Missing teeth affect more than your smile. They can change how you eat, speak, and feel about yourself day to day. At Smiley Dental Group in Columbus, OH, Dr. Holowicki, Dr. Moore, and Dr. Renshaw have spent more than 35 years helping Dublin, Hilliard, and Central Ohio families restore their smiles. For dental implants, that means partnering with trusted oral surgeons and periodontists for the surgical placement, then handling your custom restoration ourselves, so every step of your care is in experienced hands.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made from biocompatible titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone to support replacement teeth. Once placed, the implant fuses with your bone through a natural healing process called osseointegration, creating a secure base for your new dental crown or prosthetic tooth.
Dental implants can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even a full mouth of missing teeth. Unlike conventional dentures or dental bridges, implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, helping preserve your natural teeth and maintaining your facial structure and oral health.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
You may be a good candidate for dental implant treatment if you have healthy gums, good overall oral health, and enough bone to support the implant post. Implants can be an excellent solution for adults who have lost teeth due to tooth decay, trauma, or other dental concerns.
If you have periodontal disease or bone loss, we may recommend a bone graft or other treatment options to prepare your mouth for implant placement. Our dentists will evaluate your specific needs and design a personalized treatment plan to ensure long-term success.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Your dental implant procedure is completed in several comfortable stages:
Implant Placement
The first step is a minor surgical procedure to place the titanium implant post into the jawbone, performed under local anesthesia. We refer you to a trusted oral surgeon or periodontist for this step and coordinate closely with them throughout your treatment, so your care stays connected from referral to final crown.
Healing and Integration
Over the next few months, the bone naturally fuses with the implant in a process called osseointegration. Your surgeon manages your healing during this stage, and we stay in close contact to track your progress, so you’re never left wondering who to call.
Final Restoration
Once the implant is ready, we attach an abutment and secure your custom dental crown on top. Each new tooth is crafted to match your natural teeth, restoring the appearance and function of your smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Choosing dental implants offers many advantages for your oral health and overall well-being:
- Long-lasting results that can last decades with proper care
- Natural look and feel, blending perfectly with your existing teeth
- Improved chewing and speaking compared to removable dentures
- Prevention of bone loss, protecting your jaw’s strength and shape
- Preserved neighboring teeth, since implants stand independently
With decades of combined experience and advanced restorative training, our dentists craft precise, custom-fitted implant restorations designed for long-term success, working closely with your surgical specialist at every step to make sure your new tooth fits, feels, and functions like it’s yours.
Healing and Aftercare
After your implant placement surgery, your surgeon will guide you through aftercare for that stage, including managing any mild swelling or tenderness. Once you’re ready for your restoration, our team will walk you through caring for your new tooth, including good oral hygiene and regular visits, so it can last for years to come.
Restore Your Smile with Confidence
Our team provides expert implant restoration, coordinated with a trusted surgical specialist, to restore your oral health and the confidence in your smile.
Call 614-889-0726 or book online today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a healthy, lasting new smile with dental implants.
FAQ’s
Our dentists handle your implant restoration: designing, fitting, and placing your custom crown. For the surgical placement of the implant post itself, we refer you to a trusted oral surgeon or periodontist who specializes in that procedure. We coordinate with them throughout, so your treatment feels seamless from start to finish.
Implant placement and implant restoration are two different skill sets. Surgical placement requires training in oral surgery or periodontics; restoration requires the kind of custom crown work our dentists focus on every day. Partnering with a specialist for each stage means you get focused expertise at every step, not a single provider trying to do both.
Most patients complete the full process (placement, healing, and restoration) in about three to six months, though healing time varies by patient. We’ll walk you through a personalized timeline at your consultation.
The surgical placement is done under local anesthesia, and most patients report only mild soreness afterward, managed with over-the-counter medication. Your restoration visits with us are comfortable and straightforward, similar to getting a dental crown.
Implant cost varies based on your specific case and how many teeth are involved. We’ll provide a personalized estimate after your consultation and can walk you through financing options and how your insurance may apply.
Most adults with healthy gums, adequate jawbone density, and good overall oral health are good candidates. If you have bone loss or gum disease, we may recommend treatment first to prepare your mouth. We’ll evaluate your specific situation at a consultation.
Yes. If you’ve already had your implant placed elsewhere and are ready for your crown, our dentists can handle your restoration. Just bring us your surgeon’s details so we can coordinate your care.