For all these reasons, it’s critical that we replace a lost tooth. An excellent option for replacing a missing tooth is an artificial tooth secured by a dental implant. Implants are titanium cylinders that are surgically placed in your jaw to serve as artificial roots. Attaching a replacement tooth to an implant allows us to avoid placing a bridge. Bridges require that we prepare the adjacent natural teeth, and that weakens them substantially.

Benefits of Implants

An implant and crown is practically indistinguishable from your natural teeth, and it fits so securely that you won’t even notice it when you chew and speak. When we place an implant, it’s not necessary for us to alter the structure of the adjacent teeth, so their strength and integrity is maintained. Also, an implant replaces the roots of a missing tooth, which helps to lessen the bone loss that occurs when a tooth is missing. In essence, an implant is the next best thing to your natural tooth.

Do implants work for everyone?

From beginning to end, the procedure may require several months to complete because it can take about four to six months for the implant to fuse to your bone tissue through a process called osseointegration. An implant won’t work for you if you aren’t in good general health. Your gums and jaw bone must be healthy enough to support the implant, and you must be meticulous about your daily homecare routine. You’ll also need to visit us up to four times a year for cleanings.

If you’re interested in replacing a missing tooth with an implant, we will perform a thorough evaluation to determine whether your health and lifestyle make you a good candidate for this kind of restoration.

The first phase

For the surgical placement of the implant, your mouth will be thoroughly numbed. An incision is made in your gums, and a channel is made in the bone to receive the implant. After the implant is snugly in place, a temporary crown or healing cap is placed. Over the next few months, the implant becomes securely attached to the bone.

The second phase

The second phase starts with removal of the temporary crown or healing cap. A new attachment is placed to support the final crown. We then start a series of appointments to make your new crown. Though some steps might be different in your case, they usually include making impressions of your mouth. From these impressions, we make precise working models of your mouth, which are carefully mounted for proper alignment. It’s on these models that your restoration is fabricated. The last step is the placement of your new crown.

The success of your implant depends on your care of the implant at home, and our support through regular checkups and cleanings here in our office.

Denture on implants

Some people are not able to comfortably wear an upper or lower denture whether due to a severe gag reflex or because they move around to much not allowing a patient to eat certain foods. The dentures move constantly and can hurt a patient constantly. The transition from their own teeth to an upper denture just never worked out. If you’re one of these people and you’d love to get rid of your upper or lower denture, then implants may be the answer. There are several ways to use implants in the upper or lower jaw to replace a denture. One way is with a modified denture that’s open on the palate. The denture clips to a bar that connects the implants. You can take it in and out by yourself at home. Another option is a bridge that may be cemented in place or secured by screws.

Replacing your missing teeth with dental implants and restorations can make a world of difference in your life. You can eat, laugh, talk, and smile with confidence again.

Grace Dental is a cosmetic and sedation dentistry Office located in Framingham/Natick MA.

Our family friendly dentistry office is here to meet your needs by offering sedation dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign, smile makeovers, dental implants, and the latest in laser dentistry.

Serving the Greater Metrowest Boston area, close proximity to Wellesley, Natick, Ashland, Hopkinton, Westborough, Southborough, Marlborough, Northborough.