Award-winning dentist, Sam Latif, DMD, has been providing compassionate and gentle cosmetic dental care to patients from in and around Columbus, Ohio for more than three decades. Dr. Latif has been voted Top Dentist in Central Ohio by his peers 8 years in a row, as published in Columbus Monthly and The Columbus Dispatch. For the past 16 years, he has been named one of America’s Top Dentists by the Consumers’ Research Council of America and a Leading Physician of the World by The International Association of Dentists. Read on to learn more about dental implants with Haute Beauty expert Dr. Sam Latif. 

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Dental implants are an excellent option for those seeking to replace one or more missing teeth. In the past, dentures, partial dentures, or bridges have been the only available remedy for missing teeth, but implants provide permanent, comfortable, natural-looking dental prosthetics that are relatively easy to care for, and that contribute to the health of your jawbone.

Why Implants Are Better Than Dentures

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Dental implants provide several advantages over traditional dentures or partials because implants:

• They are stationary and will not shift when you eat or talk
• Allow you to eat denser foods that are difficult to eat with dentures
• Stimulate your jawbone as you chew, preventing long-term bone loss
• Do not need to be removed for cleaning

Because dental implants are permanently attached to your jawbone, they function just like your natural teeth. You do not have to worry about them slipping out of place when you are eating, talking, or laughing. Moreover, you can keep eating all your favorite foods. For example, you will not have to give up foods like steak or corn on the cob. And you won’t have to learn a new way to eat and you can bite and chew normally with your dental implants.

Caring for implants is relatively simple. Since implants require the same basic care as your natural teeth, you would continue with normal brushing, flossing, and regular visits to your dentist — ensuring your implants remain attractive and natural-looking for years to come.

The Latest Developments in Dental Implants

There are many dentists in Columbus offering dental implants. It can be hard to choose the right one for you. We recommend looking at reviews and checking the results achieved for patients. You should also consider the education and training of dentists. Dr. Latif has received focused training on dental implants. He is a diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a fellow of the Midwest Implant Institute. Dr. Latif has been voted Top Dentist in Central Ohio by his peers 8 years in a row, as published in Columbus Monthly and The Columbus Dispatch. For the past 16 years, he has been named one of America’s Top Dentists by the Consumers’ Research Council of America and a Leading Physician of the World by The International Association of Dentists. He has also received the highest ranking for general dentists in Columbus on DoctorOogle.com, a website created for and by patients.

How Dental Implants Work

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Dental implants can give you a natural-looking smile. A dental implant is a small titanium screw that simulates the root of a missing tooth. Topping the titanium root is a restoration, such as a dental crown that has the appearance of a natural tooth and restores functionality to your bite.

Although dental implants are a durable and aesthetically-pleasing option for replacing missing teeth, they are not for everyone. A free consultation with Dr. Latif can determine if dental implants are the best solution for you. Included in this free consultation may be a specialized x-ray that will also confirm the health of your bone and determine treatment success. Most adults who are in good general health and have sufficient jaw bone structure are viable candidates for dental implants.

Dental Implant Procedure

The implant process typically involves two phases spread over roughly three to six months. The first step is the placing of your titanium implant. First, you will be adequately numbed. The implant is then inserted into the jawbone. Post-op checks will be necessary to evaluate how well your bone is fusing to the implant placed. Osseointegration is the fusing of your natural bone structure to the titanium implant. Once your bone has sufficiently bonded to the implant, then you will be ready for the placement of your implant crown.

Dental Crown Placement

Once your implant becomes part of your jawbone, an impression and/or scanning for the crown will be completed. The crown will not only match your existing natural teeth, but it will restore strength and function to your bite.

Variations on the Dental Implant Procedure

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Every patient is different, so although the procedure described above is accurate for most patients, some may require a different procedure. If you are replacing more than one lost tooth, we will likely place multiple dental implants in the same procedure. Instead of an individual crown, you may receive a dental bridge that replaces all the lost teeth and is secured by two or more implants.

If you have suffered significant jawbone loss as a result of gum disease or atrophy, a bone graft may be necessary before your dental implant can be placed.

In some cases, your dental implant may be secure enough when it is first placed that you can get a temporary dental crown placed the same day. It all depends on your individual situation.

Dental Implant Cost

We understand that many people are concerned about the cost of dental implants and want to get an estimate for dental implants online. However, we cannot offer online estimates for dental implants because the procedure is highly customized. We design each dental implant procedure to precisely fit a patient’s anatomy for the best function, durability, and appearance.

Post-Treatment Care

We implement the same routines for patients in recovery of any surgery, including antibiotics and pain medication, and oral rinses that help reduce dependency on pain medication due to their anti-inflammatory quality. Patients can also apply cold compresses.

For more information or for your free consultation please call Ohio Cosmetic Dentists, 614-459-7300 or visit our Instagram or Facebook.