Dental Implants – Topsham, ME
Artificial Roots for Rebuilding Your Smile
Are you less than satisfied with the traditional options for tooth replacement? You may want to think about getting dental implants, which allow you to rebuild your smile from the roots up and can actively prevent bone loss in your jaw. If you call to schedule a consultation at Androscoggin Dental Care, our team can go into more detail about the advantages of permanently replacing your missing teeth with sturdy dental implants in Topsham and discuss whether or not you’re a good candidate for the treatment.
Why Choose Androscoggin Dental Care for Dental Implants?
- State-of-the-Art Technology
- Practice That Focuses on Patients
- A Trustworthy Dental Expert
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants go a step further than other forms of tooth replacement. The screwlike implant posts (which will typically be made out of biocompatible titanium) can be inserted into your jaw at precisely chosen locations, allowing them to essentially act as roots for your replacement teeth. Implant posts can be used to support a crown, bridge, or denture depending on the extent of your tooth loss. They can provide a very sturdy foundation for your replacement teeth thanks to their ability to form a strong bond with your jawbone.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
When you decide to have dental implants placed, you are committing to a process that can take several months to a year. This can seem like a long time, but it will all be worthwhile once your beautiful, reliable new smile is complete. Plus, with a potential lifespan of multiple decades, the time you put into getting implants will pale in comparison to your time enjoying them.
At every stage of the process, we’ll be by your side and guide you. If you have questions at any point, don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Yue, your implant dentist in Topsham.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Step one is to schedule a consultation so that you can confirm that dental implants are indeed your best option for tooth replacement. We’ll examine your mouth to make sure it’s healthy enough to attempt implant placement. If we see any issues, such as gum disease or insufficient jawbone density, we may recommend treatment to address these problems and increase your chances of implant success.
Dental Implant Surgery
After any necessary preparatory treatments have been completed, implant surgery can be performed; instead of sending you to a specialist’s office for this part of the procedure, we execute it right here for your convenience! In other words, you stay with a team you already know and trust. For the sake of your comfort, your mouth will be numbed before the treatment, so you won’t feel any pain during the surgery.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Although the gum tissue recovers in a week or two, it will typically take your mouth months to heal following the procedure, and in that time a process called osseointegration will allow the implant posts to bond with the bone around them. This is essential for the implants’ strength and security. Abutments can be attached to the implants once osseointegration is done. These connection pieces stick up above the gums and help guide where the restorations will attach.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
Finally, in order to complete your new smile, your prosthetic teeth will be designed, created, and attached to the implant posts. Using our digital impression system, we’ll take precise impressions of your mouth and send this information to our lab, where your custom restorations will be crafted. After they’re attached, you’re free to use and care for your new replacement teeth as if they’re the real thing!
Benefits of Dental Implants
There are many reasons why dental implants are worth considering when your teeth are missing, and our team will be glad to explain these advantages in more detail when you visit our office.
Some of the top benefits include:
- Helping your smile look younger because the stimulation from the dental implants will prevent the jaw from losing bone.
- The ability to eat all kinds of foods with teeth that won’t slip at awkward moments.
- A beautiful smile that can enhance your overall self-esteem and help you find success at work as well as in your personal life.
- Not having to be replaced as often as other tooth replacement options and thus potentially saving you money.
- Being easy to take care of, which can be good news for your oral health.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants can be used to replace any number of teeth, and most adults can potentially be candidates for them. Of course, some individuals might require bone grafting, gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, and other preliminary treatments before they can receive dental implants. Once your ability to have dental implant posts placed has been confirmed, our team members can start discussing the specifics of what the dental implant process will look like based on your specific type of tooth loss.
Missing One Tooth
When just one tooth is missing, you don’t need to have any of your healthy teeth altered to make room for a dental bridge. Instead, we can help you reclaim a complete smile with a dental implant post and a high-quality crown made out of lifelike, long-lasting materials.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Are you looking for a sturdy, reliable way to replace multiple teeth? You can get a customized dental bridge attached to a pair of dental implant posts to fill in a gap in your smile left by three or more consecutive missing teeth.
Missing All of Your Teeth
It only takes 4 to 6 dental implant posts to provide the necessary support for a full denture in order to replace an entire row of missing teeth. Since the implant posts are permanently anchored to your jawbone, they can prevent the slipping that can sometimes occur with traditional dentures.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Simply researching the cost of dental implants online typically isn’t enough to give you a firm idea of the exact amount you will likely need to pay for the treatment. The specifics of the procedure can vary from patient to patient, so the final cost isn’t set in stone. An estimate can be provided at your initial consultation. Factors like dental insurance can make paying for the treatment easier, so we will make sure that you are aware of your options.
Dental Implant FAQs
Does getting dental implants hurt?
Dental implant surgery will be absolutely pain-free, as your mouth will be numbed with local anesthetic before the procedure starts. In more complex cases, IV sedation may also be used to make sure you remain comfortable throughout your procedure. Afterward, you’ll likely experience some pain, bleeding, and swelling, but these side-effects can typically be handled with solutions found around your home, like a cold compress, over-the-counter pain medication, etc.
Can I get dental implants if I smoke?
Because research has shown that smoking can increase the risk of dental implant failure, our team at Androscoggin Dental Care highly recommends taking steps to quit at least two weeks before undergoing surgery. Smoking can cause dry socket, gum disease, and increase the risk of infection by reducing blood flow within the mouth, so for these reasons, quitting is highly recommended to ensure the long-term success of the procedure.
Will I have no teeth after implant surgery?
Are you concerned about having a mouth with dental implants but no teeth following your surgery? Fortunately for you, dentists are often able to place a temporary “healing denture” atop the implants as they undergo osseointegration and fuse with the jawbone. These dentures don’t attach directly to the implants, allowing the gums and implants to heal without risking post-operative complications.
How soon after a tooth extraction can I get dental implants?
The answer to this question depends on your individual situation. If your jawbone is healthy enough and there are no underlying concerns, dental implants may be able to be inserted into the jawbone soon after a tooth extraction. However, in many cases, dentists typically recommend waiting a few months so the mouth can completely heal before undergoing an additional surgical procedure.
Can I get dental implants if I have rheumatoid arthritis?
Because rheumatoid arthritis treatment often involves taking prescriptions that can suppress the immune system, it’s crucial for us to collaborate with your primary care physician if you’re looking into undergoing dental implant treatment. Together, we can plan to minimize your risk of post-operative infection and coordinate your medications to boost your treatment success rate and help manage your rheumatoid arthritis.