Dental Implants in Winston-Salem, NC
In North Carolina, 21% of adults ages 65 and older have lost all their natural teeth. While prevalent, tooth loss is a serious issue that should be addressed immediately. Beyond changing your smile’s appearance, missing teeth can make eating more challenging, limit your food choices, and affect your nutrition. Speech issues are also common, potentially leading to embarrassment and self-consciousness. On top of this, many people with tooth loss find themselves smiling less or covering their mouths when they laugh, which can take a toll on mental well-being. Fortunately, replacing missing teeth can restore function, boost confidence, and improve your quality of life. At our practice, Dr. Keider offers dental implants as a lasting solution to help patients regain their smiles.
The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth
When you lose a tooth, you also lose the root that supports it. Tooth roots are essential to dental health because they help stimulate your jawbone. Without this stimulation, bone resorption can occur, leading to gradual bone loss that may eventually alter your facial structure.
In addition to bone loss, missing teeth create gaps in your smile. The remaining teeth naturally shift toward the space, leading to misalignment and bite issues.
Missing teeth also increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay, as the gaps can trap bacteria, making it harder to maintain proper oral hygiene.
To avoid these dental ailments, we encourage you to consider dental implants. This innovative tooth replacement method replaces missing teeth from the crown to the root, restoring your smile while preserving long-term jaw health.
How Dental Implants Can Help
Replacing one or more missing teeth with dental implants is a lasting solution for restoring oral function. Made from strong, biocompatible titanium, implants provide a stable and reliable foundation for replacement teeth. Through osseointegration, the implant fuses with the jawbone, mimicking the function of natural tooth roots. A conventional dental implant consists of three main components:
- Implant post: The implant post is the metal screw Dr. Keider places beneath the gums and into your jawbone. It is the component that fuses with your jawbone over time. The average size of a traditional implant post is about 5 mm in diameter.
- Abutment: The abutment acts as a connector, attaching the final restoration to the implant post for a secure fit.
- Restoration: The final restoration is the permanent prosthetic Dr. Keider places into your mouth. The prosthetic can be a crown, bridge, or denture.
While traditional dental implants are a reliable solution for tooth loss, they aren’t ideal for everyone. Some patients may not be candidates due to the larger post size, while others may require bone grafting to strengthen the jawbone before placement. That’s why we offer mini dental implants—a narrower and minimally invasive alternative to conventional implants.
Mini Dental Implants
Mini dental implants are slimmer than conventional implants, making them suitable for patients who have experienced bone loss. Dr. Keider can typically place a mini implant without a bone grafting procedure.
In addition to their size, mini implants boast a unique, one-piece design. Unlike traditional multi-piece implants, where the abutment is an additional piece, mini implants have a ball-shaped end that serves as the connector. This key difference has many benefits.
For one, the single-piece design helps reduce the risk of bacterial infection. Bacteria can get trapped between the implant post and abutment in traditional implants, potentially leading to peri-implantitis. This inflammatory condition can make the implant vulnerable to failure.
Additionally, the smaller size and streamlined design of mini implants allow Dr. Keider to use a much gentler technique. Rather than make an incision in the gums, he can simply make a small pilot hole and screw the implant into place. This method eliminates the complicated drilling sequence needed for traditional implants.
As a result of this minimal invasiveness, Dr. Keider can typically place mini implants in just one visit. While multi-piece traditional implants require multiple appointments to place the implant, mini implants are remarkably convenient. Thanks to their “immediate loading” capabilities, Dr. Keider can even attach a restoration the same day, so you’ll never have to be without teeth.
These advantages—including fewer components and a simpler procedure—lead to several patient benefits. Mini implants are more affordable and convenient, making them an effective solution for many individuals.
Schedule Your Implant Consultation Today!
Choosing the right tooth replacement method can make a lasting impact on your health, confidence, and quality of life. Dental implants offer a dependable, long-term solution, whether you need a single tooth replaced or a full set of teeth restored. Dr. Keider provides both traditional and mini dental implants, ensuring every patient receives the best option for their needs. If you’re ready to regain a strong, functional smile, don’t wait—schedule a consultation today to learn if dental implants are right for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of dental implants varies based on several factors, such as your insurance coverage, the number of implants you need, and your specific dental situation.
Our office accepts most insurance plans, but coverage for dental implants varies. To clarify your benefits, we’ll contact your insurance provider and give you a detailed breakdown of your coverage along with an accurate cost estimate. For added convenience, we offer in-office and third-party financing. These plans allow you to get your dental implants now and make manageable monthly payments later.
Yes, most people are eligible for dental implants. But that does depend on a few factors.
The best candidates for traditional dental implants have sufficient jawbone density, good overall health, and excellent oral hygiene. They should also be able to undergo oral surgery and manage any medical conditions. However, mini dental implants may still be an option if you have lost bone or cannot tolerate a complex procedure since they require less bone and use a simpler placement technique.
Additionally, patients under 18 may not be eligible for dental implants because of continuing facial development. In these cases, we may recommend a bridge or partial denture instead.
The timeline depends on the type of implant. Traditional implants typically take longer, with an average completion time of about six months. However, mini dental implants offer immediate stability, allowing Dr. Keider to attach a restoration on the same day in most cases. With mini implants, the overall timeline takes just weeks instead of months. To find out which implants are right for you, we invite you to arrange a consultation.
Related Videos
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Single & Multiple Tooth Replacement Solutions
Get a permanent, natural-looking smile in just one visit!
Whether you need to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth, our minimally invasive, pain-free solution ensures no cutting, no stitching, and same-day results so you can leave with a confident smile!
Full Arch Teeth Replacement Solutions
Mini Dental Implants Can Change Your Life!
Mini Implants vs. Regular Implants
Choose a less invasive solution with mini dental implants—requiring a smaller hole, less bone, faster healing in just weeks, and a simpler procedure compared to traditional implants that can take months to heal.
Traditional Dental Implants vs. Mini Dental Implants
Get a permanent tooth replacement in just one visit with mini dental implants—smaller, single-piece implants that eliminate the need for multiple surgeries and extended healing times required by traditional implants.
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The Mini Dental Implant Advantage
Half The Size
Mini Implants are about half the size of traditional implant, and therefore don’t require as much bone. With less bone needed, costly, painful and time-consuming bone grafts are typically not required.Significantly Less Expensive
In most cases, the mini dental implant procedure is significantly less expensive than a traditional implant case, saving you money.Preserves Bone Structure
Immediate Results
Because they are less invasive, and don’t require the lengthy healing time of traditional implants, they can typically be loaded with crowns, bridges and dentures immediately.Less Healing Time & Fewer Visits
Because mini implants are much smaller, placing them is a less invasive procedure—requiring less healing time and discomfort, and fewer visits.No More Decay
Mini implants are made out of titanium—the same type of material that is used on artificial joints, and they are not subject to decay or periodontal disease.Discover Ways To Make Your Care More Affordable
Dr. Matthew Keider is committed to providing high-quality dental care right in your neighborhood. To make dental care accessible for everyone, we offer flexible third-party financing options and in-office options designed to fit your budget. Get the care you deserve, when you need it. Contact us today to get pre-approved in minutes.