Dental Implants – Beverly, MA
A Lifetime Solution to Tooth Loss
Over the past three decades, dental implants have become the premier way for dentists all around the world to replace any number of missing teeth. At Beverly Farms Dental, dental implants in Beverly are usually the first recommendation we make to patients hoping to rebuild their smiles. Why? Because they are the next best thing to natural teeth, and they’re able to create a beautiful restoration that also safeguards a patient’s oral health at the same time. Interested in learning more? Read on below to see why dental implants are becoming more popular by the minute. Then, just give us a call when you’re ready to schedule your consultation!
Why Choose Beverly Farms Dental for Dental Implants?
- Partnered with Local Dental Implant Specialists
- Fair Pricing with Zero Hidden Fees
- Latest Dental Technology Used
What Are Dental Implants?
Most traditional tooth replacements only bring back the crown (top) of a tooth, but instead, dental implants rebuild both the root and the crown. The implant itself is a small titanium post that is placed directly into the jawbone by a partnered oral surgeon. Then, it fuses to the surrounding bone and tissue in a process called osseointegration. From there, a metal abutment is affixed to the implant, which is used to secure a custom-made dental crown. Multiple implants can also hold a dental bridge or denture.
Dental implants essentially act just like the roots of the teeth you’ve lost. As a result, they deliver reliability, durability, and longevity that traditional methods simply cannot. They’re able to look and feel just like natural teeth. That’s why when a patient comes to us wanting to replace missing teeth, dental implants are usually our first suggestion.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Getting dental implants requires a multi-step process that can take several months to finish. However, the long-term benefits they deliver make them worth the wait. Plus, we work with the best local dental implant specialists to ensure you’re receiving the highest quality of care. Here’s what you can expect during the dental implant process:
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
You’ll first need an initial consultation to ensure you’re a candidate for dental implants. Generally, if you have good oral and overall health, they are a suitable option if you’ve lost 1 or more teeth; however, we’ll also review a CT scan of your jaw to look for any hidden issues, like an infection or bone loss.
Many patients need additional procedures before their placement surgery, like bone grafting. This is often necessary for patients who have lost density in their jaw. The procedure adds thickness to any areas that are weakened.
Dental Implant Surgery
Sedation or anesthesia is needed to ensure you’re comfortable during your dental implant placement. You won’t feel any pain as your gum tissue is opened to expose your jaw. A small hole is drilled into the bone to insert the post. Your gum tissue is stitched closed, and you’ll spend the next several weeks healing.
Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment
The implant post will serve as a root, stimulating new bone growth. Your bone will fuse to the implant through a process called osseointegration. Initially, you’ll experience some pain and tenderness while your bone heals, which you can manage using an over-the-counter pain reliever. After a few days, your pain will subside, but it will take your bone a few more weeks to heal.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
While your gum tissue is healing from your abutment procedure, the dental lab will be working hard to create your restoration to meet your exact needs. It’s made of all-ceramic material to look natural and blend in with any remaining teeth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants replace the entire tooth structure, not just what’s visible from the surface. As a result, there are several benefits of dental implants that aren’t possible using any other solution. We’ll help you invest in your smile and your quality of life using an option that can last for a lifetime.
Flawlessly Restored Functionality
A titanium implant post is surgically placed into your jawbone to act as a new root. An abutment is attached to the post to connect a custom-made restoration. Together, the three components create a nearly perfect replica of your natural tooth. You’ll benefit from unmatched stability to chew, bite, smile, and speak without any worry. In fact, you’ll regain as much as 70% of your natural biting force to enjoy your favorite foods again. You’ll have the oral functions you need to maintain a balanced diet.
Easy Maintenance
Besides looking and functioning like your natural teeth, you will also care for them similarly as your real smile. You won’t need any expensive cleaning products. Instead, brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive floss. Use a high-quality dental floss to clean in between each remaining natural tooth and around your abutments each day. Some patients find a water flosser to be easier to use to clean hard-to-reach areas, like around your dental implants.
Long-Lasting Solution
Dental implants are the most reliable solution to replace missing teeth. Whether you’ve lost a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch, implant-retained prosthetics have the potential to last for several decades with the right aftercare. With over a 95% success rate, you’ll invest in a long-term solution that can last for a lifetime, so you’ll never need to worry about paying to have it replaced.
Jawbone Preservation
It’s common to lose density in your jaw after you’ve lost a tooth because your bone isn’t being stimulated by the root. Over time, you’ll have an increased risk of several new complications, like cavities, gum disease, and even additional tooth loss. While other dental prosthetics can help slow the issues associated with missing teeth, there’s only one treatment that stops bone loss.
With an implant post acting as a new root, a dental implant stimulates your jaw to encourage new bone growth. This provides any remaining natural teeth with the support they need to stay in place. It also prevents your facial tissues from sagging to maintain a youthful appearance.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants are able to reliably help patients dealing with varying degrees of tooth loss, and our dentists can help you decide which of the following restorative options would be best for you when you come in for a consultation:
Missing One Tooth
A lone porcelain dental crown can be attached directly to an implant root to fill in the gap left by a single missing tooth. Unlike with a traditional bridge, this tooth won’t require support from the neighboring teeth, making it a better choice for someone’s overall oral health.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Instead of replacing consecutive missing teeth with individual implants, just one or two posts can be used to support multiple prosthetic teeth, creating an extremely reliable and natural-looking bridge.
Missing All Teeth
Even patients with extensive tooth loss can benefit from dental implants. Multiple implants can be used to anchor a full or partial denture directly to the jawbone, providing a hold, security, and bite a regular prosthetic simply can’t match.
Learn More About All-on-4Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Dental implant restorations do tend to cost more than traditional bridges or dentures, but they are actually the most cost-effective option over the long term. Why? Largely thanks to their longevity. Regular bridges and dentures typically need to be completely replaced every five to 10 years, while dental implants can easily last for 30 or more, saving a patient thousands in maintenance and retreatments over time.
It should be noted that the overall cost of the implant procedure can vary quite a bit from person to person depending on their particular needs, such as how many teeth they want to be replaced and where they are located in the mouth. How much will dental implants cost for you? We can tell you everything you need to know at a one-on-one implant consultation, so call us today to schedule one.
Types of Dental Implants
There isn’t a set fee for dental implants because the price is based on your specific treatment plan. There are various factors that influence the amount you’ll pay, such as the number of teeth you’re treating. Generally, you can expect to pay more to replace several teeth because you’ll need multiple posts, abutments, and restorations. We’ll provide you with an estimate during your initial consultation and explain the fees associated with your plan.
What Are the Stages of Dental Implant Treatment?
Unlike traditional methods, replacing a tooth with a dental implant involves several steps, each with separate costs. It will take a few months to complete the entire process, which can make it easier to afford your new smile. You won’t need to pay the entire amount upfront. Instead, you can pay for each step in your treatment separately. Although every plan differs, you can expect to pay for:
- Initial consultation & diagnostic imaging
- Additional procedures, like periodontal therapy
- Sedation or anesthesia
- Placement surgery
- Dental implant posts
- Abutments for each post
- Restoration
Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?
It’s no secret dental implants are expensive upfront; however, they are the long-term affordable solution. As the only treatment to replicate the root, they keep your jawbone strong to stop dental drift. This lowers your overall oral health expenses by reducing your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and additional tooth loss.
In addition, dental implants are also the most reliable option to treat missing teeth. They have over a 95% success rate to last for several years with the right aftercare, like maintaining your oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly. You should never need to pay to have them replaced to save money down the road.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Every policy is different, but many dental insurances can be used to cover a portion of the cost after paying your yearly deductible. You can use your annual allowance to lower the amount you need to pay for certain steps in your treatment, like periodontal therapy, X-rays, or the restorations. We’ll work on your behalf with your insurance carrier to lower the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket. If you owe a remaining balance, we will help you find the solutions you need to keep your new smile affordable.
Dental Implant FAQs
Are you considering dental implants but are not sure if they are right for you? Our knowledgeable staff has collected some of the most common questions about dental implants in Beverly and answered them below. We hope you find these FAQs helpful! If you still have questions after reading the information that follows, do not hesitate to contact our office.
Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?
Dental implants are typically not recommended for patients younger than 18, as their jaws may not be fully developed. In general, men’s jaws take longer to develop than women’s jaws do. If dental implants are placed before the jaw is finished growing, it could interfere with further bone development and potentially result in complications. If you are a teenager or young adult and want to replace missing teeth, talk with Dr. Blake, an experienced implant dentist in Beverly, about which restorative treatment may be best for you.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Dental Implant Surgery?
While every case is different, you will likely be able to resume your normal activities the day after implant surgery. Take prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as directed to reduce any discomfort. In general, bleeding should stop after the first couple of days, and swelling should stop after three to four days. Be sure to avoid strenuous exercise for the first week or so, as it could delay healing. While recovery from implant surgery can be swift, remember that it can take up to six months for your implants to fully fuse with your jawbone.
Do Dental Implants Decay?
No, dental implants and the restorations they support are not made of enamel, so they cannot get cavities. However, the gums around an implant can still become infected. In addition, your remaining natural teeth are still susceptible to tooth decay. In order to prevent cavities and avoid infections that could lead to implant failure, be sure to continue practicing excellent oral hygiene.
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
While uncommon, dental implant failure usually occurs for one of two reasons:
- Peri-implantitis – A form of gum disease that can damage the bone and gums supporting a dental implant. Peri-implantitis typically develops due to poor oral hygiene.
- Failed osseointegration – Sometimes implants fail to integrate with the surrounding bone, especially when patients do not have a strong, thick jawbone structure.
Other causes of dental implant failure may include chronic teeth grinding, tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, and certain medications. Diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, and certain other health conditions may also reduce the chances of successful implant treatment.
It’s important to keep in mind that dental implants have an extremely high success rate of over 95%. Moreover, you can rest assured that your dentist will provide guidelines for minimizing your risk of implant failure.
Do Dental Implants Make You Look Younger?
Yes! While it may sound too good to be true, dental implants in Beverly can make you appear younger and more vibrant. The force of biting and chewing spreads through the roots of your teeth to stimulate your jawbone. When teeth go missing, the jawbone loses that stimulation and begins to deteriorate. Without a full jawbone to support your facial structures, you may eventually appear more wrinkled, with a sunken-in face and fine lines around your mouth. Dental implants, however, stimulate the jawbone by replacing the missing tooth root structure, preventing bone deterioration and helping you retain a more youthful appearance.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
The success or failure of dental implants depends largely on the kind of care you give them. With the right habits and proper precautions, you should be able to get decades of usage out of your implant posts without needing to have them replaced. Below are some basic tips for taking care of dental implants on a daily basis; by following these steps, you can protect your implants from the infections and injuries that could potentially compromise them.
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
Even though dental implants aren’t made of enamel and aren’t susceptible to decay, you still need to keep them clean. Any bacteria that accumulates on your implants could eventually spread to your other teeth or attack the nearby gum tissue, leading to numerous oral health issues. Gum disease is a particularly common cause of implant failure. As such, you should stick to a strict oral hygiene routine of brushing twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing with mouthwash that has been approved by the ADA.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Once your implants have fully joined with your jawbone, you can eat whatever you want. Make sure your meals include plenty of fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, dairy products, and lean proteins. Aside from the obvious benefits such foods have for the rest of your body, they will also help you maintain healthy gums. Make sure you’re getting plenty of calcium and vitamin C, as these nutrients are particularly key for keeping the gums and jawbone in good shape.
Break Bad Habits
There are a lot of habits that you might not think twice about but can lead to major implant damage in the future. Try to avoid:
- Smoking or the use of any other tobacco products
- Biting your fingernails
- Chewing on pens and pencils
- Crunching ice, hard candy, and other extremely hard foods
- Opening packages with your teeth instead of an appropriate tool
In short, basically any habit that put your natural teeth at risk can also potentially lead to implant failure.
Protect Your Dental Implants
In addition to avoiding bad habits, you’ll also want to make sure your implants are well-protected in high-risk situations, such as while playing sports. During your next visit, you can ask for a custom-made mouthguard. This simple device will absorb the shock of any blows to your head or face, keeping your implants safe from the worst of the damage. A mouthguard is also useful for protecting your implants from wear and tear if you grind your teeth at night.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
Every six months, we recommend that you return to our office in Beverly. While we’re checking for cavities and removing the plaque and tartar from your mouth, we can also review your implant posts and restorations to see if there are any problems that need to be addressed right away. Regular preventive care goes a long way towards extending the lifespan of dental implants.