Dental Implants – Carlisle, PA
The Most Comprehensive Solution for Tooth Loss
Have you been struggling to smile because of missing teeth? These days, you no longer have to settle for an incomplete smile. With dental implants, you can enjoy a smile that is more reliable and natural-looking than what traditional dentures and dental bridges can create. Here at Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we can provide start-to-finish care for dental implants in Carlisle, PA for maximum convenience. To learn more about the most comprehensive solution for tooth loss, contact us today and schedule a dental implant consultation!
Why Choose Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for Dental Implants?
- Dental Implant Placement & Restoration Performed In-House
- CBCT Scanner for Advanced, Precise Treatment Planning
- Dentist with Extensive Experience in Oral Surgery
What Are Dental Implants?
Every tooth has two parts: the crown that you see when you smile, and the supportive root that is embedded in the jawbone. Tooth replacements usually only recreate the crown by merely sitting on top of the gums, but dental implants are unique in that they bring back the root as well. These titanium posts are positioned in the jaw, where they gradually fuse with the surrounding bone. As a result, they can provide ample support for a stable, long-lasting dental crown, bridge, or denture.
The Dental Implant Process
Dr. Thomas Neslund is an expert in placing dental implants, which is why you can conveniently complete your entire treatment in our dental office. Typically, dental implant placement needs to be performed by an offsite specialist. However, since Dr. Neslund has the expertise and the technology necessary to ensure your implants are successful, you don’t have to see another dental professional or spend more time traveling from office to office.
Your dental implants will be surgically implanted into your jawbone. After allowing them to heal for at least four to six months – during which time your implants bond with your jawbone – another surgery is performed to remove the gum that has healed over the post. Dr. Neslund will then create your new teeth and attach them to the dental implants. The entire process can take between six and eight months, but it's well worth the time.
Prior to performing your dental implant surgery, Dr. Neslund will conduct a complete assessment and examination. He will use your health history as well as the current health of your gums and remaining teeth to determine the appropriate course of action. While most people are candidates for dental implants, some require bone grafting or other pre-placement procedures to make their oral structures capable of supporting and sustaining them.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer many advantages over other forms of tooth replacement. When you lose a tooth, you begin to lose jawbone as well as the tooth root that once stimulated jawbone. Dental implants counteract this bone loss because they mimic your natural tooth roots, anchoring a replacement tooth in place with titanium posts implanted in your jawbone.
Dental implants also better preserve any remaining teeth, provide greater stability than dentures or partial dentures, and give you greater comfort. Instead of having to worry about denture adhesives to hold replacement teeth in place, you can experience tooth replacement that looks and feels more like your own teeth than any other option.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
There are many instances where dental implants can be utilized. It doesn’t matter if you’re missing a single tooth or multiple teeth, dental implants can effectively restore teeth missing from your smile. In most cases, the only prerequisites are that you have a healthy mouth and a strong jawbone. To learn how Dr. Thomas Neslund does it, keep reading!
Missing One Tooth
To replace a single tooth, a titanium implant is placed directly into the jaw and allowed to integrate with the bone over time. Once fully healed, a custom-made crown will be placed on top and attached via an abutment, which gives the crown stability. We use porcelain because of its natural-looking qualities.
Missing Multiple Teeth
To replace multiple consecutive teeth in your smile, a bridge designed to fit on top of dental implants can be created. Instead of relying on natural teeth to hold the restoration, a pair of implants are placed on either side inside the gap. These implants are strong enough to hold as much as a three to four consecutive prosthetic teeth.
Missing All Teeth
To replace all teeth in a single arch, an implant denture is most ideal. If you’re tired of your denture always shifting out of place, a set of implants can effectively prevent slippage and give you the confidence to eat the foods you enjoy.
Missing All Teeth with Low Jawbone Density
If you’ve suffered from bone loss in your jaw, then All-on-4 dental implants may be right for you. With this method, your dental implant dentist in Carlisle positions just four implants strategically throughout the jaw to maximize the available bone mass. Then, a denture is attached on top of them. As a bonus, All-on-4 (also known as Teeth-in-a-Day) lets us place your prosthetic on the very same day that you receive your implants.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Keep in mind that the cost of your dental implant treatment has the potential to fluctuate dramatically depending on your needs. Any preliminary procedures necessary can increase costs and the number of visits necessary to complete treatment, driving up your overall total. You’ll also need to consider the number of implants you intend to place as well as the type of restoration used to fill the gaps in your smile. Both are major factors in determining overall cost.
Even at their high price tag, dental implants are often considered to be the most cost-effective solution because of their longevity and restorative benefits. Dentures require regular relines and replacements, while dental bridges don’t always stand the test of time. Both will require additional maintenance as well, even though they don’t offer the same restorative benefits as implants. In contrast, dental implants can easily last a lifetime when properly cared for, which is not something you can say for other tooth replacement methods.
Types of Dental Implants
Everyone’s mouth is different, so the dental implant process varies greatly from patient to patient. For instance, a patient missing a single tooth can receive just one implant post restored with a dental crown. This will cost less than an implant bridge, which requires two implants. An implant denture needs four or more implants and comes with an even higher price.
The number of implants you’re getting, as well as the materials they’re made from and where in your mouth they are being placed, will affect the overall cost.
What Are the Stages of Dental Implant Treatment?
Getting dental implants takes multiple appointments, each of which comes with its own unique cost. Some of the stages include:
- Initial consultation with Dr. Neslund, your dental implant dentist in Carlisle
- Any needed preparatory work like bone grafting or a sinus lift
- Implant placement surgery
- Small surgery to place the abutments (tiny metal pieces that attach your implants to your restoration)
- Design and placement of the permanent restoration (crown, bridge, or denture)
Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?
Absolutely! While it’s true that they cost more in the beginning, consider the savings you’ll gain in the long term. Alternative prosthetics have to be repaired or replaced every five to 10 years. By contrast, dental implants can last for 30 years or more. You’ll spend less time and money over the years sitting in the dental chair and getting your teeth fixed.
Additionally, dental implants deliver benefits that other options can’t. Because of their foundation in your jawbone, they’ll feel natural and let you chew practically any food. They also stimulate the jawbone and support your facial muscles, keeping you looking young.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
These days, more and more dental insurance carriers are starting to cover implants, but many of them still do not. You’ll have to check your individual policy. Even if the implants themselves are not covered, insurance could mitigate the cost of preparatory treatment or your final restoration. Our team will happily take a look at your plan and determine how much coverage you qualify for. We also partner with CareCredit to help you fund your treatment with low-interest loans.
If you’re ready to transform your grin with dental implants in Carlisle, contact Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today. We look forward to helping you smile!
Advanced Dental Implant Procedures
Tooth loss causes the jawbone to slowly disintegrate and lose its shape. Patients who wait too long to replace their teeth may have a weak jawbone that cannot support dental implants. To build up a weak jawbone, we may recommend an advanced dental implant procedure, the most common of which is called a bone graft. While this treatment will increase your total treatment time, it also greatly increases the success rate of your new smile.
What Is a Dental Bone Graft?
A dental bone graft adds bone tissue to an area where the jawbone is weak or where there is insufficient bone structure to support the dental implant. The replacement bone tissue may come from another part of your body, like the back of the jaw, the shin, or the hip. This type of bone graft is known as an allograft. Donor bone tissue can also come from cadavers or even cows. Synthetic tissue is another alternative. The type of bone graft you receive depends on the amount of bone tissue needed, the health of your bone, and your personal preference.
Why Is a Bone Graft Needed?
If you want to have your teeth replaced with dental implants but are told you need a bone graft procedure before, do not be discouraged. You can enjoy the stability and improved oral health that dental implants provide; the process will just take a little longer.
Dental implants have more than a 95 percent success rate in eligible candidates. One requirement of dental implants is a healthy jawbone. They need sturdy, strong bone matter for proper anchoring. A bone graft is performed when significant jawbone structure has been lost as a result of the missing teeth, or existing bone may be weak.
How Is a Bone Graft Performed?
A bone graft procedure is completed by an oral surgeon using local anesthesia at the donor site as well as in the gum. First, the surgeon removes tissue from the donor site (for an allograft). A small slit is opened in the gum tissue, and this block of donor bone is placed in the area lacking bone matter. The new bone is held in place with small screws which are removed after the bone graft has healed and dental implants are ready for placement.
After the bone graft has been performed, healing will take place over several months. A typical bone graft requires six to nine months to heal. Patients who need a bone augmentation procedure before receiving dental implants should expect longer treatment times for proper healing following the bone graft.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
As you might know, dental implants can be highly effective; they even have the potential to keep smiles healthy for a lifetime. That said, they’ll only work well if you take good care of them. Not doing so will cause the prosthetic teeth to fail or need replacement. Luckily, we at Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry can keep that from happening. To that end, here are some tips on dental implant care in Carlisle – use them to enjoy your newly rebuilt smile. Otherwise, book a visit for more details!
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
True enough, implants won’t get cavities – they’re artificial, after all. Still, you must practice good oral hygiene to keep them functional. You might suffer gum disease or tooth infections otherwise, both of which can cause implant failure.
As for how to go about proper dental care, remember to do the following:
- Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss once per day with either traditional floss or a flossing tool.
- Rinse your mouth once daily with flouridated mouthwash
Eat a Healthy Diet
Notably, implants strengthen your bite and allow you to (once again) eat tougher foods. Take advantage of that fact and fill up on leafy greens, lean proteins, dairy products, and other healthy fares. Doing so will keep your jaw and gum tissues strong, ensuring your implants last a long while.
At the same time, try not to overindulge in hard, sticky, or sugary stuff. These products can cause gum infections or chip your prosthetic teeth, leading to implant failure.
Break Bad Habits
It’s always a good idea to break bad oral habits. However, giving up these practices is even more crucial when you have implants. If you don’t, they might make your implants break or fail.
To start, consider cutting out habits like:
- Smoking – Besides causing cancer, smoking can lead to gum disease. Furthermore, the practice keeps implants from fusing with your jaw.
- Nail-biting & Ice-Chewing –Biting on hard surfaces like fingernails and ice cubes isn’t good for you. Doing so wears away enamel and might even damage your restorations.
Protect Your Dental Implants
Dental implants are strong, but they aren’t indestructible. Too much external force can cause them to break and fail over time. You’ll thus want to give your new teeth some solid protection.
One good option is to get a custom-made mouthguard. If you’re a big sports player, this appliance could protect you from dental injuries. On the other hand, a personalized nightguard could help you avoid wear and tear from tooth grinding.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
Last but not least, make sure to attend your six-month dental checkups and cleanings. That way, your dentist can ensure your implants always work.
You see, checkups are preventive care – they monitor your implant and spot potential problems early. By attending them, you can thus treat issues before they threaten your new tooth (or teeth). Preserving your implant this way is also cost-effective, saving you time and money otherwise spent on replacements.