Single Tooth Implants & Bridges
Advantages of dental implants over other treatment options
Natural appearance
Solid, natural chewing
Attached securely and permanently
No negative impact to nearby teeth like with other options (bridges)
Significantly reduces bone loss after removal of a natural tooth or teeth
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a titanium screw that serves as the foundation to replace a tooth or teeth.
There are 3 parts to a dental implant:
Implant post (or body) - this is the foundation. It is placed in the jaw and acts as anchor.
Abutment - this piece connects the implant post and crown
Crown - this is the visible portion in the mouth. This could also be an implant bridge across multiple implants.
How does the process work?
Let’s go over the steps!
Placement of implant post in jaw
Impression for crown and abutment
Attach crown and abutment to implant body
After being thoroughly numbed, the implant body (the titanium screw) is surgically placed in your jaw. The implant body is made of surgical-grade titanium (the same material used in hip and knee replacements), which means your bone will fuse with it over a 4-6 month period (a process known as osseointegration). Once the dental implant is properly integrated, we will take impressions to have your abutment and crown fabricated. The crown is the part of the implant tooth that you actually see in the mouth and the abutment is the support piece that connects the crown to the implant body.
How long does the process take?
The process typically takes 5-6 months from start to finish.
Place implant body and wait 4 months for integration into jaw bone.
Uncover implants and allow gums to form to correct shape for 2 weeks.
Take impressions amd send off to outside lab for fabrication of abutment and crown. This normally takes 3-4 weeks.
Place abutment and crown.
For some patients, the process could take longer than described here.
How much does a dental implant cost?
Single-tooth dental implant
$5,644
Starting as low as: $110/mo
Replaces 1 tooth
Includes the implant body, abutment, and crown
INCLUDES 5 YEAR WARRANTY
Includes single implant placement, final abutment, and crown
Replaces a single tooth
Payment Plan And Financing
We work with the following insurance providers at Wicker Park Dental Group and file all PPO insurance claims as a courtesy to our patients. Aetna, AlliedBenefits, Ameritas, Anthem, BCBS, Beam, Careington, Cigna, Delta, Equitable, Guardian, GEHA, Humana, Lincoln Financial, Metlife, Principal, Sunlife Financial, UMR, United Healthcare, United Concordia.
We are pleased to accept credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, Cash and Cashier Checks
As a service to our patients, we are pleased to accept CareCredit, the nation’s leading patient payment program. With CareCredit, you can finance 100 percent of your dental care. Those who qualify enjoy no upfront costs, no annual fees, and no pre-payment penalties. You can begin your treatment today and pay with low monthly payments that fit into your budget.
CareCredit can be used by the whole family for ongoing treatment without having to reapply. It only takes a few minutes to apply for CareCredit, and you’ll receive an online decision in seconds!
There are many different kinds of dental implants - single tooth implants, All-On-4, denture implants, etc. For more information on costs, please visit our cost of dental implants page.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
Do I need an implant for each of my missing teeth?
It depends. Since every case is unique, we'll need to see you for a consultation to figure out the best course of treatment for you.
Can you put a temporary crown or bridge on my implant the same day it’s placed?
At this time, we do not place temporary crowns or bridges on implants that have just been placed. The reason for this is that we want as little force being placed on the implants as possible while we wait for them to integrate with your jawbone.
How much do dental implants cost?
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Most people are candidates for dental implants, even those who have been told they weren't in the past. Call us to schedule your consultation and let's see what we can do to get you smiling again.
What kind of after care will I need to perform with my dental implant(s)?
Care for them like natural teeth:
Brush and floss twice a day.
Get cleanings regularly at intervals recommended by your dentist.
What do implant teeth look like?
In the mouth, they look almost exactly like a natural tooth. The implant body (the screw) won't be visible in the mouth. It is under the gums in your bone.
Will it function and feel like a natural tooth?
Yes! It will feel different from a natural tooth but will function the same.
How long should I take off work for recovery after my procedure?
Most patients are able to return to work either the same day or the next day. Certain cases could require more time off from work.
How long will I bleed after the procedure?
You may continue to bleed slightly for the first 24 hours after your implant placement. If you feel that you are bleeding more than you should be, please call the clinic.
An old home reemedy that still works really well to help clotting and stop bleeding is the use of tea bags. Just get a regular tea bag, get it damp, ring out the excess water, place it on your extraction site or sites, and the tanic acid in the tea leaves will help you clot. Multiple tea bags can be used if needed. Replace the tea bags as they get saturated with blood. This process can be repeated as many times as you need.
Can I be put to sleep for my procedure?
We do not currently put patients to sleep, however, we do offer oral conscious sedation. This medication will help to relax you and often makes it so you don’t even remember your procedure. For this, we write you a prescription, and you can pick it up at your pharmacy of choice. NOTE: You MUST have a driver for this procedure, someone who can drive you after you have taken your oral sedation pill(s). You MUST NOT operate a motor vehicle or any machinery after taking your medication.
Will there be pain after the procedure?
While experiences will vary, there could be some discomfort and possibly swelling after your procedure. Many patients report very little discomfort after their procedure. You will be prescribed pain medication to help alleviate any discomfort.
What is the process for getting an implant?
The process is very straight forward. Your implant is placed into your jawbone and is left alone to intergrate for 4-6 months. After this, we take impressions and have your tooth fabricated. If bone grafting is needed, this can increase treatment time.
Is my implant removable?
No, once your implant is completed, you will not be able to remove it.
Do you offer this procedure with zirconia (non-metal) implants?
We do not currently offer this type of implant. While titanium implants have been around for decades with a long track record of success, zirconia implants are very new to the market, so we do not know what their success will be like long-term. We want the most successful, most predictable, best long-term results for our patients, and for these reasons, we do not offer zirconia implants at this time.
Does Medicare cover dental implants??
Medicare itself does not cover dental implants or any other dental services; however, there are certain supplemental Medicare Advantage plans that do provide coverage for dental implant services. When choosing a supplemental Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll want to make sure that the plan provides coverage for dental implant services and that it’s a plan that allows you to choose which dental office you go to. Some plans have extremely small networks, which limit where you’re able to utilize your benefits.
Can implants fail?
While titanium dental implants do have a 95+% success rate, yes, they can still fail. Some of the things that can cause them to fail:
failure to integrate into the bone
smoking
diabetes
If an implant fails within the first year, your dentist will replace it at no charge to you.
Get a Free Evaluation Today!
Wicker Park Dental Group 1738 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 917-0557
1738 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622