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. Fortunately, dental implants can 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. Continue reading to learn more about dental implants and their process.
Dental Implants in Northborough, MA
Getting dental implants is a multi-phased treatment. The process is distinct for each patient because each smile is unique. For example, the extent of your dental implant treatment will depend 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 will take the time to answer all of your questions. Dr. Gauthier will ensure that you are confident in the care you are receiving. 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, your dentist will create a detailed plan for your review. He will show you the location and angle at which he will place the implants to optimize healthy bone tissue. Using modern technology, your dentist can show you what your smile will look like before any restorations are placed.
He may also review the costs, timeframe, and other options. Dental implants require healthy bone and gum tissue for survival, so you will be free of gum disease and have healthy jawbone tissue. We encourage patients to ask questions and discuss sedation options with Dr. Gauthier during this time. Dr. Gauthier uses digital imaging software to give patients a virtual model of what their new teeth may look like.
Phase 2: Surgical Procedure
After you approve the treatment plan, your dentist will schedule you for the surgical phase. Your dentist or oral surgeon will conduct the surgical procedure during this phase. He will surgically implant small titanium posts into your jawbone. Do not be worried about this part of the procedure.
We use 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 dentist sees that your mouth and jaw have successfully fused with the dental implant, he will create the final piece. The final restoration can either 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, the dentist anchors the final restoration to the dental implants to make the restoration permanent. Patients will return to our Northborough dental office for follow-up appointments, adjustments, and checkups. After receiving dental implants, it is also crucial to maintain a good oral care routine at home.
Learn More About Dental Implants:
- Benefits of Dental Implants
- Dental Implants FAQs
- Cost of Dental Implants
- Types of Dental Implants
- Dental Implants vs. Dentures
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
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.
Dental Implants FAQs
Do you have more questions about dental implants? 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 your number of missing teeth and restoration type. If you have a single tooth, we will recommend one dental implant.
An implant-supported bridge will benefit you if you have multiple consecutive missing teeth. A dental bridge may use several implants. Dentures that replace rows and arches of missing teeth may use as few as four implants to secure an arch. However, we may use as many as eight dental implants 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 do not 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.
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 can typically be managed with 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 infection-free.
More often, you’ll need to wait about 2 to 3 months for the extraction site to heal before getting the implant. This gives your gums time to recover and ensures 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 will help you see if dental implants are the right choice.