
There are many ways to replace missing teeth, preventing neighboring teeth from shifting and causing additional complications. However, there is only one tooth replacement procedure out there that replaces the entire tooth’s structure, not just the visible portion that appears in your smile. This includes the root, which is responsible for many important oral functions. At Fromuth & Langlois Dental of Manchester, we’re proud to offer dental implants in Manchester as a way to help our patients regain full and complete smiles. We’ll make sure that your next restoration, whether it’s an implant-supported crown, bridge, or denture, looks as good as it feels. Just call us today to get started!
A dental implant is a titanium post that is placed into your jawbone to act as a root for a lost tooth. A metal attachment, called an abutment, is fixed to the post to secure your custom-made restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) into place. This allows you to enjoy a close replica of your natural pearly whites in both appearance and function. Although you will need oral surgery, you’ll have a solution that looks and feels natural, improves your oral health, and can last for several decades with the right aftercare, like maintaining your oral hygiene.
Dental implants take longer to get than traditional options like dentures or bridges. So, Dr. Fromuth and Dr. Langlois understand why you might feel hesitation at first, but once you learn about the process in better detail, we’re sure that you’ll feel far more confident about this comprehensive and long-lasting tooth replacement method. In fact, when performed by a professional like one of our partnered specialists in the area, you can expect a highly successful outcome. While every patient’s treatment looks different, here are the four basic steps of the dental implant process:
When you first arrive, we’ll need to perform a detailed examination of your mouth and underlying bone tissue. This way, we can confirm if your jaw is strong enough to hold dental implants or if preparatory treatments are necessary to ensure the most successful outcome possible. For example, if you have been missing teeth for a long time, your jawbone may have broken down too much, meaning that a bone graft is needed to expand your healthy bone tissue. Alternatively, we can provide treatment for other present conditions, including gum disease. Once we’ve completed your consultation, we can begin planning your tooth replacement.
For your placement surgery, you’ll meet with one of our trusted dental implant specialists to ensure the highest quality of care.
After administering local anesthetic to ensure the most comfortable experience possible, a small incision is made inside of your gum tissue. From there, a small hole is created in the jaw in order to make room for the titanium implant. The implant is then placed, and the gum tissue is stitched closed, allowing your bone and gums to slowly heal around the prosthetic root. The length of your surgery will vary depending on the number of implants you need to have placed. Thanks to the local anesthetic, you should not experience discomfort of any kind during your surgery.
Dental implants typically take four to six months to fully integrate with your bone tissue. This process, called osseointegration, is exactly what gives your tooth replacement unmatched stability and longevity. After several months have passed, an abutment can be safely placed on top of the implants. The abutment is meant to act as a connector for your permanent restoration. Once the abutment has been placed, the gum tissue will need an additional two to three weeks of healing before a restoration is attached. Our restorations are designed using digital impression technology, ensuring the best-fitting tooth replacement possible.
At your final appointment, your dental implants should be fully healed inside your jaw and ready to receive your permanent crown, bridge, or denture. Our implant restorations are made with tooth- and gum-colored materials, depending on the type of restoration you’re receiving. This includes high-quality porcelain color-matched to your enamel’s current shade and acrylics that blend in with your gum tissue (if you’re receiving a denture.) Before you leave, we’ll make sure that the restoration feels comfortable and looks exactly how you want it to. We’ll also go over the best techniques to keep your restoration and implants clean and free of dental plaque.
What makes dental implants in Manchester such a highly recommended tooth replacement treatment among patients and professionals alike? With so many aesthetic and health benefits, we want our patients to be able to enjoy the latest restorative treatment that the dental world has to offer so you don’t miss out. To learn about what benefits dental implants can offer you, be sure to schedule a consultation today!
Dental implant posts are made from titanium, a highly biocompatible metal. Because of this, once they’re inserted into your jawbone, they are able to naturally fuse with it. This allows your implants to act like the natural roots of your teeth, providing the jawbone with stimulation and blood flow that keep it from deteriorating from not being used over time.
With the proper maintenance and daily care, your dental implants are able to last for over 35 years. That’s four times longer than the average lifespan of traditional tooth replacement options such as dentures. This is due to the fact that the implants are made from biocompatible titanium that is able to form a small oxide layer around them when they’re surgically placed. This layer prevents them from corroding or breaking down, allowing the implants to provide your restorations with long-lasting durability and strength.
Another great benefit of dental implants in Manchester is that they’re easy to care for. They’re one of the closest replacement solutions to your natural pearly whites, allowing you to take care of them in practically the same way. All you need to do to ensure the health of your implants is keep up with your daily oral hygiene routine, visit our office every six months for checkups and cleanings, protect your teeth from grinding or bad oral habits, and be mindful of eating foods that are extremely sticky, chewy, and hard.
There are many ways we can incorporate dental implants into your tooth replacement treatment. As a patient, you can restore individual teeth, multiple teeth, or an entire row of teeth via a denture that’s retained with dental implants.
Replacing a single tooth starts by placing a titanium post directly into the jaw, then allowing it to heal and integrate over the next several months. Once fully healed, we’ll place an abutment on top of the implant post, which stabilizes the permanent restoration. We use porcelain to create our restorations thanks to their durability and incredibly natural esthetics.
Unlike traditional bridges, implant bridges do not require the step of removing additional tooth structure of neighboring teeth. This step is performed so that the bridge can be reliably anchored. Since dental implants are strong enough to hold restorations on their own, you can retain more of your tooth enamel and still have your smile fully restored.
Patients who currently use a denture or recently had all of the teeth in their arch extracted can benefit most from an implant denture. The good news is only about four to six dental implants are needed to hold a complete row of teeth. No longer will you need to rely on denture adhesive just to secure your teeth in place.
Learn More About Implant Dentures
When it comes to determining the cost for dental implants, it’s important to recognize that each patient is going to have their own needs. That means that the overall cost of your treatment will vary based on a few different factors. This includes the number of dental implants you intend on placing, the type of restoration used to restore your implant(s), and the preparatory treatments required to make dental implants viable in the first place. With these steps in mind, patients should understand that dental implants are truly a long-term investment that, in many ways, is more cost-effective than traditional bridges or dentures. Not only do they last longer, but they offer more restorative benefits and don’t carry the same long-term maintenance costs associated with bridges or dentures.
Whether you want to replace a single missing tooth or restore an entire upper or lower arch of teeth, dental implants can help. Indeed, common types of dental implants include:
The overall cost of treatment will vary depending on which type of implant you desire. For instance, an implant denture – which relies on the support of four to six implants – typically costs more than a single implant and crown.
The first step to restore your smile with dental implants is to schedule an initial consultation with a dentist in Manchester. This is an opportunity for your dentist to examine your teeth, gums, and mouth and hear from you regarding your personal smile goals.
If you have gum disease, a weak jawbone or other oral health issues, your dentist will likely recommend addressing these issues first before proceeding with implant treatment. Gum disease therapy or a bone graft to strengthen the jawbone can add to the overall treatment cost.
Once the greenlight is given, dental implant treatment typically follows these stages:
As you can see, the implant process requires a few trips to the dentist (and implant specialist) over several months. Each visit is an important step of the process but may incur a unique cost that will vary from case to case.
Why pay a bit more for dental implants when traditional alternatives such as dentures and bridges can replace teeth for a lower upfront cost? Dental implants are the only restorative treatment that replaces both the visible portion of teeth and the tooth root structure. Simply put, no other tooth replacement solution can match the maximum stability, rejuvenated appearance and restored dental function that implants provide.
What’s more: dental implants last significantly longer than dentures or bridges. With proper care, you can expect implants to remain a part of your smile for decades – or even the rest of your life! For comparison’s sake, dentures typically must be replaced about every 10 years. In the end, dental implants can end up being the most cost-effective treatment to replace missing teeth!
Dental insurance plans typically do not provide full coverage for dental implants, but you may be eligible to receive partial coverage for certain procedures associated with implant treatment. For example, you may be able to apply your insurance benefits toward the initial consultation or to cover the costs of addressing gum disease prior to implant surgery.
At Fromuth & Langlois Dental of Manchester, we believe patients should not be put off from pursuing the dental treatment they need or want simply because of the price tag. That is why we are proud to offer third-party financing options through CareCredit, which works with patients to set manageable monthly payments with low or no interest rates attached. Ask our experienced and knowledgeable team to learn more!
If you’re considering dental implants, you may still have questions about this life-changing replacement option. Unlike dentures that have been used for hundreds of years, dental implants are a newer technology, which is why many people have questions about them. At Fromuth & Langlois Dental, we want our patients to have all of the information that they need to make a confident decision. Keep reading to learn the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about dental implants in Manchester.
The dental implant process is longer than other replacements, but the results can last a lifetime. Once your implants are placed, we will wait at least three to four months to let them integrate into your bone. This osseointegration process ensures that they will be a sturdy support for decades to come. After, you’ll come back into our office, where we will place your custom-made restoration for a strong and beautiful smile. While this process does take months, you can count on dental implants to last for the rest of your life with proper care.
When people hear about dental implant surgery, they may automatically think that it is painful. However, patients that have undergone this procedure relate the discomfort to a simple tooth extraction. Before surgery, you’ll be made numb and comfortable to ensure that you’re relaxed throughout the process. When the procedure is done, you may feel slight soreness for the first few days, but this is completely normal. Simply follow the aftercare instructions from your dentist in Manchester to manage any discomfort!
Many people struggle with dentures that slide and slip around when they speak, eat, or laugh. This is not only uncomfortable, but it can cause self-consciousness when in public. Thankfully, we offer dental implants as a way to stabilize dentures, giving patients beautiful full smile replacements with the stability and health benefits of dental implants. With an implant denture, you can eat all of your favorite foods without worrying about your teeth shifting around.
The only way to know with certainty whether you’re eligible for dental implants is to schedule a consultation with our dentists. We will carefully examine your smile to determine if dental implants are right for you. Good candidates for dental implants will typically have decent oral health, a strong enough jawbone to accommodate the replacement, and a commitment to a positive healthcare routine after receiving them. If you’re interested in getting dental implants, or have any additional questions, contact our office today!