Dental Implants Londonderry

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are unlike dental bridges and dentures. Made of titanium, they fuse easily with bone tissues and can restore an entire tooth structure from root to crown. Delivering maximum support to crowns, bridges and dentures, these prosthetics are highly versatile in their ability to remain in place for decades or even a lifetime.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

• Initial Dental Implant Consultation – A consultation with a member of our team is essential as it will determine if you need preparatory treatment before receiving your dental implants (i.e., bone grafting, gum disease treatment, etc.).
• Dental Implant Surgery – Since the entire procedure is performed in-house, you don’t need to worry about seeing an outside specialist to have your dental implants put into place.
• Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment – After spending 4-6 months allowing osseointegration to occur (fusing of the implant with the bone), you will return to our office to have your abutments put into place.
• Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s) – Before your smile is complete, we must attach your custom restoration(s) on top using the abutments as connectors, completing the look and function of your smile.

Benefits of Dental Implants

The benefits of dental implants stand out among all other forms of tooth replacement, making them the gold standard among professionals in the field. If you are considering them yourself, then keep reading to learn a few reasons they continue to be one of the most sought-after smile-rebuilding solutions.

Read More

Day-to-Day Benefits

If you choose to replace one, a few, or an entire arch of missing teeth with dental implants in Londonderry, then you can enjoy the following benefits:

• They Make It Easy to Eat All of Your Favorite Foods – If you’ve resorted to eating plain yogurt, vegetable soup, and other soft foods on repeat in the weeks, months, or years following tooth loss, we have good news: dental implants can restore the strength of your bite. As a result, you won’t have to eat the same bland, boring foods on repeat.
• They Look and Feel Extremely Natural – Whether your dental implant is topped with a single crown or a full denture, you can have peace of mind knowing that it won’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile. Plus, since the dental implants are secured to the jawbone, they won’t slip or shift unexpectedly.
• They Restore Your Normal Speaking Patterns – Following tooth loss, many patients have trouble enunciating clearly. Fortunately, dental implants can help! We can fill any gaps in your smile or give you an entirely new row of teeth. Before long, your normal speaking patterns will be restored.

Health Benefits

Dental implants can also have a positive impact on your oral and overall health. Here are a few examples:

• They Help Prevent Dental Drift – The gap left behind by tooth loss can cause the surrounding teeth to shift out of position. Although this may seem inconsequential, it can actually lead to several problems, including premature wear and chronic jaw pain. Fortunately, dental implants can fill the open spaces in your smile and, in turn, prevent that from happening.
• They Allow You to Eat Nutrient-Dense Meals – We mentioned in the previous section that dental implants can restore the strength of your bite. Not only does this allow you to eat a more varied diet, but it also makes it significantly easier to get all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that you need.
• They Are Easy to Maintain – Maintaining a healthy smile with dental implants isn’t complicated. Just use the same best practices that you use to care for your natural teeth, like flossing at least once a day. It’s also important that you come to our office every six months for a checkup and cleaning, even if you aren’t experiencing sensitivity or any other unusual symptoms.

Long-Term Benefits

Unlike the other tooth-replacement solutions that are available, dental implants:

• Help Preserve Your Jawbone – While dental bridges rest against the surrounding teeth and dentures rest against the gums, dental implants get their strength from your jawbone. The stimulation this provides prevents resorption and facial sagging.
• Have a High Success Rate – Dental implants have a significantly high success rate of 95% even after 10 years. So, if you are looking for a reliable, lifelike, and durable tooth-replacement solution, you can’t go wrong with dental implants.
• Can Last for 30+ Years – With the right habits in place, like brushing your teeth twice a day and coming to our office every six months for a cleaning, dental implants can last for three decades or more.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

Everyone experiences tooth loss differently—so when it comes to replacing those missing teeth with dental implants, the cost can greatly vary from case to case. Below are some of the factors you’ll want to keep in mind concerning the cost of dental implants, and if you have questions, don’t hesitate to let our team know!

Read More

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Not everyone is immediately eligible to receive dental implants, and sometimes, a certain type of preliminary procedure may be needed. This could include tooth extractions, periodontal therapy, or even a supplemental bone graft. These types of preparatory procedures will add to the total cost of getting dental implants, but in the long run, they ensure the success of your implants—and they’re also often covered at least partially by dental insurance. Implant surgery generally has a separate cost, which can be influenced by the location and number of surgical sites. We can complete the whole dental implant process here at our office, so you also won’t have to worry about costs related to separate providers or offices!

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Dental implants have numerous components, each contributing to the final cost of your treatment:

• Type of Restoration – Crowns, bridges, and dentures all have unique costs, with smaller restorations tending to cost less than larger ones.
• Materials Used – Implants can be made of different materials, with titanium and zirconia being the two most common choices.
• Brand – There are many implant manufacturers, and the one we choose will affect the final cost.
• Number of Implants – The more implants that are needed, the higher the expected cost. Normally, it takes one implant to replace one tooth, two to replace a row of teeth, and 4 or more to replace an arch.

How Dental Implants Can Pay for Themselves

Dental implants are a fairly unique type of restoration in the sense that they’re the only form of tooth replacement that can pay for themselves over time. While it can be tempting to want to save money by choosing traditional dentures or bridges over implants, the truth is, these will inevitably need to be replaced, are harder to care for, and also require special cleaning solutions and extra maintenance. On the other hand, dental implants can last for potentially decades or a lifetime with the right care—and do not require the specialized upkeep that other solutions do. Plus, since they’re easier to care for, you’re also more likely to dodge issues like gum disease if you maintain good habits, which can save you even more money on oral care in the future.  

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Many dental insurance plans do not pay for the actual dental implants, though there are some exceptions. For example, parts of the final restoration, or preliminary treatments like periodontal therapy, may be covered, as they’re considered medically necessary and ensure the future success of the implants. In any case, our team is happy to review the details of your coverage with you to ensure you’re saving wherever you can. Our office is also excited to offer free dental implant consultations, as well as free second opinions; just contact us to speak with a team member for more information or to schedule your appointment!

Dental Implant FAQ’s