason people choose implants is appearance. A well-made implant crown matches your surrounding teeth in color, shape, and size. Unlike dentures that can look artificial or slip when you talk or laugh, implants stay fixed in place. This stability means you can smile with confidence without worrying about your tooth replacement shifting or becoming visible.

Functionality is another key reason. Implants restore about 80 to 90 percent of your natural bite force, allowing you to eat most foods without restriction. Denture wearers often avoid sticky, hard, or crunchy foods because their dentures may slip or break. With implants, you can enjoy steak, apples, nuts, and other foods that people with natural teeth typically eat.

Long-term cost savings matter to many people. Although implants cost more upfront than dentures, they last much longer and require fewer replacements. A dental implant can function for 25 years or more, whereas dentures typically need replacement every 5 to 10 years. When you calculate the total cost over time, implants often become more economical.

Health benefits also drive the decision. Implants preserve your jawbone and facial structure. When you lose teeth, your jawbone gradually shrinks because it no longer supports tooth roots. This shrinkage can change your facial appearance and make you look older. Implants stimulate your jawbone like natural teeth roots do, slowing or preventing this bone loss. Additionally, because implants do not depend on neighboring teeth for support, you do not need to grind down or modify healthy teeth.

Many St. Louis residents also value the improved quality of life. Denture wearers must remove and clean their dentures daily, and some experience embarrassment if dentures slip or make noise. Implants require care similar to natural teeth—regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups—but no special removal or cleaning routines.

Practical takeaway: People choose implants for their natural appearance, superior chewing ability, long-term durability, bone preservation, and convenience compared to other tooth replacement options.

The Implant Placement Process: What to Expect

Understanding the implant process helps reduce anxiety and prepares you for what happens at each stage. The entire process typically spans several months from your first consultation to having a fully functional tooth.

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The first appointment involves a comprehensive examination and discussion of your goals. Your dentist will examine your mouth, take X-rays or CT scans, and assess your bone volume and density. This imaging is critical because adequate bone supports the implant fixture. If you have experienced significant bone loss, your dentist might discuss bone grafting to build up the area before implant placement. You will also discuss your medical history, medications, and any habits like smoking that might affect healing.

Once your dentist determines you have sufficient bone and are ready for implant placement, you will schedule the surgical appointment. On the day of surgery, local anesthesia numbs the area so you feel pressure but no pain. Some patients choose sedation in addition to local anesthesia if they feel anxious. The dentist or oral surgeon makes a small incision in your gum to expose the jawbone, then uses specialized drills to create a hole sized to match your implant fixture. The titanium fixture is carefully threaded into the bone. Your dentist may place a temporary cover screw on top of the fixture and close your gum with stitches.

The healing phase follows, typically lasting three to six months. During this time, your bone cells bond with the titanium implant through osseointegration. You will have some swelling, bruising, and discomfort for the first few days, manageable with prescribed pain medication and ice therapy. Most people return to light activities within a week. Your dentist may place a temporary tooth so you maintain normal appearance and function while healing occurs.

The second surgical phase happens after healing is complete. Your dentist reopens your gum and removes the cover screw, then places an abutment—the connector piece that protrudes above the gumline. Sometimes dentists place the abutment during the first surgery, eliminating the need for a second procedure. Your gum heals around the abutment for a few more weeks.

Finally, your dentist takes impressions of your mouth and creates a custom crown. This crown is fabricated to match your adjacent teeth and your bite. The crown is then permanently attached to the abutment. This final step usually takes one or two appointments to ensure the crown fits and feels comfortable.

Practical takeaway: Implant placement involves an initial consultation and bone assessment, a surgical procedure to place the fixture, a healing period of several months, abutment placement, and crown fabrication—a process spanning many months with multiple appointments.

Factors That Affect Implant Success and Cost

Several factors influence whether an implant integrates successfully and how much the procedure costs. Understanding these factors helps you anticipate potential challenges and expenses.

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Bone quality and quantity are perhaps the most important factors. Your jawbone must be thick enough and dense enough to support an implant fixture. If you have experienced bone loss from missing teeth, gum disease, or injury, you may need bone grafting before implant placement. Bone grafting adds cost and extends treatment timelines by several months. A bone graft uses bone material—either your own bone from another area, donated bone, or synthetic bone—to rebuild the implant site.

Your overall health significantly impacts implant success. Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, severe osteoporosis, or active gum disease can interfere with bone healing and osseointegration. Smoking reduces blood flow to your gums and bone, slowing healing and increasing implant failure risk. People who smoke have significantly higher implant failure rates than non-smokers. If you smoke, your dentist