Dental Implants – Montpelier, VT
A Permanent, Reliable Tooth Replacement
In recent decades, dental implants have become the gold standard for tooth replacement. With millions of Americans enjoying their many unique benefits, these titanium posts offer what no other option can – the complete replacement of the root-to-crown tooth structure. Unlike traditional brides and dentures that only replace the visible portions of teeth, dental implants fuse with the jawbone to create a longer-lasting, more durable smile. If you’re looking for a permanent, reliable tooth replacement, call River Station Family Dentistry today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hale to discuss replacing missing teeth with dental implants in Montpelier, VT.
Why Choose River Station Family Dentistry for Dental Implants?
- Helping Montpelier Families for More Than Three Decades
- Start-to-Finish Dental Implant Placement & Restoration
- Advanced Dental Technology for Added Comfort and Precision
What Are Dental Implants?
You might mistake a dental implant for a screw simply because that is what they look like at first glance. However, these small prosthetics are embedded into the jawbone, creating the root of a tooth. When topped with a customized dental restoration (i.e., dental crown, bridge, or denture), the complete tooth is fully replaced. These unique tooth replacements are considered to be far superior to other forms of tooth replacement, and they help to prevent additional bone and tooth loss. Not to mention, they help to create a younger-looking appearance that can last 30 years or more.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
At River Station Family Dentistry, our all-in-house dental implant process is designed for success every time! With just four key steps, we provide a smooth and efficient treatment experience that prioritizes your comfort from start to finish. If you want to know what to expect from your upcoming treatment, or if you’re curious about how it works, read more below. You’ll learn how each step is carefully planned to restore your smile and improve your oral health.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The first step of any successful treatment begins with an in-depth consultation. During your visit, our team will assess your oral health, review your medical history, and discuss your smile goals. We’ll then do some diagnostics like digital X-rays to evaluate the overall stability of your jawbone and determine if implants are the right solution for you.
If any preparatory treatments, like bone grafting, are necessary, we will also plan these before moving forward with your procedure. This visit is also a great opportunity to ask any burning questions you may have to better understand the process and feel confident in your decision.
Dental Implant Surgery
Once your treatment plan is set, the next step is dental implant surgery. At River Station Dentistry, all our dental implant placements are a hundred percent in-house, so you won’t have to worry about being referred to a specialist.
During the procedure, which typically takes 1-2 hours, depending on the number of implants needed, we’ll numb the surgical areas and place titanium implant posts into your jawbone. Next, we’ll place a protective cap over it and close the site up to let it heal. In the last step of this stage, we’ll take a digital scan of your mouth to fabricate your new restoration while you recover.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
Once your dental implants are in place, you’ll return home for three to six months to recover and allow osseointegration (the process of your jawbone fusing with the implants) to take its course. You’ll then return to our dental office to receive your metal abutments, which connect your implant to your restoration.
It’s important to follow all post-operative instructions when it comes to your recovery. The critical time between the end of your surgery and your return to us is when most complications, such as infection, implant failure, or issues with osseointegration, can occur (though these are extremely rare).
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
The final step in the dental implant process is the placement of your custom-made restorations. These could be dental crowns, bridges, or dentures, depending on your needs.
Once your restorations are ready, they will be securely attached to the abutments, completing your new smile. After this final appointment, you’ll be able to enjoy full functionality and a beautiful smile that can last a lifetime with proper care!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants come with many unique benefits. Unlike other tooth replacement solutions, these small prosthetics create a natural-looking appearance while also allowing for optimal functionality without the worry of teeth slipping. Their stability and longevity make them a preferred choice for many patients suffering tooth loss, and they make it easy to eat your favorite foods. They also come with a slew of incredible advantages to your smile and overall well-being. Here are some of the most common benefits you can expect to enjoy with dental implants.
Day-to-Day Benefits
- Simple teeth cleaning: Maintaining other traditional prosthetics, like dentures and dental bridges, often consists of using special products or techniques. However, dental implants only require that you visit your dentist every six weeks for checkups and stick with your normal oral hygiene routine to keep them healthy and clean.
- Improved biting power: Due to their incredibly stable and lifelike foundation, dental implants can help you regain 80% or more of your natural chewing ability, which is much higher than with other traditional tooth replacements. You’ll be free to eat whatever you want without worrying about your teeth popping out or shifting out of place.
- Natural-looking results: Dental implants are specifically designed to serve as your new teeth. That’s why you can expect to find that they’re indistinguishable from any remaining natural pearly whites, as your restorations will be custom-crafted to match the rest of your smile.
Health Benefits
- Preserves facial structure: Your jawbone can typically weaken or deteriorate whenever you lose teeth. This can also cause your facial structure to shrink or result in a more aged appearance. Since dental implants help stimulate the jawbone, they can effectively prevent or even reverse jawbone deterioration, allowing you to maintain a more youthful face shape.
- Protect existing teeth: Tooth loss can often cause any other remaining teeth to move out of position to fill in the gaps. Dental implants can act as placeholders, as they’ll both promote strong bone tissue growth and prevent your pearly whites from shifting.
- Comfortable solution: While other prosthetics may sometimes come with their discomforts, such as sensitive teeth, gum sores, and jaw stiffness, you won’t find this with dental implants. These titanium posts will both look and function like natural teeth, so you should expect complete comfort with your results.
Long-Term Benefits
- Reliable treatment: Dental implants commonly have a success rate of 95% or over, even 10 years after having them placed. It’s extremely rare for them to fail, which can easily be avoided with regular dental visits and daily oral hygiene habits.
- Long-lasting results: Compared to traditional replacements like dental bridges and dentures, which usually last several years before needing replacements, dental implants can go for several decades to a lifetime with proper care. This can even make them more cost-effective in the long run, as you won’t need to spend as much on restoration replacements.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Good news: in addition to being lifelike in look and feel, dental implants are incredibly versatile. In fact, they can help patients who are missing one tooth, an entire arch of teeth, and everything in between! So, if you are interested in this state-of-the-art tooth-replacement option, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with one of our talented Montpelier dentists. You can also read on to learn more on the topic.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Dental implants have a high success rate, and they can address all stages of tooth loss, so most adults are candidates. Plus, if you cannot immediately move forward with implant placement due to something like insufficient jawbone density, we will work with you to get your smile in position for dental implants later on. In other words, we’re here to ensure you have a healthy, complete, and functional smile again.
Missing One Tooth
Did you know that roughly 120 million Americans are missing one tooth? If you are currently a part of that statistic, you can change that with a dental implant! With the custom-made post and dental crown, we can restore the entire structure of your tooth. This not only prevents us from altering healthy teeth for a bridge, but it also makes it easier for you to eat, speak, and smile.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If you’re missing multiple teeth in a row, a traditional dental bridge is always an option. We recommend implant bridges in most cases, however, because we can position two implant posts into the exterior sockets, preventing us from having to alter healthy teeth. Once in place, a natural-looking restoration will be secured on the top to create a full, new, and complete smile.
Missing All Teeth
Missing all your teeth can be disheartening in many ways. The good news is that we can have an implant denture put into place, allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods and feel confident that your teeth won’t slip out of position at any time. An average of four to eight posts placed strategically along the jawbone creates a firm foundation for the customized full denture that will sit on top.
Ultimately, if you are considering dental implants, there’s only one thing left to do: schedule an appointment at our Montpelier office! That way, we can learn about your dental history, conduct an oral exam, learn about your smile goals, and determine if this state-of-the-art tooth-replacement solution is right for you.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Dental implants are far more versatile than other restorative solutions. Because of this (as well as their longevity and stability), they can be much more expensive than other tooth replacement solutions. The good news, however, is that not all dental implant procedures cost the same. There are many factors our team must consider before giving you a clear estimate. Dental insurance might help to cover a portion of the cost, but our team will help to file any claims so that you can get the maximum reimbursement.
Dental Implant FAQs
Dental implants in Montpelier are the most reliable method of treating tooth loss. However, they are a lifelong commitment, so it is normal to have a few concerns before you're ready to move forward with the procedure. Your dentist at River Station Dentistry will explain everything during your initial consultation. While you wait for your appointment, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Can I Take Dental Implants Out?
Dental implants are meant to provide a lifelong solution for tooth loss. Implant posts are surgically placed into your jaw, which your bone will fuse to through a process called osseointegration. As a result, you cannot remove them. Only a trained dental professional can take them out, such as in cases of failure. Although you can't take out the posts, some implant dentures are removable for easier cleaning.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are proven to last for 30 years or more, but various factors affect their lifespan, like their location. Molars naturally undergo more wear and tear from chewing. Dental implants used in the back of the mouth may have a slightly shorter life expectancy than those used for front teeth. The materials used can also influence how long your dental implant will last. Discounted materials can have a shorter lifespan, so it's better to focus on quality instead of price when choosing materials for your new smile. Your oral hygiene habits will help promote the lifespan of your new smile. Besides brushing and flossing at home, visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. It's best to break any bad habits that can increase your risk of failure, like smoking, chewing on your fingernails, or using your teeth in place of scissors.
What Are the Signs of Dental Implant Failure?
Dental implant failure is rare, but it is important to remain vigilant for any signs of a complication. Pain, redness, or inflammation near the implant can indicate an infection that can cause your new smile to fail. Although the symptoms may not appear alarming, if they are not addressed quickly, you may need to have your dental implants removed. It's best to contact your implant dentist in Montpelier at the first sign of a problem. They will pinpoint the source of the issue to provide the appropriate treatment to restore a healthy smile.
What Should I Do If My Implant Feels Loose?
After your jaw has fused to the implant, it should never feel loose. If your implant is a little wiggly, you need to see a dentist right away. In some cases, the problem can be as simple as a damaged or loose restoration. However, any instability can also be a sign of bone loss or an infection. Don't take the risk. Contact our office immediately for an appointment to protect your investment. We will create the personalized treatment plan you need to maintain a complete, beautiful smile.