Dental Implants
In Louisville, KY
Widespread tooth loss or living with severely damaged teeth can change your physical appearance, impact your jaw health, and affect your confidence. Traditional options like standard bridges or dentures can lead to gum irritation or shift out of place. Dental implants solve these daily frustrations by acting exactly like a real tooth.
At Derby City Dental Specialists, we center our practice around precision and patient comfort. Dr. Ryan Clagett is a highly experienced periodontist with double board certifications, bringing dedicated training in implant dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery to every case. Our team focuses on treating your entire mouth as a connected system, helping you achieve a permanent solution for damaged or missing teeth. We welcome you to contact our Louisville team to schedule an initial consultation and explore your path to a fully restored smile.
Permanently replaces missing teeth from root to crown
Restores full chewing power, protects jawbone health, and looks completely natural
Most patients return to their normal routine within one to two days
Designed to last for decades with proper home care and regular checkups
A dental implant is a tiny, bio-compatible post that functions as an artificial tooth root. The dental implant post is positioned directly into the jawbone during a minor surgery, providing a secure anchor for a custom-made crown or bridge. Patients can choose from a single implant to replace one tooth, implant-supported bridges to replace multiple teeth, or full-mouth dental implants to restore the entire upper or lower arch. Your treatment plan will be designed around your needs to restore overall oral health, aesthetics, and function. The artificial tooth placed during the dental implant procedure looks, feels, and functions just like a healthy, natural tooth.
There are many different kinds of implants used for different cases. Many options work to replace more than one missing tooth. The most common kinds of implants are:
Single Tooth Implants
Single-tooth implants are the most common form of replacement and can replace one or several teeth. They are restored with a crown.
Implant-Supported Bridges
Bridges rest on surrounding teeth to replace a missing tooth, and can be a good option for damage in a specific area. They are more secure when supported by an implant.
Implant-Supported Dentures
We can replace an entire arch of teeth with a set of custom dentures that are permanently secured to implants.
We offer several options for tooth replacement to ensure each patient receives proper care and high-quality results. Fill out our new patient form if you are interested in having a new smile from Derby City Dental Specialists.
Patient education and comfort are very important to us. That is why we make the implant process easy to understand. Throughout your treatments, we will have open communication with you and your doctors.
Our process is different for each patient, but each implant procedure follows the same basic steps:
1. Consultation
The first step is meeting with Dr. Clagett for a consultation. During the consultation, he will discuss any prior diagnoses and conduct a thorough oral exam. He will speak openly with you about your oral health concerns and your smile goals.
Once you, Dr. Clagett, and your general dentist decide that an implant is the right option for you, we will schedule your surgical procedure to place your implant(s).
2. Tooth Removal and Bone Graft Placement
Oftentimes, a tooth will need to be removed prior to implant placement. When a tooth is removed, the remaining socket needs to be filled with a bone graft to ensure there is enough bone to support the implant.
3. Implant Placement
Prior to placing your implant, Dr. Clagett will use 3D software to plan and guide your procedure. This process ensures precise placement for the most successful outcome. Before implant placement, you will be given local anesthesia, with or without IV sedation. We use minimally invasive techniques to ensure the quickest possible healing process.
4. Post Operative Care/Follow-Up
Following implant placement, you will need to avoid the area until it heals. We will see you in 4-8 weeks to monitor your healing. Typically, in 3-4 months, the implant has fused to your jawbone, and you are ready to see your dentist to have your new tooth placed.
5. Abutment and Crown Placement
When ready, you will be referred back to your dentist to have your implant restored. This typically involves taking an impression of your implant and having a custom abutment connected to a crown.
6. Follow-Up
Our office will invite you back for a follow-up appointment to ensure that you are completely satisfied with your crown and that your smile is working as it should with the new tooth.
We customize each step for each patient, leaving you with care personal to you. Our comprehensive diagnosis process and advanced technology offer a high level of customization.
Not only do implants boost your confidence in how you look, but they also boost your confidence in how you feel. Dental implants restore your oral health in many ways.
Implants are one of the best solutions if you have lost a tooth and are now experiencing:
When a dental implant is placed, it acts as a natural tooth, preventing uneven wear and tear on your teeth, as well as aiding the health of your jawbone. You may notice your oral health has started to take a toll after the loss of a tooth. We are here to give you that back, with our expert care.
Implants are one of the most permanent and natural-looking options for replacing a missing tooth.
There are many benefits to choosing an implant from Derby City Dental Specialists:
Derby City Dental Specialists offers implants because we believe they are one of the best solutions for a missing tooth. When implants are placed by an expert like Dr. Clagett, the results can be permanent. They also offer a very functional and beautiful solution, unlike some other replacement options.
Implants are restored with crowns that appear like a natural tooth. They will match your current tooth color and fit naturally in your smile.
Implants and crowns are meant to last a lifetime if treated properly. Our crowns use materials that are stain and chip-resistant.
We custom-make your restorations to fit your smile like a natural tooth, and our placement surgeries are designed with your comfort in mind.
Dr. Ryan Clagett is an expert in implants and will plan your smile carefully and use advanced technology to precisely place your implants.
Implants drastically improve your oral health by preventing infections and shifting teeth and stabilizing your jawbone density.
Most adults in reasonable general health who are looking for a long-term solution to missing teeth are excellent candidates for dental implant placement. It is ideal for anyone who has enough healthy bone density to support the underlying post. However, individuals with certain health conditions (such as uncontrolled diabetes or active gum infections) may need to complete preliminary therapies before moving forward. If you have experienced bone thinning over time, Dr. Clagett can perform bone grafting prior to your surgery to build a solid foundation for your restoration.
Implants are placed permanently and, when cared for properly, offer a lifetime replacement for a missing tooth or teeth.
Crowns and bridges can fix a partially damaged tooth or offer a less permanent solution for a missing tooth.
When you come in for a consultation, Dr. Ryan Clagett will make specific recommendations for your tooth replacement. Dr. Ryan Clagett is a trained expert in tooth replacement options; you can trust him to make well-researched suggestions based on results.
You can expect a better treatment process and recovery time with Derby City Dental Specialists. Our office uses top-of-the-line technology, facilitating more precise surgeries and a quicker healing time.
All of the technology we utilize helps us collaborate with you, the patient. We can easily set functional and aesthetic goals with our smile planning technology, helping you achieve your dreams.
We use specialized CT scans and surgical guides to ensure precise planning and placement of implants. This technology provides us with detailed 3D images of your oral structures, allowing us to accurately determine the exact position and angle for your implants. This meticulous planning ensures that your restoration feels and functions like a natural tooth, offering optimal comfort and aesthetics.
Our expert team is highly trained in using these tools, providing you with confidence in achieving excellent and predictable results. With our commitment to precision, we can ensure that your new smile will be both beautiful and durable.
The recovery process after a dental implant placement is typically much milder than patients expect, with most individuals returning to work within forty-eight hours. You will want to prepare a soft-food menu of smoothies, soups, and yogurts for the first couple of days to keep pressure away from the healing gum tissue. Over the next few months, your jaw will undergo a quiet process called osseointegration, where new bone growth naturally wraps around the post to lock it permanently into place. We use detailed cone beam imaging during brief follow-up appointments to monitor this natural bond and make sure everything is fully healed.
Maintaining your implants carefully and correctly will lengthen their lifetime. In order to keep your implant healthy and your crown in good condition, we recommend:
Once you have your implant, it is important for you to avoid knocking your mouth in sports or other activities. We may recommend a mouth guard for you to play these activities.
We use high-quality crowns and implants; if your crown and implant are maintained properly, they can last a lifetime.
Osseointegration
Implants become a sturdy part of your mouth through osseointegration, which is when your jawbone will slowly form around the implant to keep it secure. We use X-rays and cone beam CT (CBCT) scans to monitor osseointegration after your implant procedure. If your osseointegration is moving slowly, we may wait to proceed until the implant is secure to mitigate the risk of implant failure.
We work with your body, not against it, to give you a comfortable experience that leaves you with a permanent tooth replacement.
Reclaiming a complete smile requires a level of surgical precision and foundational care that goes far beyond general dentistry. Dr. Ryan Clagett is a double board-certified implant dentistry specialist who brings world class, personalized care to every patient and procedure. Our Louisville team collaborates closely with your regular dentist to understand your history and map out a highly predictable treatment path.
True to our guiding belief in achieving better results with less surgery, we utilize detailed 3D imaging and custom surgical guides to make implant placement as non-invasive as possible. This careful planning process helps protect your surrounding bone and gum tissue, which significantly speeds up your recovery time. We prioritize honesty, clear communication, and personalized care, making sure you feel safe and informed at every step. Let us help you achieve a strong, natural-looking foundation that allows you to eat your favorite foods and smile with total self-assurance.
Each case is completely individual to the patient and their needs, which is why we will give you an estimate during your consultation. To learn more about the cost of implants, fill out our new patient form to meet with Dr. Clagett and, if necessary, our financial team.
We offer payment plans and prepayment discounts to all of our patients.
More than Single-Tooth Solutions
Our office believes in treatment that takes into consideration your entire health, especially your oral health. Insurance companies do not support anything more than single-tooth treatment, which is why we do not use insurance as a financing option.
We use advanced numbing techniques to completely block any physical pain during your procedure. Most patients find that getting an implant involves significantly less discomfort than a standard tooth extraction. If you feel nervous about your visit, our team can provide gentle sedation options to help soothe your mind while Dr. Clagett works.
While long-term success rates are incredibly high, an implant failure can occasionally happen due to unexpected gum infections or systemic health changes. If an implant does not bond correctly with the bone, Dr. Clagett will carefully remove the post and treat the surrounding tissue. In most cases, the area can be rebuilt with a gentle bone graft, allowing a new implant to be placed safely once the site has fully healed.
Because every single mouth has exact needs, the total investment depends entirely on your specific bone density, how many teeth are missing, and if preliminary treatments are needed. We provide a fully detailed financial estimate during your initial consultation, so there are never any surprises. Our office also coordinates payment plans and prepayment options to help keep your treatment completely accessible.
Our clinical philosophy centers on providing comprehensive care that takes your entire long-term oral health into consideration. Most standard insurance policies are restricted to single-tooth treatments and do not support advanced full-mouth restorations. To ensure we never have to compromise on the quality of your surgical materials or results, we do not participate with traditional insurance networks.
The titanium post placed in the jaw is designed to be a permanent fixture for the rest of your life. The porcelain crown or bridge attached to the top is crafted from highly durable materials that easily last for fifteen to twenty years. If your crown eventually experiences normal wear and tear or minor chipping, it can be easily replaced without disturbing the stable implant foundation underneath.
Maintaining your new tooth is just as straightforward as caring for your natural smile. You will brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and floss daily to keep the surrounding gumline clean and free of bacteria. Dr. Clagett may also recommend using a water flosser with a specialized tip to safely clean the precise spaces between your restoration and the tissue.
Smoking does not completely disqualify you from treatment, but it does significantly increase the risk of implant failure. Nicotine restricts the vital blood flow within your gums, which can slow down the critical process called osseointegration. We highly recommend pausing all tobacco use for several weeks before and after your surgery day to give your bone the absolute best environment for healing.
If you have been living with missing teeth or have worn dentures for several years, your jawbone may have naturally thinned out. During your consultation, we take a rapid 3D CT scan to measure the exact thickness of your bone structure. If the scan shows your jaw is too thin, Dr. Clagett will suggest a mild bone graft to provide the solid foundation your new tooth requires.
