Dental Implants – Lebanon, NH

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Most adults who have lost one or more teeth are candidates for dental implants. Some common traits of well-qualified patients include:

• Fair overall health. You should be well enough to undergo minor surgery and be free of serious conditions that could interfere with the success of your implants.
• Good oral health. It is important that you are free of active gum disease and other oral health problems that might adversely affect your dental implants’ outcome.
• A strong jawbone. Your jaw should be strong enough and large enough to provide an adequate base of support for your prosthetic tooth roots.

Even if you are not a good candidate for dental implants right away, you may become one after some preliminary treatments, such as a bone graft or gum disease treatment.

Missing 1 Tooth

To replace a single tooth, one dental implant gets inserted beneath the gumline. After it fuses with the surrounding bone over a period of a few months, we design a single crown to attach to its top. An implant is superior to a traditional bridge because it does not rely on nearby natural teeth for support. This also means that your existing natural teeth will not need to be filed down to support a prosthetic. Plus, an implant looks and feels as natural as possible and has the potential to last for many years.

Missing Multiple Teeth

If your missing teeth are all adjacent to one another, your dental implant dentist in Lebanon may recommend that you receive an implant-supported bridge. One implant goes at each end of the empty space. Each implant supports a crown, and the crowns support 1 – 3 artificial teeth between them.

On the other hand, if your missing teeth are not consecutive, you might benefit from multiple single implant crowns. Alternatively, a partial denture might be the best solution. During your consultation, we will be able to determine the best type of multi-tooth replacement for your unique situation.

Missing All Teeth

For patients who are missing all of their teeth, we typically recommend implant dentures, which may be supported by as few as 4 – 6 dental implants per arch. Such a denture may be permanently attached to the implants, or it may “snap” onto and off of the implants via small attachments for easy cleaning and maintenance. Implant dentures tend to be much sturdier and provide a stronger bite force than their traditional counterparts. They also support jawbone health, meaning that your face can retain its lovely natural shape for as long as possible.

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Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Before they are eligible for dental implants in Lebanon, some patients must undergo preparatory procedures. For example, you may require a bone graft, periodontal therapy, or tooth extractions. Each preliminary service has its own cost.

The implant surgery has a separate fee. In most cases, we are able to handle this complex procedure right here in our office, so you will not need to worry about dealing with an outside specialist’s pricing structure at this point in your treatment.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

There are quite a few aspects of your treatment that can influence overall costs, including:

• The number of implants you receive
• The size/type of the implants
• The implants’ manufacturer
• The materials used to make the implants
• The size/type of your final restoration

Our practice strives to use high-quality materials. If you have questions about where your dental implants come from, you are more than welcome to ask!

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Dental implants have a higher upfront cost than other forms of tooth replacement. However, they may actually be able to save you money in the long run. For example, they have the potential to last a lifetime, whereas a traditional denture may lose its function after just 5 – 10 years. Replacing a traditional prosthetic multiple times can become quite expensive over the course of a few decades.

Additionally, because dental implants protect your oral and overall health, they can spare you from having to spend money on treatment for gum sores and other issues.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Dental insurance policies vary greatly in their approach to dental implants. Some consider them to be a major treatment and pay for half of their price, up to the amount of a policy’s annual maximum. Other plans do not provide any coverage at all. Our team will be happy to help you navigate your benefits and file your claims. Even if your plan does not cover your implants, it is likely to cover other parts of your procedure, such as preliminary treatments.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

As an implant dentist in Lebanon, we offer a few provisions that may make your treatment easier to afford:

• FREE dental implant consultations. You can take the first step in your treatment journey for nothing out-of-pocket.
• Low-interest financing via CareCredit. The application process is fast, and most patients who apply get approved for credit.
• Treatment discounts via the Essential Dental Plan. This discount plan has no deductible and no annual maximum.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Maintaining a strict oral hygiene routine is one of the best things you can do for dental implant care in Lebanon. It will lower your risk of infections that could lead to dental implant failure. Here are some basic hygiene tips:

• Brush your teeth (including your prosthetic ones) twice a day.
• Floss once a day.
• Use an antibacterial mouth rinse.
• Follow any hygiene instructions that are specific to your restoration. For example, you may need to remove an overdenture in order to clean it.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Dental implants can handle virtually any food, so you can feel free to enjoy all of your favorite treats. However, just like natural teeth, some foods are better for implants than others. Be careful not to overindulge in hard, sticky, or extremely sugary foods. Instead, adhere to a diet that is rich in healthful nutrients. Leafy green vegetables, calcium-rich items, and crunchy fruits are all excellent choices.

Break Bad Habits

A few habits that can endanger dental implants include:

• Smoking or chewing tobacco. These are strongly associated with a heightened risk of implant failure.
• Using your teeth as tools to open packages. This may break your restorations.

The effort it takes to stop such habits will be well worth it. If you are struggling to break free from a tobacco addiction, your primary care practitioner may be able to offer practical guidance and helpful resources.

Protect Your Dental Implants

If you play sports, you should wear a mouthguard when you are on the field or court. It can prevent injuries to your soft oral tissues, protect your natural teeth, and safeguard both your dental implants and the tissue around them.

If you tend to grind your teeth at night, you could damage your implants and the surrounding bone. You may need a special mouthguard to place a barrier between your upper and lower teeth while you sleep.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

As your implant dentist in Lebanon, we want your restored smile to stand the test of time. We recommend that you visit us twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. In addition to caring for your natural teeth, we will also inspect your dental implants for any signs of potential problems. Additionally, we may remove your restorations so we can thoroughly clean around the tops of your dental implants.

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

Soon after your surgery, blood clots should form at your incision sites. These are an important part of your body’s healing process, so you should do everything you can to protect them. Here are some tips to that end:

• Do not spit. Instead, swallow excess saliva or absorb it with tissues.
• Do not smoke or use a drinking straw. The suction action could dislodge your blood clots.
• Do not touch your surgical sites. It might be tempting to feel the incision sites with your tongue or fingers, but you should avoid doing so.

Common Side Effects

During the first part of your recovery, you can expect to experience:

• This can occur intermittently for several days. It is usually manageable with gauze and light pressure.
• This may continue for the first 72 hours after your surgery. Applying a cold compress can minimize it.
• Taking pain medications and getting plenty of rest can help you through any soreness.

If you experience any severe or unusual side effects, call your implant dentist in Lebanon right away.

Diet

During the initial part of your recovery, you should adhere to a no-chew diet. Things like pudding, yogurt, smoothies, brothy soups, and meal replacement shakes are all acceptable choices. Later, you can progress to a fork-tender diet, which can include items such as meatloaf, soft breads, scrambled eggs, and anything else that is easy to cut with the side of a fork. As your mouth continues to heal, you will eventually be able to add in slightly tougher foods.

Health & Oral Hygiene

You can brush your teeth beginning the day after surgery, but you should be extra-cautious around your surgical sites. You should also rinse your mouth regularly with saltwater to control swelling and inflammation. If you have a prescription mouth rinse, be sure to use it as directed.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

Once your prosthetic teeth are attached to the tops of your dental implants in Lebanon, you might experience some temporary soreness as your mouth adjusts. However, you should not experience any bleeding or swelling. No downtime is required. You will be able to use your new teeth right away!

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime — or at least several times longer than traditional forms of tooth replacement. With proper care, they can continue to thrive for decades. Of course, there are some factors that might shorten their life expectancy. For example, poor oral hygiene could lead to a dangerous infection that compromises the implants’ base of support. Underlying health conditions, tobacco usage, and physical trauma can also shorten their lifespan. Our team is ready to help your implants last as long as possible. Through regular checkups and coaching, you can minimize the risk that anything bad will happen to them.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

During the placement surgery, your mouth will be numbed, and you may be sedated. Therefore, you should feel little to nothing while our team is working. After the anesthesia and sedation wear off, you can expect some soreness. Taking pain medication and getting adequate rest can facilitate a comfortable recovery. Most patients are feeling well enough to return to work within a day or so of their procedure. If you experience any severe pain during your post-op period, call our practice right away for assistance.

Can I Get Dental Implants If I Smoke?

Candidacy for dental implants is determined on a case-by-case basis. Smoking is just one of many factors that we must consider when we are deciding whether a patient would be a good fit for dental implants. It will not automatically disqualify you from the procedure. However, keep in mind that it will increase your risk of dental implant failure because it slows down the body’s healing processes and heightens the chances of infection.

It would be best if you quit smoking before your implant surgery. If you do not quit, you should at least abstain from cigarettes during the weeks before and months after your procedure.

Will People Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?

As your implant dentist in Lebanon, we carefully place the implants so they are as well-concealed as possible beneath the gumline. The restorations on top of implants are custom-designed to fit your unique mouth. Their size, shape, and color are all carefully selected with the goal of making your new smile look as natural as possible. Additionally, they are made out of high-quality materials that strongly resemble real tooth enamel. Onlookers are unlikely to be able to tell that your teeth are not the same ones that you had since your youth.