Dental Implants in Mount Pleasant, SC

Down in South Carolina, we love to fish! A fresh plate of seafood is best enjoyed by teeth that you can depend upon to function correctly and not cause any pain. Dr. Matthew R. Barefoot is board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) and regularly performs dental implant placement with the support of his exceptional clinical team.

A dental implant is considered a complete tooth replacement because it replaces the entire structure of the tooth, not just the chewing surface. An implant post, a connecting abutment, and a crown all work together to create a complete dental implant restoration.

The design of dental implants and implant-based solutions gives them all the benefits of natural teeth. They won’t slip around in the mouth or make clicking sounds while talking, eating, or laughing like traditional dentures, and a dental implant actually helps to keep the jaw healthy. For our patients who are missing multiple teeth in one or both dental arches, a full-arch restoration may be the right tooth replacement option to completely restore their smile.

The Top 5 Benefits of Dental Implants

1. The implant post permanently fuses with the bone in the jaw, keeping bone loss at bay and maintaining oral health and facial aesthetics.
2. Dental implants are so realistic that they are indistinguishable from natural teeth.
3. Patients can enjoy their favorite foods in complete comfort and confidence.
4. Dental implants can be used to replace one tooth, several teeth, or even an entire arch of teeth.
5. Dental implants do not have to be replaced every few years like other traditional tooth restorations, such as dentures and tooth-supported bridges.

The Process of Placing a Dental Implant

At Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists South Carolina, we offer many choices for anesthesia so that you can feel comfortable during your procedure, as well as a non-opioid option for pain relief, EXPAREL^®. As a board-certified oral surgeon, Dr. Matthew Barefoot is highly qualified to place dental implants using the latest technology and techniques, including our advanced 3D CBCT scanner. Every patient is different, but a single implant placement takes between 30 and 60 minutes, and multiple implant placement takes between 1 and 3 hours.

The Consultation

Your first appointment with Dr. Barefoot will consist of an evaluation of your oral health condition and taking diagnostic images using CBCT scanning to map out your surgical treatment. Dr. Barefoot will then work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan, including your choice of anesthesia or sedation. You will receive pre- and post-operative instructions at this time, and your questions will be addressed so that you are well-informed about your upcoming procedure.

The Day of Surgery

We will escort you to one of our four state-of-the-art operating rooms. You will receive the anesthesia that was selected during your consultation, and your procedure will begin. Dr. Barefoot will make a tiny incision in the gum tissue where your implant is to be placed, and then he will insert the implant post into your jaw bone. The surgical sites will then be stitched closed, and you will rest comfortably before your designated driver takes you home. If you opt for the non-opioid pain management solution, EXPAREL, Dr. Barefoot will administer it during surgery.

The Recovery Period

This period lasts until your implant post has successfully fused with your jaw bone. Although most patients resume their normal activities within a week or two after surgery, complete fusion will take several weeks, so extra care of the surgical site is required during this time. You should follow your post-operative instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.

The Abutment and Crown Placement

For the restoration to be complete, a small connector piece called an abutment must be placed on the implant post so that the crown can eventually be joined to it. You may have a temporary crown to wear during your recovery time, but as soon as enough healing has taken place, your permanent, custom crown will be placed.

Procedure Instructions

Our office provides detailed instructions before and after your surgery. We believe that a large part of the patient experience includes patient education and guidance, which is why these instructions are detailed and will outline everything you need to know about your procedure.

The Cost of Dental Implants in Mount Pleasant and Other Common Questions

The cost for a dental implant or implants at our practice varies and depends on how many implants need to be placed, your choice of anesthesia, if extractions or bone grafts are needed, and the details of your insurance coverage. Our team will work with you to maximize your insurance reimbursement. We also offer payment options for your convenience.

To learn more about dental implants, visit our Dental Implant FAQ. If you have other questions, please feel free to contact us.

Introducing the Straumann^® BLX Implant System

The Straumann BLX implant system features Straumann’s cutting-edge surface technology SLActive^®. This high-performance technology allows for faster treatment with increased implant stability, improving the process and overall outcome for patients. The extensive healing potential of SLActive shows significantly decreased vulnerability dips producing highly increased success rates, even in severely compromised patients with challenging treatment protocols.

• The immediate placement allows patients to benefit from a one-phase implant surgery by reducing the need for a separate grafting procedure. These innovative implants can be installed securely and immediately after dental extractions in both single-tooth cases and full-arch. This reduces overall chair-time by more than 3 months.
• SLActive reduces the osseointegration healing period from the traditional 12–16 weeks down to 4–6 weeks. The reduced healing times have shown outstanding success in compromised patient groups, such as irradiated patients, smokers, and diabetic patients.
• The healing and temporary abutments do not fully seat inside of the implant. This design prevents temporary abutments from cold welding to the internal cone, making them easier to remove. The final abutments seat completely into the internal cone, creating a seal that prevents bacterial contamination.

Dr. Barefoot is committed to delivering the highest quality of oral care for patients by staying on top of advances in the field and by collaborating with fellow local dental practitioners. To discuss the new implant system or for any additional information, call (843) 849-5188.

Denture Replacement With Dental Implants

Dentures can quickly replace missing teeth, but many patients claim they are uncomfortable. Dentures must be replaced every few years, cleaned using special products, and do not fuse to the jaw bone to prevent bone loss. You can replace your dentures through full-arch restoration, a procedure that uses dental implants to hold a fixed denture.

Dental implants prevent bone loss and provide a sturdy foundation for your fixed denture, allowing you to eat and speak with full functionality. A fixed prosthesis does not require special care beyond regular brushing and flossing and can last for many years with proper care. Learn more about your options for denture replacement in Mount Pleasant, SC, by contacting our office today.