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.