Dental Implants in Kokomo, IN
Living with missing teeth can affect much more than your appearance; it impacts your confidence, your ability to enjoy favorite foods, and even your oral health.
At Caron and Jones Dental Care, we understand how tooth loss can change your daily life, and we’re here to help you rediscover the joy of a complete, beautiful smile through dental implant solutions right here in Kokomo, IN.
What Are Dental Implants?
Think about how your natural teeth work. Each tooth has a crown—the white part you see when you smile—and a root that sits below your gums, anchored firmly in your jawbone. When you lose a tooth, you lose both parts.
That’s where dental implants make all the difference.
A dental implant acts as a replacement root. It’s a small titanium post, the same material surgeons have trusted for decades in hip and knee replacements, that we place into your jawbone. Over the following months, your bone actually grows around this implant, holding it in place just like it would a natural tooth root.
Once the implant has fused with your jawbone, we attach a connector piece called an abutment and then secure a custom-made crown on top. This results in a replacement tooth that looks natural, feels secure, and functions just like the tooth you lost.
Types of Dental Implants Available at Our Kokomo Office
Full Dental Implants
If you’re missing most or all of your teeth in an arch, full dental implants provide a permanent solution. We strategically place multiple implants in your jawbone to support an entire arch of replacement teeth. This approach, often called All-on-4 or All-on-6, uses just four to six implants to secure a full set of teeth. You’ll enjoy the stability and function of natural teeth without the hassle of removable dentures.
Partial Dental Implants
When you’re missing several teeth but still have healthy natural teeth remaining, partial dental implants offer the perfect solution. We place individual implants where teeth are missing and attach custom crowns or an implant-supported bridge. This approach preserves your existing healthy teeth while filling the gaps, giving you a complete, beautiful smile without affecting the teeth you still have.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Traditional dentures rest on your gums and rely on adhesives to stay in place. Implant-supported dentures snap onto or attach to dental implants permanently placed in your jawbone, giving you all the stability of natural teeth. You can choose between dentures that snap on and off for cleaning, or fixed dentures that stay in place permanently. Either way, you’ll never worry about your dentures slipping when you eat, speak, or laugh.
Additional Dental Implant Services (Not Always Needed)
If you want dental implants but don’t necessarily qualify, we offer supplemental procedures to prepare your mouth for the procedure.
Bone Grafting
If tooth loss has caused your jawbone to shrink, bone grafting helps restore the lost bone. We add new bone material to the area, which encourages growth and strengthens the site for implant placement.
Sinus Lifts
For implants in the upper back jaw, there may not be enough bone beneath the sinus cavity. A sinus lift moves the sinus membrane upward and adds bone below it to create enough height for the implant.
These procedures are common. When done properly, they improve the chances that your dental implant will fuse to the bone and work as a stable, long-lasting replacement for your natural tooth. Dr. Caron and Dr. Jones will let you know if either of these treatments is part of your care plan.
Who Qualifies for Dental Implants?
Most adults with missing teeth can benefit from dental implants. During your consultation at our Kokomo location, our dentist will evaluate several important factors:
- Adequate jawbone density: Your jawbone needs sufficient volume to support an implant. If you’ve been missing teeth for a while, you may need a bone graft first to create a solid foundation.
- Healthy gums: We’ll examine your gum tissue to ensure there’s no active periodontal disease that could compromise your implant’s success.
- Good overall health: Certain conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes, can slow healing, and smoking can interfere with how well your implant integrates with your jawbone.
- Bone maturity: Younger patients need to have finished growing, while older patients simply need to be healthy enough for a minor surgical procedure.
The good news? Even if you’ve been told in the past that you’re not a candidate, advances in dental implant technology mean more options than ever before. That’s what our supporting services are for. We encourage you to come in for a consultation so we can evaluate your specific situation and discuss what’s possible for your beautiful smile.
The Dental Implant Process Timeline
Understanding what to expect can ease any anxiety about getting dental implants. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:
Initial Consultation (Week 1): Comprehensive examination with digital X-rays or 3D scans, evaluation of your oral health, and creation of your personalized treatment plan.
Implant Placement (Month 1): We carefully place the titanium implant into your jawbone during a comfortable procedure that typically takes about an hour per implant.
Healing Period (Months 2-6): Your jawbone gradually grows around the implant through osseointegration, securing it in place. We may provide a temporary tooth during this time.
Abutment Placement (Month 6-7): We attach the connector piece to your implant, with about two weeks needed for gum healing.
Understanding what to expect can ease any anxiety about getting dental implants. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:
Some patients qualify for immediate load implants, where we place a temporary crown on the same day as the implant. We’ll let you know if you’re a candidate during your consultation.
Caring for Your Dental Implants
One of the best things about dental implants is how easy they are to maintain. You care for them much like you care for your natural teeth.
Brush twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush, paying special attention to where the crown meets your gum line. Floss daily using traditional floss, a water flosser, or interdental brushes to clean around your implant effectively.
Visit our Kokomo office every six months for professional cleanings and checkups. During these visits, we’ll clean around your implant and verify that your jawbone continues to support it properly.
Avoid chewing ice or extremely hard objects, and let us know if you grind your teeth at night so we can create a protective night guard.
Contact us if you notice swelling, looseness, discomfort when chewing, or bleeding around your implant. With proper care, your dental implant can last a lifetime, though the crown may need replacement after 10 to 15 years due to normal wear.
Restore Your Beautiful Smile Today
You don’t have to live with the frustration of missing teeth. At Caron and Jones Dental Care, we’ve helped countless Kokomo residents reclaim their confidence with dental implants.
Call our Kokomo office or visit our website to book your appointment. We’ll evaluate your specific situation, answer all your questions, and create a personalized plan to restore your natural smile with dental implants in Kokomo, IN, that look, feel, and function like the teeth you were meant to have.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of dental implants in Indiana?
The average cost of a single dental implant in Indiana ranges from $3,000 to $5,000. This includes the implant, abutment, and crown. Additional procedures like bone grafting may increase the total cost.
What is the 3/2 rule for dental implants?
The 3/2 rule refers to using three implants to support a two-tooth replacement, ensuring even distribution of force. It helps maintain bone support and reduces stress on each implant.
Are there cheaper alternatives to implants?
Yes. Removable dentures and fixed bridges are more affordable options. While they can restore function and appearance, they may not offer the same stability or bone support as dental implants.