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
Every patient inquiring about dental implants must complete the same four steps. While no two treatment plans are the same, the process to achieve a full, complete smile typically involves the following:
- Initial Dental Implant Consultation – You’ll meet with a member of our team to discuss your goals and whether dental implants are right for you. We’ll examine your smile and decide if you need preliminary treatments before moving forward.
- Dental Implant Surgery – When it’s time to place your dental implants, our team will keep the process in-house for greater convenience. We’ll also administer local anesthesia to ensure you remain at complete ease throughout the procedure.
- Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment – 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 occur. You’ll then return to our dental office to receive your metal abutments, which connect your implant to your restoration.
- Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s) – The final step is having your customized crown, bridge, or denture secured into place.
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
Dental implant placement has a high success rate, and most adults suffering from tooth loss are likely to be considered candidates for treatment. Even if you cannot immediately move forward with implant placement, we will work with you to get your smile in position for dental implants later on.
Missing One Tooth
If only one tooth is missing, you can remove yourself from the 120 million Americans living without one tooth and instead, let us place one dental implant post and customized dental crown. 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
When missing multiple teeth, we can use the same type of bridge. But, instead of anchoring it to healthy teeth, we can position two implant posts into the exterior sockets. Once in place, a natural-looking bridge will be secured on the top to create a full, new, and complete smile.
Missing All Teeth
Missing all your teeth can be disheartening. By having an implant denture put into place, you can enjoy many of your favorite foods and feel confident that your teeth will remain firmly in place at all times. 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.
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.