Everything to know about Dental Implants
The smile is described as the focal point of the face. How can a smile be healthy and aesthetic if there are components missing? Unfortunately, missing teeth is a common problem.
If you are seeking to restore your beauty and health, you may be considering dental implants. This article shares what you need to know and expect from dental implants.
Searching for a Top-rated Implant Dentist?
Contact Dr. Charles Sutera,
An Acclaimed Reconstructive and Sedation Dentist in Waltham, MA
How Dental Implants Can Change Your Life
Losing teeth is traumatic. The patient in the photo presented to us after a motor vehicle accident which caused several injuries and placed him in a long term coma. He had several facial contusions, fractures, and severely fractured four of his front teeth. At his initial evaluation, we determined the teeth were too fractured to restore. We recommended to extract the front four teeth, graft the area, and allow the patient to heal for about 4 months. The patient was devastated.
Dr. Sutera expressed empathy for the patient's situation, but also discussed his confidence that he would achieve a natural result that may even improve upon the cosmetics of his original teeth. The patient trusted Dr. Sutera's judgment and after much discussion, decided to move forward with the plan.
Here on the top photo, you see the patient 3 weeks after having four teeth extracted and grafted. Although not shown, the patient wore a temporary appliance during this time that simulated teeth and allowed him to heal without friends, family, and co-workers noticing. After four months, Dr. Sutera placed 4 dental implants and restored the area with dental crowns. The bottom photo shows the implant crowns on the day of restoration.
The day we finished this patient's case was an emotional day in the office. This patient had spent several months with us and we were all rooting for his progress toward rehabilitation. Upon seeing his final result the patient was brought to tears. Although his accident was one of the most tragic experiences of his life with numerous hours of rehabilitation, the moment his smile was restored, became the turning point. That is a moment our team will never forget.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth.
There are many reasons why a patient may be missing teeth. Teeth can be congenitally missing, or be lost due to trauma, decay, or periodontal disease. Implant dentistry provides a solution to regain the ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
A dental implant is a tiny titanium post which is placed into the jawbone. The dental implant looks similar to the structure of the root of a tooth. After the implant is placed, the bone bonds with the titanium and creates a strong foundation for future artificial teeth. There are several options by which implants can be used. The implant can restore individual teeth, multiple teeth in bridges, all-on-four type restorations, or complex full mouth reconstructions.
What is Dental Implant Surgery like?
So if you are considering dental implants, you’re probably wondering...What is the actual procedure like? Dental implants are usually scheduled for an appointment length of 1-2 hours. For any oral surgery procedure, a patient may choose to have the procedure performed with a local anesthetic, or with adjunctive sedation dentistry options. Some sedation dentistry options which are routinely used for dental implant procedures are oral or IV sedation. Whether you are awake or asleep, you will always be completely numb and comfortable. If you do feel discomfort Dr. Sutera will stop immediately and provide more anesthetic to make sure you are comfortable.
How long is healing for dental implants and what do I expect after?
When planning for dental implant surgery, expect the bulk of the healing to be 3 to 4 days. During this initial healing, you will have mild to moderate pain and some swelling. Your surgeon will typically prescribe you antibiotics to prevent infection and pain medication to make healing comfortable. Icing and keeping the head elevated are the two most important recommendations on the first day of after getting dental implants.
For days 2 to 4 you may begin warm compresses on you cheeks instead of ice. This will help increase blood flow to the area which will soothe the area and reduce the swelling. After 4 days post op, any swelling and pain typically subside. The area will be tender and jaw opening may feel mildly stiff for another 2 weeks after which most tenderness subsides.
Protip #1: Remember to limit any strenuous exercise, use of alcohol/smoking, rinsing with unperscribed mouthwashes, and straws for 7 days. These factors all delay healing and are the most common causes of dental implant complications.
From months 1 to 4 post op, the gums and bone continue to remodel as the dental implant integrates and gains stability to support a prosthesis or a tooth. You won't really notice this phase of healing. It's more of a silent phase of healing under the gums. After this time the dental implant is ready to be restored.
What is the process for restoring dental implants like?
After your dental implants have healed for approximately four months, they are able to be restored. Consider a dental implant as a swiss army knife for correcting missing teeth. They open up several possibilities:
- A dental implant can be used to restore a single tooth
- Several dental implants can be linked-to restore a group of teeth creating a dental implant bridge
- A removable prosthesis such as a full denture may be fabricated and dental implants can be used to help retain the prosthesis making it function more similar to natural teeth.
The process for restoring a dental implant generally involves a couple of steps. While healing, dental implants are covered with small caps called healing abutments. When the implant reaches the time to be restored, the healing abutment is removed and replaced with an alternative cap called an impression coping. The implant dentist then takes impressions of the mouth--- via either a conventional impression or a digital impression using a scanner. The patient is then placed back in the healing abutments for a few weeks. Between the impression appointment and the next appointment, the implant dentist replicates a model of the mouth and begins to design/fabricate the crowns, bridges, or removeable prosthesises to fit the mouth. The patient returns in about 3-4 weeks and the restoration is then completed. After restoring a dental implant there is minimal followup afterwards. The most common followup is to fine tune and equilibrate the occlusion of the implant. Otherwise, the patient may typically resume their normal 6-month hygiene protocol.
Why are we the best solution?
Dr. Charles Sutera is a leading reconstructive dentist in the Metro Boston area with significant experience in implant surgery and restorations including corrections of implant complications or failures. His practice, Aesthetic Smile Reconstruction, provides exceptional results because of a comprehensive approach, focus on comfort, and extensive training in numerous specialties.
Because Dr. Sutera has advanced training in cosmetic dentistry as well as surgery, we can often complete treatment more efficently and anticipate potential problems downstream in the implant restoration process. Hundreds of dental implant cases successfully treated and counting.
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FAGD Fellowship Award
The FAGD fellowship award is earned by a recipient which has completed extensive training in all areas of neuromuscular, surgical, cosmetic, implant, and reconstructive dentistry
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Pankey Institute Trained
Pankey Institute graduates have advanced training on the full spectrum of reconstructive dentistry and TMJ treatment modalities
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NYU Rosenthal Aesthetic Residency
NYU Aesthetic Advantage residency graduates have advanced training on smile design, cosmetic dentistry, and designing the smile to enhance the beauty of the other facial features
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University of Kentucky TMJ Residency
Expert training in TMJ allows for implant dentistry and smile makeovers to last long term while also preventing or treating TMJ symptoms
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Whitecap Surgical Institute Trained
Whitecap Institute is a leader in surgical and implant dentistry training
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Board Certified IV Sedation Dentist
Patients have several different options to aid their comfort during dental implant surgery.
Centrally Located
We serve the Metro Boston West region including Newton, Wellesley, Lexington, Waltham, and beyond. If you are traveling from out of state, we are located adjacent to The Westin Waltham Boston. We are happy to assist travel arrangements.
Thank You for the Kind Words From Our Wonderful Patients!
“The office was easily the nicest dental office I have visited. The staff was professional and welcoming,” Randi M – Lincoln, MA
“Dr. Sutera is such a great dentist! I was having problems with my TMJ, he made me feel comfortable and did a great job explaining everything. My TMJ feels so much better now,” Ariel M – Newton, MA
“I felt my problem was solved the moment I entered that door,” Juliet B – Newton, MA
“They made me so comfortable,” Angela G – Belmont, MA
“I’ve always been hesitant to go to the dentist and have tons of anxiety about it. Dr. Sutera was patient, listened, and put my comfort first,” Chris G – Lexington, MA
“I suffered from digestive issues for years. Now that I am able to chew better with my back teeth, those days of stomach pain are a distant memory,” Jamie – Boston, MA
“This is the best dentist near me,” Henry W – Weston, MA
“Such an amazing experience already started recommending friends and family. I have always had such anxiety with going to the dentist, Dr. Sutera went above and beyond and made sure I was okay throughout the whole visit,” Anonymous – Lexington, MA
“I always dreamed of fixing my smile. I was petrified for years. I am so glad I found Dr. Sutera and his team. It took me months to feel comfortable. Their patience with me was beautiful. To him, Wendyanne, Michelle, Heidi, and the rest of the team, thank you. You changed my life,” –Donna - Brookline, MA
“I had a really wonderful experience here. The staff cares deeply about their patients and I would return in a heartbeat,” Linda W – Waltham, MA
Contact us
75 3rd Ave, Waltham | Email us: contact@aestheticsmilereconstruction.com | Call us: 781-487-1111