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Dental Implants – Lebanon, NH

Completely Replace Your Missing Teeth

Woman smiling after dental implant tooth replacement

One downside of traditional forms of tooth replacement is that they’re incomplete; they take the place of the parts of the tooth used for chewing, but the roots that are normally beneath the gums stay missing. In order to replace this often-overlooked component of the tooth’s structure, Drs. Sanders and Munsey may recommend that your new teeth be supported by dental implants. Schedule a consultation at Hanover Road Dental Health today to learn more about the current gold standard for filling in dental gaps - dental implants in Lebanon, NH.

Why Choose Hanover Road Dental Health for Dental Implants?

  • Work Hand-in-Hand with Skilled Specialists
  • Replace Any
    Number of Teeth
  • Friday Hours
    Available

What Is a
Dental Implant?

Dentist showing patient a model tooth and implant supported dental crown

When you get a dental implant, it will consist of three main components: the implant post itself, an abutment, and a crown or another type of prosthetic tooth. The post (which is very thin and normally made out of titanium) will be placed in the jawbone and left to fuse with it, more or less becoming part of the body as a result. Then the abutment will be attached to the post, and finally the restoration will be connected to the abutment.

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

Man considering dental implant options

Ideal candidates for dental implants will already have a healthy mouth, a healthy body, and a jaw with a certain level of bone density. Gum disease, bone loss, and other issues need to be treated beforehand to minimize your risk of complications throughout the process. Also, it’s important to realize that the implant process will change depending on how many teeth need to be replaced.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

a dentist consulting with a patient about dental implants

Most patients with good dental and overall health are good candidates for dental implants in Lebanon. However, there are certain situations in which preliminary surgeries, like a bone graft or sinus lift, may be necessary before you can undergo dental implant placement. For these reasons, in-depth consultations are a crucial part of the process, allowing our skilled dentists at Hanover Road Dental Health to speak with you in greater detail about what you can expect and go over your treatment plan.

Here are some of the traits that we look out for in good candidates:

  • Good overall health. If you have any underlying medical conditions, like diabetes, it’s important that these are treated and under control before dental implant surgery. This will minimize the risk of complications and help make sure your healing process is successful.
  • Good dental health. If you have gum disease, cavities, or any other dental concerns that need treatment, these must be taken care of before you can start the dental implant process.
  • Sufficient jawbone density. Patients who have had missing teeth for awhile may have suffered bone loss due to a lack of stimulation to the jawbone. In these cases, a graft may be necessary to ensure there’s enough bone for the dental implants to successfully fuse with.

Missing One Tooth

Animated implant supported dental crown placement

A single dental implant can support a crown, which is enough to replace one tooth anywhere in the mouth. This means there’s no need for a dental bridge that would require changes to nearby teeth. It’s important to note that once you get an implant, you can expect to wait several months before receiving your crown.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Animated implant supported fixed bridge placement

You could get a separate implant and crown for each tooth that’s gone. Three or more missing teeth in a row, however, only require two dental implant posts. These will serve as support for a dental bridge, thus filling in a sizable gap while leaving the rest of your teeth alone.

Missing All of Your Teeth

Animated implant supported denture placement

If you want full dentures to be supported by dental implants, we’ll need to figure out how many posts will be necessary in your case. Normally, four to eight implants should be enough. Implant-retained dentures are typically permanently anchored in place, but depending on the situation, they can also be detachable.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

Dentist and patient looking at tablet computer

It takes a lot of time and a significant investment to get dental implants, so you’ll naturally want to make sure that the procedure itself is handled by an expert. We work alongside some of the most talented specialists in the county, all of whom have plenty of experience when it comes to placing implants. Our team will surgically embed your dental implants in your jawbone, and you’ll need a few months to recover and allow osseointegration to finish. Afterward, you’ll come back in to receive your new pearly whites. Keep reading to learn how dental implants work in Lebanon.

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

a dentist explaining how dental implants work in Lebanon

You’ll first need to schedule a consultation with our team. This appointment will allow us to discuss your smile goals, review your medical history, and assess your mouth to determine if dental implants are an ideal solution for you. We’ll also need to check for any developing or underlying oral health issues, as these will need to be addressed beforehand. If we find any concerns, such as gum disease or insufficient jawbone density, then you’ll need to undergo preliminary treatments like periodontal therapy or bone grafting to be eligible for dental implants.

Dental Implant Surgery

adentist performing surgery representing how dental implants work in Lebanonn

Your dental implant placement process will involve a minor surgical procedure. Firstly, our team will completely numb your mouth before starting any work, this way you’ll feel comfortable and pain-free throughout your appointment. We’ll then make an incision in your gums so that we can access your jawbone. Your titanium post will be embedded in exactly the right position before we close the gums around it. We will place a protective cap over your implant to keep it safe and preserve the natural shape of your gums, and then you’ll need to take time to rest and recover.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

illustration depicting how dental implants work in Lebanon

Over the following several months, your dental implants will go through osseointegration. These titanium posts are biocompatible, meaning they’ll be able to gradually bond with your jawbone and become part of the tissue. This is what will allow your restorations to remain strong, secure, and natural-feeling throughout their lifetime. You should expect the osseointegration process to take about three to six months depending on your health and oral hygiene. Once this is completed, we’ll place a small connector piece to your dental implant. Your restoration(s) will be fabricated while you recover from this step, which takes several weeks.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

a patient smiling representing how dental implants work in Lebanon

We’ll call you back into our office for the final step in your treatment. During your visit, your implant dentist will attach your custom-designed restoration (crown, bridge, partial, or denture) to your titanium post(s) via the abutments that were placed during your previous appointment. After they’ve been fitted in place, we’ll assess your bite to make sure it’s even and secure. Our team will answer any questions you might have about your new teeth before sending you on your way to enjoy your brand-new smile!

Benefits of Dental Implants

Man and woman smiling together after dental implant tooth replacement

If you don’t already know, dental implants are pretty popular. In fact, dentists place over 500,000 of these prosthetic teeth every year! That’s only natural, though, given how implants interact with a patient’s jawbone. This unique feature gives treatment benefits you won’t find elsewhere, whether with dentures or bridges. If you’d like to learn about these perks, we’ll happily tell you more. Just keep reading or call our office for the details.

 

Day-to-Day Benefits

aAn older woman enjoying her new dental implants

Of course, the most apparent benefits of implants are the day-to-day ones. Soon after treatment, you’ll notice the following advantages:

 

  • A Full, Beautiful Smile – Implants blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth thanks to their tooth-colored porcelain. They’ll thus let you smile with confidence and ease! After all, these prosthetics are so lifelike that people can’t tell them apart from natural chompers.
  • Easy Eating & Speaking – Because implants fuse with your jawbone, they restore more of your bite force. Furthermore, they won’t slip or fall like dentures sometimes do. The result is that you can count on them for meals and conversations alike.
  • Low-Maintenance – Unlike dentures or bridges, implants can be maintained just like any other teeth. In other words, you only need to brush them twice daily, floss them once daily, and rinse them with mouthwash. That way, they’ll stay pretty and functional for a long while.

 

Health Benefits

A closeup of a man biting an apple

As it happens, implants do more than improve your looks; they also boost your bodily health. Over time, therefore, they’ll result in upsides like:

 

  • A Stronger Jawbone – Besides smile gaps, tooth loss triggers jaw erosion, too. That process, left unchecked, can even lead to facial collapse. Fortunately, implants stimulate the jawbone to keep such decline from happening.
  • A More Nutritious Diet – As said before, implants strengthen your bite and let you eat tougher foods. Aside from easier eating, though, this effect further expands your dietary choices. Namely, implants will let you eat a wider range of nutritious items.
  • Support for Natural Teeth – Aside from looking unseemly, smile gaps can make your surrounding teeth tilt and fall out. However, implants fill the gaps and thus prevent any tilting.

 

Long-term Benefits

A close-up of a smile with a dental implant replacing a front tooth

More than anything else, long-term benefits are what put implants over the top. In particular, consider those listed below:

 

  • High Success – Implants rarely ever fail in the long term. Even today, their success rate ten years after placement is over 95%! As such, you can go into treatment confidently.
  • Little-to-No Replacement – Compared to dentures or bridges, implants have a significantly longer lifespan. Even the average one will last 15-20 years. With proper care, the number can even reach over 30 years.
  • Very Cost-Effective – While they can have a large upfront price, implants usually save you money in the long run. Their lifespan and ease of care mean they don’t need many replacement or repair visits. In contrast, dentures and bridges need regular follow-up care that gets expensive as time passes.

 

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

Animated implant supported tooth replacement components

First of all, you need to remember that implants are a long-term solution. While they may seem to cost more than other forms of tooth replacement at the onset, you’ll continue to benefit from their stability, durability, and overall impact on your oral health for years to come. That makes them well worth the price!

As for the exact cost, we’ll need to consider a number of factors, including:

  • The number of posts received.
  • The type of restoration received.
  • Each stage of the implant process itself.
  • Any other treatment deemed necessary.

These variables can cause the final price to vary, which is why we can only give you a reliable estimate once we’ve examined your mouth during an initial consultation. After that, we can discuss ways to make sure that the treatment is affordable. Don’t worry; we’re more than happy to work with you to make sure that you’re able to receive the stronger smile you deserve!

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implant surgery in Lebanon

A few different components you might not think about that are often included in the overall price tag of your treatment are if you require preliminary treatment of any kind (i.e., bone grafting, periodontal therapy, tooth extraction) as well as your oral surgery. Because we do refer you to an outside specialist for dental implant placement, you will receive a separate bill for the surgical component of your treatment.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

A dental implant in Lebanon

Your dental implants are also part of the overall cost, which includes:

  • The number of dental implant posts needed – Do you need one or six? The fewer posts you need, the less you can expect to spend.
  • The materials used – Your implant dentist will likely use titanium or zirconia, both of which come with a cost.
  • The type of restoration needed – Based on the number of teeth you are missing, we will determine the appropriate type of restoration you will need. This can include a dental crown, bridge, or denture.
  • The brand – Different manufacturers have different prices for their dental implants. The important thing to remember is that cheaper is not always better!

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Patient discussing dental implants in Lebanon

By choosing to move forward with dental implant placement, you will discover there are many great benefits, one of which is saving money. These prosthetics are considered a cost-effective tooth replacement solution because:

  •  
  • You don’t have to purchase additional cleaning products to keep your new teeth free of decay or bad bacteria.
  • You won’t have to buy denture adhesives to keep your teeth in place.
  • You’ll avoid frequent adjustments and replacements because your implant posts are fused with the bone tissues.
  • You’ll enjoy prosthetics that can last a lifetime with proper care.
  • You’ll reduce your risk for high-paying treatment commonly associated with tooth loss (i.e., diabetes care, heart conditions, osteoporosis).

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Dental plan blocks in Lebanon

Some dental insurance companies do provide coverage for dental implant surgery; however, many still do not. As a result, you may find them to be costlier than other tooth replacement solutions. But before you deem them out of reach, you can inquire about coverage for your consultation, preliminary treatment, and customized restoration.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Man smiling in Lebanon

At Hanover Road Dental Health Family Dentistry, we are pleased to partner with CareCredit to give patients like yourself an alternative way to pay. Offering low-to-no-interest plans and no surprise fees, you can enroll and start saving immediately. Instead of paying the entire amount upfront, you can pay off your balance over several months.

Dental Implant FAQs

At Hanover Road Dental Health, we’d be happy to completely replace your missing teeth both above and below the gumline with dental implants in Lebanon. This method is quite different than more traditional tooth replacement options like dentures or a dental bridge, so it’s natural to have a few questions. For your convenience, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we get about dental implants below. If you don’t see the answers you’re looking for, feel free to give us a call or schedule your consultation to learn more!

Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?

Whether you’re missing one, several, or all your natural teeth, there’s a great chance that dental implants can help you restore your complete smile. However, you’ll need a few things to be considered a good candidate:

  • Good general health: Since placing dental implants is a surgical procedure, you need to be well enough to undergo minor surgery.
  • Great oral health: Tooth decay, gum disease, and teeth grinding can all cause problems for dental implants, so these issues will need to be corrected first.
  • Adequate jawbone density: You’ll need to have enough jawbone density to support the implant posts for your dental implants to be successful.

Even if you don’t think you’re a good candidate, come see us for a consultation if you’re interested in dental implants! We’ll work with you to make a plan to help you get ready for your brand-new smile.

What Can I Expect After Dental Implant Surgery?

Most patients are happy to report that the dental implant surgery itself isn’t uncomfortable at all! Directly after the surgery, you should plan on having someone drive you home where you can take it easy for the rest of the day. It’s natural to experience some slight discomfort, swelling, and bleeding for a little while after your procedure, but these symptoms should all resolve themselves within a week or so. Taking your prescribed pain medication, getting plenty of rest, and sticking to a diet of soft, nutritious foods will help the healing process go smoothly.

Why Does Getting Dental Implants Take So Long?

Once your dental implant posts are placed into your jaw, they undergo a process called osseointegration. This is where they gradually fuse with the surrounding bone tissue to essentially become a part of your jaw. There are a number of factors that will influence how long this process takes, including your age, health, oral hygiene habits, and number of dental implants placed. However, it will generally take between four to six months before your mouth has healed enough to place your final restoration. While this is significantly more time than it takes dentures or a dental bridge to replace missing teeth, the unmatched long-term benefits and potential to last a lifetime of dental implants are well worth the wait!

Can Dental Implants Fail?

Dental implants boast an astonishing success rate of over 95% even after ten years. However, there is still a remote chance that they can fail. A blow to the face can potentially dislodge your dental implant, while chewing on hard objects and using your teeth as tools to open packages can crack your restoration. Most notably, a buildup of plaque and bacteria around the dental implant from poor oral hygiene can lead to infections in the gums. Eventually, the tissues that help support your dental implant and hold it in place could be destroyed, causing it to fall out. Thankfully, you can easily expect your dental implant to stay in place for a lifetime with the proper care!

Ready to see if dental implants are right for you? Give your Lebanon dentist a call today to start your journey towards a complete, confident smile!