In Kentucky, 1 in 5 adults age 65 and older have no natural teeth remaining. If you’re one of them (or if you’re missing even a few teeth), dental implants may be one of the most practical decisions you can make for yourself. That’s because tooth loss affects more than just the space you can see. It can change the way you eat, smile, and feel around other people. Plus, when the tooth’s root is gone, the bone in that area no longer gets the same stimulation and can gradually shrink. Dental implants replace that missing root with a titanium post that supports a crown, bridge, or denture. At Freedom Dental Implants in Louisville, Dr. Regan Ackerman uses innovative one-piece implants in several sizes, including narrow options for patients with limited bone.
Our practice has focused on implant care for more than 20 years. Dr. Ackerman evaluates every patient herself and performs all implant procedures, so you see the same dentist throughout treatment. Consistency like that matters, especially when you’re making a significant decision about your health!
We also focus exclusively on replacing missing teeth. That may mean replacing one tooth, stabilizing a loose denture, or rebuilding an entire arch with implant-supported teeth. Whatever brings you in, our goal is to help you get back to eating more comfortably and feeling more like yourself when you smile.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a biocompatible titanium post that we place in your jawbone to replace a missing tooth root. As the area heals, the surrounding bone bonds to the implant through a natural process called osseointegration.
Dental implants give us options for many different levels of tooth loss. Your treatment can be as simple as replacing one missing tooth or as comprehensive as restoring an entire arch.
Once the implants are stable, they can support a crown, bridge, or denture.
How Do Dental Implants Help Protect the Jawbone?
The implants’ connection to the jawbone is one of the main reasons they differ from other tooth replacement options.
Traditional dentures rest on the gums, so they don’t replace the missing root. A tooth-supported bridge fills the space above the gums, but it also fails to replace the root inside the jawbone.
Because the implant sits where the tooth root used to be, it helps maintain the bone in that area over time.
When a tooth is lost, the bone that once surrounded its root no longer receives the same stimulation. Over time, that area of the jaw can shrink. When you bite and chew, a dental implant transmits pressure to the bone. That stimulation actually helps preserve the bone around the implant.
Can Dental Implants Help With a Loose Denture?
Yes. One of the most common problems we treat is a lower denture that moves during meals.
Many patients come to our office because they have stopped eating certain foods or rely on adhesive to keep their denture in place. Dental implants can anchor a denture to the jaw, making it feel much more secure when you chew.
We offer implant-supported denture options that range from removable snap-in dentures to full-arch roundhouse bridges. At your free consultation, Dr. Ackerman will discuss your frustrations and goals, and recommend the option that best fits your bone, budget, and preferences.
What Is a One-Piece Dental Implant?
At Freedom Dental Implants, we use one-piece implants, an innovation in dental technology that improves upon standard dental implants. A conventional implant consists of multiple components, primarily the implant body and a separate abutment that connects the false teeth to the implant. While this structure works, it typically requires a multi-stage placement procedure, which extends the treatment timeline and just isn’t convenient for patients. The two-piece design also leaves a seam between the pieces where bacteria can accumulate.
A one-piece implant combines the implant body and the connector for the replacement tooth into a single unit.
Because the design is more streamlined, Dr. Ackerman can often place the implant and attach a temporary restoration in a single visit.
Another benefit of the one-piece implants we use is that placement is minimally invasive. Instead of opening the gums with a flap, Dr. Ackerman can place the implant through a small opening in the gum and into a narrow pilot hole in the bone. The implant is self-tapping, so it threads into place as it is inserted. The result is a gentler placement process that does a lot less damage to the surrounding gums and bone.
Can Dental Implants Work if You Have Limited Bone?
In many cases, yes! One reason we use one-piece implants is that they come in several widths, including narrow mini dental implants. That gives Dr. Ackerman more flexibility when there isn’t enough bone for a wider implant.
If you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone for dental implants, that may not be the end of the conversation. In some cases, it simply means the office you visited didn’t offer an implant size or design that fit your anatomy.
During your consultation, Dr. Ackerman will take a cone beam CT scan to assess the height, width, and shape of your jawbone and determine which implant sizes may work for you.
We can’t know what’s possible until we take a closer look, but because we have access to a wide range of implant sizes, many patients have more options than they expected!
Why Does Freedom Dental Implants Use Different Implant Sizes?
Jawbones are not all the same width. Neither are the spaces left by missing teeth.
We use one-piece implants in several diameters so Dr. Ackerman can select an implant that fits the available bone and the space being treated. Rather than fitting every patient into the same approach, she matches the implant to the patient.
Narrow implants may be useful in smaller spaces or areas with less bone. Wider implants may be appropriate when more bone is available or when the restoration requires greater support.
Dr. Ackerman will choose the appropriate implant size after she reviews your cone beam CT scan and considers the type of restoration you’re looking for.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost in Louisville?
The total cost of your dental implant treatment depends on how many teeth we need to replace, how many implants you need, and the type of restoration attached to the implants.
Our current pricing includes:
- Single-tooth implant with a crown: $2,500
- Snap-in denture: $7,500 per arch
- Detachable implant bridge: $16,500 per arch
- Fixed roundhouse bridge: $16,500 per arch
At Freedom Dental Implants, we also offer:
- A 5% discount for payment by cash or check
- Financing options that allow qualified patients to make monthly payments
- Help completing and submitting insurance paperwork
Our office is out-of-network with insurance companies. If your plan includes an applicable out-of-network benefit, our staff submits the paperwork on your behalf, and the insurance company reimburses you directly.
What Happens Throughout the Dental Implant Process?
Dental implant treatment looks a little different for each patient. The number of missing teeth, the condition of your jawbone, and the type of restoration you choose all affect the process. At Freedom Dental Implants, Dr. Ackerman evaluates you herself and recommends treatment based on what your mouth actually needs.
Still, there are a few common questions patients often ask when considering implants:
What Happens at a Free Dental Implant Consultation?
Your free consultation includes a cone beam CT scan, an evaluation with Dr. Ackerman, a treatment plan, and a discussion of costs and financing. The 3D scan allows her to evaluate your jawbone and determine which implant options may be appropriate.
You meet directly with Dr. Ackerman during this visit rather than seeing a treatment coordinator first.
What if I Need Teeth Removed First?
Dr. Ackerman does not routinely remove a tooth and place an implant into the extraction site during the same appointment. When an extraction is necessary, we generally want the area to heal for about three months before placing the implant. This gives Dr. Ackerman healed bone to evaluate before moving forward with implant placement.
Does Getting One-Piece Dental Implants Hurt?
We numb the area first, just like if you were getting a filling. You may notice some pressure while Dr. Ackerman is working, but you should not feel sharp pain during the procedure.
Because one-piece implants can be placed with a less invasive technique than many two-stage implant systems, recovery is very manageable. If you are sore later that day or the next morning, an over-the-counter pain reliever can help. In general, you can expect to get back to your normal routine within about 24 to 48 hours.
If the procedure itself makes you nervous, please let us know so we can help you feel more comfortable. We can also discuss adding nitrous oxide (laughing gas) into your treatment plan. This sedation option is great for patients who need a little extra help relaxing during treatment.
How Long Does the Dental Implant Procedure Take?
The implant placement itself is completed in one stage. Because one-piece implants combine the implant and attachment into a single unit, a separate second-stage procedure isn’t needed to uncover the implant or attach another component.
The length of your visit, however, will depend on whether you’re getting a single implant, multiple implants, or a full-arch of implants. In general, it takes Dr. Ackerman just a few minutes to place an implant.
Dr. Ackerman will give you a more specific idea of your treatment timeline once she has reviewed your CT scan and determined how many implants you need.
Will I Ever Have To Be Without Teeth?
After implant placement, Dr. Ackerman can immediately load the implants with a snap-in denture or a temporary restoration when appropriate. That means you will have teeth while your implants heal.
If you need extractions before your implants are placed, Dr. Ackerman will explain how that healing period fits into your overall treatment plan.
When Do I Receive My Final Teeth?
That depends on the type of restoration you’re getting. Some patients can have their snap-in denture attached the same day their implants are placed, so they leave with their new teeth in place right away.
For a final crown, bridge, or roundhouse restoration, Dr. Ackerman will usually allow a few weeks of healing first. During this time, the dental lab will craft your custom restoration. Once the implants have had time to settle in, she’ll remove the temporary restoration and complete your smile.
Before treatment, Dr. Ackerman will explain your specific timeline so you know what to expect and when you’ll receive your final teeth.
Why Choose Freedom Dental Implants?
Freedom Dental Implants focuses on replacing missing teeth rather than providing every type of general dental treatment. We do that on purpose. When implants are your focus, you get very good at doing them!
Our approach is built around several priorities that matter to implant patients:
- Dr. Ackerman sees and treats each patient herself.
- Patients don’t move between a rotating group of dentists.
- One-piece implants are available in several widths, making more patients eligible for treatment.
- Healthy teeth are preserved when possible.
- Extraction sites are generally allowed to heal before implant placement.
- Pricing is discussed clearly before treatment.
- Our staff submits insurance paperwork on behalf of patients.
- The practice is locally owned and family-run rather than part of a national implant chain.
We have been providing implant care for more than 20 years and serve patients from Louisville, Southern Indiana, and communities along the I-65 corridor south of Louisville.
Dental Implant Options for Patients Around Louisville
Freedom Dental Implants sees patients from Louisville and surrounding communities, including Jeffersonville and New Albany in Southern Indiana, as well as areas south of Louisville such as Mount Washington and Elizabethtown.
Some patients travel farther because they are looking for a one-piece implant provider or want another opinion after being told they have limited treatment options.
You don’t need to have the right implant figured out before you come in. Dr. Ackerman will look at your bone, talk with you about what you’re hoping to improve, and explain which options make the most sense for your situation.
Schedule a Free Dental Implant Consultation Today
Missing teeth can make everyday life harder than it needs to be, especially when you are dealing with a loose denture, difficulty chewing, or uncertainty about what treatment is right for you. Dental implants can provide a stable, long-term way to replace missing teeth, and one-piece implants may make treatment simpler for many patients.
You do not need to come in knowing which implant you need or how your treatment will work. That is what your free consultation is for. Dr. Ackerman will take and review a 3D CBCT scan, look closely at your bone, and explain the options that make sense for you.
If you’ve been thinking about implants but still have questions about cost, comfort, healing, or what is possible for you, schedule a free consultation at Freedom Dental Implants in Louisville. You can get clear answers, meet Dr. Ackerman, and leave with a better idea of how we can make your smile goals a reality!
