Missing teeth or uncomfortable temporary solutions are not necessary any longer. Modern dentistry has developed some of the most impressive medical solutions through dental implants. Dr. Rigdon has been performing dental implants since 1987. Fellow dentists and patients alike have recognized his exceptional skill and care in this area.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are man-made substitutes for natural tooth roots. They serve as anchors for the replacement of missing teeth. The dental implants can be used to replace a single lost tooth or many missing teeth. A single tooth or teeth replaced with dental implants are the closest thing to a natural tooth available.

What Dental Implants Can Do For You:

• Accelerate and activate your life
• Provide a foundation for teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth
• Conserve your existing natural teeth
• Support a bridge - eliminating the need for a removable partial denture
• Provide support for a removable denture, making it more secure and comfortable
• Improve appearance and self-confidence
• Eliminate pain when chewing food with removable teeth
• Help maintain bone structure and facial features
• Maintain a more youthful and healthy appearance
• Allow you to eat your favorite foods again
• Provide comfort and convenience
• Give permanence and reliability

Are you missing a single tooth?

Missing a single tooth can, over time, allow the misalignment of your remaining teeth and thus erode your current smile. A single tooth replaced with a dental implant and crown is the most predictable, conservative and long-lasting method of tooth replacement. Without a dental implant, the two adjacent teeth to a missing tooth must be filed down to anchor a bridge. Dental implants eliminate the need to modify natural teeth.

Are you missing multiple teeth?

Missing multiple teeth can be a serious problem as the support structure of your jaw begins to deteriorate. Implants stop that deterioration.. Dental implants are designed to serve as a foundation for replacement crowns or bridges that "give you your teeth back." They look, feel, and function like natural teeth.

Do you have an uncomfortable or slipping full or partial denture?

Dental implants are the most secure and natural form of tooth replacement and unlike partials, they will never slip. Implants are a predictable and comfortable alternative for those persons that cannot wear, or choose not to tolerate, removable complete dentures or partial dentures. Dental implants offer a predictable alternative to a variety of problems related to removable teeth including: pain and sore spots, poor dental stability, inability to speak clearly, and gagging caused by removable teeth.

What are the advantages of dental implants?

Dental implants are the most comfortable, predictable and long lasting method of missing tooth replacement. They are designed to serve as a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Dental implants allow a person that has lost teeth to regain their ability to eat virtually anything, therefore, allowing one to enjoy nutritious foods, contribute to better health, and enjoy social gathering based around meals. Implants can help prevent undesirable deterioration of jawbone and the resulting accelerated aging appearance that can occur. But most of all, dental implants improve the quality of life, enhance self-image, and restore self-confidence.

Does age affect the ability to receive dental implant therapy?

Fortunately, a person's age does not influence the success of dental implants. Dr. Rigdon has completed implant therapy on patients as young as 15 and as old as 92. No matter what age you are, chances are very good that you are an implant candidate. In fact, some of our most satisfied patients have been elderly individuals that had almost given up any hope of living without the pain and inconvenience of removable dentures or partial dentures. If you are healthy enough to have teeth removed in a dental office, you're probably healthy enough to have implant therapy.

My teenager has permanent teeth that never formed. Are they an implant candidate?

Permanent teeth that never form is a more common problem than people realize. YES, they are the perfect implant candidates. The replacement of a single tooth with a dental implant and crown is the natural, conservative and long-lasting method of tooth replacement. The same can be said for the teenager that loses a tooth due to an accident.

Is the treatment painful?

The surgical placement of dental implants causes only minor discomfort similar to having a tooth removed. Post-operative discomfort is controlled with the use of prescriptions. Depending on the extent of the therapy, many persons return to work the day of their surgery. Most patients report that they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they had anticipated.

How do I find the perfect dentist to perform my dental implants?

The most important criteria for selecting an implant dentist are experience, education, credentials and success rate. Dr. Rigdon has been placing dental implants since 1987. His success rate is over 97 percent. He is credentialed by the major dental implant organizations. Most significant is his Diplomat status in the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry. Although Oral Implantology is not a specialty of the American Dental Association, the American Board is an acknowledged examining agency — recognized by the American Dental Association — for dentists to submit their education, training, experience, knowledge of lmplantology, and expertise for credentialing. A Diplomat of the American Board of Oral Implantology/implant Dentistry has passed the most rigorous examination process in the field of Oral Implantology.

Dr. Rigdon is one of three Diplomats in the state of Oklahoma and the only one east of Oklahoma City.

How long do dental implants last?

Long-term studies of dental implants show that most implants have been functioning successfully for 30 years or more. The successes will be influenced by factors related to general health, smoking, tooth grinding, etc. Another major factor is how well you care for the dental implants. It is critical that you maintain good home care and professional hygiene care to maximize the life of your implants.

How do I get started?

The first step is a comprehensive examination of existing teeth, bone and gums. This allows for an accurate diagnosis and discovery of the potential solutions to your condition.

During the first visit, Dr. Rigdon will perform a visual examination and evaluate radiographs (x-rays). He will then share his findings with you, recommend treatment solutions, and help you determine the most appropriate treatment for you.

We invite our patients to have a family member or friend participate in our discussions, which most patients find very beneficial. In addition, any financial matters will be discussed in detail and in a confidential setting before any treatment is started.

What if I have further questions?

We expect you will. Feel free to contact our office at 918-494-8666. Our staff is very proficient in answering questions. However, if they cannot answer your question, Dr. Rigdon will return your call personally when time becomes available.