Dental Implants – Millis, MA
The Pinnacle of Tooth Replacement
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, no solution holds a candle to dental implants. As the only option that recreates every single part of the lost tooth, dental implants look and feel precisely like your natural teeth. Plus, they can potentially last for decades to come. Our team at Main Street Dental partners with dental implant experts in the Millis area to provide high-quality dental implant treatment. To set the process in motion, give us a call today!
Why Choose Main Street Dental for Dental Implants?
- Partnered with Local Dental Implant Specialists
- Flexible, Low-Interest Dental Financing Available
- Compassionate Dental Team in a Relaxing Office
What Are Dental Implants?
Typically made from ceramic or titanium, dental implants are tiny cylindrical posts that replace the parts of the teeth that you can’t see – the roots. The implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone where the missing roots used to be. Then, the jawbone bonds with the posts, enabling any number of prosthetic teeth to be placed on top. Because dental implants are built like natural teeth, they’re the closest thing to having your old smile back!
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Receiving dental implants can take several months or even a year or longer to complete. Seeing as they can last a lifetime, though, we think you’ll find them worth the wait! Every patient’s process is slightly different, but the four basic phases of treatment are:
- Consultation – Dr. Davies will assess your candidacy for dental implants and plan out your treatment.
- Implant Surgery – We’ll refer you to a trusted local specialist, who will carefully position the dental implants within your jawbone.
- Osseointegration – Your jawbone will grow attached to the implants, which can take up to six months.
- Restoration – Lastly, Dr. Davies will restore your implants by topping them with a crown, bridge, or denture that is personalized to resemble your natural pearly whites.
Benefits of Dental Implants
When you choose dental implants as your method of tooth replacement, you’re making a smile investment that can last for 30 years on average – maybe even longer with the right day-to-day care. Further, you’ll be able to easily chew any food you’d like without worrying that your teeth will shift or fall out of place. Better yet, dental implants strengthen your jawbone, preventing it from breaking down and making you appear older than you really are (a common problem for denture-wearers).
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Generally speaking, dental implants can help the majority of adults who are facing tooth loss. They can replace one tooth, multiple teeth, or even an entire mouthful of teeth. Whether you lost your teeth fairly recently or it’s been several years or even decades, there’s a good chance that you can qualify for dental implants – even if you have to complete some preparatory treatments first. Below are some of the most common situations in which dental implants can be useful.
Missing One Tooth
When replicating a single lost tooth, a dental implant post paired with a crown is a healthier, more conservative alternative to a traditional dental bridge. After the implant has merged with the jaw, we can restore it with a crown, which fully supports itself without wearing down any of your remaining teeth.
Missing Multiple Teeth
To fill the gaps left by several consecutive missing teeth, we can place a dental bridge on two implants rather than your natural teeth. Not only can this method recreate your grin without placing an implant for every single tooth, but it also preserves the teeth you still have. A small number of implants can support a partial denture for patients missing multiple teeth that are not in a row.
Missing All Teeth
Instead of dealing with a loose, poorly fitting denture, you can have your prosthetic secured onto just a handful of implants that are strategically positioned along the jawbone. Compared to regular dentures, implant dentures look and feel more natural, never slip, allow for easier chewing, and can last exponentially longer.
Missing All Teeth with Low Jawbone Density
If you’ve lost bone density in your jaw since losing your teeth, you might need to undergo bone grafting before the area can support dental implants. With All-on-4, that may not always be required. This treatment entails placing just four implants at specific angles in the jaw to take advantage of the available healthy bone. As a result, you can enjoy a complete smile much quicker.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
While dental implants tend to come with a higher upfront price tag than other tooth replacement options, they can easily be more cost-effective in the long term. After all, they can go 30+ years without needing to be replaced, unlike bridges and dentures that rarely last for more than a decade. During your consultation, we can review the factors affecting your dental implant treatment costs, as multiple variables must be considered. We can also come up with ways of fitting your new smile into your budget.
Dental Implant FAQs
How Can I Tell If My Dental Implant Is Failing?
If you feel pain when you bite down, your gums are inflamed or swollen, your dental implant feels loose, or you notice any other abnormal symptoms, then it’s important that you reach out to Dr. Davies right away. That way, he can examine your dental implant, determine the root of the problem, and intervene with the necessary care quickly.
Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?
Naturally, dental implants are not suitable for infants, toddlers, and young children. But what about teens and young adults? The short answer is that patients aren’t typically candidates until their mid-20s, which is when most people’s jaws fully erupt. That said, you’re more than welcome to schedule a consultation with Dr. Davies if you’re struggling with tooth loss so you can learn about all of the treatment options available to you.
Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?
Most patients take between one and three days off after the procedure. However, there are some cases where we recommend dedicating a bit more time to recovery, like if your job is physically demanding. If you don’t have any more PTO days, consider scheduling your procedure on a Thursday or Friday so you have the weekend to rest.
Will People Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?
One of the many reasons patients love dental implants is because the restoration on top (i.e., crown, bridge, denture) is custom-made so it looks extremely lifelike. The implant post is also inserted directly into your jawbone so it functions just like your natural teeth do. As a result, it will be very difficult for even those closest to you to tell which of your teeth are natural and which ones are dental implants.
Do Dental Implants Decay?
Although dental implants look and feel just like natural teeth, they are artificial. As a result, they cannot decay. It’s important to mention, however, that they can fail from complications like peri-implantitis, which is a form of gum disease that stems from poor oral hygiene. So, it’s still of the utmost importance that you commit to good dental care best practices, like brushing your teeth each morning and evening and coming in for a checkup and cleaning every six months.
Do Dental Implants Feel Natural?
They do! There are a few reasons for this, including that dental implants are self-supporting, incredibly durable, and custom-made just for you.
What Causes Dental Implants to Fail?
We covered one reason above: peri-implantitis. Another common reason for dental implant failure is failed osseointegration, which is when the bone and implant don’t fuse together properly. It’s also possible for poor oral hygiene, certain medications, autoimmune disorders, and jawbone density to play a role, which is why the initial exam is so important.