For a Beautiful Smile That Lasts
At Healthy Chelsea Dental, we use natural-looking dental implants to replace missing teeth and provide a fixed solution to removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability so you can enjoy all of your favorite foods with ease.
Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist or periodontist. The teeth attached to implants are very natural-looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile.
Our dental implants are stable, durable, and will last many years, but on occasion, they may need to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.
Dental Implant Candidacy
Patients choose dental implants for several different reasons, such as:
- Replacing one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth
- Resolving joint pain or bite problems caused by shifting teeth
- Restoring a patient’s confident smile
- Restoring chewing, speech, and digestion
- Restoring or enhancing facial issues
- Supporting a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable
The Dental Implant Process
The process of getting implants requires several visits over several months. The steps of your treatment will include:
- At your first appointment, X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine how much bone, gum tissue, and spacing are available for an implant.
- While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone, where it will heal and integrate itself into the bone for up to six months.
- Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required to place the “post” that will hold the artificial tooth in place. With other implants, the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time.
- After several weeks of healing, the artificial teeth are customized and fitted to the post portion of the anchor. Because several fittings may be required, this step can take one to two months to complete.
- After a healing period, the artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant, providing excellent stability and comfort for the patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
You won’t feel any pain during your procedure because you’ll be provided with an anesthetic. Dental sedation is also an option for patients who need it. There will be some swelling and discomfort following the procedure, but this can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen. Ice packs are also helpful to reduce swelling.
Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing your teeth, so it’s not surprising that the initial cost of implants is higher than restorations such as dentures or bridges. Implants will last years longer than the alternatives and they also enhance your oral health. When viewed as a long-term investment in your health, comfort, and well-being, the cost of dental implants is competitive with alternative treatments.
Implants require the same type of care as natural teeth– daily brushing and flossing, along with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings. Although implants are resistant to decay, the gum tissues around them can become inflamed or infected in the absence of good oral hygiene. With proper care, dental implants can last up to a lifetime.
You can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even a whole arch of missing teeth with dental implants. You don’t even need one implant for every missing tooth. For example, as few as four implants can be used to provide a full, permanent set of upper or lower teeth.