Dental Implants – Burlington, MA

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a tiny titanium post that is inserted in the gums in the area where the missing tooth’s root structure was. Once placed, the post naturally fuses with the jawbone in a process known as osseointegration. After the implant is secure several months later, a metal abutment connector is placed on top, allowing us to secure your custom dental crown, bridge, or denture into your smile.

For most patients, dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. They stay firmly anchored in the jaw, preventing the slipping that notoriously occurs with traditional dentures. They replenish more chewing power than dentures and bridges, letting you eat all of your favorite foods with ease. Best of all, their foundation in the jaw allows them to last for decades, possibly even a lifetime. This makes them the most cost-effective tooth loss solution in the long run!

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dr. Kostas will never make any sort of recommendation without considering your unique circumstances first, but if you’re eligible for dental implants, chances are he’ll bring them up as one of your best options. With the unique placement of dental implants inside the jawbone, it’s little wonder why 500,000 new people get implants each year. Check out the benefits that implants can bring you on a day-to-day basis as well as in the long term.

Day-to-Day Benefits

• No More Diet Limitations: Are you tired of an incomplete smile or unstable dentures dictating what you can and can’t eat? With dental implants, your new teeth will have strength nearly equal to your natural teeth. That means you can continue eating tough foods like steak that would give you trouble with traditional dentures.
• Confidence: Having an incomplete smile can make you feel self-conscious, but that won’t be a problem once you fill in the gap with a sturdy, stable dental implant. The restoration will look just like your real teeth, so don’t hesitate to show the world your new smile!
• Easy Maintenance: With dentures, you have to learn all-new hygiene habits and will have to take your teeth out of your mouth to clean them. With dental implants, nothing changes; you can just brush and floss as you always have.
• No Slipping: Once you upgrade from traditional dentures to implant dentures, the inconvenience of false teeth that slip will be a thing of the past.

Health Benefits

• A Stronger Jawbone: The stimulation of dental implants encourages the growth of new bone in your jaw, which is necessary to keep it healthy over time. Traditional dentures and bridges do not provide such stimulation. As such, implants are your best option for avoiding bone loss.
• No Sensitive Teeth or Sore Gums: Other forms of tooth replacement might involve making changes to existing teeth, causing them to become more sensitive as a result. Meanwhile, traditional dentures can result in gum sores and similar issues. Dental implants avoid both issues; they leave existing teeth alone, and the restorations are supported by implant posts instead of the gums.
• Improved Health: Due to the benefits of having new teeth that interface directly with your jawbone and can be brushed normally, dental implants make it easier to maintain excellent oral health and avoid long-term issues.

Long-Term Benefits

• Longevity: Dental implants rarely need to be replaced. The average lifespan for an implant post is around 30 years, and some last far longer than that. You could even keep the same implants for the rest of your life.
• High Success Rate: Your dental implants are still likely to be in excellent shape even after 10 years provided you take good care of them.
• Cost-Effective: Because you’re not paying for replacements every few years and are more likely to avoid severe oral health issues, you could end up saving a significant amount of money as a result of choosing dental implants.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

Dental implants have risen in popularity over the past decade and are now the premiere tooth replacement option for eligible candidates. Nothing else offers nearly as many lasting benefits -- and, of course, that quality comes at a cost. Keep reading to learn more about all the factors that will determine the price of dental implants, how to make the procedure more affordable, and how visiting our one-stop-shop for implant dentistry can help you save!

Factors Influencing Dental Implant Cost

Dental implants are placed surgically using state-of-the-art technology and only the highest-quality materials. It is typically a two-stage process that requires several visits to our office as well as anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the placement. Additionally, preliminary procedures may be required to create the right environment before the implant posts can be placed.

There is no fixed price for dental implant procedures, and the grand total will depend on a few things. During an implant consultation, Dr. Kostas will consider the following to determine just how much you should expect to budget for your tooth replacement:

• The number of teeth being replaced: Dental implant posts are individually priced, which means that the extent of the tooth loss will have perhaps the greatest impact on the total cost of the procedure.
• Where in the jaw the teeth are located: Teeth in the front of the smile require special aesthetic considerations, which can make these more expensive to replace than molars and premolars.
• Preliminary procedures: A bone graft, sinus lift, or other treatment may be required before the dental implants can be placed. These procedures increase the chances that the placement will be successful, but add to the total cost of the procedure.

How to Make Dental Implants Affordable

No matter the price, dental implants can fit comfortably within most budgets. Talk to our team about how to save. Dental insurance usually does not cover the cost of the dental implants themselves, but you may be able to receive some discounts on certain aspects of the procedure. Patients who do not have dental insurance can also opt for third-party financing through options like CareCredit, which allows you to make smaller payments at the pace that suits your budget best.

Comprehensive Dental Implant Care

Patients who visit Complete Dental Care benefit from the fact that Dr. Kostas and our team offer full-service dental implant care, from initial placement to the final restoration. When you are able to visit just one practice for all of your dental implant needs, you won’t have to worry about driving all over to see multiple specialists for different aspects of the procedure. That can save you a great deal of time, stress, and money -- a great deal all around!

Dental Implant FAQs

From the process and benefits to the cost, reading through the above information is a great place to start if you are considering dental implants in Burlington. If you are ready to schedule your initial consultation, then don’t hesitate to get in touch so our knowledgeable staff can help you do so. On the other hand, if you would like to do a bit more research before then, that’s okay too! Keep reading for the answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions we hear from patients.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last? 

One of the valuable benefits of dental implants is their longevity. Unlike other tooth-replacement options, this state-of-the-art smile-rebuilding solution is built to last, yielding a 30+ year lifespan with proper care! With this in mind, it is important to implement a solid at-home oral hygiene routine and visit our office every six months for a thorough checkup and cleaning. Avoiding poor dental habits, like smoking and using your teeth as tools, is also crucial to keeping your smile in pristine condition.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

If you are hesitant to commit to dental implants due to a fear of the procedure being painful, you can rest easy knowing the first step is to numb your mouth with a local anesthetic. As a result, you won’t feel any discomfort during the surgery. With that being said, it is normal to experience some soreness for a few days afterward. Fortunately, you can use a cold compress and take prescribed or OTC pain medication as directed to help.

What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?

With more than a 95% success rate, dental implants are considered to be incredibly successful. However, it is possible for a complication to arise. Typically, implant failure is a result of peri-implantitis (a form of gum disease) or failed osseointegration (an unsuccessful fusion of the implant post to the bone). Other common culprits include chronic teeth grinding, diabetes, and certain medications. If you experience any abnormal symptoms, like oral pain, inflamed gums, or your implant feels loose, get in touch with your dentist right away.

Will People Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?

Thankfully, no! Unlike tooth-replacement solutions from years past, dental implants are not obtrusive or obvious in any way. This is largely due to the fact that the size, shape, and shade are custom-tailored to each patient’s unique dental needs and smile goals. Additionally, since dental implants are inserted directly into the jawbone, they provide maximum stability, ensuring there is no embarrassing slippage while talking, eating, or laughing. Simply put, with dental implants, you’ll have a new and improved smile that looks and feels fantastic.

Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat with Dental Implants?

Due to their unmatched durability, dental implants don’t require you to abide by a long list of dietary restrictions. It is, however, important to remember that (like your natural teeth) your dental implants aren’t indestructible. So, it is a good idea to exercise caution when it comes to hard, sticky, and chewy foods. To keep your oral health in pristine condition, you should also consume alcoholic, sugary, and acidic foods in moderation and avoid unhealthy dental habits altogether, like chewing on ice.