Dental implants &
implant maintenance
Dental implants offer a durable, natural-looking solution for missing teeth, restoring both function and aesthetics. Dr. Bui, one of Worcester's leading oral surgeons, specializes in precise implant placement and provides expert implant maintenance to ensure long-lasting results and optimal oral health.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a dental implant?
Dental implants are strong and stable restorations that can be designed to replace one missing tooth, several missing teeth or a complete arch of teeth. Implants replace both the root and crown of the tooth. The implant post acts as the root replacement and is placed into your jawbone. After that, our dentists will create a custom crown to match your natural teeth and complete this treatment.
What are the benefits of a dental implant?
Benefits of a dental implant may include: Improved smile appearance. Implants are designed to look and feel like your natural teeth. Speech improvement. Implants allow you to speak without the inconvenience of missing teeth. Easier eating. Implants function as natural teeth, allowing you to eat the foods you normally would. Improved oral health. Dental implants promote long-term oral health and improve oral hygiene. Durability. Implants are designed to last a lifetime. Convenience. Implants are permanent and much easier to deal with than removable appliances like dentures.
Who is a candidate to receive a dental implant?
If you have missing teeth, you are a candidate for implant dentistry. If you have any preexisting oral health conditions, those will need to be addressed prior to receiving your implant.
More about Dental Implants
A natural tooth consists of a root and a crown. If you compare natural teeth to implant-supported replacement teeth, you’ll see they have the same basic parts. Both have a crown (the visible part used to chew food). Both have a root that holds the tooth securely under the gum and is anchored into the jaw. The difference is that the implant is made of titanium – the same time-tested material used by surgeons for artificial joints. When you lose a tooth, you lose both the root and the crown. To replace the tooth, the oral surgeon first replaces the root with a small dental implant.
Time is allowed for bone to heal and grow around the dental implant. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. A support post (abutment) is then placed on the implant and a new replacement tooth (crown) is placed on top of the abutment. In many cases, a temporary replacement tooth can be attached to the implant immediately after it is placed. If all of your teeth are missing, a variety of treatment options are available to support the replacement teeth.
Surgical Advances
Using the most recent advances in dental implant technology, Dr. Bui is able to place single-stage implants. These implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them but do require a minimum of six weeks of healing time before artificial teeth are placed. There are even situations where the implant can be placed at the same time as the tooth extraction – further minimizing your number of surgical procedures.
Dental implant placement is a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist. Dr. Bui performs the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary. The restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.
Call today for more information about Dental Implants: Worcester MA Oral Surgery Office Phone Number508-799-2550!
Reliable Alternatives for Tooth Replacement
Dental implants provide a long-lasting and stable solution for replacing missing teeth, whether it's a single tooth, multiple teeth, or a full set of teeth. The implant, a titanium screw, is carefully placed into the jawbone where the tooth is missing, serving as a replacement for the natural tooth root. This ensures a secure foundation for your dental restoration. After the implant is placed, a healing period is typically required to allow the bone to fuse with the biocompatible post. Dr. Bui will ensure you receive the highest level of care throughout the entire process to restore the function and appearance of your smile.
Reclaim your Smile
After the healing period, Dr. Bui and the team at Crompton Park Oral Surgery will place the dental implant restoration, or replacement tooth, on top of the implant post. Depending on your specific needs and which teeth are missing, your restoration could be a dental crown, dental bridge, or a full or partial denture. Each restoration is custom-designed to ensure a comfortable, natural fit that complements your smile.
Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant can restore the health, function, and appearance of your smile. Implants are an excellent choice because they are designed to mimic the look, feel, and function of natural teeth, and with proper care, they can last a lifetime. To learn more about the advantages of implant dentistry and to schedule your consultation, please contact us today or visit Crompton Park Oral Surgery & Implant Associates.
Comprehensive Guide to Dental Implant Maintenance: Ensuring Long-Lasting Results
Proper dental implant maintenance is essential for ensuring the longevity and success of your implants. Regular care, including brushing, flossing, and routine visits to Dr. Bui helps keep your implants healthy and prevents complications like infection or gum disease. With the right maintenance routine, your dental implants can function and look like natural teeth for many years to come.
Frequently asked questions
What is implant maintenance?
When we talk about implant maintenance, we refer to the routine care required to keep your dental implants functioning properly after they are fully placed. While dental implants are meant to last a lifetime, they still require regular care, just like natural teeth.
How do I care for my dental implants?
Dental implant maintenance is similar to regular dental maintenance. It involves maintaining good oral hygiene with daily brushing and flossing as well as receiving regular preventive care from a dental professional to be sure your dental implants are functioning correctly. Depending on the need, we may also recommend additional treatments or oral hygiene aids.
How often should I visit the dentist about my dental implants?
We can check on your dental implants during your regular six-month visits with us, but it is especially important that you keep those regular appointments so we can ensure your dental implants are functioning correctly. Also, if you experience any pain or other issues with your dental implants, please contact us as soon as possible for emergency care.
Permanent Solutions for Replacing Missing Teeth
Dental implants are permanent replacements for missing teeth and are often considered the ideal option for tooth replacement, as they restore the entire tooth structure rather than just the crown. They are designed to look, feel, and function exactly like your natural teeth, including mimicking the role of tooth roots by stimulating the supporting bone tissue. This helps maintain bone health and ensures your teeth stay stable in your mouth.
Although dental implants are designed to last a lifetime, they require the same level of care as your natural teeth. This includes maintaining excellent oral hygiene through daily brushing and flossing, along with regular visits to Dr. Bui at Crompton Park Oral Surgery in Worcester for preventive care. Proper care helps keep your implants free from plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria, ensuring their long-term success.
Continued maintenance
During your dental exams, Dr. Bui at Crompton Park Oral Surgery in Worcester will carefully examine your mouth to check for any signs of potential issues and ensure that your implants are functioning properly. X-rays may be taken as needed to assess the health of your supporting oral structures. Based on the findings of your exam and your unique needs, additional treatments or oral hygiene aids may be recommended.
We highly recommend visiting Dr. Bui every six months for routine preventive care. Emergency dental care is also available if you experience pain, injury, or other concerns related to your implants.
For more information about dental implant maintenance or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bui, contact us today! We're here to help you keep your smile healthy and vibrant.
Teeth in an hour
TEETH-IN-AN-HOUR™ is a revolutionary concept providing patients with fully functioning teeth on dental implants in a single procedure that takes about an hour. This technology was developed by Nobel Biocare and utilizes collaboration between both the restorative doctor and the oral surgeon. This merging of knowledge and experience achieves not only increased safety but also a more precise implant placement. In addition, the fabrication of a final prosthesis is completed prior to the surgery. The computer-guided implant surgery is done in an arthroscopic fashion without requiring any flap reflection. This benefits the patient in that there is less postoperative discomfort, less swelling, and less bruising. Patients can often resume their normal activities the next day.
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The process begins when a CAT scan is taken of the patient’s jawbone. This CAT scan allows for the generation of a three-dimensional model of the jaw bone that can then be used with virtual reality software to plan the implant placement without the presence of the patient. The results are a more accurate implant placement and less chair time for the patient.
Considering the cost of Dental Implants
Dental implants have been available for several decades. However, for most patients, they are still a relatively new concept. When considering the cost of dental implants and comparing quotes, several important points should be kept in mind.
Longevity
When comparing the cost of dental implants to other tooth replacement methods such as dentures and bridges, it is important to take into consideration the longevity offered by dental implants that is not always afforded by other, more traditional methods.
While dentures and bridges are initially less expensive, their affordability can be short-lived. Because these older methods require repair and replacement every 5-10 years, they are often more expensive over time. By contrast, dental implants, when properly placed and cared for, can last a lifetime.
Jaw Bone Health
Over time, when a tooth is missing, the jaw bone deteriorates. So while a denture or bridge may seem to function similarly to a tooth, underneath the surface damage is being done to the jaw bone and ultimately to the structure of the face. This can result in the distortion of the shape of a person’s face, leading to additional cosmetic costs down the road.
On the other hand, dental implants are made of titanium, which integrates with the jaw bone, strengthening it and stimulating bone growth. This preserves the natural strength and quality of the mouth, lessening problems in the future.
Quality of Life
Dental implants can be seen as a long-term investment not only in terms of money but also in terms of quality of life. A dental implant is the closest thing to a natural tooth. In addition to allowing the patient to eat the same healthy foods he or she has always enjoyed, it also eliminates the day-to-day hassles and possible embarrassment that are frequently caused by dentures.
Comparing Dental Implant Quotes
There are several steps (and often multiple professionals) involved in the placement of a dental implant. When comparing quotes, it’s important to factor in the cost of each of these steps:
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Exams/office visits
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Tooth/root extraction
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Bone grafting
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Placement of the titanium root (the “dental implant”)
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Placement of the crown
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X-rays, pre/post-operative care