Dental Implants – Bangor, ME
Tooth Replacement That Stands High Above the Rest
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, 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.
Why Choose Creative Dental Solutions for Dental Implants?
- Innovative Technology Used In-House
- Patient-Focused Approach to Dental Care
- Dental Experts Who Care & Deliver Outstanding Results
What Are Dental Implants?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Benefits of Dental Implants
There are many great advantages to dental implants, and our trusted team at Creative Dental Solutions is here to go over them with you during your consultation:
- A more youthful aesthetic because of the implants’ ability to keep the jawbone stimulated, thus reducing the risk of facial sagging.
- The chance to eat without fear of your teeth slipping.
- Improved confidence that will carry with you throughout your personal and professional life.
- To save money in the long run because you won’t need denture adhesives or frequent replacement.
- Greater oral health because of how easy it is to keep your new teeth clean.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
If you are living with one or more missing teeth, do not be surprised if your dentist recommends you for dental implants. Typically, most adults with tooth loss can expect to receive these long-lasting prosthetics even if preliminary treatments are first required. During your consultation, our team will not only go over the potential bone grafting, periodontal therapy, or tooth extraction you might need but also detail just how versatile dental implants are in treating all kinds of tooth loss.
Missing One Tooth
Combining a single titanium implant post, metal abutment, and customized dental crown will allow us to confidently restore your smile even when only one tooth is missing. In doing so, we can avoid altering healthy teeth while also restoring your ability to eat and speak with ease.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Using two titanium posts and a custom fixed dental bridge, this design is a great alternative to the traditional solution (i.e., a dental bridge or partial denture) because of how it sits within the jawbone and keeps natural tooth structures free of damage.
Missing All of Your Teeth
Implant dentures need only 4-6 implant posts and a custom denture to keep you looking and feeling your best. Instead of a traditional denture that can slip if you lack adhesive or enough suction, implant dentures remain in place because of their permanent fusing with the jawbone.
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.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
The process of replacing lost teeth with dental implants occurs in several steps, each phase with different costs. This gives you more time to pay for dental implants because you won't have to come up with a large sum at once. You'll first require a consultation with an implant dentist in Bangor, who will examine your mouth, learn more about your health history, and perform a number of diagnostic services to ensure dental implants are right for you. It's not uncommon to need a little prep work before your placement surgery, like tooth extractions or gum disease therapy. After any preliminary procedures, you're scheduled for your placement surgery. Sedation or anesthesia will be used to surgically place an implant post into your bone to serve as a new tooth root. Once your bone has integrated with the post, you'll be scheduled for the final phase of your treatment to place your restoration.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
Depending on the number of teeth you're replacing, you'll need to pay for each component of your new tooth, which includes:
- Implant Post: An implant post serves as a new tooth root.
- Abutment: Each implant will require an abutment, which is a special fixture to connect your restoration.
- Restoration: You'll require either a dental crown, bridge, or denture.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
Dental implants offer priceless benefits and are the most affordable overall. They are proven to last for over 30 years or longer with the right care, like brushing and flossing. With over a 95% success rate, you'll never have to budget for replacements, so you'll save money down the road. In addition, they also preserve your jawbone and improve your oral health, so you're less likely to need costly procedures later.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Every situation is unique, but dental insurance may cover your consultation, diagnostic services, and any preliminary procedures. After meeting your annual deductible, your insurance can pay 50% to 80% of the expenses for medically necessary procedures until you reach your yearly limit. We will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to help you maximize your coverage.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
In addition to dental insurance, our office also offers other financial solutions, including:
- Traditional Payments: Our office accepts cash, personal checks, and most credit cards for your convenience.
- CareCredit Financing: Based on your credit approval, you can benefit from little or no interest in financing. You can pay any out-of-pocket expenses using a monthly payment plan through a third-party financing company, like CareCredit.
