Dental Implants — Waterbury, CT

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

In most cases, patients who have lost one or more teeth and are in good health can get dental implants; however, you’ll still require a thorough consultation. We’ll perform a visual examination to evaluate your oral health to make sure your smile is healthy enough to support the dental implant. In addition, we’ll review a CT scan of your oral structures to look for any hidden issues that might pose a problem, like infection or bone loss. Finally, we’ll discuss your medical and lifestyle history to check for any red flags that could cause a problem down the road, like smoking.

Depending on the results of your consultation, you may need additional procedures before undergoing your placement surgery, such as periodontal therapy, tooth extractions, or a sinus lift. After you’ve healed from any previous treatments, we can move forward with your placement surgery.

Dental Implant Surgery

After healing from any previous procedures, you will be scheduled for your implant placement surgery. To ensure you’re comfortable, sedation or anesthesia is used as your gum tissue is opened to gain access to your jawbone. With the help of computer-guided technology, a small hole is made in your bone to insert a titanium post to act as a new root. Your gum tissue is stitched closed, and you’ll begin the healing process.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

The implant post will stimulate your jaw to encourage new bone growth. Over the next several weeks, your jaw will fuse to the post through a process called osseointegration. Your post will be secured in place to provide a strong foundation for your replacement tooth. You’ll never need to worry about any instability using a solution that can last for decades with the right aftercare, like maintaining your oral hygiene.

After your bone has fully healed, you’ll need a second minor procedure to add a special fixture to the post called an abutment. It’s a connector piece between the post and your restoration. On average, it takes about 2 weeks to recover from the procedure. During this time, the dental lab will be creating your new tooth.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

Your restoration is carefully crafted from all-ceramic material to meet your exact specifications. It will match the color, size, and shape of your real teeth, so no one will know it is not your own. You can chew, speak, and smile confidently knowing your restoration looks and feels natural.

If you’re ready to restore a beautiful smile, take your first step toward a better quality of life. Contact our office today to  schedule your consultation  for dental implants with your dentist in Waterbury.

Day-to-Day Benefits

The titanium posts of dental implants are biocompatible, so your jawbone will fuse around them as though they were real tooth roots. As a result, your prosthetic teeth are reliably stable. You won’t have to deal with slipping artificial teeth. You can talk, eat, and smile with confidence. They also feel realistic, which means you may forget that they are prosthetic.

Although your implants cannot contract cavities, they still need to be maintained. The good news is that taking care of them is simple—you just need to brush and floss them daily and continue coming in for regular appointments with our team. These small and easy, but critical, habits are enough to keep them in excellent condition.

Health Benefits

Traditional dentures often involve compromising the strength of your bite, meaning tough or raw foods is off the table. Dental implants are strong and durable. You can rely on them to function just like real teeth. So, you can eat whatever you want when you want! You can enjoy a more balanced, nutritious diet, which in turn can lead to a higher quality of life overall!

Additionally, the fact that implants promote continued jawbone strength prevents bone loss and keeps your facial structure intact.

Long-Term Benefits

Dental implants have a more than 96% success rate, not just for the short term. They become a permanent part of your dentition and can last a lifetime with proper care. Consequently, you don’t have to pay for replacements like you would with normal dentures or bridges. The cost of these replacements can add up to the point of surpassing the cost of dental implants. In other words, implants could save you money in the long run!

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Most healthy adults are able to get dental implants without much issue. Here are a few of the important criteria that we look at when determining candidacy for dental implants:

• General Health: Placing dental implants requires a minor surgical procedure, so you must be in good enough health for this treatment.
• Oral Health: Cavities and gum disease increase your risk of dental implant failure. If you have any existing dental problems, they need to be eliminated before you can move forward with getting dental implants.
• Jawbone Density: You must have adequate jaw density to support dental implants.

If you aren’t a good candidate for dental implants right away, this doesn’t necessarily rule them out. Many patients need to undergo preliminary procedures beforehand. This includes tooth extractions, gum disease treatment, and bone grafting. We would be happy to help you get these treatments scheduled if necessary. Once your gums and jaw are in good shape, we can move on to planning the rest of your treatment.

Missing One Tooth

If you are only missing one tooth, it can be replaced with a single titanium dental implant. An abutment is placed on the end of the dental implant so a customized dental crown can be secured to it. The abutment helps to keep the restoration stable, and the implant fuses with the jawbone via osseointegration.

Missing Multiple Teeth

A traditional dental bridge requires the removal of tooth structure to be placed and anchored properly, but implant bridges only require dental implants to hold a restoration. If you have several consecutive missing teeth, an implant bridge is an excellent solution. If you are missing teeth in different areas on an arch, a partial denture can be secured to strategically placed dental implants to complete your smile.

Missing All Teeth

If you are missing all of the teeth on an arch, a full denture can be supported by a series of dental implants strategically placed along the arch. The best part is that you don’t need to worry about having your denture relined, repaired, and replaced every few years. Implant dentures are designed to last for many decades!

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Replacing a tooth with a dental implant requires a multi-step treatment process, with each phase having separate expenses. You won't have to worry about coming up with a lump sum, making it easier to budget for your new smile. Since every mouth and situation differs, there's not a flat rate for dental implants. Instead, the amount you'll pay is determined by your treatment plan, which can include:

• Preliminary Treatments:  It's not uncommon to require preparatory procedures, like gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, or bone grafting.
• Placement Surgery:  Sedation or anesthesia will be used to keep you comfortable as Implant posts are placed into your jawbone.
• Restoration:  The number of teeth you're treating will determine the type of restoration you'll need.

Your implant dentist in Waterbury will create a personalized treatment plan catering to your needs and preferences.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Your estimate will also include each part of your dental implant, including:

• Post:  A titanium post is surgically placed into the jawbone to replicate a root.
• Abutment:  Each post will need an abutment to secure your restoration to your implants.
• Restoration:  You'll require a crown, bridge, or denture to mimic your missing teeth.

A member of our team will review your estimate and explain the fees, so you’ll know exactly how much you will have to pay before committing to anything.

How Dental Implants Can Pay for Themselves in the Long Run

Dental implants in Waterbury are the most cost-effective option for tooth loss because they never need to be replaced with the right maintenance, like brushing and flossing. They are proven to last for 30 years or more, so you won't need to pay for replacements. Not to mention, dental implants stop bone loss in your jaw to prevent common issues caused by missing teeth to save even more money down the road.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

You can use your dental insurance to offset the cost of certain steps in your treatment plan, like diagnostic imaging, preliminary procedures, or restorations. We will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize your benefits.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Besides using your dental coverage, our office provides multiple payment methods to cover any out-of-pocket balance, including:

• Traditional Payments:  Our office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards.
• Monthly Payments:  Pay any remaining balance using monthly payments with little or no interest through a third-party financing company, like CareCredit.

Your financial situation should never stand in the way of a complete smile. If you have questions about your payment options, or you're ready to schedule your consultation,  contact our office  today.

Will I Need a Bone Grafting to Get Dental Implants?

The long-term success of your dental implants relies on your jawbone supporting the posts. For this to happen, you must have adequate density in your jaw.  Your dentist  will review a CT scan to check the health of your jawbone during your initial consultation. Based on the results, we may recommend bone grafting to enhance the thickness of your jaw. Although it will add another step to your treatment, it’s time well spent to ensure your new smile has the framework it needs to thrive. With the right aftercare, your dental implants can stay fused with your jaw for decades.

Can Dental Implants Fail?

Dental implants are the most predictable solution to treat tooth loss. While they are reliable, they can fail, but it is rare. In fact, the risk is under 5%. You can protect your investment and ensure your new smile lasts through a commitment to your oral hygiene. It’s best to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss nightly. You’ll also want to avoid smoking or drinking alcohol in excess. Don’t forget to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.

If you develop any concerning symptoms, like pain, redness, or the implant feels loose, don’t wait to contact your dentist. Quick treatment can prevent complete dental implant failure.

Can I Use My Dental Insurance to Pay for Dental Implants?

Although every policy differs, many dental insurance carriers will cover a portion of the cost after paying your annual deductible until you reach your yearly limit. This can help lower the amount you need to pay for certain steps in your treatment, like X-rays, a CT scan, or restorations.

We will work on your behalf to file the necessary claims and forms to maximize your dental insurance. A member of our team will explain how your benefits are being used and the remaining balance. Our office accepts several payment options to replace your missing teeth without draining your wallet.