Big Lake, Minnesota Dental Implants
Dental implants are designed to replace the whole tooth - not just the part you can see. With a strong foundation beneath the gumline and a natural-looking tooth on top, implants can help restore the function, appearance and confidence that comes with a complete smile!
Missing a tooth? Let’s fill the gap!
Missing a tooth can feel like a small thing… until it starts affecting the big things. Like eating, talking, smiling and your confidence. Even the way your other teeth function! Dental implants are able to replace the missing tooth from root to crown, creating a sturdy foundation for a natural-looking, functional smile. Sure, you could ignore it and get really good at chewing on one side. Or… you could replace it with something that looks, feels and functions just like the real deal!
So… what exactly is an implant?!
THE IMPLANT
The root of the operation. A small titanium post placed in the jawbone to act at the foundation.
THE ABUTMENT
The connector. This little guy connects the implant to your new crown!
THE CROWN
The part that everyone sees! A custom-made tooth designed to blend right in with your natural smile.
A dental implant is built from the ground up and has three main parts. Together these parts create a pretty convincing tooth comeback!
The dental implant process
Implant Placement at the Oral Surgeon's Office
The dental implant is surgically placed into the jawbone by an oral surgeon.
Post-Op Implant Check at the Oral Surgeon's Office
After a healing phase of approximately 3 months, the oral surgeon will check the implant for healing and determine if the implant is ready for the crown.
Digital Scan for Crown at Lake Dental Care
A digital scan is taken, the color and shape of the crown is selected and the crown is fabricated same-day using one of our in-house CEREC machines or sent to one of our partnering laboratories. Payment is collected.
Crown Delivery at Lake Dental Care
The crown and abutment are placed and secured into the implant. The fit, appearance, and bite are evaluated and any minor adjustments are made.
Frequently Asked Questions
You've got questions about dental implants? We've got answers! Here are answers to some of the most common inquiries about dental implants, and we promise to tell the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth!
Think of a dental implant as the foundation of a replacement tooth. A small titanium post is placed into the jawbone to act like a tooth root. Once it heals, a connector and custom crown are added on top. The result? A replacement tooth that looks, feels, and functions much more like the real thing
The short answer: we don't plan on letting you feel much of anything. We use local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the procedure, and we'll give you detailed instructions for what to expect afterward. Some soreness or swelling is normal during healing, but most patients find the experience much more manageable than they anticipated.
Once your implant has fully healed and your final crown is in place, you can generally eat and chew normally. In fact, restoring chewing function is one of the big reasons people choose implants. Your steak, apple, popcorn… they're all hoping you'll get back to business.
Don't worry — you haven't necessarily missed your chance. However, the jawbone can change after a tooth is lost, so we'll evaluate the area to see whether there is enough bone to support an implant. In some cases, bone grafting may be recommended before implant placement.
You can certainly live without replacing a tooth, but missing teeth can affect chewing, shifting of neighboring teeth, bite, and bone preservation over time. We'll help you understand the pros and cons of replacing it so you can make an informed decision.