Dental Implants - C.J.W. & Associates
Serving Patients in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and Arlington Heights

Dr. Corey Walther, an experienced Schaumburg dental implants provider, offers the dental implants procedure for patients who wish to replace broken or missing teeth. Dental implants are a highly effective, long-term solution for the replacement of missing teeth. Dr. Walther provides the following information for Schaumburg, Palatine, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates and Barrington cosmetic dentistry patients who are interested in the dental implants procedure.

About Dental Implants

Implants are made of two parts: an implant post and a crown. An implant post is a small, biocompatible prosthetic tooth root. After the post is secured into the jawbone, bone tissue fuses with it to create a solid anchor. One crown can be placed on each implant post, or a few implants can secure a denture, partial, or bridge. Given the proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. Dental implants do not require adhesive or natural suction because they actually become assimilated by the body. Dental implants allow patients to eat, speak, and smile with complete confidence.

Before dental implants can be placed in the gums, the broken or decayed teeth must first be extracted and removed.

Tooth Extractions

Pulling teeth, as the saying goes, doesn't have to be a prolonged, negative experience. At our state-of-the-art Schaumburg dentistry office, we can perform tooth extractions quickly and without much discomfort to treat a host of dental problems, including advanced stages of gum disease. Patients who suffer from broken, cracked or excessively damaged teeth (that aren't good candidates for a root canal) will benefit from this straightforward procedure. Dr. Walther may recommend extractions, also called exodontias, in these situations:

When wisdom teeth, or third molars, emerge as non-functional and/or misaligned.
If a candidate for dentures only has a few worn or compromised remaining teeth on an arch, we may recommend extractions so a full denture can be placed.
Patients, often younger children, may have impacted teeth positioned to emerge out of alignment, or teeth that block others from erupting.
Orthodontic patients with overcrowded mouths that require more space along the jaw line to properly align the teeth.

When coming to us for a tooth extraction, expect to have a thorough examination, including X-rays, before we determine the proper course of action. We understand that you may feel apprehensive, so we are dedicated to providing answers to any question you may have prior to the procedure. Plan to discuss with us your medical history, any past extractions and associated problems with excessive bleeding, and any medications you take. In most cases, except for those simple cases where the tooth is visible above the gum line, we may refer you to an oral surgeon.

On the day of your extraction, we will administer anesthesia to the area and carefully rock the tooth back and forth to expand the socket and loosen the ligaments. You will feel pressure; however, you should be numb to any real discomfort. Following the tooth extraction, it is recommended that patients avoid rinsing, spitting, sucking through straws, hot foods, cigarettes or alcohol during the first 24 hours. If alveolar osteitis (dry socket) occurs, we will recommend an immediate course of action. You should also adhere to a liquid diet during the first day and use clean gauze, or even tea bags, to pack the wound. Remember, a small amount of bleeding is normal, and ice and acetaminophen will help with the swelling and discomfort.

After 24 hours, you'll begin a regimen of gentle salt water rinses and resume your normal oral hygiene routine, taking care to avoid the empty socket and the adjacent teeth. Within two weeks, you should feel significantly better and begin to enjoy the benefits of your new smile.