Dental Implants – Newton, MA

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

You’ll first come into our office to undergo an initial consultation where our team will discuss your situation, oral health, and if you’re eligible for this treatment. We’ll evaluate your facial structure and jawbone to determine if you can support the titanium posts where necessary. If you aren’t, then we’ll work with you to prepare your mouth with preliminary services, such as bone grafting, gum disease treatment, or even tooth extractions. We’ll also review the overall cost so that you know how much you’ll end up paying for the procedure(s). Once you’re ready, we can begin with your dental implant placement.

Dental Implant Surgery

Our team can perform the entire process in-house, so you’ll only have to worry about coming to one convenient location to undergo the procedure. At the beginning of your appointment, we’ll be sure to completely numb your mouth with a local anesthetic so that you’re pain-free during the surgery. Once we’ve confirmed that you’re comfortable, we’ll start by making a small incision in your gum line to access your jawbone. We’ll then place the implants at their preplanned angles and positions before closing the gums around them. After placing protective caps over your posts, you’ll be sent home to follow our specific aftercare instructions for efficient recovery.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

The next several months will be meant for the osseointegration process, which is when the implant fuses with the jawbone. This integration will allow your titanium posts to stand as the firm foundation required for lifelike restorations, that way you can enjoy your newly rebuilt smile for decades to come or even a lifetime.

After this is completed, you’ll come back to us to receive your abutments—small metal connector pieces that link the restoration to your post. Once we’ve verified that it fits correctly, you’ll be sent home again so that your gums can heal properly.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

Whenever your gums are fully recovered, you’ll return to us again to finally receive your restoration. Our team will place your new crown, bridge, or denture onto the implants and confirm that your bite is correct and that you’re satisfied with the treatment. If all is well, we’ll provide you with guidelines on how to take care of your new pearly whites before sending you out to enjoy the results!

Day-to-Day Benefits

• No food restrictions - No matter what you are eating, dental implants are guaranteed to stay in place.
• Easy maintenance – All it takes is regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups with your implant dentist, Dr. Anjomi, to keep implants looking and feeling like new.
• Create a more natural appearance – Every implant post is topped with a customized restoration that is made out of natural-looking porcelain and acrylic.

Health Benefits

• No dental drift – Dental drift is no longer a concern because dental implants help to keep existing natural teeth firmly in place.
• Continuous jawbone stimulation – Dental implants help preserve the jawbone, stimulating the growth of new tissue once in place. This keeps the bone strong so it can support the remaining teeth as well as the facial muscles (which can prevent the formation of wrinkles).
• No tooth altering – Implants don’t require any of the remaining natural teeth to be altered or reshaped to accommodate them.

Long-Term Benefits

• High success rate – With a 95% success rate upon initial placement, dental implants are more reliable and durable than other tooth replacement solutions, especially after 10 years!
• Long lifespan – The average lifespan of a dental implant is over 30 years, dramatically longer than removable bridges and dentures (which usually have to be replaced every five to seven years).
• Cost savings – There are no additional products to buy or frequent adjustments or replacements required. Instead, you’re likely to pay more upfront for dental implants but will enjoy greater cost savings well into the future.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Just about any healthy adult can get dental implants with us, but in general, you’ll need to meet three basic thresholds:

• Good Overall Health: Because dental implants are placed via surgery, some health issues like autoimmune disorders may affect your ability to heal. This is why we’ll look at your overall physical health and medical history.
• An Absence of Oral Issues: Gum disease and tooth decay are indicators of the presence of large amounts of oral bacteria. To ensure your implant’s success, we’ll need to treat any of these issues first.
• Adequate Jawbone Density: Dental implants use small titanium posts called fixtures to secure the rest of the restoration to your jawbone. If the bone is too thin, it could cause the implant to fail.

Even if you aren’t currently a candidate due to an issue with any of the above, we’ll work with you and help get you there through other preparatory treatments. This is why a consultation with one of our dentists is so important before you begin your procedure.

Missing One Tooth

A dental crown connected to the jawbone using an implant can be positioned between two healthy teeth to close a lone gap. The crown itself will be made of porcelain and color-matched to the surrounding teeth to create a seamless and attractive appearance. A singular dental implant is one of the strongest methods available to rebuild your smile and maintain the alignment of adjacent teeth.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Traditionally, partial dentures and bridges help to restore multiple teeth in a row using metal clasps and reshaped healthy teeth, respectively. Now, these prosthetics can be anchored within your mouth using a small number of implant posts, so they never slip out of place while you’re eating or speaking. Doing so creates a much sturdier restoration when compared with more traditional methods, so you’ll enjoy your results for decades.

Missing All Teeth

Four to six strategically placed implants can provide a strong foundation for a full denture that never shifts or slips. Implant dentures are also smaller and leave more room in the mouth compared to their removable counterparts, creating a more comfortable fit and restoring up to 70 percent of your biting strength. This will allow you to enjoy many foods typically considered “off limits” to denture wearers like tough meats and fibrous vegetables.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

While it always helps to double-check with your insurance provider, most insurance plans do not cover the cost of dental implants in Newton. However, if you require any preliminary treatment – such as a bone graft, sinus lift, or gum disease therapy – you can likely count on your insurance to pay for some of these related costs.

Other Options for Making Dental Implants More Affordable

At Newton Corner Dental Care, we believe everyone should have access to the beautiful, complete smile they deserve. That is why we are proud to partner with CareCredit, a dental financing organization that offers low-to-no-interest payment plans for dental care. Ask our staff for more details!  

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

During the initial part of the healing process, your top priority should be to make sure that the blood clot that has formed at the surgical site remains undisturbed. Dislodging the blood clot will result in a dry socket, which can slow down healing and lead to a considerable amount of discomfort. To avoid this issue, you should avoid drinking from a straw, using tobacco products, or touching the implant site with your fingers.

Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement

Some of the side effects that normally occur after dental implant surgery include:

• General discomfort that can be alleviated with the help of certain medications, such as ibuprofen.
• Swelling that can be reduced with a cold compress.
• Intermittent bleeding that can be stopped by gently pressing down on the area with gauze.

All of these symptoms should go away on their own as your mouth heals; if they get worse instead, please call our team immediately.

Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery

For the first few days after dental implant surgery, you’ll need to maintain a diet that consists exclusively of soft or liquid foods, such as mashed potatoes, applesauce, scrambled eggs, pasta, soups, broths, yogurt, and ice cream. You’ll eventually reach the point where you can enjoy more solid foods again, but remember that you shouldn’t chew directly on your implant posts.

Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene

You need to minimize the risk of an infection occurring while your mouth is still healing, so don’t forget to brush your teeth at least two times a day, like you normally would. Be careful when cleaning around your dental implants, as you don’t want to disturb them by accident. Additionally, you should make a point of rinsing with salt water two to three times a day to fight harmful oral bacteria. Remember to pour the water out of your mouth when you’re done; do not spit.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

The final crown, bridge, or denture will only be attached long after your mouth has already healed from your initial dental implant surgery. At that point, there shouldn’t be any notable side effects outside of some sensitivity in the gums. In the event that you notice any bleeding or swelling at this stage, call us right away; something has likely gone wrong, and our team will have to take a look at your mouth to figure out what steps need to be taken.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

While dental implants can't develop cavities, maintaining good oral hygiene is still essential, even if you've replaced all your natural teeth. Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease, which is the most common reason for dental implant failure. Infections in your gums or remaining teeth can weaken the jawbone, compromising the support your implants need.

Fortunately, day-to-day care for dental implants is similar to that of natural teeth. All you have to do is brush twice a day, floss at least once a day, and regularly rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash to minimize plaque buildup. These simple steps can help ensure your implants stay healthy and strong.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Dental implants allow you to enjoy a variety of foods, so feel free to diversify your diet! However, you should limit overly sugary, sticky, or hard foods. Sweet treats can increase the risk of gum disease, while sticky or crunchy foods can damage or dislodge the restorations on your implants. Be sure to include plenty of nutritious fruits and vegetables in your meals to maintain a strong jawbone and healthy gums.

Break Bad Habits

Poor habits that can harm your natural teeth are just as damaging to dental implants. For instance, chewing on pens or biting your fingernails can gradually wear down your restorations and exert pressure on the implant posts. Using your teeth as tools, such as to open packages, can lead to fractures in your implants, restorations, or natural teeth. If you regularly smoke tobacco, it’s crucial to quit before dental implant surgery. Otherwise, it can hinder the healing process and increase the likelihood of oral infections.

Protect Your Dental Implants

While dental implants are durable, they’re not immune to damage. Sudden trauma from sports injuries or long-term wear and tear from teeth grinding can harm your restorations. To protect your implants and natural teeth, wearing a custom-made mouthguard is essential. Our team can create a mouthguard specifically fitted to your teeth, offering comfortable protection against injury and grinding. Compared to generic options from drugstores, our custom mouthguards provide superior effectiveness and comfort.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Regular visiting your implant dentist in Newton is essential, even if you no longer have natural teeth. These appointments allow our team to thoroughly examine your implants, gums, and overall oral health. Early detection is the key for prompt intervention for any potential issues. We’ll also perform a dental cleaning to effectively reduce plaque and tartar buildup.