
Have you lost one or more teeth? Instead of putting up with the daily struggles of an incomplete set of teeth, talk to the team at The Center for Contemporary Dentistry about rebuilding your missing dentition. We will likely recommend that you receive dental implants in Belmont, NH. This remarkable treatment is the gold standard in tooth replacement because it rebuilds teeth from the roots up, and its results have the potential to last for decades.
A dental implant is the most efficient solution to replace a missing tooth. Instead of building up and replacing only top portion of the tooth, also known as the crown, a dental implant goes into the bone of the jaw. By using biocompatible materials such as titanium and porcelain, we can rebuild the missing tooth in its entirety. By replicating the tooth’s structure and integrating into the jaw, a dental implant can resolve most problems that tooth loss can bring.
Dentists in the U.S. place over 5 million dental implants each year. Why is this treatment so popular? Really, the answer boils down to the many benefits that patients experience as a result of it. Dental implants in Belmont may improve your daily quality of life, support your overall health, and provide you with many years of strong smiles. Continue reading below to discover how this remarkable tooth replacement method might be able to change your life.
Some of the day-to-day benefits of dental implants in Belmont include:
Dental implants support oral and overall health in numerous ways:
Your dental implants will begin to benefit you almost right away, and their advantages can continue with you for decades. Some of their long-term benefits include:
Dental implants in Belmont are a versatile treatment that can address any level of tooth loss. They may work for you whether you are missing one tooth, a few teeth, or entire arch of teeth. When you visit us for your consultation, we will examine your mouth and determine whether you are a good candidate for this treatment. Then, we will design your tooth replacement plan according to your unique needs.
In most cases, candidates for dental implants meet the following criteria:
If you are missing just a single tooth, we will replace its root with a single dental implant. After the implant bonds with the bone around it over the course of a few months, we will permanently place a custom-made crown on top of it to replace the visible portion of the lost tooth.
A dental implant is superior to a traditional bridge in a few ways. For example, a traditional bridge requires that the abutment teeth be filed down, while a dental implant usually allows nearby teeth to remain intact. Plus, a dental implant supports the jawbone, but a bridge provides no bone health benefits.
If your missing teeth are in a row, we will likely recommend that you receive an implant-retained bridge. This type of restoration is similar to a traditional bridge, but instead of requiring support from the remaining natural teeth, it gains all of its strength from a few strategically placed dental implants.
If your missing teeth are not all adjacent to one another, you might need a few single-tooth implants throughout your mouth. Alternatively, we might be able to anchor a partial denture in place with a number of strategically placed prosthetic tooth roots.
For patients who have lost all or most of their teeth throughout a dental arch, we often recommend implant dentures. The dentures may be permanently fixed in place, or they might simply “snap” onto and off of the implants with the help of small attachments. In some cases, a traditional denture can be retrofitted to work with dental implants, but most of the time, an entirely new prosthetic is necessary. Implant dentures are an extremely customized treatment, so we will be able to tell you more about the type that may be best for you when you attend your consultation.
Many dental offices have to refer patients to an outside specialist for at least part of the dental implant procedure. At the Center for Contemporary Dentistry, however, we have the training and experience necessary to perform the entire treatment in-house, from the initial consultation to your implant placement surgery with our oral surgeon — and all the way to your final restorations. During every stage of the process, you can rely on us to provide you with compassionate, skilled care. Here is an overview of how dental implants work in Belmont for most patients:
Your initial consultation accomplishes several important purposes:
While some practices in our area must refer patients to an outside specialist for implant placement surgery, our team has all the training necessary to accomplish this part of your treatment right here in our office. During your appointment, we will numb your mouth and may sedate you. Next, we will make incisions in your gums and carefully insert the implants at the proper place, angle, and depth. Once we close the incisions, you can go home to begin your recovery. Most patients are feeling well enough to return to work within a day or two of their procedure.
Osseointegration is the biological process that allows the jawbone to form a strong bond with dental implants. It is what enables dental implants to provide such a sturdy base of support for the restorations that will go on top of them. Osseointegration usually takes at least several months.
Following osseointegration, you might undergo a second minor surgery, wherein your dental implants will be exposed and healing caps will be placed on them. After your gums recover, you may receive abutments, which are small connector pieces that will keep your restorations in place. (Some patients receive abutments during their initial implant surgery.)
To design your restorations, your implant dentist in Belmont will use images and impressions of your mouth. Our goal is to ensure that the size, shape, and color of your new teeth look as natural as possible and provides you with optimum function. After a laboratory fabricates your restorations, our team will verify their fit before we attach them to your implants. Once they are in place, we will check your bite and may give you some tips on how to adjust to them before we send you on your way so you can begin enjoying your new smile.
After your dental implant surgery, you will have to go through a recovery period. But there is no need to worry. We will do everything we can to help you enjoy a smooth healing process. If you follow your dental implant post-op instructions in Belmont, you will lower your risk of complications and minimize your discomfort. Here are some tips to hep you while you are on the mend:
Blood clots should form at your surgical sites. They are an important part of your body’s healing process, so you should do everything you can to protect them. Here are a few steps you can take toward that end:
After you receive your dental implants in Belmont, you can expect to experience:
If you experience any strange or severe side effects, call your implant dentist in Belmont right away.
At first, you should adhere to a no-chew diet. This can include things like mashed potatoes, yogurt, ice cream, and smoothies. Once you feel comfortable, you can progress to fork-tender foods, like eggs, meatloaf, and soft breads. Depending on how many natural teeth you have left, you might be able to resume fairly normal eating habits after the soft tissue at your surgical sites heals. However, it would be wise to continue avoiding particularly tough foods until your implant restorations are in place.
The day after your surgery, you can brush your teeth as usual. However, you should be extra gentle near your surgical sites. Rinsing your mouth a few times each day with salt water can minimize swelling and fight bacterial buildup. If you have a prescription mouthwash, use it as directed. If you use a nonprescription mouthwash, try to avoid products with a high alcohol content.
Once your permanent new teeth are in place, you might experience some gum sensitivity and extra saliva production. These side effects usually go away fairly quickly. You should be able to use your crown bridge, or denture right away. No downtime or bleeding are to be expected. If you have questions about how to adapt to your prosthetic, you are welcome to call our team.
Did you know that dental implants have the potential to last for decades? You can rightly look forward to many years of strong, healthy smiles after your new teeth are in place. However, it is vitally important that you practice proper dental implant care in Belmont along the way. Your diligence will minimize your risk of suffering from an infection or damage that could compromise your oral health and your dental implants. Here are some tips to help you out:
Even though your dental implants in Belmont cannot get cavities, oral hygiene should remain a top priority. It can greatly reduce the risk that infection will lead to dental implant failure. Here are a few basic oral hygiene tips:
You should feel free to eat all of your favorite foods with your dental implants. However, just like natural teeth, some foods are better for them than others. For example, overindulging in sugary or hard foods can increase the risk of plaque buildup and tooth damage. Try to eat a diet that is composed primarily of nutrient dense foods that support oral health, such as vegetables and dairy products.
A few bad habits that can adversely affect dental implants include:
If you often wake up with a sore jaw, you might grind your teeth at night. A nightguard can place a protective barrier between your upper and lower dental arches, reducing the risk that your teeth will harm one another. Similarly, if you play sports, you should wear a mouthguard to protect your dental implants and oral tissues from injury. Custom mouthguards from a dentist are more effective and more comfortable than over the counter ones.
You should visit your implant dentist in Belmont at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. During these appointments, we will examine your dental implants, your gums, and your remaining natural teeth. If we notice any signs of developing problems, we may be able to address them before they become serious. We may also remove your implant restorations and clean your implant abutments to lower the risk of future infections.
The cost of dental implants varies from patient to patient and depends on a number of factors. When you visit us for your consultation (which will not cost you dime), we will provide you with an estimate for the price of each stage of your dental implant process. We will also help you explore payment options, including insurance and financing. Although dental implants cost more than traditional tooth replacement options, they are well worth it. Their stability, natural function and appearance, and longevity make them a smart investment for anyone who has suffered tooth loss.
Some patients must undergo preliminary treatments, such as tooth extractions or gum disease therapy, before they qualify for dental implants in Belmont. Each of these procedures comes with its own cost. Your implant placement surgery comes with a separate fee, which will depend on how many implants we are placing and other factors. Because we are able to handle this procedure in-house, you will not have to worry about getting to know the pricing structure of an outside specialist.
There are quite a few different types of dental implant treatments, ranging from simple single-tooth replacement to full-mouth reconstruction. The nature of your procedure, the materials used to construct your dental implants, and the materials used to make your restoration will all have a bearing on your final cost. Companies that manufacture dental implants can charge a range of prices. If more than one type of dental implant or implant procedure might be right for you, we will clearly explain the cost associated with each of your options.
While the cost of dental implants in Belmont might seem quite high at first, it is important to keep in mind that you are getting an excellent value. Dental implants last much longer than traditional forms of tooth replacement, so unlike with dentures and bridges, you might never have to worry about replacing them. The restorations on top of implants are also quite durable. Plus, the many health benefits of dental implants might spare you from having to pay for additional treatments down the road.
Dental insurance policies vary greatly in their approach to dental implants. Some plans cover them, while others do not. Our team will be happy to help you figure out how your unique policy might apply; we have years of experience in dealing with insurance, and we are able to accept payment from the vast majority of PPO plans. Even if your policy does not cover the dental implants themselves, it might cover preliminary treatments or your final restoration.
As your dental implant dentist in Belmont, we want to help you afford your new smile. That is why we offer:
Dental implants are a consistently successful treatment — they thrive in more than 95% of cases! Unfortunately, though, they can fail due to things like infection, trauma, or certain medical conditions. If you ever believe that one of your implants is suffering, call us right away. We will evaluate the problem and recommend your next steps. Our goal is to get your oral health back on track as soon as possible and enable you to continue enjoying all the wonderful benefits of implant-supported tooth replacement.