Dental Implants
No one likes living with missing teeth, but old-fashioned dentures and bridges can be uncomfortable and conspicuous.
Fortunately, dental implants have revolutionized the way that dentists address tooth loss.
Dr. Matt Dillard can change your life with discreet dental implants and prosthetics at his Walterboro, SC, or Charleston, SC, offices.
Fortunately, dental implants have revolutionized the way that dentists address tooth loss.
Dr. Matt Dillard can change your life with discreet dental implants and prosthetics at his Walterboro, SC, or Charleston, SC, offices.
Experiencing a Dental Emergency? Let Our Team Help
Oral & Implant Surgery of the Lowcountry can often address dental emergencies during a same-day appointment. If you have a knocked-out tooth, we may be able to save it and avoid the need for dental implants altogether. If there's no way to save your tooth, we can get started on the dental implant process as soon as possible. Contact us for emergency care.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small devices that replace lost tooth roots. They are usually made of titanium. Implants support dental restorations like crowns, bridges, or dentures by anchoring them directly to the jawbone. Because implants fuse with your bone tissue, implant-supported restorations never slip or slide out of place.
At Oral & Implant Surgery of the Lowcountry, Dr. Dillard uses advanced technology and the latest techniques to place implants. Additionally, he practices sedation dentistry at his offices in Walterboro and Charleston, SC, so anxious patients can relax during this life-changing procedure.
Replace Missing Teeth with Dental Implants
Dental implants can replace a single tooth or an entire row of missing teeth. This restorative dentistry option offers remarkable stability and natural-looking results. Dr. Matt Dillard performs all stages of dental implant treatment at his dental offices in Charleston and Walterboro, SC.
Meet With an Implant Expert Schedule a Consultation Today
If you live in Greater Charleston, SC, and you have missing teeth, schedule a consultation with Dr. Matt Dillard and the team at Oral & Implant Surgery of the Lowcountry. Dr. Dillard is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who has performed hundreds of dental implant surgeries during his career. He is more than qualified to place your implants and help you overcome tooth loss.
We are happy to accept new patients with or without a referral from a general dentist. You can request an appointment at either our Charleston or Walterboro office by contacting us online or by giving us a call.
Call Us: (843) 782-6725
"Had to get a tooth pulled. The staff and Dr Dillard were very professional. An excellent job." Rudy Polito
Implants Can Support a Variety of Prosthetics They Also Have Advantages Over Traditional Options
Whether you're missing one tooth, several teeth, or even a whole arch of teeth, dental implants can improve your life. Prosthetics that are anchored by implants are maintained like natural teeth. Traditional bridges or dentures have to be removed for cleaning, an unnecessary step with prosthetics supported by implants.
Here are some options that our Walterboro and Charleston, SC, offices can offer you:
Missing a Single Tooth
An implant-supported crown is often the best restoration option for a patient who is missing a single tooth. By contrast, to replace a missing tooth with a bridge, the surrounding healthy teeth have to be reshaped to support the appliance, which can weaken tooth structure. An implant-supported crown leaves the neighboring healthy teeth untouched. A traditional bridge also has to be replaced every five to seven years on average, compared to a dental implant which can last 15 years or longer.
Multiple Missing Teeth
Patients who are missing a few adjacent teeth may want to talk to their dentist about implant-supported bridges. Generally, two implants are used to support the bridge. Artificial teeth are placed on top of the implants and fill in the gap left by a missing tooth or multiple teeth. Traditional bridges are removable, making them susceptible to more wear and tear, and are exposed to possible damage from being dropped. This is not the case with implant-supported bridges.
Missing a Full Arch of Teeth
Patients who are missing all of their upper or lower arch of teeth may be a good fit for implant-supported dentures. Implant-supported dentures lock in place, providing better stability. They're cared for like natural teeth. A full denture can be anchored by as few as four implants, eliminating the need for dental adhesives. This is often preferable to traditional dentures, which can slip out of place at any time. Traditional dentures also have to be moist to retain their shape, requiring patients to soak them at night when they're sleeping.
With traditional crowns, bridges, or dentures, the prosthetics need consistent adjustments from dentists. But with consistent cleaning and following your dentist's advice, implant-supported prosthetics may require significantly fewer adjustments.
The Dangers of Tooth Loss
With tooth loss comes a myriad of oral health problems. Tooth loss can ultimately lead to concerns like:
Jawbone Atrophy
When you have a missing tooth, the jawbone in that area can't be stimulated by the tooth root. This leads to atrophy.
Malocclusion
Jawbone atrophy can in turn cause malocclusion, as surrounding teeth may shift into the empty space. A misaligned bite can cause uneven wear on existing healthy teeth.
Widespread Damage
With uneven wear on your teeth, painful TMJ problems can develop and your teeth may become more prone to decay.
Replacing missing teeth with implant-supported restorations in a timely manner is recommended by our team to preserve the health of your mouth.
"Love Dr. Dillard and his staff!! His work is beautiful!! Great that he has 2 locations. Highly recommend him!!" Janice G.
Paying for Dental Implants
The cost of your implant treatment will depend on several factors, including the number of teeth you are missing, your sedation preferences, and whether you require preparatory extractions or bone grafting. We will provide a quote for your surgery at the end of your consultation, so there won't be any surprises when you receive your bill.
It's important to understand that most insurance plans don't cover implants, but they will usually contribute to the cost of the restorations (crowns, bridges, or dentures) and preparatory procedures. We accept many insurance plans, and our staff will help you to secure the most coverage possible. To help as many patients as possible afford implant dentistry, we offer flexible financing through CareCredit®. CareCredit is a third-party lender that allows qualifying patients to pay for dentistry through low-interest or no-interest payment plans.
Save Your Jawbone by Replacing Missing Teeth
Implants are the only dental treatment known to stop bone loss associated with missing teeth. Delaying implant treatment can lead to the need for bone grafting, which can extend your overall treatment timeline. Dr. Matt Dillard has performed hundreds of dental implant surgeries that have helped patients retain their jawbone. Request an appointment to our Charleston or Walterboro office online or by calling:
(843) 782-6725
"EXCELLENT people and very professional! I recommend Dr. Dillard for your needs and he will definitely correct your problem. Thank you to his staff and to Dr. Dillard!" Brian Kale
Dental Implants
and Smoking
If you are a smoker with missing teeth, you must quit the habit before your dental implant treatment.
Because nicotine reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood and bone tissue, it can inhibit your jawbone's ability to fuse with the implant, causing osseointegration to either take longer than expected or fail altogether.
Dr. Dillard will ask about your tobacco use during your consultation in Charleston or Walterboro, SC. If you are unwilling to quit smoking, he can recommend an alternative form of tooth replacement.
Other Factors to Consider Before Treatment
In addition to smoking, other health factors can determine the success of your dental implants. During an initial consultation, our dentist will review your medical history, potential concerns, and your final goals.
It is important to be honest with your dentist about your health history, as specific health issues can increase the risk of implant failure. Your dentist may recommend other dental treatments to increase the success of your implant treatment. Here are some other health factors to consider before receiving dental implants:
Jawbone Recession
Your jaw may lack the bone tissue needed to support a dental implant. Without the required bone strength in your jaw, the titanium implants will not fuse to the jawbone properly. Your dentist may suggest bone grafting treatment to build more density in your jaw.
Periodontal Disease
Dental implants will not take hold in gums that are not healthy enough. If your gums are too weak or inflamed for dental implants, our dentist may recommend periodontal treatment.
Diabetes and Other Health Issues
Diabetes and other diseases can increase your risks during surgery and the healing process. Be sure to disclose any health conditions to your dentist that you believe may interfere with your dental treatment.
Teeth Damaged by Trauma
Some injuries can affect an entire tooth's function and aesthetics. For a natural tooth that is broken beyond the point of treatment, we may recommend that it be extracted and replaced with an implant.
Severely Decayed Teeth
If a root canal is not successful, you may need to have the tooth extracted. Instead of leaving a gap in your natural teeth, an implant with a prosthetic tooth can complete your smile.
Gaps From Missing Teeth
Patients with a missing tooth or several missing teeth often choose dental implants due to their stability over traditional bridges and partial dentures.
Get the Most Out of Treatment With Our State-of-the-Art Technology
Oral & Implant Surgery of the Lowcountry has a 3D cone beam scanner in each office. This scanner takes accurate diagnostics before your implant placement. The X-rays this technology captures allow our team to determine the ideal locations for your dental implants while avoiding nerves and sinuses. Your X-rays are then used to plan an accurate procedure.
With more precise treatment, patients can benefit from reduced discomfort as there's minimal trauma to surrounding oral structures. Additionally, temporary teeth can often be placed on the implants after surgery for immediately restored function.
Ensuring Your Comfort and Safety With Sedation
Your safety and comfort are two of our top priorities, whether you're at our Charleston, SC, office or Walterboro, SC, office. In most cases, dental implant surgery causes only minor discomfort. Patients have expressed surprise at how little pain they experience during treatment.
However, some patients may be more anxious than others when it comes to dental treatments. Oral & Implant Surgery of the Lowcountry offers sedation for those who are nervous about dental implant surgery. Sedation also greatly minimizes any feelings of pain.
Technology and Expertise You Can Trust
If you have missing teeth but remain unsure which implant options are right for your needs, Dr. Matt Dillard and the team at Oral & Implant Surgery of the Lowcountry can help you decide. After performing hundreds of dental implant surgeries in his career, he is an expert in determining which prosthetics can meet your specific needs. Our ultra-modern technology and dedicated staff will provide you with quality results.
Don’t let indecision keep you from the benefits of dental implants. Schedule an appointment with us in Charleston or Walterboro, SC. You can contact us directly through our website or by calling:
(843) 782-6725
"Great overall experience. Dr. Dillard and the team were friendly and did a great job with my wisdoms tooth extraction. Highly recommend" Jon Kaufman
The Dental Implant Process
From beginning to end, replacing teeth with dental implants can take several months. While this is a longer treatment timeline than other dental procedures, the durable, long-lasting, natural-looking results are well worth the wait.
Our offices in Charleston and Walterboro perform precise implant placement that's as comfortable as possible.
Think You'd Benefit from Implants?
Ready for Restored Function? Reach Out Today
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If you're ready to reap the benefits of dental implants, we want to hear from you. Our team is dedicated to providing an unbeatable patient experience. With us, there's no reason to be anxious about your dental implant procedure — we'll take care of you. Contact our Charleston or Walterboro office with our form to get started. You can also
call (843) 410-5766.
Dental Implant Surgery Recovery
The recovery period after dental implant surgery is similar to that of other oral surgeries. During the first few days after your procedure, you may experience soreness, swelling, and minor bleeding near the implant site. This is totally normal, and discomfort can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain killers and ice packs.
As your incision heals, you should stick to a soft food diet. You should also be sure to get plenty of rest and stay hydrated so that your healing can proceed as quickly as possible.
Most patients can return to business as usual after one or two days. We will provide you with thorough recovery instructions after your surgery, and we will always be available to answer your questions throughout the duration of your treatment.
"My 89 year-old Dad had to have eight teeth extracted. Dr. Dillard and his staff did an excellent job and showed him great respect and were so kind and courteous! I highly recommend this team to anyone needing any kind of dental surgery!" Elaine Helm
