Dental Implants in Chicago, IL

What dental implant treatment at AAP Dental includes

Dental implant treatment at AAP Dental includes a consultation with digital X-rays, implant placement under local anesthetic, a healing period of 3 to 6 months, an abutment, and a custom crown, bridge, or denture matched to the surrounding teeth.

• Consultation and planning: the dentist measures bone height and width on X-rays, because an implant needs enough bone to hold it, and reviews your medical history.
• Implant placement: the titanium implant is placed in the jaw in a 1 to 2 hour appointment under local anesthetic.
• Osseointegration: the bone fuses to the titanium surface over 3 to 6 months, which is what makes an implant as stable as a natural root.
• Abutment and restoration: a connector is attached and the final crown, bridge, or denture is fitted in 1 to 2 visits.
• Maintenance: cleanings every 6 months and daily flossing around the implant, because the gum around an implant can become infected like the gum around a tooth.

Dental implant options at AAP Dental

AAP Dental restores 3 types of dental implant cases: a single implant with a crown for one missing tooth, an implant-supported bridge for 2 or more adjacent missing teeth, and an implant-supported denture for a full arch, and the number of implants rises with the number of teeth replaced.

Dr. Vernovsky provides prosthetics supported by implants and Dr. Nam completed a 1 year implant restoration and surgery fellowship, so AAP Dental plans the implant and the final tooth together.

Dental implant cost and insurance

Dental implant cost depends on the number of implants, the type of restoration, and whether bone grafting is needed, because each of those adds a procedure and a lab fee; AAP Dental quotes the total after the consultation X-rays.

Coverage depends on your plan and the cause of the tooth loss, so verify benefits with your insurer and the AAP Dental team before treatment starts. AAP Dental accepts most traditional dental insurance plans and does not participate in HMO plans. Payment options include CareCredit financing, flexible payment plans, cash, checks, and credit cards.

What dental implants treat and the results to expect

Dental implants treat one missing tooth, several missing teeth, and a fully edentulous arch, and the result is a fixed tooth that looks, feels, and chews like a natural tooth. Implants last for decades when the surrounding gum and bone stay healthy, while the crown on top is typically replaced after 10 to 15 years of wear.

• Chewing improves because an implant transfers bite force to the bone like a natural root, unlike a removable denture that rests on the gum.
• Speech improves because an implant-supported tooth does not slip.
• Bone is preserved because the implant stimulates the jaw, while bone shrinks under a missing tooth or a conventional denture.
• Neighboring teeth are left untouched, whereas a traditional bridge requires grinding down the 2 adjacent teeth.

Who dental implants are for

Dental implants suit healthy adults with a fully grown jaw, enough bone to hold the implant, and healthy gums. Implants are not recommended for patients who have had radiation to the head or neck, and patients with uncontrolled diabetes, heart disease, or heavy smoking are asked to consult their physician first because those conditions slow healing.

Patients with too little bone can receive a bone graft before placement, which adds 3 to 6 months of healing. Patients who want a lower cost or faster option are offered a crown-supported bridge or removable dentures instead.

Before, during, and after dental implant surgery

Dental Implants at AAP Dental follows 3 stages: preparation, the visit itself, and aftercare, and each stage has its own instructions below.

Before dental implant surgery

Any gum disease is treated first and a failing tooth is removed with a tooth extraction, then the socket heals for 2 to 3 months unless the implant is placed the same day. List all medications and medical conditions, because blood thinners and bisphosphonates change the surgical plan.

During dental implant surgery

1. The dentist numbs the area with local anesthetic.
2. A small opening is made in the gum and a channel is prepared in the bone.
3. The titanium implant is placed and the gum is closed with 1 to 3 stitches. The appointment takes 1 to 2 hours.
4. A temporary tooth or denture covers the space during healing when the site is visible.

After dental implant surgery

Swelling and soreness peak at 48 to 72 hours and resolve within 7 to 10 days. Patients who have had the procedure report that implant placement is less painful than an extraction. Eat soft foods for 7 days, avoid smoking during healing, and return at 2 weeks for a check. The final crown is fitted after 3 to 6 months of bone healing.

Dental implants vs bridges vs dentures

Dental implants differ from bridges and dentures by replacing the root as well as the crown: a bridge rests on the 2 neighboring teeth, a denture rests on the gum, and an implant stands in the bone. Choose an implant for the longest lifespan and bone preservation, a bridge for a faster fixed result, and a denture for the lowest cost.

Why choose AAP Dental for dental implants in Chicago

• Dr. Myung Jin Nam, DDS completed a 3 year prosthodontics residency and a 1 year implant restoration and surgery fellowship at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, and served as a clinical instructor there from 2012 to 2015.
• Dr. Eduard Vernovsky, DDS, a Northwestern University Dental School graduate, provides prosthetics supported by implants, including implant-retained dentures.
• Digital X-rays at AAP Dental show bone levels on screen in seconds for implant planning.
• The implant, the abutment, and the final crown are planned at one office on Harlem Avenue.
• CareCredit financing and flexible payment plans are available, and Saturday appointments run until 4:00 PM.

Dental implants near Harlem Avenue: location and hours

AAP Dental Group sits at 5037 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60656, at the corner of Harlem Avenue and Foster Avenue on the Northwest Side. Patients come from Norwood Park, Harwood Heights, Norridge, Edison Park, and Park Ridge, all within 15 minutes of the office. Weekday hours at AAP Dental run Monday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, Wednesday 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and Thursday and Friday 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Saturday hours run 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and the office closes on Sunday.

Dental Implants questions

Dental Implants patients at AAP Dental Group ask these 5 questions most often, and each answer below is the dentist’s short reply.