Dental Implants — Buzzards Bay, MA
Bring Back Missing Teeth for a Lifetime
Tooth loss is a problem faced by over 120 million Americans every day, and if this includes you, then you are probably well aware of the problems missing teeth can cause. Your food choices can become limited, speech can start to feel awkward, and feeling confident enough to smile is rare. If you are ready to finally have your complete smile back, then Canal Side Family Dental can give it to you with dental implants. To learn more about this revolutionary way to bring back missing teeth for a lifetime, keep reading or schedule your consultation today!
Why Choose Canal Side Family Dental For Dental Implants?
- 1FREE Dental Implant Consultation
- 2Dental Implant Placement & Restoration Completed Under One Roof
- 3Essential Dental Plan & Flexible Financing Through CareCredit Available
What Are Dental Implants?
There are two parts to natural teeth. The part that you see when you smile is called the crown, while the portion hidden under the gums is called the roots. Traditional tooth loss solutions like dentures and dental bridges only bring back the crowns of missing teeth, leaving them far less stable, functional, and comfortable than home-grown pearly whites. Thankfully, dental implants are designed to replace the entire structure of a missing tooth for the most lifelike results!
A dental implant is a small titanium post. Once inserted into the jawbone where a missing tooth once was, the dental implant will fuse with the surrounding tissue. This effectively replaces the missing root structure and provides a strong foundation for the restoration it supports. Depending on how many teeth you are missing, this could be a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture. No matter how many teeth you are replacing with dental implants, the result is a smile that looks, feels, and functions just like natural!
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process is a bit complex; it takes place over the course of several months, and it involves multiple stages. While it might seem a bit overwhelming at first, rest assured that the end results are well worth it! Plus, our team is able to perform every stage of the procedure right here in our Buzzards Bay office, so there is no need to deal with the anxiety of visiting an outside specialist.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Your initial consultation is the first step in your implant journey. During this important appointment, our team will:
- Learn about your oral health. In addition to performing a visual examination, we will also use advanced imaging equipment to look beneath your gumline.
- Ask about your medical history. We should know about your current diagnoses, such as diabetes, pregnancy, autoimmune disorders, and allergies.
- Start planning your treatment. We will inform you if you can get dental implants right away, or if you will need some preliminary care first.
Feel free to ask lots of questions during your consultation. We want you to feel well-informed before you commit to moving forward with treatment.
Dental Implant Surgery
Our team is able to perform the dental implant surgery in-house. This is convenient and spares you from the anxiety of having to visit a specialist, who may have a different pricing structure and a completely different care environment.
The surgery itself is usually straightforward. After making you comfortable with anesthesia, we will carefully access your jawbone and place the implants at pre-planned positions. Then, we will close incisions so you can begin the healing process. In some cases, we may also place a healing cap on top of the implants. In other cases, we simply close the gums over the implant.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
Once your implants are in place, the process of osseointegration should begin. This is the biological means through which the implant bonds with your jawbone. It usually takes a few months.
After adequate osseointegration has occurred, we may expose the implant posts and place healing caps in a second minor surgery. Or, if you already have healing caps, we will replace them with abutments, which are small connector pieces that will serve to keep your new crown, bridge, or denture securely in place.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
To design your restoration (crown, bridge, or denture), our team will use digital impression technology to take detailed scans of your mouth. The scans will serve as the basis for creating your new teeth.
A laboratory will use the scans, along with detailed notes from our practice, to create your restoration. Once it is ready, we will verify that it lives up to our strict quality standards before we attach it to your implants. Then, you can go off and start to enjoy your freshly restored smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Modern dentistry offers a number of tooth replacement options. Each one boasts its own unique benefits. However, dental implants stand in a class all their own. They offer more and greater advantages than any alternative treatment. Keep reading to learn about some of the specific ways in which dental implants could improve your oral health, boost your confidence, and increase your overall quality of life.
Look & Feel Your Very Best
The restorations that we place on top of dental implants are incredibly lifelike. Their size, shape, and color are all carefully designed to ensure that you enjoy optimum function and outstanding aesthetics. Onlookers are unlikely to have any idea that your beautiful smile is not a gift from nature.
Eat All Your Favorite Foods
Some forms of tooth replacement, such as traditional dentures, require that you take certain precautions when you eat. Dental implants are different. Because they are anchored in the jawbone, they are sturdy enough to stand up to virtually any food. Whether you are enjoying a crisp salad, indulging in a savory steak, or munching on your favorite movie time snack, you can rely on your dental implants to serve you well.
Speak, Chew, & Smile with Confidence
Traditional dentures may slip around in the mouth during eating and speaking. Not only are such incidents uncomfortable, but they can also be embarrassing. Dental implants and their restorations are designed to stay firmly in place through all of your everyday activities. You may very well discover that dental implants give you a big confidence boost, whether you are enjoying a meal with friends or trying to make a great first impression at your workplace.
Keep a Healthy, Happy Smile for a Lifetime
Traditional dentures typically last for 5 – 8 years before they must be replaced. A fixed bridge may last for 10 years or longer. Over the decades, periodically replacing these restorations can become bothersome and expensive. Dental implants, on the other hand, have the potential to last for a lifetime. As long as you practice proper oral hygiene, keep an eye on your overall health, and regularly visit your dentist, it is likely that your new teeth will serve you well for many years to come.
Quickly & Easily Care for Your New Smile
In many ways, caring for implant-supported teeth is similar to caring for natural teeth. Diligent oral hygiene is a must, and you should take care to avoid situations that might damage your mouth (such as playing sports without a mouthguard). During your implant treatment journey, your dentist will provide you with personalized coaching that will help you keep your new smile looking, functioning, and feeling its best for life.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
One important benefit of dental implants is their versatility. Whether you are missing a single tooth or a full arch, this state-of-the-art reconstructive service can be paired seamlessly with custom-made restorations and replenish the attractive, confident dental structure you need.
Missing 1 Tooth
For patients with a single gap in their smile, an implant-retained crown is highly recommended. A custom-made, all-porcelain crown can be attached directly to a single implant root to create something that is indistinguishable from a natural tooth. And, unlike other replacements, this tooth will not require support from the surrounding teeth and gums, making it a smart choice for your overall oral health.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If a patient is missing more than one tooth in a row, replacing each one with an individual implant would likely be cost prohibitive. Fortunately, implants can also be used to support a strong and sturdy dental bridge. Two implant crowns are placed on either side of the missing teeth, and these are used to support prosthetic teeth to fill in the space. With this restoration, we can bring back full function to the smile while also preventing the remaining teeth from shifting out of place.
Missing All Teeth
Even patients who are missing all or most of their teeth can be good candidates for dental implants. Using a few strategically placed dental implants, we can secure a full denture directly to the jawbone just like real teeth. Compared to a traditional removable prosthetic, implant dentures have a superior hold, are guaranteed to last longer, and they even help a patient have a much stronger bite, enabling them to enjoy a more varied (and likely healthier) diet.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
No two patients’ needs are exactly alike, which is why we will not be able to provide confident pricing information about the cost of dental implants in Buzzards Bay until after your initial consultation. Rest assured, though, that your financial obligation will be laid out in clear, comprehensive terms before any actual procedures are scheduled. At first glance, dental implants can seem like a significant investment of time and money. However, we believe that the eventual benefits will meet your needs and easily exceed your expectations.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
Many patients require one or more preparatory treatments before they are eligible to receive dental implants. Your implant dentist in Buzzards Bay might determine that a bone graft, gum disease therapy, or tooth extractions are necessary. Each preliminary procedure comes with its own price.
The dental implant surgery itself also comes with its own price. The cost depends on how many implants are being inserted, what type of anesthesia is being used, and other factors. While some dental offices must refer patients to another practice for the surgery, we are able to do everything in-house. You will not have to worry about facing unexpected fees from an unfamiliar practice.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
Not all dental implants in Buzzards Bay are exactly the same. Some of them feature two-piece construction, while others are just a single piece. Most implants are made out of a titanium alloy, but implants made out of other biocompatible materials, like zirconia, are becoming more common. The type of implant that we use for you will affect the overall price of your treatment. If there are multiple types of implants that could work well for you, we will clearly explain the pros and cons of each option.
The Final Dental Implant Restoration
Restorations are the artificial teeth that we attach to the tops of dental implants. Some patients require a single implant-supported crown, which logically costs less than a multi-unit bridge. Also, keep in mind that there are different types of implant dentures, including removable ones and ones that get permanently fixed to implants. Occasionally, we are able to help a patient save money by retrofitting an existing conventional denture to attach to dental implants.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
More and more dental insurance policies are offering coverage for dental implants. However, many plans still do not cover them. You will have to check your specific policy to see how it applies. Even if it does not cover the implants, it might assist you with other parts of your treatment plan, such as your final restoration or your preliminary treatment. As an insurance-friendly practice, we are ready to help you understand and navigate your coverage.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
Besides helping you with your insurance, our practice offers a few provisions that may make dental implants more affordable:
- The Essential Dental Plan. This membership plan is helpful for patients without insurance. You simply pay a reasonable annual fee, and in return you get to enjoy a number of free services, as well as a 15% discount on dental implants and other major procedures.
- CareCredit Financing. We accept financing through CareCredit, a third-party financier that offers low-interest and no-interest payment plans. The majority of patients qualify for CareCredit.
- Free Consultation. If you are not sure if dental implants are right for you, you will not have to spend any money to talk to us and find out more about the journey that may await you.
Dental Implant FAQs
Dental implants in Buzzards Bay are the best form of tooth replacement. However, they do represent a significant commitment of time and money. It is understandable if you want more information before you schedule your consultation. To help you out, we have put together the following list of FAQs about this treatment. If you do not see the answers to your specific questions, give us a call so we can personally assist you.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants have the potential to last a lifetime. At the very least, they often last several times longer than traditional dentures and bridges. Of course, whether they live up to their potential depends largely on how well you care for them. Here are some tips to help your prosthetic tooth roots stand the test of time:
- Stick to an excellent oral hygiene routine
- Do your best to manage your overall health
- Visit your implant dentist in Buzzards Bay twice a year for a checkup
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
You can expect to feel little to nothing during the dental implant placement surgery. Local anesthesia will numb your mouth, and you may be sedated as well. After the procedure, some soreness, bleeding, and swelling are to be expected. Our team will provide detailed instructions to make your recovery as easy as possible. For example, you may need to adjust your diet and take pain medications.
Most people are feeling well enough to return to work the day after their surgery. However, complete recovery of the soft tissues in your mouth may take a few weeks. Healing of the bone underneath can take several months, but you should not experience any pain as it bonds with your new implants.
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
Dental implant failure is relatively rare. When it does occur, it is usually due to an infection called peri-implantitis, which is the result of bacteria invading the gum tissue around an implant. Often, poor oral hygiene is a major contributor to peri-implantitis.
Other possible causes of dental implant failure include:
- Failed osteointegration (the implants never bond with the surrounding bone)
- Physical trauma
- Underlying medical conditions
Can I Get Dental Implants If I Smoke?
Smoking is bad for every aspect of oral health, and dental implants are no exception. In fact, the implant failure rate is much higher in smokers than in nonsmokers. With that being said, it is important to keep in mind that we determine candidacy for implants on a case-by-case basis. Smoking is just one factor that we take into consideration.
If you smoke, you should abstain from smoking for a few weeks before and a few months after your implant placement surgery. Of course, it would be better if you kick the habit altogether.