Dental implants replace missing teeth with a long-term solution designed to restore comfort, function, and appearance.
At Oral Facial and Implant Specialists in Deer Park, IL, Dr. J. Travis Thompson places dental implants for patients missing one tooth or multiple teeth using advanced surgical planning and modern implant technology.
Schedule a dental implant consultation today to learn if you are a candidate.
Why Dental Implants Are the Best Tooth Replacement Option
Dental implants replace both the tooth and the root beneath the gums. Unlike dentures or bridges, they are secured directly into the jawbone for long-term stability.
Dental implants:
- Look and feel like natural teeth
- Stay secure while eating and speaking
- Help prevent jawbone loss
- Do not rely on neighboring teeth for support
- Can last for many years with proper care
“One of the reasons I specialized as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon was to make a meaningful impact on my patients’ lives. Because our faces and mouths are so central to how we first connect with others, helping patients with dental implants allows me to improve their aesthetics, speech, and ability to eat, while seeing those life-changing results immediately.” Dr. J. Travis Thompson
What Problems Do Dental Implants Solve?
Missing teeth can change the way you eat, speak, socialize, and go about your daily life. Dental implants restore stability and function so everyday activities feel more natural again.
Dental implants can help if you:
- Worry about dentures shifting during everyday activities
- Avoid certain activities because removable teeth do not feel secure
- Feel held back socially because of unstable dentures or missing teeth
- Miss the confidence that comes with secure, stable teeth
- Feel frustrated by dentures that do not feel stable throughout the day
- Want teeth that feel secure during meals, conversations, and everyday life
Dental implants stay securely in place, allowing you to eat, speak, and live with greater confidence.
Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?
Dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution, not a temporary fix. Many patients choose implants because they provide better comfort, function, and durability than other tooth replacement options.
They are worth the investment because they:
- Function like natural teeth
- Help preserve bone and facial structure
- Improve everyday comfort
- Restore confidence
- Offer long-term value with proper care
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
The cost of a single dental implant varies depending on your treatment needs, bone support, and whether additional procedures are required.
A single tooth implant costs approximately $5,000 to $6,000. This includes the implant surgery completed by the oral surgeon and the final restoration completed by your restorative dentist or prosthodontist.
Additional procedures such as tooth extractions, bone grafting, sinus lifts, or sedation may increase the total cost. Insurance coverage and financing options may help reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
Why Patients Choose Oral Facial and Implant Specialists
Dental implants require precise planning and surgical expertise. Dr. J. Travis Thompson uses advanced imaging and modern implant technology to create stable, long-lasting results.
Patients choose our office because we offer:
- Advanced surgical training in implant placement
- Sedation options for comfort
- Advanced 3D imaging and treatment planning
- Bone grafting and implant surgery in one location
- Natural-looking, long-term tooth replacement
- Personalized treatment from consultation to recovery
Meet Your Dental Implant Specialist
Dr. J. Travis Thompson has served the Lake County area since 2006, providing advanced oral surgery care focused on long-term function, precision, and patient comfort.
As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with extensive surgical and military training, he uses modern implant technology and advanced treatment planning to help patients restore missing teeth with confidence.
Dr. Thompson places dental implants for single missing teeth, multiple missing teeth, and full-arch restoration cases. His experience in bone grafting, sinus lifts, and complex surgical care allows many patients to qualify for dental implants even after years of tooth loss.
“I strive to provide the highest quality of patient care while maintaining a warm, compassionate, and caring atmosphere.”
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small screw-like post placed into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root. Once healed, the implant supports a crown, bridge, or denture for a secure, natural-looking restoration.
Most dental implants are made from titanium, a strong biocompatible material designed to fuse with the jawbone and provide long-term stability.
Parts of a Dental Implant
Dental implants consist of three main parts that work together to replace the missing tooth.
- Implant: A small post surgically placed into the jawbone to replace the tooth root.
- Abutment: The connector that attaches the implant to the final restoration.
- Restoration: The visible crown, bridge, or denture designed to look and function like natural teeth.
The implant and abutment are placed by your oral surgeon as part of the surgical phase of treatment. After healing is complete, your restorative dentist or prosthodontist will fabricate and place the final crown, bridge, or denture separately.
Titanium-Free Dental Implants
Oral Facial and Implant Specialists offer NobelPearl titanium-free implants by Nobel Biocare. These implants may be recommended for patients with titanium sensitivity or cosmetic concerns involving thin gum tissue.
The implant, abutment, retaining screw, and crown system are all metal-free. Placement is similar to traditional dental implants and may often be completed in a single visit.
What To Expect During Dental Implant Treatment
Dental implant treatment is completed in stages to allow proper healing and long-term stability.
Consultation
Your consultation includes an exam, digital imaging, and a review of your medical history, oral health and bone support. If needed, treatment may include bone grafting, tooth extractions, or treatment for gum disease before implant placement.
Implant Placement
The implant is placed into the jawbone, and a healing abutment may be attached to guide the gum tissue during healing. In many cases, stitches are used to close the area.
Over time, the implant fuses with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This creates the stable foundation needed to support the final restoration.
Final Restoration
Once healing is complete, your restorative dentist will place a custom crown, bridge, or denture designed to match your surrounding teeth.
Candidates for Dental Implants
Dental implants are a strong option for many patients missing one or more teeth, including patients who have worn dentures or bridges for years.
Good candidates for dental implants typically have:
- Healthy gums
- Adequate jawbone support
- Good overall oral health
- Healthy healing ability
- A commitment to maintaining oral hygiene
Smoking, uncontrolled gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes, and certain medical conditions can affect healing and implant success. During your consultation, Dr. J. Travis Thompson will evaluate your oral health and imaging to determine whether dental implants are right for you.
What Are the Risks of Dental Implants?
Dental implants have a high success rate when properly planned and maintained. Temporary soreness, swelling, or bruising is normal after surgery.
More serious complications such as infection, nerve irritation, or implant failure are uncommon but possible. Careful planning and following post-operative instructions help reduce these risks.
Dental Implants in Deer Park, IL
At Oral Facial and Implant Specialists, Dr. J. Travis Thompson provides advanced implant care backed by extensive surgical training, modern technology, and personalized treatment planning.
Call UsFrequently Asked Questions
Dental implants are made of biocompatible materials, usually titanium alloy or similar alloys that are designed to fuse with the jawbone and provide a strong foundation for the prosthetic tooth. By using the same metals as orthopedic surgeons, allergic reactions to dental implants are very rare.
Dental implant surgery is not as painful as most patients expect. The area is fully numbed during the procedure, sedation may be used for additional comfort, and most patients describe recovery as mild soreness rather than severe pain. We offers Exparel to help reduce post-surgical discomfort during healing.
Dental implants have a very high long-term success rate when properly planned, placed, and maintained. With good oral hygiene and routine dental care, many dental implants can remain stable and functional for decades.
Dental implants can fail for a variety of reasons, such as poor oral hygiene, severe grinding of teeth (bruxism), peri-implantitis, or complications from pre-existing medical conditions.
Insurance coverage for dental implants varies by plan. Some insurance providers may cover portions of treatment such as extractions, restorations, or parts of the implant procedure, while others may provide limited or no coverage. Our team can help review your benefits and discuss financing options during your consultation.
Many adults are candidates for dental implants well into their 60s, 70s, and beyond. Age itself is usually not the limiting factor. Overall health, healing ability, gum health, and jawbone support are typically more important when determining candidacy.
