What do you do if your smile is missing a few teeth or has been otherwise damaged?  Wearing removable dentures is not comfortable and they never fit properly.  Likewise dental bridges are tough to clean and can be a real headache.  Are you looking for a better way to repair your smile?  Contact our Cambridge dental office for a consultation about what we can do to repair your smile with dental implants.

Dental Implants – What are they?

Our dental implants are anchored into your jawbone (like natural teeth) and function as anchors for crowns (artificial teeth) that will restore proper function of your teeth.  The dental implants (titanium anchors) take the place of your natural roots if these are broken or missing for whatever reason. 

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

If you’ve given thought to fixing your teeth and restoring function, then dental implants have likely come up in your research or discussions.  While many of our patients can benefit from dental implants, there are some criteria that will help determine if implants are an option for you.  For dental implants to work successful, a patient’s health must be good overall, their gums must be healthy and the jawbone structure must have enough bone remaining that the dental implant post can be securely attached.   Unfortunately this is not always the case, as sometimes there has been too much jaw bone degradation (due to tooth loss or gum disease) that there just isn’t enough bone available.  In these cases, patients must first have their jawbone restored through bone graft surgery.  This is why anyone who could benefit from dental implants must first undergo an examination including x-rays and a consultation.

DENTAL IMPLANT BENEFITS

Dental implants from our Cambridge office could be the solution to your oral health problems.

• Implants offer ideal, permanent support for artificial teeth
• Implants can support single or multiple artificial teeth without harming adjacent natural teeth
• Dental implants are a permanent tooth-loss solution and provide a secure platform with none of the  slipping or instability often experienced with removable dentures.
• The attached artificial teeth look and function like natural teeth without risk of sensitivity or cavities.
• A full dental implant procedure will restore full chewing and speech function as well as undoing facial sagging caused by tooth loss.
• Dental implants are just like your natural teeth but better, helping restore your confidence and your willingness to smile.

Getting a new smile is easier than you think.

1. Dental implant is secured

At our Cambridge dentist office, the procedure for dental implants begins by surgically installing a titanium post (the implant) into a patients jawbone.  Patients will be sedated to maintain comfort and keep them pain-free throughout the surgery.

3. Placement of an abutment

Once the jawbone and gums are healed, it’s time to place an abutment.  The abutment is an attachment that is secured to the implant post which allows an artificial tooth to be fixed in place.  This requires a minor surgery to open a small incision into the sealed over gum to secure the abutment.  Local anesthetic is required, as is another (although shorter in duration) healing period.

You’ll be amazed at how perfect your new smile feels.