Dental Implants – Plattsburgh, NY
Delivering Permanent Root-to-Crown Tooth Replacement
No matter how many teeth you may be missing, you are probably already experiencing the struggles that millions of people face throughout the world. Living with an incomplete smile can have a negative impact on your oral and overall health as well as your emotional and mental well-being. At True North Dental Group, though, Dr. Heins welcomes patients who desire a fully restored smile. Completing his Associate Fellowship from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), he can deliver permanent root-to-crown tooth replacement with dental implants so that you can take control of your life. Call today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Heins for dental implants in Plattsburgh.
Why Choose True North Dental Group for Dental Implants?
- Dentist with Associate Fellowship from the AAID
- Start-to-Finish Dental Implant Placement & Restoration
- CT/Cone Beam Scanner for Enhanced Imaging & Treatment Planning
What Are Dental Implants?
As small, titanium posts that look similar to screws, dental implants stand high above all other types of tooth replacement, such as dental bridges and dentures. The reason is that they are designed to replace more than the visible portions of teeth (the crowns). They mimic tooth roots, so they are positioned within the jawbone where they fuse over time through osseointegration, creating a permanent foundation for your new smile.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
As one of the most comprehensive ways to replace missing teeth, dental implants involve an extensive process to ensure their success. During your initial consultation, our team will walk you through every step of the treatment plan so that you know exactly what to expect. Until then, here are the four main parts of the dental implant process.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
To begin with, you’ll first undergo a scheduled consultation with your dentist so that they can perform a thorough examination of your mouth and oral health to determine if you are in good enough health to receive dental implants. Not only will we consider how many teeth need to be replaced and where, but we’ll also need to verify that you are free of any potential complications, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Once we’ve treated you with any preliminary services necessary to ensure good oral health, we can move forward with the process.
Dental Implant Surgery
On the day of your oral surgery, you will receive local anesthesia before placing any dental implants so that you can remain pain-free throughout your visit. Once we know that you’re as comfortable as possible, we can start by making a small incision in your gums to access the jawbone. After embedding your metal posts in their proper locations, we’ll suture the gums closed and send you home so that you can rest and recover.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Your recovery period will usually take around 4-6 months to complete, allowing osseointegration to occur. This is the process in which the dental implants fuse to your jawbone, becoming one with the surrounding bone tissue. Once this is complete, you’ll return to our office to receive your metal abutments, which are small connectors that attach the restoration to your implant. Afterward, you’ll be sent home to allow your gums to heal.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
Once finished by lab technicians, your restoration will be available for you to come in for a fitting. Our team will secure your new dental crown, bridge, or denture into place and ensure that your bite is correct and that you’re satisfied with your results. We’ll also provide you with aftercare guidelines so that you know the best ways to maintain your results for decades to come. If all looks and feels well, you’ll be free to go out and enjoy your new smile!
Benefits of Dental Implants
There are countless benefits you can expect with dental implants. Dr. Heins will discuss many of these with you during your consultation, but if you are interested in experiencing life with a set of teeth that are designed to last 30+ years, you won’t regret your decision to receive dental implants! Here’s a more specific look at how dental implants could help you and strengthen your smile.
Day-to-Day Benefits
If you’re looking for a dental restoration that will improve your everyday life, you’ve found it with dental implants! Their seamless fit and natural appearance will allow you to smile confidently.
Since they’ll be firmly rooted to your jawbone just like real teeth, you can also expect them to stay securely in place – no more slippage while you’re eating or talking!
Speaking of eating, dental implants retain 70% of your natural bite power, meaning you’ll have no problem chewing all of your favorite foods.
If you get a piece of lettuce or meat stuck between your teeth, though, don’t sweat it. Dental implants can be brushed and flossed just like natural teeth and are extremely easy to maintain.
Health Benefits
Dental implants are more than comfortable and enjoyable – they’re good for your oral health, too. As the only tooth replacement that can effectively provide stimulation to your jawbone in place of a dental root, they’re capable of preventing jawbone loss. Thanks to the biocompatible implant posts, your bone will actually grow around and fuse with your restoration.
You won’t have to worry about any remaining natural teeth, either. Dental implants will fill the gap in your smile and prevent your pearly whites from shifting out of place.
Even your diet can see improvements, as dental implants’ superior strength will make it easier for you to enjoy balanced, nutritional meals.
Long-Term Benefits
Of course, dental implants come with several long-term benefits as well. If you take good care of them, they can last for 30 years or more – which means you’ll spend less money on replacements than you would with other restorations.
That kind of durability can give you peace of mind, especially since studies show that dental implants have a success rate of 95% even after 10 years from placement. Contact your implant dentist in Plattsburgh, and you could enjoy a lifetime of smile benefits!
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Most individuals suffering from tooth loss can receive dental implants; however, it may be necessary for additional treatments to be provided first. The reason for this is that some patients lack the necessary jawbone to support dental implants. It’s also possible that gum disease may exist and need to be eliminated before any kind of tooth replacement treatment occurs.
No matter the situation, the first step is to undergo a scheduled consultation with Dr. Heins. He will go over your oral and overall health history to determine if you are in good enough shape to undergo minor oral surgery. He’ll also survey the state of your current smile to decide if you need preliminary care. Finally, your jawbone will be thoroughly examined, as we may need to perform a bone graft to create greater density for your future dental implants.
Missing One Tooth
With more than 120 million people living with a single missing tooth, we can remedy the problem with one titanium dental implant post, a metal abutment, and a custom-made dental crown. By focusing only on the vacant socket, we avoid the need to alter healthy teeth and instead, fill in the gap with a natural-looking, fully functional artificial tooth.
Missing Multiple Teeth
While a fixed dental bridge requires altering healthy abutment teeth on either side of the gap, an implant bridge uses two dental posts that are placed on each side to support a customized restoration. Using only the empty sockets, we can affix the implant posts to the jawbone so that it supports an implant bridge, effectively filling in the space to produce a complete smile.
Missing All of Your Teeth
An implant denture uses between 4 and 6 implant posts along an arch. Once in place, the custom-made denture is secured on top so that you no longer need to worry about fear of slippage when eating or speaking (this is especially true for those who previously wore traditional dentures). Instead, you can remain confident in your ability to speak clearly and eat the foods you love.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Dental implants are the fest tooth replacement option out there. Since they replace the roots of the missing teeth, they allow for various benefits that you can’t find with dentures or dental bridges. To achieve this, getting dental implants requires a multi-step process that takes place over the course of several months. This includes a surgical procedure. Since everyone’s treatment is a little bit different, the cost can vary. During your consultation with us, we will go over it in detail. Until then, here are some things to take into consideration.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
In some cases, patients need to undergo preliminary procedures before they can qualify for dental implants. This could include services like gum disease treatment, tooth extractions, bone grafting, and sinus lifting. It is important to consider the cost of these procedures if they apply to you. The good news is that the cost of preliminary procedures often receives partial coverages by dental insurance companies.
The Parts of Your Dental Implants
There are multiple factors that contribute to the cost of dental implants. Here are some of the most notable ones.
- Number of Dental Implants: The number of teeth that you are missing and where they are located determine the number of dental implants that you need. The more implants, the higher the cost.
- Restoration: Dental crowns, bridges, and dentures are all priced differently. Generally speaking, the bigger the restoration, the higher the cost.
- Materials: In most cases, dental implants are crafted from surgical titanium. However, they are also sometimes made from zirconia.
- Brand: Just like other procedures, dental implants come from various manufacturers. This influences the cost.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
It can be tempting to try to save money by choosing a more affordable tooth replacement option, like dentures. Dentures are an ideal solution for many, but they don’t offer the same lifelong benefits as dental implants. Dental implants can help you save money in the long run. This is due to you no longer needing frequent repairs and replacements. You don’t need to stock up on adhesives and soaking solutions either. Dental implants help to prevent future dental issues, meaning that you can avoid some costly restorative treatments in the future.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Dental insurance providers don’t usually cover the cost of dental implants. However, they cover parts of the final restoration and preliminary procedures. Since every plan is a little bit different, it is best to confirm your coverage with a provider ahead of time. At True North Dental Group, you can rest assured knowing that our dental team will file any claims with your insurance provider so that your benefits are fully maximized.
Making Dental Implant Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, that doesn’t mean that you are completely out of luck. With our In-House Dental Membership Plan, you can save on treatments completed at our practice. We are also happy to accept payments through CareCredit and Cherry – third-party financing companies that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. If you have any questions or need help applying, give us a call!
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Dental implants are known to be reliable and have an incredibly high success rate of more than 90%, but that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. Caring for them correctly is essential to your recovery after your procedure and the long-term maintenance of your recently restored smile.
If you’re unsure what that looks like, don’t worry; our True North Dental Group team in Plattsburgh has your back! Continue reading to learn several recommendations for keeping your prosthetics in excellent condition, and feel free to contact us for more information.
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
Your mouth is full of bacteria that can form plaque on the surfaces of your new teeth or penetrate your gums around the titanium rod. This can cause a form of gum disease known as peri-implantitis, the leading cause of failure. If it goes unaddressed, it can spread to your jawbone or enter your bloodstream and contribute to other issues.
To prevent it, you should brush and floss twice daily as usual, taking care not to push your floss too deeply into the pocket of your gums because you might damage the seal.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Gaps in your grin can lead to gastrointestinal problems from swallowing overly large pieces of food, or malnutrition if you stick to softer foods that aren’t as wholesome. Thankfully, dental implants restore an estimated 80% to 90% of your original bite force, meaning you can eat a wider variety of ingredients to support your dental and overall well-being.
For instance, eating plenty of dairy like milk, cheese, and yogurt can boost your calcium levels to strengthen your bones and enamel. Meanwhile, citrus fruits and leafy greens contain vitamin C to build strong collagen in your connective tissues.
Break Bad Habits
If you regularly smoke cigarettes, vapes, or chew tobacco, now’s the perfect time to quit. These products contain nicotine, which is a vasoconstrictor. It reduces your blood oxygen levels and flow, so you cannot deliver infection-fighting cells and nutrients to your teeth and gums.
According to a 2021 data analysis of hundreds of thousands of dental implant patients, this toxic habit can potentially increase the likelihood of failure by up to 140.2%. Also, alcoholic beverages can erode the cement anchoring the tooth-shaped cap to your prosthetic and should be avoided.
Protect Your Dental Implants
Athletes and others who participate in team sports and high-contact physical activities are putting their grins at risk. You’re much more likely to sustain an injury that damages your teeth or restorations or lacerates the tender tissues inside your mouth when you’re in such close proximity to others.
Our team can provide patients in Plattsburgh with custom-fitted mouthguards that protect your teeth if you take a blow to the face.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
Finally, you should see our team every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning so we can monitor your condition and address any areas of concern before they progress.
For instance, if your implant is aching or your gums look darker than usual, we can check for gum disease or stabilize your restoration to ensure it integrates correctly with your jaw without developing an infection.
Dental Implant Post-Op Instructions
At True North Dental Group, you’ll be able to see the same team you trust during your entire dental implant treatment thanks to Dr. Craig Heins’ extensive dental implant training. As an Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, Dr. Heins will guide you through your surgical treatment to help you feel more comfortable and ensure you make a speedy recovery. Learn what to expect after your dental implant placement by reading below, and feel free to call our office if you have any questions.
What to Do Following Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implant surgery is minimally invasive, and many of the post-operative instructions overlap with what you would do if you needed a tooth extracted. To minimize your chances of developing a gum infection or complication after your procedure, our team recommends avoiding drinking from a straw or spitting, stopping smoking or chewing tobacco, and avoiding touching the implant site with your tongue or fingers. This will keep bacteria from transferring to your mouth, causing an infection to develop as your body is trying to heal.
What to Expect During Your Recovery
One of the best ways to avoid anxiety and stress following your dental implant surgery is to understand which symptoms are typical and which are signs of a complication. Usually, after dental implant placement, you can expect to experience the following symptoms:
- Minor discomfort that can be eased with over-the-counter medication or prescribed medication.
- Swelling along the gumline and around the implant site the can last for a week or longer. You can place a cold compress on your cheek for 10 minutes at a time to help bring the inflammation down.
- Bleeding that can be managed by applying a clean piece of gauze to the area with a little bit of pressure.
If you notice that your symptoms are becoming worse with time, or you’re in severe pain, call our office immediately.
Your Diet After Implant Surgery
After your dental implant surgery, we recommend having plenty of soft foods on hand. Not only will these be more comfortable for you to eat, but they will also preserve the blood clot at the extraction site, which is critical for healing. Be sure to add these to your pre-op grocery list:
- Pudding
- Cold soup
- Ice cream
- Oatmeal (cold or lukewarm)
- Pasta
- Mashed potatoes
- Protein shakes
- Scrambled eggs
- Cottage cheese
Post-Operative Oral Hygiene Maintenance
Another way to prevent post-operative infections from developing is by continuing to practice good oral hygiene at home. You can do this by brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, rinsing your mouth with salt water after you eat and letting the water fall out of your mouth instead of spitting, and lastly, using alcohol-free mouthwash regularly.
Maintaining Your Smile After Your Restoration is Attached
After your implants have fused with your jawbone and your abutments, which are small metal connector pieces, have been attached to your dental implants, you’ll be ready to come back in for the last step—to secure your replacement teeth to your implants! At first, you may experience a little sensitivity, and it could take you a week or so to get used to how your new teeth feel in your mouth. If you have any questions or concerns, never hesitate to reach out to our team.
Dental Implant FAQs
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
Dr. Heins is an expert in placing dental implants, so he will make sure you’re comfortable. Dental implants are a surgical procedure, as such, your mouth will be fully numbed with local anesthetic before your procedure. Once the treatment moves into the jawbone, you should only feel pressure from the instruments as bone has no nerve endings. After your surgery, there may be some soreness around the implant site for a few days as it heals. However, this is easily managed by over-the-counter pain medications and the use of cold compresses. If the pain worsens after two to three days, call Dr. Heins for an evaluation.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
While the lifetime of your dental implants will vary, you can expect at least 30 years or longer. The biggest factors to take into account for dental implant longevity are your level of oral hygiene and your lifestyle. While implants can’t get cavities, they’re still vulnerable to bacteria and can chip or break from consistently chewing hard objects like fingernails or using them as tools to open bottles or packaging. Regular checkups with Dr. Heins at True North Dental Group are the best way to monitor, clean, and treat any issues that may threaten their longevity.
How Successful Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants have one of the highest success rates of any dental treatment. When placed by a skilled professional like Dr. Hines, they generally take up to 95 percent of the time. However, your implants’ location and your oral habits can cause this number to fluctuate. Here are some ways to maximize the odds of integration:
- Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of lean protein for recovery as well as dairy products fortified with calcium and vitamin D.
- Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to remove plaque and debris that could interfere with your implant.
- Avoid excess alcohol or tobacco use while your implants are healing.
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
While the risk of failure is small, it can happen. Implant failure usually happens due to poor oral hygiene or a lack of jawbone density. This is why Dr. Hines is so thorough in his examination during your initial consultation. He may ask you questions about how often you brush and floss, what your diet looks like, and if you have any history of autoimmune disorders. These kinds of questions are designed to get a picture of the odds of success for your implants. He’ll also check your jawbone using X-rays to ensure that your implants will hold. If not, a bone graft or other procedure may need to be performed first.