Adult tooth loss has many implications for both the function of your smile and its aesthetics. Here at Dr. Emma Wu & Associates, our team specializes in restoring smiles. We provide dental implant treatments at our office in Belmont, Massachusetts, to help our patients restore their smiles and their confidence. As far as adult tooth replacement goes, dental implants are the longest-lasting solution and are extremely durable. If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, please call our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Emma Wu.
A dental implant is designed to mimic the structure and function of a healthy natural tooth. Before your initial treatment, our office will take X-rays and Dr. Emma Wu will perform an exam. Implants require jaw bone density in order to be effective. In some cases, patients might need treatments to strengthen their jawbone before they get their implant. An implant is surgically placed beneath the gumline. Over the course of a few months, the implant integrates with the jawbone. This replaces the natural root structure of a tooth. Once your implant has integrated and you have healed, a second appointment will be scheduled to attach your custom-designed tooth to the dental implant. Compared to dental bridges, dental implants are longer-lasting and put less strain on your surrounding teeth. For more information, please give us a call.
What we have discussed so far is the common setup and process for a singular dental implant. These implants replace a tooth on a one-to-one ratio. But there are other implant options. For example, an implant-supported bridge uses two implants to replace multiple adjacent teeth. However, often if our patients have lost all or a majority of their teeth, we would recommend implant-supported dentures. Traditional dentures have many drawbacks most linked to the fact that they can move. This makes talking, chewing, and daily life a bit more challenging. Implant-supported dentures like All-On-4 implants strategically place a limited number of implants in order to hold a full arch of top or bottom teeth. Your smile will not only look natural but also function just like a healthy set of teeth.
The dental implant process can take anywhere from a few months to around a year depending on the unique situations and treatment recommendations for the patient. Here are the basic steps of the dental implant treatment plan:
Dental implants are often considered the best tooth replacement treatment. In almost every category they out perform dental bridges and dentures. They are longer-lasting, put no stress on your surrounding teeth, restore up to 99% of your chewing/biting capabilities, and are designed to truly look like a natural tooth in your smile.
Dental implants tend to be more expensive than alternatives. But this is because they are long-term investments that require more intensive treatments including surgery. The benefits and long-lasting results usually outweigh the higher cost for most patients who choose implants. Costs vary based on many different factors, mainly due to the fact that each patient will have their own unique treatment plan. It is not as simple as throwing out a quick range of prices. The best way to know what an implant will cost is by talking to an implant dentist like our office about your specific needs. That said, we do help patients with payment options including working with financing companies that can break your dental implant plan into routine payments that work for you.
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