Dental Implants — Glastonbury, CT

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

First, you will need to schedule a consultation with our team. We’ll need to figure out whether you can have dental implants placed; to that end, we’ll use advanced dental technology to gather information about your mouth and jaw.

After carefully considering your situation, we’ll discuss your candidacy for dental implants. Sometimes we may find that certain preliminary procedures are required. For instance, if signs of gum disease are found, the issue will need to be treated before you can receive dental implants. Other preliminary services that you might need include bone grafting and tooth extractions.

Dental Implant Surgery

Dr. Yu and Dr. Carroll work together in order to allow our patients to have the entire dental implant process completed in one location. As such, the surgery to place your dental implants can be carried out right here at our office.

Each dental implant post needs to be inserted into carefully chosen spots in your jawbone. Your gums will be opened for the procedure, and they will be closed afterward via sutures. A cap will be attached to each implant post to help the gums maintain their shape while your mouth is healing.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

After the surgery comes osseointegration. This is where the implant posts gradually fuse with the surrounding bone tissue, forming a lasting bond. The timeline for osseointegration isn’t set in stone, but it should typically be completed in a matter of months.

When the dental implants are firmly attached to the bone, they’ll be ready to receive metal connector pieces called abutments. This is an important step; without the abutments, we wouldn’t be able to secure your final restoration in place.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

A dental implant restoration could be a crown, a bridge, or a denture; it all depends on the extent of your tooth loss. Each type of prosthesis can be made out of natural-looking materials, so you can rest assured that you’ll have a beautiful new smile at the end of the process. The prosthesis will be customized just for you by using impressions of your grin.

During your last dental implant appointment, we will carefully attach the completed restoration to the posts. A last-minute check will be performed to confirm that your new teeth aren’t causing any problems with your bite. If everything looks good, you can start using your completed dental implants to eat, speak, and smile.

Day-to-Day Benefits

Regardless of which replacement option you choose, you’ll need to take care of your prosthetic teeth. However, compared to traditional dentures, dental implants are simple to maintain. They require the same care and attention you should give to natural teeth, meaning you just need to brush and floss them every day. Additionally, the implant posts, which act like tooth roots, keep the jawbone stimulated and strong. As a result, you retain your youthful, natural-looking facial shape instead of suffering from the shrinking, sunken look that normally comes with tooth loss.

Health Benefits

Did you know that dental implants can help you stay healthy? In fact, studies have shown that those who have lost their natural teeth have a shorter life expectancy, but dental implants can help! Keeping a healthy diet is an essential part of your quality of life, but if you’ve ever had traditional dentures, you know how difficult it can be to eat nutritious foods with replacement teeth. Dental implants are comfortable, stable, and secure, allowing you to eat basically whatever you choose, including nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits.

Long-Term Benefits

Unlike traditional restorations that last between seven and 10 years, dental implants have a lifespan of over 35 years with the proper maintenance. That means that you’ll spend less time in the dentist’s office and more time enjoying your new smile! In addition to saving you time, these long-lasting tooth replacements may also help you save money. Although implants come with a larger price tag upfront, you don’t have to pay to replace your teeth over and over again. After 30 or more years, you may very likely find that your investment in implants was the smarter financial choice.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

One of the reasons why dental implants are so popular is that most healthy adults can enjoy their benefits. Typically, you will need to have these three things to be considered an ideal candidate for implants:

• Good overall health: Dental implants require a minor surgery, so you must be well enough to undergo a small procedure.
• Great oral health: Problems like cavities and gum disease are some of the more frequent reasons for implant failure. That said, we must address these issues before we can get started on your tooth replacement.
• Strong jawbone: It’s vital that your jawbone has adequate density to support the dental implants. Without a strong enough jawbone, the implants can fail.

If it doesn’t sound like dental implants are right for you initially, there’s no need to worry. We can recommend preliminary treatments like gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, or bone grafting to get your smile back on track. Once your mouth is prepared, we will be able to create a customized treatment plan based on the number of teeth you’re missing.

Missing 1 Tooth

For a single missing tooth, we may suggest an implant-retained dental crown that’s specially made to match your surrounding teeth. Although a small gap in your smile may not sound like a big deal, without being addressed, it can cause your surrounding teeth to shift to fill the space, resulting in misalignment. Our single dental implants blend in seamlessly with the rest of your teeth to complete your smile.

Missing Multiple Teeth

The traditional solution for multiple missing teeth may be a dental bridge or partial denture. With dental implants, you won’t have to alter your surrounding teeth in order to preserve your oral health. Plus, because they’re secured to dental implants, you’ll be able to enjoy added stability. Implants can support the dental bridge for the most lifelike and secure replacement without impacting the rest of your smile.

Missing All Teeth

Patients who are missing all of their teeth can benefit from getting implant dentures that are anchored in their mouth and don’t rely on natural suction to stay in place. While traditional dentures may slip or pop out of place, making it difficult to chew food or speak, implant dentures will stay firmly in place as you speak, smile, and eat. Plus, because they’re fixed in the mouth, implant dentures are easy to clean!

Learn More About Implant Dentures

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

You’ll need an initial consultation with an implant dentist in Glastonbury to create a personalized strategy to treat your missing teeth. Based on the results of the consultation, you can expect to pay for:

• Preliminary Treatments: Some patients need a little prep-work before their placement surgery, like periodontal therapy, tooth extractions, or bone grafting.
• Implant Surgery: Besides the cost of the anesthesia or sedative, you’ll also pay for your placement surgery. We provide the entire implant process in-house to save time and money.

You’ll know exactly what you’ll need to pay before committing to a treatment plan. Rest assured; you won’t be surprised by any hidden fees.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

The number of teeth you’re replacing will also affect the cost because you’ll require multiple dental implants. Depending on your severity of tooth loss, you’ll need to pay for each part of your dental implant, including:

• Implant Post: A titanium post will serve as a tooth root. If you’re treating consecutive lost teeth, you won’t need a post for each tooth.
• Abutment: Each implant post will need an abutment, which is a special fixture to connect your restoration.
• Restoration: Your restoration is made of high-quality material to look and feel natural.

Save Money with Dental Implants

Initially, you’ll pay more for dental implants in Glastonbury than traditional treatments, but for good reason. Replicating the entire tooth structure provides various advantages that aren’t possible with other methods. Dental implants can last for decades with the proper care, so you’ll never need to pay to have them replaced, like conventional prosthetics. They can end up paying for themselves after just a few years.

Dental implants are also the only treatment to preserve your jawbone’s density to protect any remaining natural teeth. You’ll prevent common complications caused by tooth loss to avoid a costly treatment down the road. You’ll lower your overall oral health expenses to save even more money.

Maximize Your Dental Insurance

Your dental insurance won’t pay the entire cost of the treatment, but you can use your coverage to offset the fees for certain steps in your plan, like the consultation. After reaching your deductible, you can use your annual allowance to lower your out-of-pocket expense for specific services, like the consultation, tooth extractions, or restorations.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

We offer several options to keep your new smile within your budget, including:

• Traditional Payments: We accept all forms of traditional payment, including cash, checks, and credit cards.
• Third-Party Financing: We work with CareCredit to pay for your dental implants using monthly installments.

What Can I Eat with Dental Implants?

Dental implants not only look like regular teeth, but they also feel and function like healthy, natural teeth. When equipped with dental implants, you can feel confident eating, speaking, and chewing without worrying about a prosthetic that might accidentally slip or fall out. They restore 80% or more of your natural biting power, allowing you to easily eat apples, nuts, steak, and virtually anything else on your plate. While it is possible to eat whatever you wish, it’s important to remember they’re not indestructible. Make sure not to chew on hard foods such as popcorn kernels, bones, ice, and hard candies to ensure that your smile stays strong and intact.

Does It Hurt to Get Dental Implants?

Dental implant placement is just like any other surgical procedure. Your mouth will be numbed and you may be administered some type of sedation to ensure you are comfortable and calm throughout the process. Once these medications wear off, it’s normal to experience a slight amount of discomfort and swelling After a few weeks of recovery at home, the tenderness around your surgical sites should dissipate. The healing process will continue as your implants fuse with your jawbone and surrounding tissues, but you should be able to resume regular activity after ample time recovering at home.

Can I Switch to Dental Implants If I Have Dentures?

Yes, it is possible to receive dental implants if you’re currently wearing dentures. Many patients with traditional dentures complain of discomfort or frequent relining and replacing. In choosing to make the switch to dental implants, you will need to have your oral and facial structures examined by our team to ensure you have ample bone density to support your restoration. If you do not, you will need to undergo a bone graft or sinus lift first. If you are cleared for treatment, you will begin the process of preparing for implant placement.

Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Dental Implants?

The answer to this question is dependent upon your individual insurance policy. Some companies still do not recognize dental implants as a “necessity” and won’t cover them. However, more and more insurers are beginning to understand the importance of covering this type of procedure. Regardless, most dental insurance policies will cover parts of your dental implant treatment, such as preliminary procedures, sedation, or a percentage of the final restoration. To learn more about your coverage, you will need to speak with an insurance representative or have a member of our team work on your behalf to help you get the answers you need.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

If you don’t already brush and floss your teeth daily, you need to start now! These small habits in your routine play a major role in the success of your implants. Plaque can still accumulate on your restorations and cause infection. Without frequent cleanings, the bacteria in plaque can irritate and infect the gum tissue, potentially compromising your implants in the process. By taking just a few minutes every day for oral hygiene, you can extend the life of your dental implants.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Choosing healthier foods doesn’t just improve your overall health—it can help your replacement teeth last longer. While they will not become decayed, too much sugary or starchy food or drinks can encourage the growth of bacteria that cause gum disease. As a result, your gums can pull away from your implants, causing failure. However, making smarter decisions in your diet can help keep these bacteria under control.

Break Bad Habits

You probably already know that smoking or using tobacco is a harmful habit, but there are plenty of others that can damage your new teeth. For instance, if you chew on ice, pencils, or your fingernails, you put them at risk of failure. Opening packaging with your teeth is another bad habit that can potentially cause your dental implants to fail. Try to stop these habits to reduce the wear and tear exerted on your dental implants and prolong their lifespan.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Your dental implants, as well as the restorations on top, are designed to be pretty durable, but they aren’t completely indestructible. Unconscious habits, like grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep, can weaken the solid foundation your implants are supposed to provide. In this case, we can create a custom night guard to protect your replacement teeth from long-term damage. Similarly, when you participate in sports or activities where you could get hit in the face, it’s always a good idea to wear a mouthguard, just in case.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Even if your dental implants replace every natural tooth in your smile, you still need to come to our dental office on a regular basis for checkups and cleanings. These visits help us keep tabs on your implants, catch problems as early as possible, and remove plaque buildup. This essential preventive appointment allows you to keep your smile on track for a long, long time.