Dental Implants in Middletown & New Britain

Dental implants replace tooth roots in the mouth. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth and can aid in the prevention of bone loss in the jaw.

An implant supported bridge is a restorative solution for spaces where three or more adjacent teeth are missing. This restoration typically requires two implants to support the porcelain bridge. The bridge provides a functional and aesthetic replacement for a patient’s natural teeth.

For patients who are missing many or all of their teeth, implant supported dentures may be an alternative to traditional dentures. This solution requires the placement of two or more implants. In order to replace a full arch denture, a minimum of four implants is generally recommended. Eligibility for this solution is dependent upon a number of factors, with jaw bone density being one of the most significant determining factors.

Traditional dentures rely on an acrylic base that sits directly on the gums, held in place by a paste or adhesive. Using implants as supports for dentures allows for a smaller and more comfortable base and less shifting of the prosthesis during use.

Implants can support both full and partial dentures as well as both fixed and removable dentures.  If a removable denture is selected, the denture will “snap” on to the implant rather than requiring the use of denture paste or adhesives.

This procedure is a unique implant solution that allows patients with a completely edentulous (toothless) upper or lower arch to replace all of the teeth in that arch using only four implants as anchors.

With this technique, specialized software is used to create custom surgical guides. These guides direct the exact location, angle, and depth of each implant placement. The use of the guide increases the accuracy, efficiency, safety, and predictability of the procedure.

Dental implants are restored over time with a collaboration between the Periodontist and your General Dentist.  We do the surgical portion of the implant, which usually costs between $2000 and 3000, depending on how complicated the procedure will be.  The full cost of dental implants is usually between $3000 and $4500 for a single-tooth restoration and crown. If a different type of restoration is being used or supplemental work like grafting is needed, the cost can be higher. We will provide you with an estimate prior to your treatment to help you understand the cost.

The process of getting dental implants may be uncomfortable at times, but there’s very little pain involved. During the dental implant surgery itself, your mouth will be numb, so you won’t feel anything while we work. After the surgery, you may experience some discomfort, but most patients find that dental implants are less painful than a tooth extraction.

With proper care and maintenance, your dental implants can last a lifetime. Depending on your age, the restoration attached to your dental implants may need to be replaced at some point, but these can also last for decades. Dental implants are a stable, long-lasting solution for missing teeth.  Patients with more complex medical histories, such as patients with diabetes or those that smoke, are at a higher risk of implant failure.  This can be discussed at your consult appointment to weigh the risk/benefits.  

The Full Arch with Only Four Implants restoration may be performed in a single day, depending on your circumstances. Most other types of dental implants require multiple appointments, but temporary restorations can be used to ensure that you’re never embarrassed to smile while you’re waiting for your permanent restoration to be attached to your dental implants.

Dentists get this question often, and it’s understandable: dental implants do cost a lot of money. This is because dental implants are a surgical procedure that uses surgical materials like biocompatible metal implants. Often, implants require several appointments, preliminary procedures like grafting, imaging, and a significant amount of time planning treatment. Finally, the restorations attached to your implants are carefully crafted by expert dental technicians for a natural appearance. When you also factor in that dental insurance often doesn’t cover the full cost of implants, you can see why they are so costly compared to other restorative treatments.

Absolutely. When we attach a bridge to an implant, it’s called an implant-supported bridge. These can be used to replace three or more missing teeth. Implant-supported bridges are stable, strong, and have the added benefit of not impacting the health of surrounding teeth like traditional bridges do.

Screw-in dentures is another term used for implant-supported dentures. Because these dentures are held in place by dental implants rather than by using adhesive paste, they are more secure and comfortable than traditional dentures.