Dental Implants – Transform Your Smile with Dr. Melissa Kenfield in Spencer, Indiana
Dr. Melissa Kenfield has the experience and credentials you should look for when considering a Dental Implant Dentist.
Restore your vibrant smile with the gold standard in tooth replacement solutions – dental implants. Our local, highly skilled dental implant expert, Dr. Melissa Kenfield, brings her wealth of knowledge and years of experience to deliver stunning results.
As a proud alumni of Indiana University School of Dentistry, and an esteemed member of the Indiana Dental Association and the American Dental Association, Dr. Kenfield has a stellar reputation in providing superior dental care.
Experience the Difference at Kenfield Dental Group
Dedication to lifelong learning is one of our core values. Dr. Kenfield, who far exceeds the state requirement of 20 credit hours per licensing period, invests an average of over 60 hours in continuous education. This keeps her at the forefront of the latest dental technologies and trends, ensuring you receive state-of-the-art care.
Here at Kenfield Dental Group, we believe that your journey towards a captivating smile should start with an environment of trust, comfort, and understanding. Our patients consistently rate us as a top dental practice in Spencer, IN, which reflects our commitment to providing exceptional service.
“Great Service.
My favorite dentist office. Kind staff.”
Dr. Melissa Kenfield, with a high-tech implant dental office located in Spencer, is always educated and informed on the latest and greatest dental technologies and trends.
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First steps to your dental implants with Dr. Kenfield:
1. Conduct your no cost consultation
2. Schedule your examination
3. Perform your comprehensive exam
3D CT scan (and any other x-rays as necessary) and complete review of mouth (teeth, gums, jaw bone, bite, etc).
4. Review our findings and discuss your options
Graphic illustration shows dental implant components including a titanium post, an abutment and a crown.
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Choosing Dental Implants – A Lifelong Investment
Replacing missing teeth is crucial, not only for your aesthetics and self-esteem, but also for maintaining your oral health and everyday functions like chewing and speaking. Among all tooth replacement options, dental implants stand out for their longevity and natural look and feel.
Deciding on dental implants is a significant decision that depends on individual circumstances. For patients seeking a long-term solution that mimics the strength and function of natural teeth, dental implants are often the preferred choice. They can outlast and outperform traditional dentures and dental bridges, making them a wise long-term investment.
By helping maintain jawbone health and preventing bone resorption, dental implants not only restore your smile but also contribute to your overall oral health. Plus, with the appearance of natural teeth and fully restored bite function, they allow you to confidently enjoy life’s pleasures, including your favorite foods.
Are dental implants right for me?
No two patients are ever the same, so each patient’s treatment is unique. Because dental implants are, in nearly all cases, known for being the most convenient option, they tend to be the most popular.
Patients on a budget, or those missing several teeth, might go for cheaper alternatives like dental bridges or traditional dentures. However, these alternatives will never last as long as a dental implant.
Implants are a long-term investment. When properly cared for, they will last a lifetime. Implants are not just durable, they also decrease the risk of bone resorption in areas where missing teeth used to be. Because they feel and function like natural teeth, patients are free to eat and drink as they would with their natural teeth.
Dental implants represent the best solution for patients experiencing tooth loss. We encourage patients with missing teeth to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kenfield as soon as possible. She will assess your needs and discuss the best treatment plan that fits your needs.
Pat shares her experience getting dental implants:
Video 01:45 |”All of a sudden I got this implant and my mouth was solid. That to me, was the most amazing thing!”
Dr. Kenfield – Your Local Dental Implant Specialist
If you’re experiencing tooth loss, we strongly recommend consulting with Dr. Kenfield. She will provide a comprehensive evaluation and discuss the most effective treatment plan that fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Take a moment to hear from our patient Pat about her dental implant experience – “All of a sudden I got this implant and my mouth was solid. That was the most amazing thing!”
Benefits of choosing dental implants with Kenfield Dental Group include:
Regarded by many dentists and oral surgeons as the closest thing to a natural tooth, dental implants can dramatically improve your quality of life.
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Transform Your Smile with Snap-in Dentures in Spencer, Indiana
Missing a few or even all your teeth? At Dr. Melissa Kenfield’s dental practice, we offer a game-changing solution – Snap-in Dentures, also known as Implant Dentures or Implant-Supported Dentures. Unlike traditional dentures, these are anchored by dental implants, providing a more stable, comfortable, and natural-feeling solution.
Revolutionize Your Smile with Implant-Supported Dentures
Patients in need of a comprehensive teeth replacement solution find tremendous value in Snap-in Dentures. A few strategically placed implants along the jawline provide a sturdy foundation, allowing a complete denture to “snap” onto them securely.
Choosing Implant-Supported Dentures signifies opting for a long-lasting and reliable solution. By stimulating the jawbone, these dentures help prevent bone resorption, avoiding the need for continuous adjustments that conventional dentures require.
With our cutting-edge procedure, Dr. Kenfield surgically places two to four dental implants in each dental arch. These implants support a complete set of replacement teeth, resulting in a secure fit that neither irritates the gums nor slips out of place. Whether you opt for removable or fixed dentures, eating and speaking become more natural and enjoyable.
Photo above shows a model of false teeth (denture) and 4 dental implants to retain and support the “snap-in” denture. Dr. Kenfield can surgically place two to four dental implants in each dental arch to retain a complete set of replacement teeth. The replacement teeth can either be removable or fixed, meaning only a dentist can remove them. Either implant-supported denture won’t irritate the gums or slip out of place. Eating and talking become more natural and enjoyable with implant-supported dentures!
Snap-in Dentures – Stability, Comfort, and Easy Maintenance
Snap-in Dentures, as the name suggests, are a set of false teeth securely retained by dental implants. These dentures are not only more stable than traditional ones but also easily removable, simplifying oral hygiene and denture cleaning.
Depending on your specific needs, two to four locator attachments are utilized to secure your Snap-in Denture. These attachments connect to the implants, ensuring superior retention and comfort while eating and speaking.
Even with Snap-in Dentures, regular dental appointments are crucial for maintaining your oral health. Regular check-ups allow us to assess the fit of your dentures, the stability of the implants, and the health of your gums. Over time, dentures might need adjustments or re-linings due to changes in the oral cavity.
The Freedom to Enjoy Life with Snap-in Dentures
Snap-in dentures secured with dental implants allow you to eat anything you want.
Imagine eating all your favorite foods without worry! Implant-supported dentures, secured by dental implants, bring this freedom back into your life. The advantages of choosing this solution include:
The peace of mind offered by Implant-supported dentures
With Snap-in Dentures, peace of mind is part of the package. These implant-supported dentures help you preserve your bone tissue and facial structure, a notable advantage over traditional full dentures.
Dr. Kenfield and her team will guide you through the process, starting from your consultation to the placement of your dental implants. Temporary dentures will be provided during the healing period of four to six months, after which your custom-fitted permanent dentures are ready. Relish the comfort of eating and smiling without the worry of gum discomfort or dentures slipping out of place.
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Enhance Your Facial Appearance with Dental Implants
Aging, often evidenced by wrinkles and altered facial contours, is a natural part of life. However, tooth loss can exacerbate these changes, leading to a sunken appearance, especially in the lower third of the face. Dental implants, with their ability to support soft tissues, can significantly reverse these aging signs and rejuvenate your face.
The Facial Rejuvenation Potential of Implant-Supported Dentures
Dental implants do more than restore your smile; they also help retain your youthful appearance by halting or reversing factors that contribute to facial changes. They are a cornerstone in preserving the structure of your jawbone, an essential aspect of maintaining your facial contours.
Video 00:25 | This educational 3D dental animation depicts the impact of tooth loss and subsequent jawbone resorption on an individual’s facial appearance after years of using dentures without implants.
Impact of Traditional Full Dentures on Facial Appearance
Tooth loss, often resulting from decay, trauma, or periodontal disease, affects millions of Americans annually. While full or partial dentures seem like the go-to solution for many, they might not always be the best long-term choice. Though traditional dentures do restore your ability to smile, speak, and chew, they don’t prevent the bone resorption process triggered by tooth loss.
When a tooth is lost, the supporting bone tissue loses its function, leading to a resorptive process. Dental implants stand out as the only replacement option that inhibits bone resorption, making them a desirable solution. Failure to timely address tooth loss can escalate bone resorption from a localized phenomenon to a more extensive jawbone involvement, altering your facial appearance. Therefore, if maintaining a youthful look is important to you, consider dental implants.
Preventing Bone Resorption with Dental Implants
To prevent bone resorption following tooth loss, it’s crucial to keep the bone tissue active. Dental implants serve this role, offering a reliable solution to preserve your jawbone’s integrity.
Bone resorption affects your facial appearance
The roots of your teeth, housed in the jawbone, experience light pressure when chewing, stimulating the bone and keeping it healthy. With the loss of teeth, the stimulation ceases, triggering a breakdown of tissue known as bone resorption. Over time, this process can compromise the jawbone’s integrity, resulting in a sunken facial appearance. By replacing missing teeth with dental implants, you can protect your jawbone structure and prevent bone disintegration.
As the jawbone shrinks over time, traditional dentures not supported by implants require frequent adjustments. These dentures, resting directly on the gum tissue, fail to deliver the stimulation needed to stave off bone resorption. Eventually, patients will need a new set of dentures after several adjustments.
How Dental Implants Counteract Bone Resorption
Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone. Following the placement, the surrounding bone tissue begins osseointegration, a healing process where it fuses to the implant surface over a period of four to six months. This results in the implant’s firm integration into the bone, ensuring that chewing pressure gets transmitted to the surrounding bone. By keeping the bone tissue active and healthy, dental implants effectively prevent bone resorption.
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Why Dental Implants are the Best Solution for Tooth Loss
Apart from counteracting bone resorption and maintaining robust, healthy jaws, dental implants offer a plethora of benefits. Designed to mirror the look and feel of natural teeth, no other restorative solution comes close to the aesthetic and functional results of dental implants. After complete healing post implant placement, you will effortlessly eat, laugh, and talk, barely noticing the absence of your natural teeth.
Opting for an implant-supported denture when dealing with multiple missing teeth eliminates worries about dentures shifting or slipping. Dental implants truly are the gold standard in teeth replacement.
How Dental Implants Assist in Preventing Sagging Skin
Teeth and jawbone structure shape the lower third of your face. They play a pivotal role in averting bone resorption, thus maintaining a sturdy, healthy jawbone.
Beyond preserving bone tissue, teeth maintain the standard distance between the nose tip and the chin. When teeth are absent, the upper and lower jawbones tend to get closer, resulting in the sunken look typically associated with aging.
Dental implants replicate the function of natural teeth, providing necessary height and structure to keep the jawbones robust and correctly positioned, aiding in the prevention of premature wrinkles and sagging skin.
Can Dental Implants Contribute to a More Youthful Look?
While implants themselves won’t make you look younger, they significantly impact the facial structure of patients missing several teeth.
Teeth contribute to a fuller, healthier facial appearance. When they are missing, the face loses soft tissue support, leading to a more wrinkled, collapsed, and sunken look. Moreover, the jawbone may deteriorate due to bone resorption that occurs after tooth loss.
Dental implants are the only restorative option that helps preserve the jawbone and provide the necessary facial structure to maintain a youthful appearance.
Exploring Alternatives to Dental Implants
If dental implants don’t appeal to you, consider the following options:
Graphic illustration showing two dental implants attached to a false teeth dental bridge.
Enjoy Eating With Dental Implants!
Dental implants replicate the feel and function of natural teeth. Firmly embedded in the jawbone, they deliver the same chewing force as a natural tooth. Patients with single implants restored with porcelain crowns can relish their favorite foods without any worries about their smiles. However, those wearing implant-supported dentures may need to cut food into smaller pieces. Even with a bit of caution, these patients will enjoy improved retention and chewing ability compared to those wearing traditional dentures.
While patients with snap-on dentures may lack natural teeth, the Kenfield Dental Group advises them to maintain regular visits for professional cleanings and denture examinations. Sometimes, it may be necessary for Dr. Kenfield to remove the denture for a thorough cleaning of the implant abutments by the hygienist.
We also advocate for the use of a Waterpik (water flosser) for improved cleaning around and underneath dentures or bridges. It’s critical to maintain gum health to prevent periodontal issues and infections that may affect the implants.
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Bone Grafting and Dental Implants
Not all patients boast sufficient bone quantity and quality required for dental implant placement. If radiographic evaluation reveals inadequate bone tissue, Dr. Kenfield may recommend a bone graft procedure prior to implant surgery.
Bone Graft and Sinus Lift
The sinus cavities are two air-filled spaces located above the upper jaw’s back teeth. In certain cases, if the bone under the sinus is excessively thin, it may be necessary to perform a bone graft, known as a sinus lift. This method entails the placement of bone graft material beneath the sinus lining to thicken the bone segment where the implant will be installed.
How Long Can Dental Implants Last?
With proper care, dental implants can serve you a lifetime. However, it’s crucial to note that as dental implants integrate into the bone and gum tissue, they remain susceptible to periodontal disease and infection. Just like natural teeth, without proper care, an implant can succumb to periodontal disease.
Although incredibly durable, implants consist of multiple parts, and occasionally, one of these components may break or crack. Issues like a cracked implant crown or a loosened abutment screw are easy fixes. But complications like a stripped and cracked abutment screw or a fractured implant are slightly more complex to rectify.
It’s paramount to maintain a diligent brushing and flossing routine and to schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings to ensure the tissues surrounding the implant are infection-free and that the implant itself is in good shape.
Am I a Suitable Candidate for Dental Implants?
The only surefire way to determine your eligibility for dental implants is by undergoing an evaluation at the dental office. It is impossible for any professional to pinpoint the best treatment option for you over the phone without first examining your teeth and gums.
At the dental office, the dentist can utilize tools like x-rays and 3D imaging to ascertain whether implants are a viable option for you. If you aren’t a candidate for implants, Dr. Kenfield will explore the possibility of a bone graft or discuss other tooth replacement alternatives with you. Every smile is unique, but rest assured, there’s nearly always a way to achieve your dream smile.
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