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Dental Implants — NORTH ANDOVER, MA
Sturdy Roots for New Teeth
Most adults will lose one or more teeth at some point in their life. Dentures and fixed bridges are both viable ways to fill in the empty spaces, but for many patients, a better solution is available. Dental implants from our North Andover, MA dentist are the best tooth replacement that modern dentistry has to offer. We invite you to learn more about this treatment and how it may be able to bring back the gorgeous, strong smile that you’ve been missing. Give us a call today to schedule your consultation.
Why Choose E. Charles Beliveau, DDS For Dental Implants?
- #1 Tooth Replacement Options That Can Last a Lifetime
- #2 Implants Placed & Restored All Under 1 Roof
- #3 Personalized, Detail-Oriented, & Optimal Dental Care
What Are Dental Implants?
Your teeth consist of two main parts: the crown and the roots. The crown is what you see when you smile, while the roots are hidden under the gums to keep your pearly whites in place. Traditional tooth replacement options like dental bridges and dentures seamlessly replace the crowns of missing teeth, but leave the roots missing. Naturally, this negatively impacts the stability and comfort of these prosthetics.
Dental implants are the only option available that rebuilds teeth from the roots up. A dental implant is a small titanium post that is inserted directly into the jawbone just like the roots of a natural tooth. Once the titanium has fused with the surrounding bone tissue, it can be used to support a custom restoration. The final result is a replacement that looks, feels, and functions, just like natural.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Replacing your missing teeth with dental implants involves an extensive process that can span several months. The good news is that you can end up with restorations that can last decades to a lifetime with proper care. Before that, our team will need to thoroughly evaluate your oral health and current smile so that we can determine the best way to rebuild your missing pearly whites. Here are the main steps of the dental implant process you can expect to undergo.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
As mentioned before, you’ll have to go through an initial consultation with our team so that we can take X-rays of your mouth to pinpoint the exact locations to place your dental implants. We will also need to assess your oral health to ensure that you are free of any problems that could increase the risk of treatment failure, such as periodontal disease, decay, or infection. If you do, we’ll have to address the issue first so that your mouth is ready for the dental implant procedure. This might involve providing you with gum disease treatment or even tooth extractions if necessary. Once we’ve confirmed that you’re back to oral health, we can move forward with your surgery.
Dental Implant Surgery
Unlike other dental practices, Dr. Beliveau and our team will be able to perform your entire dental implant procedure in-office, that way you can receive your complete treatment in a single location. To begin, we’ll administer a local anesthetic to numb your mouth so that you’re pain-free throughout the process. We may even provide sedation dentistry to increase your comfort and relaxation. Afterward, Dr. Beliveau will make small incisions in your gum line so that he can embed your implant(s) in their preplanned areas before suturing your gums closed. After covering the posts with protective dental caps, you’ll be sent home to rest and recover.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Your healing period can take around three to six months to complete, especially because your mouth will be undergoing the osseointegration process. This is when the dental implants fuse with the jawbone and gain the stability needed to support your future restorations. Once you’ve recovered completely from this stage, you’ll return to our office to receive your abutments. These will be the metal connector pieces that are designed to link your restorations to your implants. You’ll then be sent home to heal while we work on constructing your new teeth.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
Once your brand-new dental crown, bridge, or denture is finished being developed, you’ll come back to our office to have them placed. We will verify that your bite is correct and that your new pearly whites are natural-looking and match the rest of your smile perfectly before sending you on your way.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are quickly becoming the most popular way to replace missing teeth, and it’s easy to see why. They can dramatically improve your quality of life in these ways:
- Comprehensive tooth replacement. A dental implant in North Andover replaces the root of a missing tooth. A restoration (such as a crown) replaces the visible part of the tooth. Other treatment options replace only what’s above the gum line.
- Dental implants have the potential to last for the rest of your life if you care for them well.
- A high success rate. Dental implants are successful in over 95 percent of cases.
- Remarkable aesthetics. Implant restorations are almost indistinguishable from natural teeth.
- Benefits for your remaining natural teeth. The implants procedure usually does not require that your remaining healthy teeth be modified or extracted.
- A strong bite. Your implant-supported restorations will enable you to eat almost anything, whether it’s a crunchy apple, a juicy steak, or your favorite movie-time snack.
- Easy maintenance. Caring for dental implants is similar to caring for natural teeth.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Implants offer an amazing option to replace missing teeth. Unlike traditional bridges, partials, and dentures, dental implants anchor to the natural jawbone for ultimate stability. Healthy, existing teeth aren’t altered in any way. Instead, each implant post fits precisely into the socket left by a missing tooth. Individual crowns or a bridge, partial, or denture can be securely attached to implant posts. Whether you are missing one tooth, several teeth, or all of your teeth, dental implants may be an appropriate solution for you. When you visit Dr. Beliveau, your dentist in North Andover, he will recommend a treatment that is based on your unique circumstances.
Missing 1 Tooth
To replace a single tooth, you will need a single dental implant. A custom-made crown goes on top of the implant to replace the top part of the tooth. This is among the most straightforward dental implant procedures and can prevent further tooth loss and other oral health complications.
Missing Multiple Teeth
An implant-retained bridge, which typically consists of two implants and a bridge to go on top of them, may work well for you if you are missing two, three, or more teeth in a row. If your tooth loss has occurred at multiple locations throughout your mouth, an implant-retained partial denture may work better for you.
Missing All Teeth
If you currently wear a denture or are planning to get one soon, talk with Dr. Beliveau about implant dentures. Traditional dentures rest on the gum tissue and are held in place by natural suction or denture adhesive. Special care and maintenance are required to keep dentures in good shape. Over time, the ridges of the gums wear down from friction. When this occurs, dentures must be relined. Some people never achieve a great fit, so they struggle with loose, wobbly, uncomfortable dentures.
Dr. Beliveau may recommend a few dental implants to hold your denture in place. In some situations, we can retrofit existing dentures with implant clasps, but usually a new denture is required. Implant dentures snap securely to dental implant posts for a solid, reliable fit. They’re easy to care for, and our implant denture patients rave about improved quality of life.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
The total cost of your procedure will depend on a number of factors, including how many implants you need, whether you require any preliminary work, and the exact nature of your restoration. Also keep in mind that each stage of the process, including the placement surgery and your prosthetic teeth, comes with a separate price. Although implants may cost more than other treatment options, they are a worthwhile investment that can provide you with decades of beautiful, functional smiles.
The cost of dental implants in North Andover tends to be more expensive than other replacements, but we offer them because their advantages far outweigh their price. Dental implants can bring you a unique set of benefits that you simply can’t get with other replacements. If you’re considering this option, contact our dental office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Beliveau to discuss the cost of dental implants in North Andover, MA. He will carefully examine your smile and discuss your goals to determine whether or not dental implants are a good option for you.
Types of Dental Implants
The dental implant posts themselves make up the bulk of the cost of this tooth replacement. There are many different types of materials used from a wide range of manufactures. While the US does manufacture dental implants, many titanium implants come from Switzerland. The size, material, and maker are all variables that influence the price of your dental implants.
Stages of Implant Treatment
The stages of your dental implant treatment will also affect the cost. Many patients must receive preliminary treatments like extractions or bone grafting before implants can be placed, which can add cost to the procedure.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Unfortunately, most dental insurance plans do not cover dental implants. However, they may cover some of the costs associated with the procedure. One of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members will look over your insurance policy to see if there is any coverage that you may be able to receive. Each insurance plan varies, so we do our best to provide you with the most affordable and quality dentistry possible.
Does it sound like dental implants are right for you? Contact our dental office to get started on a healthy and complete set of teeth.
Schedule a consultation to talk with Dr. Beliveau about your unique dental needs. He’ll review your records, answer all of your questions, and help you make a wise decision about replacement teeth. Keep in mind, we work with CareCredit for patient financing because nothing should come between you and your healthy, beautiful smile.
Dental Implant FAQs
Dental implants in North Andover are an excellent investment in your oral health and your daily life because they can last for a lifetime. Although you’ve heard about their benefits, it is common to still have questions about the treatment. Dr. Beliveau takes the time to explain the process and addresses any concerns you have during your consultation. In the meantime, here are the answers to a few of the most common questions we receive to help you decide if dental implants are the right option for you.
Can I get dental implants if I have gum disease?
Gum disease is preventable; however, at least 50% of adults have a form of it. The high prevalence of the infection makes it a leading cause of tooth loss. If you’ve lost teeth from gum disease, you need a viable solution to fill the empty spaces in your smile.
Unfortunately, if the infection is active, you cannot get dental implants. Don’t worry, you can become a candidate for them with periodontal therapy. After the infection is treated, you can replace your missing teeth with dental implants, but you may need additional procedures to repair any damage caused by the infection, like bone grafting.
Am I too old for dental implants?
Age is not necessarily a determining factor for your candidacy for dental implants. As long as you’ve finished growing, age has nothing to do with the success of the treatment. Instead, it’s determined by other factors, such as your oral and general health, lifestyle habits, and certain medications you take. Dr. Beliveau performs an extensive consultation, which includes a CT scan, to ensure dental implants are right for you.
Do dental implants really feel natural?
It is natural to be concerned about the function of dental implants because you want a solution that feels natural. You will enjoy the next best thing to your real teeth both in terms of function and appearance.
The implant post stimulates your jawbone, causing the two to fuse to one another through a process called osseointegration. As a result, you will have a stable foundation for your replacement tooth. You will never need to worry about any slipping or irritation while reinstating as much as 70% of your natural biting force to enjoy your favorite foods again.
How long will my dental implants last?
New advancements to the procedure and materials used for dental implants now make them the most reliable tooth replacement option. They can last for decades with the right aftercare, so you should never need to worry about having them replaced. You can help to ensure your new smile lasts by maintaining your oral hygiene at home and visiting your dentist in North Andover at least twice a year. With a proactive approach, you can minimize the risk of implant failure.
Still have questions?
If you still have questions about dental implants, a member of your team is only a phone call away. Contact our dental office today to schedule your consultation.