Dental Implants – Tinley Park, IL

Missing Teeth? Why not ‘Grow’ New Ones?

Complimentary Consultations

Learn more about all of our dental implant options and how they can give you a strong, beautiful smile again! Call us today.

Missing teeth can dramatically impact every aspect of your life—from the foods you can enjoy to your willingness to smile in photographs or speak up in social settings. Unlike temporary or removable solutions, dental implants offer a permanent foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. This revolutionary approach to tooth replacement has transformed modern dentistry by providing patients with a solution that addresses both the visible crown portion of missing teeth and the critical missing tooth root beneath the gumline.

At North Creek Dental Care, we understand the significant impact tooth loss can have on your quality of life. Our experienced Tinley Park dental team offers comprehensive dental implant services designed to restore not just your smile, but your confidence and oral function. Named Southland’s Best Dental Office in 2024, we provide complimentary dental implant consultations to help you understand if this life-changing treatment is right for you.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are biocompatible titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots. These posts create a sturdy foundation for attaching replacement teeth—whether a single crown, a multi-tooth bridge, or a full mouth dental implants prosthesis.

The Three Components of a Dental Implant

A complete dental implant restoration consists of three primary parts:

The implant fixture – The titanium post that’s surgically placed into the jawbone where it fuses with the bone through a process called osseointegration
The abutment – A connector piece that attaches to the implant fixture and extends slightly above the gumline to support the final restoration
The prosthetic tooth – The visible portion of the restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) that’s custom-designed to match your natural teeth

Together, these components create a comprehensive tooth replacement system that’s both highly functional and aesthetically pleasing.

The Dental Implant Process

Receiving dental implants typically involves several phases spread over 3-6 months, though the timeline varies based on your specific situation.

Initial Consultation and Planning

Your journey begins with a thorough evaluation to determine if you’re a suitable candidate for dental implants. This includes:

Comprehensive oral examination
Detailed dental and medical history review
3D cone beam CT imaging to assess bone volume and density
Discussion of your goals and expectations
Development of a customized treatment plan

During this phase, we’ll address any preliminary procedures needed, such as tooth extractions, bone grafting, or treatment of gum disease.

Dental Implant Placement Surgery

The dental implant surgery itself is precisely planned using advanced imaging technology:

Local anesthesia ensures your comfort (sedation options are also available)
Small incisions in the gum tissue expose the jawbone
Precisely sized channels are created in the bone
Implant fixtures are carefully positioned for optimal support and aesthetics
Healing caps may be placed, and the gum tissue is sutured closed

Most patients report minimal discomfort following the procedure and can return to normal activities within a day or two.

Healing and Osseointegration

After placement, the implants need time to integrate with your jawbone—a process called osseointegration:

This biological process typically takes 3-6 months
During this time, the titanium implant and bone cells grow together
This integration creates the strong foundation needed for long-term success
In some cases, temporary prosthetics may be provided during this healing phase

Final Restoration Placement

Once osseointegration is complete, you’ll return for your final restoration:

Abutments are attached to the implant fixtures
Detailed impressions are taken for crafting your custom prosthetics
Your final restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) is precisely placed
Your bite is checked and adjusted for optimal function and comfort

Benefits of Choosing Dental Implants

Dental implants offer numerous advantages over traditional tooth replacement options:

Preserving Bone Health

When teeth are lost, the jawbone begins to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. Implants are the only replacement option that stimulates natural bone growth, helping maintain facial structure and preventing the sunken appearance often associated with long-term tooth loss.

Unmatched Stability and Function

Unlike removable dentures that may slip or click, implants provide a secure foundation that allows you to speak, laugh, and eat with complete confidence. Many patients report they can’t tell the difference between their implants and natural teeth when eating or speaking.

Long-Term Value

While the initial investment for dental implants may be higher than other options, their exceptional durability makes them cost-effective in the long run. With proper care, dental implants can last decades—even a lifetime—while bridges and dentures typically require replacement every 5-10 years.

Improved Oral Health

Implants don’t require altering adjacent teeth (unlike traditional bridges) and are easier to clean around than other prosthetic options. This helps maintain better overall oral health and reduces the risk of future dental problems.

Enhanced Quality of Life

Perhaps most importantly, dental implants can dramatically improve your quality of life by:

Restoring proper chewing function
Eliminating the discomfort of removable appliances
Providing natural-looking aesthetics
Boosting self-confidence in social situations

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Most adults with missing teeth are potential candidates for dental implants. Ideal candidates typically have:

Good general and oral health
Adequate bone volume to support implants (or are candidates for bone grafting)
Healthy gum tissue free of periodontal disease
Good oral hygiene habits
No uncontrolled medical conditions that might affect healing

Even if you’ve been told you’re not a candidate for implants in the past, advances in techniques like bone grafting, sinus lifts, and oral and maxillofacial surgery have made this treatment accessible to more patients than ever before.

Experience the North Creek Dental Care Difference

At North Creek Dental Care, we combine advanced technology with compassionate care to deliver exceptional results. Our skilled team has extensive experience in all aspects of implant dentistry—from straightforward single-tooth replacements to complex full-mouth reconstructions. We use the latest digital planning tools and surgical guides to ensure precise, predictable outcomes for every patient.

Our comprehensive approach means we handle every step of your implant journey in one convenient location, eliminating the need for referrals to outside specialists. This integrated care allows for better communication, more efficient treatment, and ultimately, superior results.

Are you ready to discover how dental implants could transform your smile and quality of life? Contact our Tinley Park office at (708) 532-4131 or schedule your complimentary dental implant consultation today to take the first step toward a complete, confident smile.

Overdentures – No More Denture Adhesive!

Denture wearers will tell you one thing they hate the most is having their teeth slip, tilt, or slide while eating. It’s necessary to use denture adhesive to try to keep their teeth from moving. This is a major irritant and hassle for them. But now, at North Creek Dental Care, we offer denture patients an alternative – overdentures.

Utilizing just a few dental implants to support the dentures, your teeth will be locked in place so they stay put. Yet they can easily snap off for cleaning. Say goodbye to messy creams! Call us today and find out if you are a candidate for overdentures.

Teeth in a Day!

In addition to traditional implants, we are also happy to offer our patients All-on-4™ immediate load implants that can withstand pressure immediately without having to wait for the bone to heal around them. With this option, you will need only four to six implants that securely hold permanent dentures in place. They never need to be taken out! And the best part is that you can arrive in our office with missing or unhealthy teeth and leave with beautiful, functioning teeth – all in the same day.

Beautiful Traditional Dentures

For some patients, traditional dentures might be their best option. With a breakthrough in design and fit, we can offer natural-looking, slip-proof dentures. This technique secures the denture plate so well you don’t need to worry about the foods you eat or that your dentures might shift or move. If you are a denture wearer, ask us about this. It will make life so much easier.