Dental Implants Medford
New Teeth That Last
Dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement. They look natural, are extremely strong, are biocompatible, and have been shown to last for decades. When placed by an oral surgeon with advanced training using the latest technology in implant dentistry, you can expect to enjoy fully restored chewing, speaking, and cosmetics often leading to an improved quality of life. If you’re ready to turn back the clock on tooth loss, schedule your consultation today for dental implants in Medford.
Why Choose Greater Boston Oral Surgery & Implant Center for Dental Implants?
- Dual Dental & Medical Degree (DMD/MD) Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
- Fully Digital Workflow for Efficient Dental Implant Care
- A Leading Provider of Zygomatic & Pterygoid Dental Implants
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small titanium post that looks similar to a screw that is placed directly into the jawbone in the space left by a missing tooth. There, a natural process called osseointegration takes place, where it fuses with the surrounding bone. Once ready, it can serve as the foundation for a crown, bridge, or implant supported full mouth prosthetic.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Unlike getting dentures and dental bridges, replacing missing teeth with dental implants involves a several-part process that can span several months. These are the only replacement teeth that are placed directly into your jawbone to become a more permanent part of your mouth.
Dr. Keyser has advanced training and state-of-the-art technology onsite to place and restore your replacement teeth in the office. Continue reading to learn more about the step-by-step process so you have a better idea of what to expect, and please contact us for additional information.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Many experts consider implants the ideal way to replace missing teeth due to their unique placement in the jawbone. However, that doesn’t mean everyone is automatically a good candidate for this treatment.
Before proceeding, you must consult Dr. Keyser so he can examine your mouth to identify and treat any pre-existing issues, such as cavities or gum disease, that can impact the results. He’ll also measure your jawbone density to determine whether it’s strong enough to support your restorations. If it’s not, an additional bone graft procedure may be required to bulk it up enough to continue.
Dental Implant Surgery
Dr. Keyser is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with the specialized skills, experience, and advanced technology to place dental implants in-house. He’ll begin your procedure by numbing and/or sedating you to help you feel calm and comfortable throughout your surgery.
Then, he’ll make an incision to carefully place the support rod of your new tooth into your jawbone. Once it’s in position, he’ll suture the wound and put a protective cap over the post to shield it from potential harm while your mouth heals.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
It can take anywhere from three to six months to recover after your surgery because your mouth must generate enough new bone growth to fuse with your implant in a process called osseointegration.
Once you’ve recovered sufficiently, our team will schedule another appointment to take impressions of your teeth and gums, which are shared with our in-house dental lab to begin designing your personalized replacement tooth.
Then, you must undergo an additional minor procedure to place an abutment, or connector, on your dental implant. This will eventually anchor your customized dental crown or other appropriate prosthetic to close the gap in your grin.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
The final step is to attach your dental crown, bridge, or dentures to your implant(s). Dr. Keyser will carefully cement the restoration to the abutment piece, then check your dental alignment to ensure it fits correctly and that your teeth come together as intended when you bite down.
If no further adjustments are required, we can send you home with a beautifully rebuilt smile!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Millions of patients have chosen dental implants because they offer a host of unique benefits and are widely regarded as the best tooth replacement option available. If you are considering this tooth-replacement solution as well, then keep reading to learn a few of the many reasons they continue to be so popular year after year.
Day-to-Day Benefits
You won’t have to wait long to enjoy the benefits of dental implants in Medford. Once you’ve healed, you’ll notice considerable improvements to your day-to-day life, including:
- Freedom to Eat Your Favorite Foods – Dental implants restore much more chewing strength compared to traditional dentures and bridges. So, you won’t be limited to applesauce, plain yogurt, and other extremely soft foods.
- Improved Self-Esteem – Oftentimes, patients struggle with low self-esteem and become withdrawn following tooth loss. The good news is that dental implants can effortlessly fill in the gaps, they look natural, and they don’t require clips or metal attachments to stay in place.
- Hassle-Free Dental Care – While other tooth-replacement solutions require special cleaning products, dental implants can be maintained with the same best practices you use to care for your natural teeth, like brushing and flossing consistently.
Health Benefits
Another reason dental implants are widely loved by both dentists and their patients is that they offer several health benefits, like:
- Prevents Dental Drift – Dental drift is when the teeth surrounding the gap begin to move. This change in your bite can lead to several problems, including premature wear and tear on certain teeth. Fortunately, dental implants can fill the open spaces seamlessly.
- Restores Your Ability to Eat a Healthy, Well-Balanced Diet – With a strong bite, you’ll be able to eat a wide variety of foods, including seasonal fruits and vegetables. This ensures your body has the nutrients it needs to keep your gums and any remaining teeth you have healthy.
- Healthy Teeth Don’t Need to be Altered – With dental bridges, the teeth surrounding the gap need to be altered, even if they are healthy. That’s not necessary with dental implants because they are self-supporting!
Long-Term Benefits
Finally, dental implants offer several long-term benefits, such as:
- Prevents Bone Loss – Unlike other tooth-replacement solutions, dental implants get their strength from your jawbone. Each time you chew, it gets stimulated, which helps prevent bone loss over the years.
- Preserves Your Youthful Face Shape – Speaking of bone loss, many patients notice that their cheeks look sunken in as they age. Dental implants fill the gaps in your smile and prevent bone loss, which helps you maintain a more youthful appearance.
- Long Lifespan – With proper care and maintenance, dental implants can last for three decades. This is a considerable improvement over other tooth-replacement solutions, which typically last for 5-10 years.
What Are Zygomatic & Pterygoid Dental Implants?
Dental implants rely on the strength of the underlying jawbone to stay firmly in place, but after spending years with missing teeth, the jaw naturally atrophies and weakens. As a result, there often isn’t enough tissue to create a stable foundation. Typically, a patient would need to undergo a bone graft, but this step can often be skipped with zygomatic and pterygoid dental implants.
With these, special dental implants are anchored using the zygomatic (cheek) or pterygoid (skull behind the upper jaw) bone, taking advantage of a patient’s existing tissue so they can get their new teeth faster while still enjoying the advantages of dental implants. Dr. Keyser is one of the few oral surgeons in the area who can offer these treatments, giving his patients a one-of-a-kind experience.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. They replace the roots of the missing teeth, allowing for a wide range of benefits that you can’t achieve with dentures or dental bridges. To achieve this, getting dental implants requires a unique multi-step process that takes place over the course of several months. Since everyone’s treatment is customized, the cost can vary. During your consultation, we will go over the estimated cost of your treatment. Until then, here are some things to take into account.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
In some cases, patients need to undergo preliminary procedures before they can qualify for dental implants. This could include services like gum disease treatment, tooth extractions, bone grafting, and sinus lifting. It is important to consider the cost of these procedures. If they apply to you. Fortunately, the cost of preliminary procedures is often partially covered by dental insurance providers.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
There are many different factors that contribute to the cost of dental implants. Here are some of the most notable ones.
- Number of Dental Implants: The number of teeth that you are missing and where they are located determine the number of dental implants that you need. The more implants, the higher the cost.
- Restoration: Dental crowns, bridges, and dentures are all at different price points. Generally speaking, the larger the restoration, the higher the cost.
- Materials: In most cases, dental implants are made from surgical titanium. However, they can also be made from zirconia.
- Brand: Just like other procedures, dental implants come from various manufacturers. This influences the cost.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
It can be tempting to save money by choosing a more affordable tooth replacement option, like dentures. Dentures are great for some people, but they don’t offer the same lifelong benefits that dental implants do. Dental implants can help you save money in the long run. This is because you will no longer need frequent repairs and replacements. You don’t need to stock up on adhesives or soaking solutions either. Dental implants help to prevent future dental issues, so you can avoid some costly restorative treatments down the road.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants
In most cases, the dental implants themselves are not covered by dental insurance. However, parts of the preliminary procedures and final restoration might be. At Greater Boston Oral Surgery & Implant Center, we are insurance-friendly! We are happy to accept numerous dental and medical plans. To learn more about how you can use your plan’s benefits, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
If you don’t have insurance, this doesn’t mean that you are completely out of luck. We are happy to accept payments through CareCredit, Cherry, and Proceed. These third-party financing companies can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. If you have any questions or need help applying, give us a call so we can help!