Don’t hide your smile because of broken or missing teeth. Replacing missing teeth is key to supporting your long-term oral health. Missing teeth can lead to secondary dental health concerns that could impact your health and quality of life. Dr. Robert Gauthier provides many dental services to replace missing teeth at Apex Dental. He offers complete treatment for dental implants in his Northborough, MA, dental office near you.
Patients with missing teeth are more prone to gum disease, tooth loss, and jawbone loss. But dental implants can also restore your smile. Implants can give you the chance to speak and eat with the comfort and confidence you deserve. In most cases, Dr. Gauthier will perform the implant surgery and place the restoration. If we need a specialist, our dental care team will make a referral and arrange the entire treatment plan.
Dental Implants in Northborough, MA
Getting dental implants is a multi-phased treatment. The process is different for each patient because each smile is unique. How long dental implant treatment takes depends on the type of dental implants you choose, the number of dental implants you need, and if you need additional procedures.
Your Apex dentist, Dr. Robert Gauthier, will review the treatment plan with you before your procedure. He’ll take the time to answer all of your questions. Dr. Gauthier will also ensure that you’re confident in your treatment plan. Below is the basic outline of a dental implant procedure.
Phase 1: Treatment Planning
The implant procedure requires precise and careful planning to set you up for long-term success. First, Dr. Gauthier will create a detailed plan for your review. He’ll show you the location and angle at which he will place the implants to optimize healthy bone tissue. Dr. Gauthier will digital imaging software to give patients a virtual model of what their new teeth may look like.
He may also review the costs, timeframe, and other options. Dental implants also require healthy bone and gum tissue for survival. Dr. Gauthier may recommend periodontal disease treatment or bone grafting for healthy jawbone tissue. You can also ask questions and discuss sedation options with Dr. Gauthier during this time.
Phase 2: Surgical Procedure
After you approve the treatment plan, we’ll schedule you for the surgical phase. Our oral surgeon will conduct the surgical procedure during this phase. He’ll surgically implant small titanium posts into your jawbone.
First, Dr. Gauthier uses dental sedation and anesthetic to calm nerves and make this part of the procedure as pain-free as possible. Then, we wait 3 to 6 months for your mouth and gums to heal over the dental implants.
During this wait, the dental implant post will begin to fuse with the jaw bone and create a secure bond during a process called osseointegration. You may get a temporary dental restoration so you can eat and speak normally while you wait for your mouth to heal and for the new restoration.
Phase 3: Final Restoration
Once your bone has successfully fused with the dental implant, Dr. Gauthier create the final piece. The final restoration can be a dental crown, a dental bridge, or a full denture. Then, Dr. Gauthier will tailor the restoration to enhance the look and function of your mouth and smile.
Finally, our dentist anchors the final restoration to the dental implants to make the restoration permanent. You can return to our Northborough dental office for follow-up appointments, adjustments, and checkups.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are virtually indistinguishable from your other teeth because of the structural bond between the implant and living bone. The titanium post is an artificial tooth root and fuses to the jawbone. This part of the dental implant procedure is key to structural support.
This reduces patients’ risk of bone deterioration. Dental implants are stronger than their traditional match because they don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support.
Dental implants offer patients a range of benefits, such as:
- Bite stability
- Bone retention
- Natural smile
- Comfortable fit
- Lasting results
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Implant-Secured Dentures
Dental implants can also support full sets of dentures for patients needing to replace all their teeth. Dr. Gauthier can work with patients who have an existing denture. We can also replace old dentures for a more secure and stable fit.
Dr. Gauthier will remove all hopeless teeth for patients undergoing a “teeth-in-a-day” procedure. He will strategically place the dental implants and secure a denture for the swift teeth restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to learn more? We’re here to help. Continue reading to find answers to common questions about dental implants.
Are dental implants right for me?
With advancements in dental implant technology, more patients can receive dental implants. Traditionally, patients required strong, healthy bone tissue for a successful implant.
With the development of All-On-Four, patients with deteriorating bone health may still be able to receive the benefits of dental implants. Contact our Northborough dentist’s office to learn more about implants and whether or not you are a successful candidate.
Do dental implants require additional maintenance?
No, a dental implant acts just like your real teeth. Daily brushing, flossing, and routine dental health exams are necessary for long-term success. Good oral hygiene and biannual dental exams can keep your implant healthy and secure for years.
How many dental implants do I need?
The number of dental implants you need depends on the number of missing teeth and the restoration type. If you have a single tooth, we recommend a single implant.
An implant-supported bridge will benefit you if you have multiple consecutive missing teeth. Dentures that replace rows and arches of missing teeth may use as few as four implants to secure an arch. We can use 4 to 6 dental implants on average to support a full tooth arch.
Can I get implants if I already have a removable denture?
Yes. We often recommend dental implants to stabilize a denture. Patients who don’t have enough jaw bone for implants can benefit from removable implant-supported dentures. However, implant fixed dentures can improve speech, eating, and other parts of your daily life. We can also provide bone grafting to ensure you qualify for a fixed denture.
What is the failure rate of dental implants?
Dental implants have a low failure rate of 5 to 10 percent. Implants can fail if patients encounter bacterial infections, receive restorations too early, or use tobacco during healing. However, this is unlikely. We recommend that you continue to brush and floss and visit us for regular care to stay healthy.
Are there age restrictions for dental implants?
We recommend implants for adults, but there is no age limit for treatment. As long as you have good oral health, enough jawbone, and need a tooth replacement, you can get implants.
Does it hurt to get dental implants?
The dental implant procedure will not hurt. We use local anesthesia to completely numb your mouth.
After the numbness wears off, you may have some discomfort. This is normal and we recommend that you take over-the-counter pain relievers. We may also prescribe medication if needed. Once you fully heal, your implants will feel comfortable and like a natural part of your mouth.
How soon after a tooth extraction can I get a dental implant?
The timing for getting a dental implant depends on your specific situation. Placing the implant immediately after removing the tooth. This is called “same-day implant placement.” It only works if the tooth socket is healthy and free from infection.
More often, you’ll need to wait about 2 to 3 months for the extraction site to heal before getting the implant. You need time for your gums to recover for the best results.
If you had an infected tooth or significant bone loss, you might need to wait 4-6 months. We want to make sure the area is strong enough to support the implant.
Your dentist will take X-rays to check when your jawbone is ready. While waiting seems frustrating, this healing time helps make sure your implant lasts for years to come.
Get Dental Implants Today
If you want a permanent tooth replacement option, call (508) 506-1691 today or request a dental exam online anytime. If you have a missing tooth or several missing teeth, we provide dental implants in our Shrewsbury, Westborough, and Northborough, Massachusetts.
Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Gauthier to discuss your oral health concerns and budget. He’ll help you see if dental implants are the right choice.
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