Dental Implants — Torrington, CT
Replacing Missing Teeth
with the Next Best Thing
Here at Torrington Dental Care, we offer a wide range of services designed to help patients regain a complete, confident smile after losing one or more teeth. However, when it comes to replacing missing teeth with the next best thing, there is no better option than dental implants! This unique tooth loss solution is the only way to replace missing teeth above and below the gumline, allowing it to feel and act like a real tooth. Additionally, the entire procedure can be completed in-office with the option of sedation to ensure a convenient and pleasant experience during every visit. We invite everyone in Torrington to be a part of our growing dental office and encourage you to come try us out today. Call us now to schedule a no-obligation consultation with the doctor.
Why Choose Torrington Dental Care For Dental Implants?
- All-Inclusive: Placement & Restorations Provided Under One Roof
- Permanently Replace Any Number of Missing Teeth
- Free, No-Obligation Dental Implant Consultation
What Are Dental Implants?
There are two parts of your teeth: the visible crown that sits above the gumline and the hidden root that anchors the tooth into the jawbone. Other tooth replacement options like dental bridges and dentures only replace the crown of missing teeth. Without the root, these restorations tend to leave a lot to be desired in terms of stability and comfort. Dental implants are revolutionary because they replace the entire structure of a missing tooth to mimic it in practically every way.
A dental implant is a small titanium post that is inserted directly into the jawbone to replace the roots of a missing tooth. After it fuses with the bone tissue in your jaw, it provides a sturdy, reliable foundation for your new replacement teeth. This crown, bridge, or denture is securely fastened to the top of the implant post with a small connector piece called an abutment. Your final restoration will be precisely crafted from high quality materials and designed to match the rest of your pearly whites for seamless results. The end result is a newly rebuilt smile that once again feels, looks, and functions just like natural. It is no wonder why dental implants are widely regarded by dentists and patients alike to be the gold standard of tooth replacement!
The 4 Step Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process takes place across multiple treatment stages over the course of several months. That may seem like a long time, but the end result is worth it! Here at Torrington Dental Care, our team of professionals has all the training and expertise necessary to perform the entire treatment right here in our office. We can thereby spare you the hassles of visiting another practice for part of your procedure.
Exactly how dental implants work in Torrington varies from case to case. In general, though, patients must go through four main stages of treatment: consultation, implant placement surgery, osseointegration/abutment placement, and restoration.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
During your consultation, our team will use advanced imaging technology to get a look beneath your gumline. Your implant dentist in Torrington will also perform a thorough oral examination and review of your medical history. Armed with that information, we will be able to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants or if you require some preliminary treatments first, such as a bone graft or tooth extractions. We will also explain to you the specifics of what you can expect during your dental implant journey. Feel free to ask any questions you may have during this appointment; we want all of our patients to be well-informed!
Dental Implant Surgery
Once we have determined that you are a good candidate for dental implants in Torrington, the implants themselves must be surgically placed within the jawbone. Some practices must refer patients to an outside specialist for this portion of the treatment, but our team can handle the surgery right here in our office. This spares you from the inconveniences and uncertainties of dealing with an unfamiliar practice.
Our team will use local anesthesia and possibly sedation to ensure you are comfortable, and then your dentist will make one or more small incisions in the gums to access the jawbone. Then, the implants are inserted into the jaw at pre-determined locations, and the gums are closed around them.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
Once the dental implants are successfully situated, they will need a period of time (typically a few months) to bond with your natural tissue. This step is called osseointegration. It is what enables the implants to serve as prosthetic tooth roots.
Following osseointegration, you may undergo a second minor surgery. The implants are exposed, and healing caps are placed on them. Later, after your gums have had time to heal, abutments are placed. Abutments are small connector pieces that serve to secure implant restorations in place. (Some patients receive abutments at the same time as their initial implant surgery.)
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
Restoration is the final stage of the dental implant process, and it is the one that patients most look forward to. After the abutments are in place, we take detailed impressions of your mouth. Those impressions serve as the basis for designing your custom crown, bridge, or denture. After a laboratory fabricates your restorations, we attach them to your abutments. Once we verify their fit and you are satisfied with their appearance, you can go off and enjoy your beautiful new smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
If you have lost one or more teeth, there are a few different treatments that can fill in those empty spaces and improve your ability to chew food and speak clearly. However, not all tooth replacement options are created equal. As your implant dentist in Torrington, our team always recommends dental implants for patients who are good candidates for them because of all the unique benefits they offer. Simply put, dental implants have the potential to improve your quality of life in ways that dentures and dental bridges cannot.
Day-to-Day Benefits
The benefits of dental implants in Torrington for everyday life are many. Some of the advantages you might experience include:
- Because dental implants are anchored in the jawbone, they provide extremely stable tooth replacement. Unlike traditional dentures, implants do not require you to take any special precautions when you are eating. You can dig into that crunchy apple or juicy corn on the cob without any worry that your new teeth will slip out of place.
- Confidence in your appearance. Our team takes great care to ensure that dental implant restorations look extremely natural. They are shade-matched to the surrounding teeth and shaped in a way that complements your facial structures. Unless you want to brag about your beautifully restored teeth, no one will have to know that you have dental implants.
- Easy maintenance. In many ways, caring for dental implants is similar to caring for natural teeth. Since most implant restorations are permanently fixed in place, you can brush and floss them like normal.
Health Benefits
Dental implants in Torrington may benefit both your oral and overall health in a few different ways:
- Jawbone preservation. When you lose a tooth, the bone that once supported it begins to deteriorate. However, because dental implants bond with the bone, they stimulate it and help to keep it strong and whole. Therefore, you can maintain your natural facial shape and avoid the sunken look that often occurs after extensive tooth loss.
- Protection for natural teeth. Placing a fixed bridge requires that the teeth next to the empty space be filed down. Implants are self-supporting, so they let nearby teeth remain intact.
- Other health benefits. Dental implants can enable you to eat a nutritious diet that promotes overall health. They are also easy to clean and can reduce your risk of gum disease, which is associated with numerous systemic health problems.
Long-Term Benefits
You can expect to continue to experience benefits from your dental implants long after you receive them. Their long-term advantages include:
- With proper care, dental implants have the potential to last for decades. They could even last for the rest of your life. The restorations on top of the implants also have a long average life expectancy (perhaps around 10 years or so). Other tooth replacement options, such as traditional dentures, may need to be replaced every 5 – 8 years.
- High success rate. Even 10 years after placement, roughly 90% of dental implant patients are still thriving.
- Save time and money. The longevity of dental implants makes them an excellent monetary value. They can also spare you from spending a lot of time at your dentist’s office for denture relines and maintenance.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants are a versatile treatment that can replace any number of missing teeth. When you visit us for your consultation, we will carefully evaluate your oral health and learn about your medical history before we begin to develop your personalized treatment plan. Some patients require one or more preliminary services before they can receive implants, but virtually all adults can qualify for them. As your dental implant dentist in Torrington, we are eager to help you rebuild your smile!
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
As long as you have a strong, fully developed jawbone, great oral health, and fair overall health, there is no upper age limit for getting dental implants. This unique tooth loss solution can help young people as well, but we typically do not recommend dental implants for patients under 18 since their jawbone is still developing. Even if you do not qualify for implants at first, it is likely that you can qualify after some preparatory treatments, such as a bone graft or other oral health services. Once your mouth is ready for dental implants in Torrington, we will plan your treatment around the number of teeth you are missing.
Missing 1 Tooth
If we are restoring a single tooth, an all-ceramic dental crown will be used. It will be secured on top of a single dental implant after the implant has had time to bond with the surrounding bone. This crown will likely be able to fit in place between natural teeth without requiring any negative alterations or reduction. Because this restoration will have the same two-part structure as the teeth that surround it, you can expect it to offer outstanding aesthetics, blending seamlessly into your smile. Implant-supported crowns typically last longer, feel more natural, and provide better function than traditional dental bridges.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If multiple consecutive teeth require replacement, our team can place two dental implants on either side of the gap to accommodate a bridge, anchoring it securely in place. This method is far superior to a traditional bridge, which requires healthy teeth to be filed down to hold new crowns.
If your missing teeth are located at various places throughout a dental arch, a partial denture might be right for you. We may be able to hold the denture in place with a minimal number of implants, thereby making your treatment as conservative as possible while still providing you with optimum function.
Missing All Teeth
Dentures can be paired with state-of-the-art dental implants to provide a secure and permanent solution to extensive tooth loss. In fact, this method is very cost effective, as our team can use a small number of dental implants to anchor the prosthetic in place instead of allocating one implant per tooth. Patients may choose to have their new teeth anchored permanently in place or maintain a removable denture — both options are available.
Learn More About Implant Dentures
Alternatively, if a patient needs to replace an entire arch of teeth at once, Teeth In A Day are available. This style of reconstructive treatment involves the placement of 4 – 6 dental implants at strategic angles. Your new teeth can be placed directly after the surgical treatment, which means that this procedure truly lives up to its name!
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
A key thing to know about dental implants is that there is no set price for the procedure, as it can vary quite a bit depending on a patient’s specific needs. Regardless of this, however, they are still the most cost-effective replacement available today thanks to their longevity. You can count on us to be upfront with you about pricing. We will also do what we can to help you manage the cost of dental implants in Torrington. For example, we can help you file insurance claims and apply for financing. We even participate in a special dental savings plan.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
Many patients require preliminary treatments, such as a bone graft or gum disease therapy, before they can receive dental implants in Torrington. Each of these services comes with its own cost. The implant placement surgery incurs a separate fee, which depends on how many implants we are placing and the type of sedation used. Since we perform the surgery in-house, you will not have to worry about dealing with the pricing policies of an outside practice.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
Logically, a single dental implant and its accompanying crown cost less than full mouth reconstruction. Similarly, a full implant denture supported by six or more implants may cost more than one that requires only four implants for support. Also, keep in mind that there are different implant brands, manufacturers, and types of implants, all of which can have a bearing on price. We strive to use only the highest-quality materials in our office.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
Dental implants have the potential to last a lifetime. In fact, their longevity may make them a better long-term monetary value than treatments that have a lower upfront cost but that need to be replaced every few years, such as traditional dentures. Plus, because dental implants can prevent a number of oral health problems, such as gum sores from dentures, they can spare you from having to spend money on various restorative treatments and remedies.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Dental insurance policies vary greatly in their approach to dental implants. Some cover them, while others do not. You will have to check your specific plan to see how it applies. Even if it does not cover the implants themselves, it might cover other portions of your treatment, such as preparatory procedures or your final restorations. Our team will help you understand your coverage, file your claims, and get as much value as possible out of your policy.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
In addition to helping you navigate your insurance, we will also assist you in exploring other financial resources. For example, most patients qualify for low-interest or no-interest financing through a third-party lender like CareCredit. We also participate in the Essential Dental savings plan, which can allow you to enjoy a discount on most services. We even offer a FREE initial consultation with an implant dentist in Torrington so you can get started on your journey without paying a dime.
Bone Augmentation
For dental implants to succeed, the patient’s jawbone needs to have enough healthy bone structure to support their placement and hold them securely in place. Unfortunately, patients who have struggled with periodontal disease or long-term tooth loss may discover that their jawbone quality is too compromised to make this transformative procedure viable. Thankfully, bone augmentation is available here in Torrington. During this procedure, bone graft material will be attached to the exposed tissue and then sutured close to encourage new, healthy growth.
Learn More About Bone Augmentation
Dental Implant Post-Op Instructions
Following your dental implant surgery, you will have to go through a recovery period. Do not worry. Below, we will walk you through what you can expect to experience while your mouth is on the mend. We will also provide some practical dental implant post-op instructions in Torrington.
What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery
Within a few hours after your surgery, blood clots should form at your surgical sites. They are an important part of your healing process, so you should take care that you do not accidentally dislodge them or prevent them from forming. Here are a few practical things you can do to protect them:
- Do not spit. Use tissues instead or simply swallow excess saliva.
- Avoid the use of drinking straws.
- Do not smoke.
- Resist any temptation to touch your surgical sites with your tongue or fingers.
Common Side Effects
It is common for patients to experience some side effects after getting dental implants in Torrington, including:
- Intermittent bleeding. Gauze and light pressure should be able to manage this. It usually subsides after several days.
- This can continue for a week or longer, but cold compresses should help to keep it to a minimum.
- General discomfort. Getting adequate rest and taking pain medication can promote your comfort.
If you notice any severe, unusual, or prolonged side effects following your surgery, contact your implant dentist in Torrington right away.
Diet
At first, you should stick to a no-chew diet, which can include things like yogurt, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and even ice cream. Later, you can progress to a fork tender diet, which means you can eat soft foods like non-crusty breads, pasta, and meatloaf. When you feel up to it, you can resume fairly normal eating habits, but you should continue to be careful around crunchy and hard foods so you do not irritate your surgical sites.
Health & Oral Hygiene
You can brush and floss your teeth the day after surgery, but exercise extreme caution around your surgical sites. Rinsing with warm saltwater can help to keep swelling and bacterial buildup to a minimum. If you have a prescription mouthwash, be sure to use it as directed. If you choose to use a nonprescription mouthwash, opt for a product without a high alcohol content.
What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached
Once your restorations are attached to your dental implants, you might notice some gum sensitivity and excess saliva production, but these should subside fairly quickly. You will be able to use your new teeth on the same day you receive them! If you have any questions about how to care for them, let us know.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Dental implants in Torrington are designed to last a lifetime. However, they can only live up to their potential if you treat them well. Below, you will find some practical guidelines that explain how oral hygiene, a healthy diet, and other practical measures can help your restored smile to stand the test of time.
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
Oral hygiene plays a big role in preventing bacteria from attacking the tissue around your dental implants. To maintain a clean mouth, you should:
- Brush thoroughly twice a day. Be sure to clean the backs of your teeth and the area along the gumline.
- Floss daily. If you are not sure how to floss properly, our team will be happy to coach you.
- Follow hygiene instructions that are specific to your restoration. For example, you might need to remove your implant denture for proper cleaning.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Dental implants are strong enough to stand up to virtually any food. However, part of dental implant care in Torrington is recognizing that some foods are better than others for your restored teeth. It is wise to limit your consumption of sugary, hard, and acidic foods. Instead, try to focus on eating a diet that is rich in nutrients that support oral health, such as calcium and vitamin C.
Break Bad Habits
Some habits that could adversely affect your dental implants include:
- Tobacco use. This can lead to dry mouth, an increased risk of infections, and a weakened immune system. Every effort you make to quit is well worth it!
- Using your teeth as a tool to open packages. Instead, use scissors or other means to open stubborn packages.
- Chewing on hard objects. Gnawing on things like ice and pen caps could damage your implants’ restorations.
Protect Your Dental Implants
If you play sports, you should wear a mouthguard to protect both your oral tissues and your dental implants from damage. A custom mouthguard from a dentist is superior to any that you can buy over the counter.
Do you often wake up with a sore jaw? If so, you might grind your teeth at night. A custom nightguard can separate your top and bottom teeth and prevent them from damaging one another.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
You should visit your implant dentist in Torrington at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. During these appointments, we may remove your restorations and thoroughly clean your implant abutments. We will also check for any signs of potential problems, such as indications of infection or damage. If we notice any cause for concern, we may be able to address the issue before it poses a threat to your implants’ long-term viability.
Dental Implant Failure & Salvage
Dental implants are successful in the vast majority of cases. Rarely, though, dental implant failure can occur. If you ever believe that something is not quite right with your restored teeth, call our practice right away. We will evaluate the problem and recommend an appropriate treatment. We may be able to prevent you from losing your implant or create a plan so you can enjoy the benefits of implants again in the future.
Dental Implant FAQs
Our team is eager to help you rebuild your lost teeth with dental implants in Torrington! Before you schedule your consultation with us, however, it is understandable if you have some questions that you would like to have answered. That is why we have put together the following brief list of FAQs, along with their answers. If you do not find the information you were hoping for, we encourage you to give us a call so we can personally assist you.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime, and the restorations on top of them also come with a long life expectancy. You can help your restored smile reach its potential for longevity by taking good care of it on a daily basis. Sticking to a thorough oral hygiene routine, limiting your intake of hard and sticky foods, and visiting us for routine checkups can all do much to extend the lifespan of your dental implants. In the vast majority of cases, dental implants last several times longer than non-implant tooth replacement options, such as traditional bridges and dentures.
What Should I Do If My Dental Implant Feels Loose?
There are a few different reasons why a dental implant might feel loose. The issue could be related to your restoration, which might have suffered some damage. However, the problem could also stem from the implant itself. In either case, it is important that you seek professional care as soon as possible. Our team will evaluate the situation and strive to pinpoint the cause of the loose-feeling implant. Then, we will recommend a treatment plan. If you receive treatment soon enough, it might be possible to prevent dental implant failure.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Dental Implant Surgery?
Most patients are able to resume a fairly normal routine within a day or two after their surgery. However, if your job requires a lot of physical exertion, you might want to plan to take a week or so off of work because strenuous exercise might slow down your healing process. Bleeding and discomfort should fade away after several days, and your gums should feel normal fairly quickly. However, it may take much longer (several months) for your jawbone to completely recover. We encourage you to contact your implant dentist in Torrington if you have any questions or concerns following your surgery.
Can I Get Dental Implants If I Smoke?
We determine candidacy for dental implants on a case-by-case basis. Smoking does not automatically disqualify you. However, keep in mind that smoking is a major risk factor for dental implant failure. It can slow down your body’s healing process and may contribute to dry socket (a condition where a blood clot fails to form at the site of an oral surgery). At the very least, you should avoid smoking in the days and weeks immediately before and after your implant placement surgery. Of course, it would be ideal if you decide to kick the habit for good.