Dental Implants – Putnam, CT

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

This first appointment is reserved as a consultation because it gives our dentists the opportunity to examine your mouth, talk about your treatment goals and expectations, and walk you through the process of getting dental implants. If we find anything that could interfere with your dental implants, such as gum disease, we can take care of the issue first, paving the way to successful replacements.

Dental Implant Surgery

To have the implant posts placed in your jaw, we refer you to a trusted specialist in the Putnam area. That way, your treatment is of the highest possible quality. Prior to the surgery, you may need to schedule a consultation with the specialist to go over the details of the procedure, but we can also explain some of it beforehand to give you a clearer idea of what will happen. You should plan on taking at least two days off from work to rest after the procedure.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

You should feel “back to normal” within about a week of implant placement, but the real, important healing is just beginning. For the next three to six months, your implants merge with your jawbone in a process known as osseointegration, which gives implants their stability and strength.

Then, small attachments called abutments are secured on top of the posts. These pieces connect the posts to the restorations above the gums.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

Once the abutments are in, we’ll take impressions of your lower and upper arches, design your custom restorations, and send the order to our dental lab. Finally, we can complete your smile by placing your personalized dental crown, bridge, or denture onto your abutments. At that point, you’re free to enjoy your prosthetic teeth! Keep in mind that it could take a little bit of time to adjust to having your full smile back, but with patience and time, you’ll find that this entire process is well worthwhile.

Day-to-Day Benefits

Tooth loss can impact your daily quality of life because they are essential for performing basic tasks like eating and speaking. Fortunately, dental implants can improve your world in several ways, such as:

• Allowing you to enjoy meals. These artificial teeth are sturdy, standalone structures that don’t come with many dietary restrictions so you can eat a well-balanced diet that includes your favorite foods.
• Restoring your ability to enunciate. Certain sounds and words are formed by pressing your tongue to your teeth in a specific way and with dental implants, you can speak clearly again so that you’re more easily understood.
• Enhancing your appearance. The dental crown that caps your implant can be color-matched to your smile so that it looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth. You’ll feel much more confident when you’re not so worried about how your smile will be perceived by others.

Health Benefits

Although it may be less immediately obvious than the day-to-day advantages, dental implants also preserve your oral health by:

• Maintaining your jawbone. When pearly whites go missing, your body reabsorbs bone mass from your jaw that’s no longer needed to support them. Your restoration stimulates the bone whenever you bite or chew so that it remains active and healthy to prevent additional tooth loss.
• Supporting surrounding teeth. Your remaining teeth are likely to shift out of alignment to try to fill in any gaps which can wear them down prematurely, leaving them more prone to chips, cracks, and breaks. Your restoration fills the space to keep everything in its place.
• Simple maintenance. Caring for your dental implants is as simple as continuing to brush and floss your teeth twice daily and visiting your dentist every 6 months. This consistently removes harmful bacteria and plaque buildup that contribute to cavities and gum disease to keep your mouth in good condition.

Long-Term Benefits

Your dental implants can continue to serve you in the long run because they are:

• They can last 30+ years if maintained properly, which in some cases is the remainder of your natural life.
• This method of replacing your teeth has a 95% success rate even 10 years after being placed, so you don’t have to be overly worried about developing problems or complications.
• Cost effective. Although you may spend more upfront for this restoration than the alternatives, you could end up saving money down the road because you’re less likely to need to repair or replace them periodically.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Before you can proceed with dental implants, you must have a consultation appointment to verify that you’re a good candidate for this treatment. Certain preexisting conditions like gum disease and insufficient jawbone density can keep you from moving forward and will need to be addressed first. Any additional work will be included in the final amount due.

Once our team has ensured that your oral health is in good condition, we can schedule your surgery. We want you to get the best possible results, so we partner with the best local experts to place your prosthetic. They can let you know in more detail what this component will cost.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Some additional factors that can impact the price of your dental implants include:

• How many are required. Some people only need one or two replacement teeth, whereas others require 4 to 6 or more, which is more expensive.
• The type of restoration. Dental implants can anchor a dental crown, bridge, or dentures, which all have different pricing structures.
• What they’re made of. Usually, the support rod inserted into your jawbone is made of titanium, but some providers use other materials like zirconia, which can cost more.
• The brand. Like any other product or service, different manufacturers make these artificial teeth differently to cater to the needs of certain patients, which can influence the price.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Budget plays an essential role in the type of dental care you can afford. If you’re worried about the higher cost of dental implants, keep in mind that although they may be more of an investment upfront, it could pay off later. These prosthetics are stronger and more resilient than dentures or dental bridges. They resist chips and cracks and aren’t as likely to become dislodged or lost. That means you won’t have to pay for as many ongoing repairs or replacements. Plus, you don’t need to regularly purchase adhesives, special cleaning solutions, or specific pastes that can add up over time.

It's also easier to keep dental implants clean because all that’s required is brushing and flossing twice daily, like usual. This prevents cavities and gum disease that you’ll have to pay to treat if they are allowed to develop.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Usually, insurance doesn’t cover the cost of dental implants, although there may be some exceptions. Every insurance policy is somewhat different, so it’s worth checking the details of your plan so you know what’s included. If you’re unable to find the information or need assistance, our friendly office staff are more than happy to step in. They’re familiar with many different providers and can help you make the most of the benefits available to you.

Learn More About Dental Insurance

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Many experts consider dental implants to be the gold standard of tooth replacements, and we believe that you deserve the best possible care. Our team is happy to work with you to ensure that you can afford the treatments that you deserve. If you’re worried about the cost of your artificial teeth, you can apply for help through CareCredit. Once you’re approved, this third-party financer allows you to break down your total payment into more manageable installments. That way you can restore your smile without breaking the bank!