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Dental Implants – Chelmsford, MA

A Long-Lasting Solution to Tooth Loss

When it comes to replacing teeth, no other option can beat dental implants. These posts stand above dentures and dental bridges in many ways – durability, stability, looks, and more. The result is that today’s implants are viewed as the gold standard of tooth replacement. As for their other details, our practice will gladly share the facts with you. All you need to do is keep reading or book a visit to see us!

Why Choose Chelmsford Dental Specialists Group for Dental Implants?

  • Entire Treatment Done In-House
  • Award-Winning Prosthodontist
  • Sedation Options That Ensure Calm Care

What Are Dental Implants?

A closeup of a female dentist holding an enlarged dental implant model

At their core, dental implants are small, durable posts made of titanium. Dentistry uses these tooth-sized bits of metal to replace the crowns and roots of missing teeth.

Dental implants aren’t placed like dentures or dental bridges, with a device sitting on the gums. Dentists set them right in your jaw’s empty sockets through a very precise surgery. That way, the implants slowly fuse with your jawbone and become permanent parts of your mouth. They’ll then be secure enough to support abutments (i.e., metal connectors) and final restorations.

Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants

Female dental patient giving a thumbs up

We want to make sure that all of our patients have an accurate idea of what will happen when they choose to get dental implants. The process normally takes months, but rest assured that by the time it’s complete, you’ll have a beautiful, sturdy new smile that will help you get the most out of life! There are four main steps that make up the dental implant process; here’s a closer look at what they involve.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

An aging gentleman happy with his new dental implant

Our dental implants provide patients with perks like:

  • A Prettier Smile – Thanks to their porcelain caps, dental implants blend seamlessly and naturally with your smile.
  • Younger Looks – By stimulating your jaw, dental implants keep your face full and youthful.
  • Easy Eating – Dental implants restore your bite force, helping you chew your favorite foods.
  • Lasting Results – Modern dental implants can last twenty years or more with good care.

Who Dental Implants Can Help

A dentist pointing to a dental implant model held by a patient

No matter how many teeth you’ve lost, you likely qualify for dental implants. Good treatment candidates just need healthy gums and a dense jawbone. Once we’ve settled those factors, we can confirm the type of implant you need based on the teeth you’re missing.

Missing One Tooth

A dental implant and a crown should be enough if you only lack one tooth. With this pair of prosthetics, your treatment results will last longer than a dental bridge would.

Missing Multiple Teeth

When you’ve lost several adjacent teeth, an implant bridge is the ideal option. This type uses dental implants instead of the more traditional dental crowns. On the other hand, an implant denture could work if the missing teeth aren’t adjacent.

Missing All Teeth

An implant denture is your best bet for severe cases of tooth loss. Unlike other kinds, it uses four to six implant posts to support the whole prosthetic. This small number of implants is enough to keep the full denture in place, allowing results that restore your full smile.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

A model tooth in front of a businessperson calculating costs

Though dental implants are pretty great, you may fear they’re too pricey. Fair enough – the metal posts can get more expensive than the other options. However, the cost of dental implants varies by patient; you’ll need to consult our dentists for a precise estimate. Our team will also strive to make your treatment affordable, guiding you through its pricing factors, dental insurance, etc. We’ll even lay out some helpful payment options to make your care budget-friendly.

Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants

Man in button-up shirt smiling

Dental implants are highly durable, but they are not immune to damage. If you want them to last as long as possible, then you need to go out of your way to ensure that they’re properly cared for. Below, you’ll find our team’s recommendations for protecting your dental implants. By following these steps carefully and being proactive about addressing any problems that come up, you can keep your dental implants in excellent shape for many years to come.

Dental Implant FAQs

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

You won’t experience outright pain during your dental implant surgery because a local anesthetic will be administered before the treatment begins. There may be some pressure, but otherwise, your discomfort will be kept to a minimum while your implant posts are being inserted into your jaw.

The local anesthetic will wear off some time after your surgery is complete. At that point, you may experience some soreness and tenderness around the implant site. It’s recommended that you use pain medication (which may be prescribed or bought over the counter) to keep yourself comfortable. Many patients also benefit from using a cold compress.

Any discomfort you experience after dental implant surgery should be temporary. If it lasts longer than expected or appears to grow worse, call us immediately.

What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?

Dental implants might fail for any of the following reasons:

  • A type of gum disease called peri-implantitis can occur in the area around the implant posts, damaging the tissues responsible for keeping them anchored in place.
  • The implant posts may not be able to merge with the jawbone.
  • The implant posts may become damaged by chronic teeth grinding or a blow to the mouth.

Additionally, poor oral hygiene, specific medications, and certain health conditions such as diabetes can all increase the risk of dental implant failure. Our team will make sure that you’re aware of the factors that can put your implant posts at risk, and we’ll give you tips for keeping the chances of failure to a minimum.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Dental Implant Surgery?

Many people are able to return to their normal activities just one day after having dental implants placed. That being said, you will still need to take it easy for at least a week; strenuous exercise might slow down the healing process. In general, it can take around 48 to 72 hours for bleeding at the implant site to stop. Swelling usually hits its peak after about two to three days, gradually going down afterward.

It can take a matter of months for your mouth to fully recover from dental implant surgery. This is because the implant posts need time to finish fusing with the jawbone.

Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat with Dental Implants?

Following your dental implant surgery, you will need to stick to a diet of soft foods that require little to no chewing. It’s recommended that you stay away from anything that’s alcoholic, sugary, or acidic while your mouth is recovering.

Once your mouth has completely healed and your implant posts have been restored, you will have the freedom to eat virtually anything you want. That said, you will still need to be careful around certain foods. Hard foods like nuts or ice could end up damaging your implants, and sticky foods like taffy might dislodge your prosthesis.

5/5
Ellen C.
Ellen C.
Always a great visit when I go to get my teeth cleaned. Dr Sargent takes the time to make me feel like I matter as a patient.
Karla M.
Karla M.
Michael Sargent has been my dentist for years and I always leave there smiling. My hygienist Sandy Ayer is also awesome.
Mary N.
Mary N.
I was very nervous today and he was like always able to calm me.

Enhance Your Smile with Chelmsford Dental Specialists Group