Dental Implants in Hiawatha, IA
Dental implants are the most comfortable and permanent solution for restoring missing or failing teeth. They form a strong foundation for your replacement teeth and keep oral structures healthy and strong by stimulating the bone in your jaw just like natural teeth. Implants can support individual replacement teeth or secure specialized dentures to replace multiple teeth or even an entire arch of teeth. Unlike bridges, no healthy teeth are damaged to secure the restoration, and implants can last a lifetime if proper care is taken. Implant-supported replacement teeth are an extremely lifelike, stable, and comfortable solution for almost any patient.
We perform dental implant placement in our office. For more detailed information on dental implants and to discover if they are the best solution for you, we encourage you to contact our Hiawatha, IA, practice to schedule a consultation with one of our highly skilled oral surgeons. Dr. N. Morio, Dr. W. Morio, or Dr. Frerichs will assess your oral health and create a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants have many incredible benefits, and as a result, they are the preferred method of tooth replacement for our patients. Some of the key benefits of this tooth restoration treatment include
- Durable and versatile. Dental implants are designed to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even an entire arch of teeth, and they can last a lifetime if you take proper care of them. Dental implants replace the tooth and the root and are therefore a true tooth replacement. Your implants won’t slip or fall out like dentures.
- Look, function, and feel like natural teeth. The titanium implant fuses with your jaw bone and creates a secure foundation for your replacement crown. The combination of the implant and the crown performs just like a natural tooth. The crown will be custom-made by your restorative dentist to match your other teeth. With dental implants, you will be able to eat, talk, and smile with complete confidence.
- Good for your oral health. Bone loss in the jaw often occurs when teeth are missing. Additional oral health issues can be caused by tooth loss, such as dental shifting, jaw misalignment, speech and eating difficulties, gum disease, and more. Dental implants help prevent bone loss in the jaw — they safeguard your oral health and appearance.
- Most patients are candidates. We find that most patients are candidates for dental implants. Sometimes, when there is some bone loss in the jaw, additional work is required for the implants to be successful. In this case, you may require a bone grafting procedure before receiving your dental implants. See our section on Bone Grafting or more information on this innovative treatment that we offer at our practice.
Dental Implants in Hiawatha, IA
For detailed information on dental implants and to find out if they are the best tooth restoration solution for you, we encourage you to call our friendly Hiawatha, IA, practice to schedule your consultation with one of our skilled oral surgeons. Dr. N. Morio, Dr. W. Morio, or Dr. Frerichs will assess your oral health and condition and will create a customized treatment plan just for you.
Dental Implant Procedure
Your oral surgeon and your dentist will work together to complete the entire process of your dental implant. As with a natural tooth, the success of your implant requires that you practice excellent oral hygiene and attend regular cleanings and exams with your family dentist. To restore your tooth, the oral surgeon replaces it with a titanium dental implant. Over time, the bone in your jaw heals and fuses with the titanium implant (a process called osseointegration). This creates a strong foundation for your artificial crown and offers the additional benefit of preventing future bone loss in your jaw by stimulating the bone just like natural teeth do. Then, a support post (abutment) is placed on the implant and your new replacement tooth (crown) is placed on top of the abutment. To fabricate the replacement tooth or teeth, a digital 3D impression is taken of your mouth and bite, and a model is created. The replacement teeth are based on this model and can be crowns, fixed bridges, or fixed dentures. In some cases, a temporary replacement tooth can be attached to the implant immediately after surgery so that you have something in place while you await your permanent, custom-made crown.
This is the typical process for receiving dental implants:
- Consultation. During your initial appointment with the oral surgeon, your oral health and condition will be assessed, and a treatment plan will be customized for you. 3D scans may be taken to create custom surgical guides for your procedure.
- Surgery. You will be under your chosen form of anesthesia when your implant is placed in the bone beneath your gums, so you will not feel any pain. After the surgery, the surgical site will be stitched closed, and you will have time to rest and recover before your designated driver takes you home.
- Recovery. After your dental implant placement, you will go home to begin the healing process. You may be outfitted with a temporary crown to wear during the healing process. Most patients are back to their regular routines after a couple of weeks, though the fusion of the implant with the jaw bone will a bit longer.
- Abutment placement. After the initial phase of healing, your oral surgeon will place the abutment piece. Abutments connect your new, permanent, and custom-built crown to your implant.
- Crown placement. When your oral surgeon has determined that you are ready for the restorative phase of your treatment, the custom crown that was created by your restorative dentist will be placed. Your tooth restoration is complete!
Drs. Morio, Morio, and Frerichs look forward to your consultation appointment, where they will develop a strategy with you for restoring your oral health and smile. Please call the front office to learn more about us and the dental implant procedures we perform at our trusted practice in Hiawatha, IA. We are dental implant specialists!
Dental Implant Cost
Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa offers the full scope of oral surgery services at fair prices for Hiawatha, IA, and the surrounding communities. For your convenience and to make payment as accessible as possible for our patients, we accept multiple payment methods and insurance plans and offer financing options.
While dental implants may seem pricey at the onset, this type of advanced tooth replacement treatment is an incredible long-term value for your budget and your health. Dental implants can be a lifelong tooth replacement if cared for properly. The financial and personal advantages our patients can enjoy when they choose dental implants include the following:
- Long-term solution. Dental implants do not require replacement after a few years like bridges or dentures. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.
- Improved oral health. Dental implants are embedded in the bone beneath the gums, stimulating the jaw bone like natural tooth roots. This helps to prevent destructive bone loss and other oral health problems that can be very costly to address over the years.
- Improved overall health and happiness. Dental implants allow patients to eat the foods they love, and speak and smile confidently again, which helps sustain overall long-term health and happiness.
If you are looking for a long-lasting, cost-effective, and healthy solution to missing or failing teeth, dental implants are, by far, the preferred choice.
For more on the cost and value of dental implants at Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa in Hiawatha, IA, see our Dental Implant Cost page.
Dental Implant FAQ
Please see our Dental Implant FAQ.
Types of Anesthesia
Several methods of anesthesia are available at our practice:
Dental Implant Instructions
At Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa, our priority is to provide safe and comfortable procedures, and optimal outcomes for our patients. You will receive detailed care instructions from your oral surgeon regarding your dental implants, and it is important to follow your pre- and post-operative instructions as detailed to get the most out of your treatment and reduce the risk of complications. For your convenience, we also include guidelines here. Feel free to call our office with any questions you may have, including questions about pre- and post-operative care. We are happy to offer guidance.
Tooth Replacement Options
At the time of your consultation appointment with one of our oral surgeons, your oral health will be assessed, and other factors will be carefully considered with your general dentist to determine the right tooth restoration option for you. Some of your options for tooth replacement are the following:
- Dental Implants
- Full-Arch Replacement/Teeth-in-a-Day
- Bridges
- Full or Partial Dentures
If you have questions or are ready to schedule your consultation with one of our surgeons, please contact our Hiawatha, IA, practice. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss tooth the replacement options that will be best for you.
Learn more about tooth replacement options on our Tooth Replacement Options page.
Where Can I Get Dental Implants in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Dr. Dr. Nick Morio, Dr. Will Morio, and Dr. Mitch Frerichs at Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa offer dental implant treatment to patients in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Whether you are looking to restore a single missing tooth or many teeth, our team of oral surgery experts will create a custom treatment plan for your smile. Our office is located in Hiawatha and is only 10 minutes north of downtown Cedar Rapids. If you live in Cedar Rapids and would like to explore your tooth restoration options, contact our oral surgery practice today.
Dental Implant FAQ
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
If you are healthy enough for a minor dental procedure such as tooth extraction, odds are you are a good candidate for dental implants. If we discover that you have some bone loss in your jaw, additional work may be required for your implants to have a stable foundation. In this case, you may have a bone grafting procedure before receiving dental implants. See our page on Bone Grafting for more information on this helpful treatment.
If you are interested in learning more about how dental implants may be the best tooth replacement solution for you, please give us a call to schedule a consultation with the oral surgeons at Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa.
How do I care for my dental implants?
After sufficient healing, you can brush and floss your dental implants just like you would your natural teeth. If you see your dentist regularly and take great care of your oral health, your implants should last a very long time.
How long will my implants last?
Implants usually last a long time — possibly even for a lifetime with proper care. When patients are missing all of their teeth, long-term studies (more than 30 years) show an 80 to 90 percent success rate. For patients missing one or several teeth, recent studies show a success rate of greater than 95 percent, which compares favorably with other areas in the body that receive a replacement (such as hips and knees). However, if one of your dental implants either doesn’t heal properly or loosens after a period of time, you may need to have it removed. After the site heals (or on occasion at the time of removal), another implant can often be placed.
How long is the recovery period after dental implants?
Recovery time depends on a few factors: your age, the condition of the bone in your jaw, your overall health, and more. A full recovery from dental implant surgery may take between three and six months because ample time must be given for the implant to fuse with the bone in your jaw. Dental implants are a permanent, lifelong solution because they integrate with the bone in your jaw, becoming like the roots of natural teeth. But, don’t worry, you can get back to your normal routine within a few days of surgery — just be careful when chewing hard foods around the implant site until your doctor indicates that you have made a complete recovery. The wait is worth it!
When are the replacement teeth attached to the implants?
The replacement teeth are usually attached to the implant when adequate healing has occurred, and your jaw bone is firmly fused to the implant. Depending on a variety of factors, it may be possible to begin this phase of your treatment immediately or shortly after implant placement. We will review the most appropriate treatment sequence and timing for your particular situation.
How much do dental implants cost?
At the onset, dental implants may seem expensive, but they are an incredible long-term value. The cost of your personal dental implant treatment will depend on the number of teeth being replaced, whether you will require additional procedures such as bone grafting or extraction and your insurance coverage. The best way to find out what this life-changing tooth replacement solution will cost you is to contact our practice in Hiawatha, IA, to schedule your consultation with one of our oral surgeons.
Are dental implants painful?
Although it is natural to be concerned about the pain that may be caused by these procedures, most patients do not experience severe or significant post-operative pain. Pain medication and antibiotics will be prescribed for you to make your recovery as easy as possible. The oral surgeons at Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa are highly trained in the administration of anesthesia and sedation. You will be given a local anesthetic or IV sedation for your dental implant surgery. You will not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
What can I use for teeth while the implants heal?
Many options are available and will be tailored to your specific requirements. If you need a replacement tooth while the implants are healing, temporary removable teeth or a temporary bridge can be made. If all of your teeth are missing, we can usually modify your present complete denture or make you a new temporary denture. If you would prefer nonremovable teeth during the healing phase, temporary transitional implants usually can be placed along with the permanent implants, and temporary teeth may be made and inserted the same day. Depending on your oral health condition, some implants can be placed and loaded immediately. This means a temporary or permanent replacement tooth can be placed on, or shortly after, the day the implant is placed.
Where can I get dental implants?
If you are interested in dental implant treatment and live near the Hiawatha area, give our practice a call to schedule a consultation. Our doctors are trusted experts at dental implant surgery and offer the full scope of dental implant procedures.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Dental Implants and other procedures.
"My name's Brenda. I'm from Marion, Iowa, and I had bone grafts, extractions, and implants. Well, the procedure and the surgery went absolutely fabulous, and I left here with absolutely no pain. The staff is professional. They are very welcoming when you come in. They just make you feel a part of the team. Dr. Morio is the best and made me feel so absolutely comfortable with having the procedure and giving me all the details I needed in order to have the procedures that he was going to perform. Out of 5 stars, I would give Dr. Morio 10. I've got a great smile and great teeth. It's perfection here."
"Hi, my name is Bruce and I’m from Anamosa. I came to the Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get extractions, bone graft, and implants. Everybody here was awesome. They made me feel at home, comfortable. I felt very well taken care of. The doctor is great, I mean he sat and talked with me. He made sure I was at ease and what’s going to happen. He showed me what was going to happen before it even took place, and with information like that, that made me feel really comfortable. Being able to smile again is truly an amazing experience. I coach a lot of sports, so a lot of people see, you know, me and the public align and I’ve got a lot of compliments from them. I’m happy that I chose this practice to get my procedure done."
"My name is Chad. I’m from Manchester, Iowa. I had four implants done over the past eight years. The surgeries went very well. The implants I have, they feel like my normal teeth. The staff here — they’re very comforting, very accommodating; I really enjoyed it. Dr. Morio is very laidback, kind of like I am, and I really enjoyed that, and that’s one of the things why I came here. The overall experience I’ve had here was phenomenal. I highly recommend this practice for my friends in Dubuque, Waterloo, and Cedar Rapids.
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"Hi, my name is Dave, and I’m from Earlville, and I came to Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa to get a dental implant. The doctor here is down to earth, that’s what I like, it made me feel a lot more comfortable. He just was great. The staff here was very pleasant. They are personable and kept me very comfortable here. The dental implant procedure was an absolute success and overall the recovery was great. I had a very good experience here at Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa. I would give this place five stars."
"I'm David, I'm from Cedar Rapids, and Dr. Morgan has performed multiple extractions and implants on me. Every implant Dr. Morgan has given me has been perfect. He explains things in terms that are easy to understand. He's warm and friendly. His nurses and technicians are well-coordinated, and every procedure he and his team have done to me has been flawless. Every time I've been here, I've felt very well cared for. I highly recommend Dr. Morgan."
"Hello, I'm Diana. I live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and I had a dental implant by Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa. My dental implant went extremely well. I was a little nervous; nevertheless, the staff and Dr. Morio put me right at ease. Dr. Morio and his staff were absolutely fantastic, very reassuring, very well-educated. Anyone who comes here will be pleasantly surprised at the service and the patient care that they receive. I would highly recommend Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Specialists of Iowa for any sort of oral and maxillofacial surgery that you might need."
"My name is Eric, I'm from Palo, Iowa, and I had dental implants installed by Dr. Morio. I was a little nervous prior to surgery, but Dr. Morio and his staff made sure that I was completely comfortable. I had the knowledge about what we were going to do, how long it was going to take, and what the end result was going to be. I would explain this practice and Dr. Morio's office as a clean, professional, caring facility. My overall experience with Dr. Morio was absolutely phenomenal. From start to finish, he took the time to get to know me, he was very professional, took the time to make sure we were comfortable with what we were doing, and now we're back on track in life."
"Hi, my name's Greg, and I live in Fairfax, Iowa, and I had a dental implant done. The surgery went very well. There was absolutely no pain. It went very quick — no discomfort afterwards. It seemed like it worked out very well, and I'm very, very happy with the procedure. This is a great practice. They communicate very well with you, always staying in touch. They always welcome questions and are very patient. It's a great place to have a procedure done, and they're very welcoming here and very appreciative of you being a patient here. Dr. Morgan is a great surgeon, is very open to questions, and as a person, he has a very good smile on his face. For my friends in Coralville and Waterloo, I highly recommend Dr. Morgan."
"I’m Jake. I live in Walker, Iowa, and I had a dental implant. The surgery went very well. I have no complaints about any of it, and I was actually very surprised on how fast the recovery was; I didn’t really even notice any problems. The staff here is awesome; everybody’s very nice and friendly. Dr. Morio is a very nice guy and very easy to be around, that’s for sure. Overall, I had a very, very good experience; I don’t see how it could be any better, and I would highly recommend Dr. Morio."
Bone Grafting in Hiawatha, IA
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our practice. Bone grafting may be recommended so that your dental implants have a stable foundation of healthy bone for long-term durability. Drs. Morio, Morio, and Frerichs will be happy to discuss your bone grafting options during your consultation to develop a treatment plan based on your unique needs. Please contact our front office to schedule with us.