Dental Implants — Manchester, CT

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

During your complimentary dental implant consultation, your implant dentist in Manchester will thoroughly examine your mouth. We may also use our imaging equipment to get a better understanding of your oral structures. Armed with that information, we will be able to begin formulating a treatment plan and explain to you what you can expect on the road ahead. We will also let you know if you need to undergo any preliminary treatments, such as tooth extractions or bone grafts, before you are able to receive dental implants.

Feel free to speak up during your consultation if you have any questions. We want you to be able to commit to your treatment with confidence!

Dental Implant Surgery

During your surgery, your dentist will create incisions in your gums, then carefully insert the dental implants at precise, pre-planned locations in your jawbone. Then, they will close the incisions so you can begin your recovery. Most patients are feeling well enough to return to work within a couple days of their procedure.

Although the prospect of oral surgery might seem a bit intimidating, there is no need to worry. Your mouth will be numbed, and you may be sedated as well. Our entire team places a high priority on patient comfort.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

As you recover from your surgery, osseointegration will begin. This is the biological process through which the dental implants in Manchester form a bond with the surrounding tissue. It is what ensures that they can serve as strong, stable prosthetic tooth roots for your new teeth.

After adequate osseointegration has occurred, you may have to undergo a second minor surgery. During it, your implants will be exposed, and healing caps will be attached to them. Later, you will receive abutments. Abutments are small connector pieces that will serve to keep your restoration in place. (Some patients are able to receive abutments at the same time as their initial implant surgery.)

Delivery of Dental Restorations

When you are ready to receive your restorations, we will begin the process of designing the crown, bridge, or denture that will go on top of your dental implants. We always strive to create restorations whose size, shape, and color is a perfect complement for a patient’s facial aesthetics and oral anatomy. After a trustworthy dental laboratory fabricates your restorations, we will attach them to your implants. Before you go home, we will give you some pointers on how to adjust to using your new teeth.

Would you like to learn more about what you can expect during the dental implant treatment process? Our team is ready to answer all of your questions!

Lifestyle Benefits

Many denture wearers believe their prosthetic limits their ability to live life to the fullest. Are you among them? If so, dental implants in Manchester may be the ideal solution for you. Some of the lifestyle benefits they offer include:

• The ability to eat what you want. The bite force provided by dental implants rivals that of natural teeth, so they can enable you to eat virtually anything without taking special precautions.
• Confidence in smiling and speaking. Implant restorations bear a strong resemblance to natural teeth. In fact, onlookers may have no idea that you have had a bit of dental work done. Plus, because implants are so sturdy, they will not move in your mouth as you speak, so you can interact confidently with friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
• Easy maintenance. Caring for an implant-supported smile is not complicated or time-consuming. In many ways, maintaining dental implants is similar to caring for natural teeth.

Health Benefits

Tooth loss is correlated with some serious health conditions. For example, it might increase your risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Missing teeth can even be a factor in shortened longevity. Because dental implants so closely mimic natural teeth, they may be able to mitigate some of these risks.

Implants also offer some significant benefits for oral health:

• Jawbone preservation. After you lose a tooth, the bone that once supported it begins to deteriorate. Over time, the deterioration can reach the point where the face takes on a sunken appearance. Dental implants stimulate the jawbone and help to keep it strong, whole, and shapely.
• Because implants are anchored in the jawbone instead of sitting on the gums, they are more comfortable than traditional dentures.
• Prevention of dental drift. Tooth loss leads to dental drift, which means that the remaining natural teeth may move out of their proper places. Dental implants serve as placeholders that keep your teeth where they belong.
• No need to modify nearby teeth. Placing a traditional bridge requires that the abutment teeth be modified. Since dental implants are self-supporting, they usually allow nearby teeth to remain intact.

Long-Term Benefits

After your implant dentist in Manchester restores your teeth, you can look forward to many years of benefits. In fact, this treatment has a 10-year success rate of over 90%. Many patients are even able to retain their implants for a lifetime. The longevity of dental implants may make them a better monetary value than prosthetics that need to be replaced every few years, such as traditional dentures.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Most adults who are missing one or more teeth qualify for dental implants, either right away or after some preparatory procedures. Typically, dental implant candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Good overall health. You should be free of any medical conditions that might compromise your body’s ability to heal well after minor surgery.
• Good oral health. It is important that do not have active gum disease because it can greatly increase the risk of dental implant failure.
• Adequate jawbone density. Your jawbone should be thick enough and dense enough to accommodate your dental implants. If it is not, it may become so after a bone graft.
• Good habits. Dental implants tend to do best in patients who have excellent oral hygiene habits and avoid the use of all tobacco products.

Missing 1 Tooth

If you are missing only one tooth, an individual dental implant can be paired with an all-ceramic dental crown. Not only is this restorative option aesthetically pleasing, but it can fit right into place alongside your natural teeth without anyone being the wiser. It can be used to replace a tooth in any part of the mouth. This type of tooth replacement is superior to a traditional dental bridge because it usually does not require that any of your natural teeth be modified. It also has a longer life expectancy and offers the most comfortable, most reliable function possible.

Missing Multiple Teeth

All-ceramic dental crowns can be successfully placed over dental implants in several areas of the mouth, but a more cost-effective option may be to replace consecutive lost teeth with an implant-retained bridge. This style of lifelike prosthetic is securely anchored in place with two dental implants, each one placed on a different side of the gap.

Alternatively, if your missing teeth are not consecutive, you might qualify for partial denture. This type of restoration replaces multiple teeth at various places throughout an arch, with the support of as few dental implants as possible.

Missing All Teeth

If we need to replenish an entire arch of your smile, implant dentures can provide full, reliable coverage. Instead of replacing each individual tooth with its own implant, a small number of implants (typically 4 – 6 implants, depending on an individual’s circumstances) are strategically positioned to provide optimal support to the denture. This style of prosthetic can be permanently fixed in place, but there are also options that are easy for patients to remove on their own. During your consultation, your dental implant dentist in Manchester will recommend the type of restoration that they believe is best for you.

Learn More About Implant Dentures

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Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Many patients require preliminary treatments before they can get dental implants. For example, your implant dentist in Manchester might determine that you need gum disease therapy, a bone graft, or tooth extractions. Each of these treatments incurs its own cost.

Once your mouth is ready for implants, you will undergo your implant placement surgery, the cost of which will depend on how many implants are being placed as well as the type of sedation that is used. We perform this procedure in-house, so you will not have to worry about dealing with the pricing structure of an outside practice.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

There are many different types of dental implant treatments. Logically, a single implant will cost less than a set of 4 – 6 implants. Also, implants can come from different manufacturers and be made from various materials. If more than one type of dental implant treatment would be appropriate for you, we will clearly explain the pros and cons of each of your options.

The Final Dental Implant Restoration

If you require one crown to replace a single tooth, it is right to assume that you will pay less than if you require a multi-unit bridge or a full denture. Some average prices of restorations in the United States are:

• Single implant (including implant, abutment, and restoration): $3,000-$5,000
• Implant bridge: $5,000-$16,000
• Complete set of dentures: $35,000 to $60,000

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

It is becoming more and more common for dental insurance companies to cover dental implants in Manchester because they recognize the many benefits of the treatment, but there are still some policy providers who are behind the times. Our team will help you navigate your coverage and answer your questions about how it applies to your recommended treatment plan. We will also file claims in your behalf. Even if your plan does not cover the implants themselves, it might help you with preliminary treatments or the cost of your final restorations.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

In addition to helping you with your insurance, we offer a few provisions that may make it easier for you to fit dental implants into your budget:

• We accept CareCredit, a third-party lender that provides low-interest and no-interest payment plans for medical and dental treatments.
• Essential Dental Plan. The Essential Dental Plan is designed for patients without insurance. It provides a significant discount on all dental services.
• Free consultation. If you are still not sure if dental implants are right for you, visit us for a no-cost consultation.

3D Cone Beam Imaging

We often use traditional digital X-Rays to understand what is happening beneath a patient’s gumline. While such images are incredibly useful for routine checkups and diagnoses, they do have their limitations. They often do not provide the level of detail we need to plan dental implant treatment and other complex procedures. That is where our CBCT scanner, also called a cone beam scanner, comes into the picture.

Our CBCT scanner uses a cone-shaped beam of radiation to produce highly detailed, three-dimensional images of your bones, connective tissues, and nerves. Your implant dentist in Manchester uses the scans to determine where to place your dental implants for optimum bone-to-implant contact and a minimal risk of complications.

Many practices use CBCT scans, but not all of them have a CBCT scanner in their office. Since we have one right here at First Line Dental, you will not have to worry about visiting another location simply to get your mouth scanned. The scanning process is quick, noninvasive, and painless.

Guided Dental Implant Surgery

Many dentists use freehand implant placement techniques. Essentially, this means that during the placement surgery, they take an educated guess as to where exactly the implants should go. This method is successful in many cases, and it is often the preferred course of action for relatively straightforward procedures, such as in cases where just a single implant is being placed.

However, if multiple implants are being placed, guided implant surgery is superior. It involves the use of custom surgical guides that help your dentist determine where, at what angle, and how deep in the bone to insert your implants. They thereby minimize the risk of errors and unpleasant surprises. In general, the success of multi-implant surgery is higher with guided placement than with freehand placement.

Antibacterial Coating

Our dental implants in Manchester feature a special type of antibacterial coating. The coating reduces the risk of infections and may aid in successful osseointegration (osseointegration is the process through which implants bond with the surrounding bone). It may be particularly useful for lowering the chances that you will suffer from peri-implantitis. Peri-implantitis occurs when bacteria attack the tissue around a dental implant and lead to the possibility for implant failure. Although good oral hygiene on its own can usually prevent the infection, the antibacterial coating adds a valuable extra layer of protection. 

Would you like to learn more about any of our advanced dental implant technology? Our team will be happy to personally answer your questions.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Research shows that even 10 years after placement, more than 90% of dental implants are still successful. In fact, with proper care, they have the potential to last for many decades. Diligent oral hygiene and routine dental visits are both an important part of helping them to stand the test of time. The restorations on top of dental implants also have a long life expectancy. It is common for them to last well over a decade.

If you ever notice any potential problems with your dental implants, it is important to seek professional care right away. Prompt action is often able to prevent dental implant failure.

Do Dental Implants Feel Natural?

After you recover from your implant placement surgery, you may not even notice that your implants are there. They function just like natural tooth roots. Any sensation you feel around them will come from the nearby gum tissue, not the implants themselves. Dental implant restorations also feel quite natural    after you adjust to them. When you first receive them, though, they may feel a bit strange, and you might produce more saliva than usual.

How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can I Get Dental Implants?

The answer to this question varies from case to case. Some patients are eligible to receive dental implants on the same day they get their teeth extracted. In other cases, it is necessary to wait several months following an extraction. This waiting period allows the bone to heal. However, waiting too long could allow time for the bone to begin to deteriorate. If you know you are interested in dental implants even before you get your teeth removed, let your implant dentist in Manchester know, and they will plan your treatment accordingly.

Do I Need a Bone Graft Before Getting Dental Implants?

That depends. If it has been a few years since you lost your natural teeth, it is likely that you will need a bone graft. That is because without the stimulation of tooth roots, the jawbone tends to become thinner and weaker over time. A graft may be necessary to fortify it so it can support your new teeth. When you visit us for your consultation, we will use our advanced imaging equipment to determine whether a bone graft is necessary.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Without proper oral hygiene, you could develop an infection in your gums that adversely affects your dental implants in Manchester. To maintain a clean mouth, you should:

• Brush your teeth twice a day. Do not forget the area along your gumline or the backs of your teeth.
• Floss once a day. This helps to clean the tight spaces that your toothbrush cannot reach.
• Drink plenty of water. Water rinses away food particles and bacteria and encourages saliva production.
• Follow care instructions that are specific to your restoration. For example, if you have a removable implant denture, you will have to take it out of your mouth regularly to give it a thorough cleaning.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Dental implants can stand up to virtually any food. However, just like with natural teeth, some foods are better for them than others. It is best to avoid overindulging in sticky, hard, and sugary foods. Instead, try to eat a balanced diet that is rich in nutrients that support oral wellness, such as calcium and vitamin C. For example, things like apples, leafy greens, and green tea can all play a role in keeping your entire mouth as healthy as possible.

Break Bad Habits

A few bad habits that can adversely affect dental implants include:

• Tobacco use. Smoking or chewing tobacco greatly increases the risk of implant failure. Every effort you make to quit will be well worth it!
• Chewing on hard objects. Chewing on things like ice or pen caps could damage your restorations.
• Using your teeth as a tool. The force it takes to open a package with your teeth could easily damage them.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Do you play sports? Ask your implant dentist in Manchester about getting a custom mouthguard, which will be more comfortable and more effective than over the counter mouthguards. It can drastically reduce the risk of damage to both your dental implants and your oral tissues.

Have you noticed that you sometimes wake up with a sore jaw? You might grind your teeth at night. To prevent the grinding from harming your implants, you may need a custom nightguard to place a barrier between your upper and lower teeth while you sleep.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Everyone, including dental implant patients, should come in for a cleaning and checkup at least twice a year. We will thoroughly examine your mouth for signs of potential problems, and if we spot any cause for concern, we will be able to address it right away. We will also remove your restorations to clean your implant abutments. If you have any questions about proper implant care, these routine appointments are an excellent time to ask!

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

Blood clots may form at your surgical sites. You should take steps to reduce the risk that you will accidentally dislodge them because they are an important part of the healing process. To protect them, you should:

• Avoid cigarettes for at least a full day (longer is better).
• Avoid the use of drinking straws.
• Do not spit. Instead, swallow excess saliva or use tissues to clean it up.
• Try not to touch your surgical sites with your tongue or fingers.

Common Side Effects

Here is an overview of what you can expect during the first few days after your surgery:

• Intermittent bleeding. You can manage this with gauze and light pressure.
• This may last 3 – 7 days or longer. Cold compresses can help to keep it to a minimum.
• General discomfort. Most people are feeling well enough to return to work within a day of their surgery, but some level of discomfort may linger for several days. Pain medication and getting adequate rest can help.

Diet

Immediately after getting your dental implants in Manchester, you should adhere to a “no chew” diet, which can include things like mashed potatoes, yogurt, pudding, brothy soup, and even ice cream. Later, you can graduate to a “fork tender” diet, which expands your options to soft foods like scrambled eggs and meatloaf. Depending on how many implants you had placed, you may be able to return to your normal eating habits when you feel that your mouth is up to it. However, you should still be careful to avoid chewing on your surgical sites.

Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene remains important after your surgery. You can brush and floss, but be careful to avoid the surgical sites. You may also have to rinse your mouth 2 – 3 times each day with warm saltwater or with a prescription mouthwash. If you use a non-prescription mouthwash, it should be one that does not contain a lot of alcohol.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

Once your implant dentist in Manchester attaches your new teeth, you might experience a bit of temporary sensitivity. However, that is manageable with pain medication and should subside relatively quickly. Once you adjust to your crown, bridge, or denture, you may be able to treat it almost exactly like you would treat natural teeth.