How can a dental implant benefit me?

If you have a missing tooth or several missing teeth, dental implants may be an ideal choice to regain your perfect smile and make eating easier. A dental implant is just a medical device attached to your jaw which anchors a replacement tooth. While not every patient is a candidate for dental implants, many will benefit tremendously from this common procedure.

When you come in for a visit, your dentist will evaluate your mouth to see if you are a good candidate for implants. Your bone structure and qualities of your jaw as well as the positioning of your sinuses will be evaluated, typically through both observation and imagery. We also consider your overall health and habits. Smokers, as well as those with certain medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes and osteoporosis may put patients at a greater risk for implant failure.

Implants allow people to talk, eat, and live their life naturally, as if they have their own teeth, no longer self-conscious about missing teeth. Unlike dentures, people with implants don’t worry about eating certain foods that might make their teeth move around in their jaw and do not need to deal with gum sores from dentures that shift and rub.

Many of our patients tell us what a magnificent feeling it is to finally live a confident life without the stress of the limitations and shortcomings of their teeth. It can be life changing to have complete dental function, esthetics and comfort and we all deserve that.

The procedure itself is quite simple but requires several appointments. First we schedule an evaluation and determine a treatment plan. During the next appointment, a small tool is used to place the implant “root”, the portion under the gums anchored inside the bone. Once the bone fuses to the root (what we call osseointegrate) to create a solid foundation for years to come, the final appointment is scheduled to anchor the crown, the part above the gum line.

Many patients even go to work the same day as their implant surgery. For many patients, having an implant procedure causes less discomfort than dental extractions.

What our patient’s say

Cheryl A.

X-rays and cat scans showed a tiny pocket of inflammation at the root of one tooth. A root canal was ordered but as Dr. Joy began the process a crack was noted along the gum line making it impossible to save. Dr. Joy expertly extracted the root in tack despite the fact it had a hairline crack running the entire length of the root held together by a tiny bit of membrane. Her skill and ability allowed her to accomplish this in one, saving me from having to endure poking and prodding disturbing healthy gum tissue searching for broken pieces of bone. She and her team were attentive to my comfort, ensuring a pain-free, stress-free experience keeping me informed throughout the process. Because of their sincere efforts at minimizing patient pain and stress and Dr. Joy’s outstanding knowledge and professional skills, I no longer feel any pain just a few hours after my procedure. Thanks to All of You!” – Cheryl A.

Joe V.

“I received a crown and filling today and I must say that both Dr. Joy and Rebecca were fantastic. They did a great job with my procedure and answered any questions I may have had. I was comfortable and felt absolutely no pain.”  – Joe V.

Isabel C.

“I would recommend anybody to Perfect Smiles. The staff is very professional with great bedside manners. I had the pleasure of having Brittany and Dr. Joy work on my crown. They took their time and made me feel very comfortable even with NO anesthesia. Brittany is very detailed and strives for perfection. Dr Joy takes great pride in her work. This is my dental office forever. I even drive from N. Scituate Rhode Island with at least a hundred other dental offices in between. Thank you so much for providing exceptional service.” – Isabel C.

Enjoy Many Dental Implant Benefits

Compared to replacement teeth like traditional dentures, implants look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. You’ll probably forget you have them! They are:

  • Good for your oral health – Implants are embedded in your jaw, where the bone grows around them in a process called osseointegration. This means they act just like natural tooth roots, keeping your jaw strong and healthy.
  • Convenient – Forget about adhesive to keep your replacement teeth in place; you won’t need it. Depending on the dental restorations you choose, you’ll care for your new teeth by just brushing and flossing as before.
  • Secure – Since implants are embedded in your jaw, they aren’t going anywhere – and neither will your replacement teeth. This gives you the ability to eat whatever you’d like, without worrying about your dentures becoming dislodged.
  • Versatile – You can replace one tooth with a dental implant and crown, a few teeth with a dental implant and bridge, or a whole mouthful of teeth with dental implant dentures.

How much does a dental implant cost?

A dental implant is attached to your jaw which anchors a replacement tooth and is an ideal choice for some people with a missing tooth or several missing teeth. An implant can help you regain your perfect smile and make eating easier.

When you come in for a visit, your dentist will evaluate your mouth to see if you are a good candidate for implants. Your bone structure and qualities of your jaw as well as the positioning of your sinuses will be evaluated, typically through both observation and imagery. As part of this evaluation, we will be able to determine if you are an ideal candidate for a dental implant and how much the procedure will cost.

While there are many variables that factor into the cost of a dental implant, the procedure for a single tooth at a quality dental office, including the implant “root” placement under the gums and the crown installation above the gums, is typically in the $4,000 to $6,000 range.

If you need more than one implant, the costs per tooth can be reduced. For example, our dentist may be able to utilize a few implants to replace many teeth by making implant bridges (a central root anchored to two adjacent implant teeth).

We can also advise on the possibility of using a hybrid approach of an implant root to anchor dentures so they are more stable in the mouth. The cost for Snap-In Dentures when we are using the procedure including dentures for your entire mouth can be in the $1,000 per tooth range.

Some insurance companies cover all or part of the cost of dental implants, but many insurance companies have a maximum amount they will pay per year for dental procedures that might be lower than the cost of the procedure.

At Perfect Smiles, we offer a variety of flexible financing options to help you pay for dental implants within your budget.

Many of our patients tell us it is life changing to have complete dental function, to look great and to be able to enjoy their favorite foods again. Don’t we all deserve that?

How long does a dental implant procedure take?

If you have a missing tooth or several missing teeth, a dental implant may be an ideal choice. While not every patient is a candidate for dental implants, many will benefit tremendously from this common procedure.

When you come in for a visit, your dentist will evaluate your mouth to see if you are a good candidate for implants. Your bone structure and qualities of your jaw as well as the positioning of your sinuses will be evaluated, typically through both observation and imagery. As part of this evaluation, we will be able to determine if you are an ideal candidate for a dental implant.

The procedure itself is quite simple but requires a series of appointments. First we schedule an evaluation and determine a treatment plan. During the next appointment soon after, a small tool is used to place the implant “root”, the portion under the gums anchored inside the bone. Once the bone fuses to the root (what we call osseointegrate) to create a solid foundation for years to come, a short appointment follows to evaluate the implant and remove the sutures. Once the bone fuses to the root (what we call osseointegrate) to create a solid foundation for years to come, the final appointment is scheduled to anchor the crown, the part above the gum line.

From the initial placement of the implant root to the time when we install the crown takes anywhere from four to eight months. That’s because the implant requires time to osseointegrate, thus creating a solid foundation for years to come.

Dental implants have become very popular and therefore are commonly performed daily by dentists. They are the standard of care for patients because healthy adjacent teeth don’t need to be worked on to replace a single tooth. If the procedure itself is holding you back, we offer sedation options that can make the entire process easy and relaxing.

Dental implants can be life changing to have complete dental function, esthetics and comfort.
Call or text us today at 833-205-4048