What Are Dental Implants in Bangor ME

After losing one or more teeth to decay or damage, you may find that the traditional options that are offered (i.e., dental bridges and dentures) are not what you envision when you think about a new smile. With dental implants in Bangor ME, you can embrace the chance to enjoy long-lasting teeth that remain in place, do not succumb to jawbone shrinkage, and continue to look natural over time. Call us to find out how you can prepare for a healthier, more permanent solution to tooth loss with dental implants in Bangor from Creative Dental Solutions.

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Tooth Replacement That Stands High Above the Rest in Bangor ME

Sometimes the loss of a tooth or even a few teeth may happen to you or someone you know. There can be several reasons for this, but whatever the cause, it can affect not just your physical appearance, but even the way you speak and eat. One solution Creative Dental offers to the issue of missing one or more teeth is a dental implant.

A dental implant is a more recent development in dental surgical procedures. It consists of a “screw,” usually titanium, that is surgically attached to your jawbone. After this procedure has been completed, the screw is given time to fuse with the jawbone. Since your body doesn’t create an immune response thanks to the biocompatible properties of titanium, nutrients continue to be sent to that part of the jawbone to retain both size and health.

Once proper fusion has occurred, a “crown” is applied to the screw, which is just a custom-designed artificial tooth that sits on the now very stable implant that is fused to your mouth. With this final step, the procedure is permanent, complete, and will not require any additional maintenance on your part aside from a sensible oral hygiene regimen of brushing and flossing to protect the rest of your teeth and gums.  Dental implants can be used to replace one or more missing teeth in your mouth.

Instead of resorting to treatment options that only restore the visible portions of your smile, consider a solution that does more. With dental implants, the titanium posts that look like small screws replicate the function of tooth roots, so your teeth are fully restored from root to crown. When positioned into the jawbone, they fuse with the surrounding tissues to create a strong and durable foundation that is designed to hold up a dental crown, bridge, or denture depending on how many teeth you need to have replaced.

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The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

There is a process that you must agree to when choosing to replace your missing teeth with dental implants. Considered a form of treatment that requires much patience, the payoff in the end is well worth it. Everyone’s treatment process looks a little bit different, but here are the four main steps that all patients can expect.

1.) Initial Dental Implant Consultation
To start, you must schedule a consultation with us. During this time, we will examine your smile and determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Some patients require preliminary treatments ahead of time, like bone grafting and gum disease treatment. If any apply to you, we can help you get those scheduled. Once your jaw and gums are in good shape, we can move on to plan the rest of your treatment. This includes going over the timeline, cost, and your financial options.

2.) Dental Implant Surgery
Getting dental implants requires a surgical procedure. We complete this in-house, so you don’t need to worry about working with a local specialist at a separate location. First, we will numb the area with a local anesthetic so you don’t feel a thing. Then, an incision is made into the gum tissue and the implants are placed at strategic places and angles in the jawbone. The gums are closed up, and protective caps are placed over the implant posts to keep them safe while the area heals.

3.) Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
This type of procedure warrants much recovery time, so you can expect to spend 4-6 months allowing your mouth to heal. During this time, osseointegration will occur, which is the fusion of the implants with the jawbone. When finished, abutments will be attached to the ends of your dental implants. This is what connects your implants to the replacement teeth when you are all healed up. Impressions are taken so your restorations can be custom-made at the dental lab.

4.) Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration
Once your restorations are ready, we will let you know so you can return to the practice. Your replacement teeth will be attached to the dental implants, completing your smile. If everything looks and feels as it should, you will be free to show off your new pearly whites!

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Who Can Use Dental Implants In Bangor ME

While the dental implant is a comprehensive and often ideal permanent solution to the problem of missing teeth, there are certain physical requirements people must meet to be considered suitable for this procedure.

Healthy gums and healthy teeth are both required for a dental implant to be successful. So, for example, heavy smokers that may be suffering from gum disease may be advised to quit smoking and allow the gums to heal properly before attempting the procedure.

On the other hand, people with insufficient bone in their jaw may still be suitable for the procedure if they want it. This may call for an additional procedure, known as “bone grafting,” to reinforce the jaw enough for the dental implant procedure to succeed.

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Benefits Of Dental Implants

Aside from restoring a tooth into an empty space for aesthetic reasons, there are many other sound health benefits for getting a dental implant replacement.

CLICK HERE for more information regarding the benefits of getting a dental implant.

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Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

You don't have to be rich to afford dental implants. Contrary to popular rumors about their price, they can cost about the same as traditional methods. They are also the most affordable overall. Many factors affect the cost of dental implants in Bangor, but we have the solutions you need to replace your missing teeth without spending your life's savings.