Traditional dentures and crowns are excellent ways to replace missing teeth. However, we often recommend that our patients also give serious consideration to dental implants in Abington as a way to restore their lost pearly whites. This treatment has the potential to provide an extremely strong, natural-looking, and long-lasting smile.
There are a few different types of dental implants, but the most common are small cylinders (usually made of titanium) that are placed within the jawbone. If all goes well, the bone forms a strong bond with the implants over time; this process of osseointegration enables the implants to act as the strongest base possible for your new teeth. Eventually, your dentist in Abington places restorations (in the form of crowns, bridges, or a denture) on top of the implants.
The process for installing implants typically takes anywhere from several months to a year and may go something like this:
The dental implant process is somewhat lengthy; from start to finish, it can take several months or longer. That may seem like a long time, but implants provide truly outstanding results. Plus, our team strives to make the treatment as easy, comfortable, and efficient as possible for our patients. Continue reading below to learn about the four main stages of dental implant treatment: the initial consultation, the implant placement surgery, osseointegration, and restoration.
During your initial appointment, our team will learn about your oral health and medical history. You should be sure to disclose any diagnoses or health concerns that you have. We will also thoroughly examine your mouth and ask about your goals for treatment.
Based on the information we gather, we can determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants or if you first need to undergo preliminary care, such as a bone graft or gum disease treatment. We can also start planning out the details of your treatment and make sure you understand your financial obligation.
We often work with local specialists for the dental implant placement surgery. This team-based approach ensures that you get expert care during every stage of your tooth replacement journey.
During the surgery, your care provider will first make sure you are comfortable. Then, they will make incisions in your gums and place the implants at their pre-planned positions. Once the incisions are closed, you can go home to start the healing process. Most patients are feeling well enough to go back to work within a day or two of their procedure.
Once the implants are in your jawbone, a remarkable process known as osseointegration should begin. This is the biological means through which implants bond with the surrounding tissue. In other words, it is what allows them to serve as strong prosthetic tooth roots.
Adequate osseointegration usually takes a few months. Thereafter, you might need to undergo a second minor surgery. During this procedure, the tops of your implants will be exposed, and healing caps will be placed on them. Later, the caps will be replaced by abutments, which are small connector pieces that will keep your new teeth in place. (Some patients get abutments during the initial implant surgery, so this second operation is not always necessary.)
This is perhaps the most exciting part of the dental implant process! Our team will take impressions of your mouth and use those as the basis for designing your new restoration. Your crown, bridge, or denture will be customized to work with your unique oral anatomy and facial structures. Once our partner laboratory finishes making it, we will verify that it meets our expectations before we attach it to your implants. Then, you can go off and start to experience the many benefits of your new smile.
One of the most outstanding features of dental implants is that they replace both the roots and the crowns of missing teeth. This enables them to slow down and perhaps even prevent the bone loss that often occurs in the jaw after tooth extractions, and it gives the implants the potential to stay with you for many decades. In fact, if you care for your new smile well, it could last for the rest of your life!
Here are a few of the other remarkable benefits that implants offer:
Both you and your dentist have to consider a wide range of factors to determine if implants are right for you. An ideal candidate for this procedure doesn’t smoke, is free of gum disease and other serious health concerns, and has a strong, dense jawbone. However, even folks who don’t fit this “ideal” profile might still be able to receive implants.
The only way to find out for sure if you’re a candidate for this potentially life-changing is to visit your dentist for an in-depth consultation. After performing a thorough examination of your mouth and taking some X-rays, they’ll design a treatment plan that is tailored to your circumstances, budget, and oral health needs.
For an exact idea of how much your implants may cost, you’ll have to speak to your dentist so they can plan out the details of your procedure. There are a number of factors that will contribute to the final price of your new smile:
Although implants present a significant upfront cost, they offer a remarkable value. If you care for them well, they prove to be a long-lasting investment in your oral health and in your quality of life!
To learn more about dental implants or to schedule a consultation, contact our office. Hopefully, it won’t be long before you’re on your way to being the proud owner of a renewed smile!
Implants are a versatile treatment that can replace any number of teeth. If you have suffered extensive tooth loss, we will likely recommend implant dentures to rebuild your smile. With just a few strategically placed implants (2 – 6), we can provide the base of support for an entire arch of prosthetic teeth. Both permanently fixed implant dentures and removable overdentures are available. They are much sturdier and longer lasting than traditional dentures.
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