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(860) 236-4249
Dental Implants – West Hartford, CT
Improve Your Health, Smile, and Confidence with Dental Implants
Over the past two decades, dental implants have quickly become the gold standard for tooth replacement. Instead of just restoring the part you can see, implants go a step further and recreate the root structure of teeth as well. The end result is a prosthetic that looks, feels, and functions just like a real tooth in every way. We can use dental implants in West Hartford to replace any number of teeth.
Why Choose West Hartford Dental Group for Dental Implants?
- Dental Implants from Start to Finish Completely In-House
- Treatment Plans Personalized for Every Patient
- Friendly Team Committed to Providing Comfortable Care
Benefits of Dental Implants
While most other tooth replacements just sit on top of the gums, dental implants actually involve placing a small titanium post into the jawbone to mimic a tooth root, and this provides the foundation for a new crown, bridge, or denture. This two-part approach has a number of unique advantages:
- Improvement is function: Patients are able to eat and chew better versus no teeth, almost like natural teeth.
- Bone Preservation: After the tooth is lost the bone loses the stimulation to maintain its health and hence there is loss of bone. A dental implant placed in that space provides the stimulation to maintain the bone for longer.
- Improved Speech: Dental implants can provide retentive and stable prostheses whether they are fixed or removable. A stable prosthesis and closing all the air escapes help in better and clear speech compared to no teeth or unstable prostheses.
- Improved Smile: Replacing missing one or multiple teeth provide life like appearance, which can be customized to adjacent dentition to provide the most natural looking or better smile.
- Confidence: Replacement of missing teeth with a restoration which is well supported and secured, patient feel very confident of themselves.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Unlike dentures or dental bridges, getting dental implants requires a unique, multi-step process that can span several months, and might involve multiple procedures. However, you shouldn’t let this deter you; when you consider that implants have the potential to last for decades, the lengthy wait is well worth it. While every treatment differs, here’s a brief overview of the four main steps of the dental implant process:
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The very first step towards restoring your smile with dental implants is attending a consultation with us. During this appointment, Dr. Phadnis and her team will closely examine your mouth and consider the extent of your tooth loss. Dental implants can be used to replace any number of missing teeth, no matter where they are in the mouth. Note that some patients might need to undergo preliminary procedures before they can receive dental implants, including bone grafting, gum disease treatment, or even tooth extraction. During your visit, we’ll take you through every step you can expect, along with providing you with a probable timeline and cost estimates.
Dental Implant Surgery
Next comes your dental implant placement surgery, which is surprisingly a very straightforward process. After we fully numb your mouth with a local anesthetic, we’ll make a small incision into your gum tissue to assess your jawbone. Then we can place the implant post(s) directly into the bone tissue at precise angles and locations. Finally, we’ll suture your gums shut before protective caps are placed on top of the posts, to help maintain the shape of your gums and shield your implants throughout the healing process. The length of this surgery depends on how many implants are being placed, but generally, it takes around half an hour to an hour to place a single implant.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Your implant posts will need to fuse with your jawbone; this process, known as osseointegration, occurs naturally over the course of several months following your implant surgery. Since the implant posts are made from titanium, they can safely fuse with bone tissue, and by doing so, they end up becoming remarkably sturdy. This rigid foundation will eventually support your replacement teeth. Once your implant posts have fused with your jawbone, we can place metal abutment pieces to the ends of your implants, which lets us attach your future restoration.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
A few weeks after the abutments have been placed, you’ll be all set to receive your custom-made restoration. These replacement teeth should look, feel, and function exactly like your original ones; and thanks to the sturdy support provided by the implant posts, you’ll enjoy improved bite force and restored self-confidence. Once we attach your restoration to your abutments, we’ll double-check that everything looks and feels as it should. At that point, you’re ready to head out into the world to reap all the benefits of your complete, beautiful smile!
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Almost any adult can qualify for dental implants, whether you’ve lost one tooth or many. The number of missing teeth shouldn’t stop you from getting this amazing treatment. However, the final tally will impact how Dr. Phadnis goes about your care; you should consult her before you fully commit. She’ll want to assess your mouth to confirm the best approach to your implant work. For more details on candidacy for dental implants in West Hartford, please keep reading or call us.
Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
While nearly any adult with missing teeth can get dental implants, the posts have certain requirements. The best candidates for them should have the following qualities:
- Good Overall Health – Dental implant placement is a surgery, so your body should be well enough to bear it.
- Great Oral Health – If they aren’t treated in time, cavities and gum disease can cause implant failure. A dentist must address those issues before implant surgery.
- High Jaw Density – Your jawbone must have high density to support dental implants. If it doesn’t, your mouth can’t hold the metal posts securely.
If you lack the above qualities, don’t worry; you can still become an implant candidate later. You’ll just need preliminary dental work first – gum disease treatment, tooth extractions, etc. If you’d like, our dental will even help you schedule these procedures. We’ll then draft a treatment plan that accounts for your lost teeth.
Missing One Tooth
A dental implant can be placed between two healthy teeth and topped with a crown, all without disturbing the surrounding oral structure. This is much less invasive than a traditional bridge, which must shave down nearby teeth to accommodate itself. The results would also blend seamlessly with your smile and last a long time with proper care.
Missing Multiple Teeth
When a patient lacks multiple adjacent teeth, we’ll often suggest an implant bridge. This treatment secures a dental bridge with implant posts, so it doesn’t use “abutments” (i.e., nearby natural teeth). That means it won’t remove any existing tooth enamel during the placement process.
If the missing teeth aren’t adjacent, we can place a partial implant denture as an alternative. This device only uses a few dental implants to anchor itself.
Missing All Teeth
An implant denture is the ideal choice when you’ve lost all (nearly all) of your natural teeth. Once placed, this appliance will secure a full arch of replacement teeth with 4-6 dental implants. It also won’t slip around, fall, or lose its fit as a regular denture can. Instead, the device will remain stable and steady for many years – you just need to care for it with daily maintenance.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
As you can see from the page above, dental implants are quite versatile. We completely personalize our treatment plans based on the needs of a patient, and because of this, the cost of the procedure is always different. The number of implant posts needed, the location of the missing teeth, and the type of restoration used can all make the treatment more or less expensive. If you’d like to know how much you will be expected to pay for implants, be sure to schedule a consultation with us, and we’ll give you all the answers you need.
While implants do tend to cost a bit more upfront compared to other treatments, they are an investment that will last for decades long. Add this to the fact that implants offer superior aesthetics and function compared to every other restoration, and you can easily see why they are the most preferred option by our dentists and patients alike!
Dental Implant FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Get Dental Implants?
Everyone’s exact timeframe is different, but the process can take anywhere from six months to a year to complete. Simpler cases may require less time, while more complex ones may take longer. Much of the time is consumed with waiting for the jawbone to produce new growth and surround the implants. Also, if you require preparatory procedures like gum disease treatment or a bone graft, your timeline may be longer. During your consultation, we can estimate how much time your treatment will require and help you plan well in advance.
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
During the procedure, your mouth will be numb, meaning you shouldn’t experience discomfort while you’re in the chair. To receive dental implants, you’ll undergo minor surgery for the placement. As a result, when the aesthetic wears off, you may have some pain or soreness for a few days, but it can usually be managed with over-the-counter reliever and a cold compress. If your discomfort increases or comes with a fever, reach out to us!
Are There Foods You Can’t Eat with Dental Implants?
Immediately following the placement procedure, your mouth will need time to heal from the surgery. Therefore, you should have only soft foods for a few days. These foods include yogurt, oatmeal, eggs, and the like. Although smoothies are another great option, you should avoid using a straw for at least 48 hours to keep the essential blood clot over the site.
After the implants have been restored, you may want to slowly build up to your normal diet, just to make sure you don’t accidentally bite your cheeks or tongue. Otherwise, however, you’re free to eat basically anything you would with real teeth!
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
Implant failure is exceedingly rare. In fact, about 95 percent of dental implants are still in great condition 10 years after placement! On our end, we make sure you’re a good candidate for dental implants before we start treatment, ensuring that the implants work. However, the long-term success of your dental implants will depend largely on how well you take care of them. If you don’t maintain them properly, they may come loose or need to be removed. Thankfully, our team can help you keep them in excellent shape for decades!