If you are considering dental implants in Inver Grove Heights, MN, Southridge Dental provides comprehensive implant care in one convenient location. Dr. Matthew Worke provides both the surgical placement and restoration of dental implants, allowing patients to receive coordinated care from treatment planning through their final restoration. With approximately 150 hours of continuing education focused on dental implants and experience placing and restoring implants, Dr. Worke combines hands-on training with CBCT 3D imaging, digital impressions, and guided implant planning to develop an individualized approach for each patient.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small posts surgically placed in the jaw to support replacement teeth. After the implant has healed and integrated with the surrounding bone, it can support a custom crown, bridge, or implant-supported denture. Depending on your needs, dental implants may be used to replace a single missing tooth, several missing teeth, or provide additional stability for a denture.
At Southridge Dental, Dr. Worke provides both dental implant placement and restoration.
Our dentist and team offer several implant solutions to replace your missing teeth and restore your smile, including:
Single-Tooth Dental Implants
A single-tooth dental implant can replace one missing tooth without using the neighboring teeth for support. Learn about the implant placement process, healing, restoration, and how a single dental implant compares with other tooth-replacement options.
Learn MoreImplant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures use dental implants to provide additional support and stability for a denture. Learn how implant dentures work, who may be a candidate, what treatment involves, and what to expect during healing and ongoing care.
Learn MoreImplant-Supported Bridges
An implant-supported bridge can replace multiple missing teeth using dental implants for support. Learn how implant-supported bridges are planned, placed, restored, and maintained for long-term function.
Learn More
When Are Dental Implants Recommended?
Dental implants may be recommended for patients who have lost one or more teeth and want to explore a fixed or implant-supported tooth-replacement option. Dr. Worke evaluates your oral health, available bone, treatment goals, medical history, and other individual factors before recommending implant treatment.
Dental implants may be worth considering in situations such as:
- One missing tooth that may be replaced with a single dental implant and crown.
- Several missing teeth that may be replaced with an implant-supported bridge.
- Loose or uncomfortable dentures that may benefit from additional stability provided by implants.
- Missing teeth when you would prefer an option that does not depend on neighboring teeth for support.
- Healthy gums and adequate bone to support an implant, or a situation in which additional treatment may help prepare the area for implant placement.
Southridge Dental provides dental implants for patients in Inver Grove Heights and surrounding communities. A consultation with Dr. Worke can help determine whether implants are appropriate for your specific needs and what alternatives should also be considered.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants provide a stable foundation for replacing missing teeth and can be used with crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures. Because every patient's needs are different, Dr. Worke discusses the potential benefits, limitations, and alternatives before recommending treatment.
Potential benefits of dental implants include:
- A natural-looking replacement designed to complement your smile.
- Stable support for chewing and everyday function.
- Replacement of missing teeth using a restoration supported by the jaw rather than solely by adjacent teeth.
- The ability to replace one tooth, several teeth, or support certain types of dentures.
- A fixed tooth-replacement option in appropriate cases.
- Long-term function when implants are appropriately planned, maintained, and monitored.
At Southridge Dental, implant treatment planning incorporates Dr. Worke's clinical experience along with CBCT 3D imaging and digital impressions when appropriate. He takes time to explain your treatment options so you understand what is recommended, why it is being recommended, and what to expect throughout the process.
How the Dental Implants Process Works: 1. Consultation And Planning
Your dental implant treatment begins with an examination and personalized treatment planning. Dr. Worke evaluates your teeth, gums, bite, available bone, health history, and goals for replacing your missing tooth or teeth.
Southridge Dental uses CBCT and 3D imaging to evaluate dental anatomy and assist with implant planning. Dr. Worke also has approximately four years of experience using digital impressions with a TRIOS scanner. When appropriate, information from CBCT imaging and digital impressions can be incorporated into digitally guided implant planning. You will have an opportunity to review your options, expected treatment sequence, and alternatives before moving forward.
2. Comfortable Surgical Placement
When implant placement is appropriate, Dr. Worke can surgically place the dental implant at Southridge Dental. He has approximately four years of experience placing dental implants and has completed multiday, hands-on surgical implant training in addition to approximately 150 hours of implant-focused continuing education.
The implant is positioned according to your individualized treatment plan. Guided implant technology may be used when appropriate to help translate the digital treatment plan to the surgical procedure. Local anesthesia is used during treatment, and you will receive instructions for caring for the area afterward.
3. Healing And Integration
After placement, the implant needs time to heal and integrate with the surrounding bone. This process, known as osseointegration, helps create a stable foundation for the future implant restoration.
Healing time varies by patient and treatment site. Dr. Worke will monitor your progress and explain when the implant is ready for the restorative phase. Additional appointments may be recommended based on how the area is healing and the type of restoration being planned.
4. Custom Restoration
Once the implant is ready to be restored, a custom dental restoration is created to replace the missing tooth or teeth. Depending on your treatment plan, this may be a single implant crown, an implant-supported bridge, or an implant-supported denture.
Dr. Worke has completed approximately 100 implant restorations and provides both implant placement and restoration at Southridge Dental. Keeping both phases of care within the practice when appropriate allows Dr. Worke to coordinate the surgical and restorative portions of treatment and maintain continuity throughout the process.
5. Follow-Up And Maintenance
Dental implants require ongoing home care and professional maintenance. Brushing, cleaning around the implant, routine dental visits, and following your dentist's recommendations all play an important role in maintaining the health of the tissues surrounding an implant.
Southridge Dental monitors both the implant restoration and surrounding oral health during follow-up care. Dr. Worke and our team can also provide guidance on cleaning your specific implant crown, bridge, or implant-supported denture.
Pros & Cons of Dental Implants
Pros
- Can replace a single missing tooth, multiple teeth, or support certain dentures.
- Provides stable support for an implant restoration.
- Restorations can be designed to blend naturally with your smile.
- A single implant does not require neighboring teeth to provide the primary support.
- Can provide a long-term tooth-replacement option with appropriate care and maintenance.
Cons
- Requires a surgical procedure and a period of healing.
- Adequate bone and healthy surrounding tissues are important considerations.
- Treatment may take several months depending on healing and the complexity of the case.
- Initial treatment costs may be greater than some alternative tooth-replacement options.
- Dental implants are not appropriate for every patient, so an individualized evaluation is necessary.
Why Choose Southridge Dental for Dental Implants
Dr. Matthew Worke provides both the surgical placement and restoration of dental implants at Southridge Dental, giving patients access to comprehensive implant care in Inver Grove Heights. Since beginning practice in 2022, he has completed approximately 50 dental implant placements and 100 implant restorations, along with implant-supported denture cases.
Dr. Worke has completed approximately 150 hours of continuing education focused specifically on dental implants. His advanced implant education includes Implant Seminars in Miami in 2022, ITC Implant Seminars in Guatemala in 2024, and multiday hands-on training in the surgical placement of dental implants that involved performing procedures and demonstrating clinical proficiency.
Technology is also an important part of implant planning at Southridge Dental. Dr. Worke has approximately four years of experience using CBCT and 3D imaging as well as TRIOS digital impressions. When appropriate, CBCT data and digital impressions can be used together for digitally guided implant planning.
Just as importantly, Dr. Worke believes patients should understand their oral health and the treatment options available to them. He takes time to explain the option he believes is most appropriate while also discussing reasonable alternatives, helping patients make informed decisions about their care.
For patients looking for dental implants in Inver Grove Heights, MN, Southridge Dental offers implant placement, restoration, digital treatment planning, and ongoing dental care within the same practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Dental Implants Right For Me?
The best way to determine whether you are a candidate for dental implants is through an individual evaluation. Dr. Worke will consider factors such as your gums, available bone, oral hygiene, health history, missing teeth, and treatment goals. If an implant is not the best option, he can also discuss appropriate alternatives.
How Long Does The Dental Implant Process Take?
The dental implant timeline varies from patient to patient. Treatment generally includes planning, implant placement, a healing period, and placement of the final restoration. Some cases require additional procedures or healing time, so Dr. Worke will provide a more specific timeline after evaluating your individual needs.
Will My New Teeth Look Natural?
Implant restorations are custom designed with your smile, bite, and surrounding teeth in mind. The appearance depends on the location of the implant, available tissue, type of restoration, and other individual factors. Dr. Worke will discuss the expected outcome during treatment planning.
Is The Procedure Painful?
Local anesthesia is used during dental implant placement to help keep you comfortable. Some soreness, swelling, or tenderness can occur during healing after a surgical procedure. Dr. Worke will explain what to expect and provide post-treatment instructions based on your individual procedure.
What If I Am Searching For an Implant Dentist Near Me?
If you are looking for an implant dentist near Inver Grove Heights, Southridge Dental provides both dental implant placement and restoration in-house. Dr. Worke uses CBCT 3D imaging, digital impressions, and guided implant planning when appropriate and can discuss single-tooth implants, implant-supported bridges, implant-supported dentures, and other tooth-replacement options based on your needs.
Ready To Get Started?
Contact Southridge Dental at 651-451-1884 to schedule a consultation for dental implants in Inver Grove Heights, MN. Our dentist can evaluate your needs, explain your treatment options, and help you determine whether a dental implant is an appropriate solution for replacing your missing tooth or teeth.
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Ready to Schedule?
Call Southridge Dental at 651-451-1884 to book your appointment, or request one online.