Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants? Key Factors Dentists Consider

/0 Comments/in /by

If you show up to your dentist and ask for dental implants, you should know that your dentist needs to first assess whether or not you’re a good candidate. The reason is that dental implants require oral surgery, which is not to be taken lightly. It’s not like you can just pop in between errands, get dental implants and then be on time for your aerobics class. There’s a complex process, and your dentist needs to be sure that the process has a good chance of success, for your own safety. Understanding these considerations can help you decide if dental implants in Burlington, MA are the right choice for restoring your smile.

Commitment to Oral Hygiene

Those who struggle with consistent oral care or have a history of severe gum disease may need additional evaluation or treatment before getting implants. You don’t want to invest time and money in implants to go to an area where there is a serious underlying condition that can threaten the implants.

Oral and Bone Health

Since implants are anchored into the jaw, there must be enough bone density to support them. If bone loss has occurred due to missing teeth, periodontal disease, or other factors, a bone graft may be necessary before implant placement. Healthy gums are also important, as gum disease can increase the risk of implant failure.

Overall Health and Lifestyle Habits

Certain medical conditions and habits can affect healing after implant surgery. Uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or a history of radiation therapy to the jaw may impact the body’s ability to heal properly. Smoking is another major risk factor, as it reduces blood flow to the gums and increases the likelihood of implant failure.

A consultation with your dentist in Burlington, MA can determine if you are a good candidate and what steps may be necessary to prepare for the procedure. Contact us today to book your appointment!

The Pros and Cons of Dental Implants

/0 Comments/in /by

If you are thinking about getting dental implants in Burlington, MA, you probably want to weigh the pros and cons first…right? So, let’s do that right now. Then, you can decide if getting implants is the right decision for you.

The Pros and Cons of Dental Implants

Your dentist in Burlington, MA, will go over everything you need to know about getting dental implants. But for now, let’s talk about the pros and cons.

Pros:

  • No Dietary Restrictions – You can eat anything you want.
  • Low Maintenance – You care for your implants just like you do your natural teeth.
  • Permanent – Implants are not removable, so they are considered permanent dental appliances.
  • Durable – Implants are inserted into your jawbone. So, they are just as durable as your natural teeth.
  • Helps Prevent Bone Loss – Implants fill the gap left by missing teeth, which maintains stimulation so you don’t lose any bone.
  • Look and Feel Like Natural Teeth – Implants are designed to look and feel like your natural teeth.
  • Prevents Teeth from Shifting – Implants fill the space left by missing teeth, so they prevent your teeth from shifting.
  • Long Lasting – Implants can last a lifetime with proper dental care. However, that’s just for the implant itself. The crown portion of the implant might need to be replaced after 10-15 years or so.
  • Restores the Cosmetic Appearance of Your Face – Getting implants will improve your smile. You no longer have to worry about a missing tooth smile.

Cons:

  • More Expensive Than Other Tooth Replacement Options – Implants can be more expensive (up front). However, over time, they could help save you money because you do not have to pay for ongoing dental repairs to your natural teeth.
  • Requires Invasive Surgery – Implants require the removal of your natural tooth/teeth. So minor, in office surgery is required.
  • Takes Time for Bone Fusion – It could take four to six months or so for your bone to fuse to the implant.
  • Not Everyone Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants – If you don’t have enough jawbone, you might not be a good candidate for some types of dental implants. Your dentist will let you know.

Contact a Reputable Dentist in Burlington, MA

If you want more information about getting dental implants, please Contact Advanced Dental Care today. Dr. McGonigle, DMD, has many years of experience, thousands of hours of continued education, and is a well-respected member of the community. At Advanced Dental Care, we love perfecting smiles.

Signs Your Dental Implant is Failing

/0 Comments/in /by

Dental implants are durable and have the potential to last a lifetime. But they aren’t impervious to failure, just any other kind of surgical implants, like a hip implant or knee replacement. One of the critical factors in how likely your implant is to last a lifetime is where you have it done. It pays—in the long-term and the short-term—to have yourdental implant in Burlington, MA done at a reputable, experienced dental practice like Advanced Dental Care. If you notice any of the following signs, it could be that your dental implant is failing for one reason or another.

Persistent Pain and Discomfort

Mild discomfort is normal after implant surgery, but you shouldn’t be popping pain relievers for any length of time after the dental implant is supposedly healed. Contact us for help if this happens to you.

Implant Mobility

Your implant should feel like a natural tooth. In fact, lots of people forget they even have a dental implant, since it feels such a normal part of their teeth. If your implant feels loose or wobbly, it means something’s not right.

Swelling and Inflammation

Sure, a little swelling post-surgery is normal, but not after several days. Lingering inflammation could indicate peri-implantitis, a bacterial infection that affects the gum and bone around the implant. It’s not a good sign.

Gum Recession or Bleeding

If you notice receding gums around an implant, contact yourdentist in Burlington, MA immediately. If this keeps up the titanium post might get exposed, which will compromise the stability of your implant.

If you notice any of these signs, get in touch with us ASAP. With early intervention, we may be able to save the implant. At Advanced Dental Care, we take care of your oral health.

Woman Smiling in Dental Office

The Different Types of Dental Implants Explained

/0 Comments/in /by

Are you thinking about getting dental implants? It’s exciting…right. But first, you will need to schedule an exam and consultation with your dentist in Burlington, MA, because there are different types of dental implants, and you might not be a good candidate for all of them.

The Basics of Dental Implants

Dental implants are small titanium posts (screws) that are surgically implanted into your jawbone (usually but not always). Then, an abutment and artificial tooth are placed on top of that implant after the bone has fused.

There are different types of dental implants available. After performing an exam, your dentist will let you know which one is best suited for your specific situation.

The Different Types of Dental Implants and When They Are Used

These are the three most commonly used types of dental implants in Burlington, MA.

  • Endosteal Dental Implants

Most people get endosteal implants. They are surgically implanted directly into your jawbone. However, you must have enough jawbone to insert the implant. If you don’t, you won’t be a good candidate for these without having bone graft surgery first.

  • Subperiosteal Dental Implants

If you don’t have enough jawbone for an endosteal implant, your dentist might suggest subperiosteal implants. These are placed on top of your jawbone instead of being implanted into your jawbone.

Your dentist will place a metal frame with a post under your gums. Your gums will heal over that frame, and that’s what holds your implant in place. Then, an artificial tooth will be attached to the top of the post.

  • Zygomatic Dental Implants

Zygomatic implants are rarely used because the procedure is extremely complicated. These implants are placed in your cheekbone instead of into your jawbone.

Contact a Reputable Dentist in Burlington, MA

If you are thinking about getting dental implants, please Contact Advanced Dental Care today. We offer high-quality, award-winning services at an affordable price.

What Determines the Success Rate of a Dental Implant?

/0 Comments/in /by

Dental implants have around a 95% success rate, depending on the type of implant you have (more about that in a moment). But what determines the success rate of a dental implant in Burlington, MA?

Let’s take a look.

What Determines the Success Rate of a Dental Implant?

Here are a few of the things that determine the success rate of your new dental implant.

Health

The healthier you are, the better your chances are of keeping your dental implants in place. However, if you smoke, get gum disease or uncontrolled diabetes (controlled diabetes won’t affect your implants), etc., it could affect the success rate of your implants.

Bone Quality

The higher the density of your jawbone and the quality of that bone, the less likely your implants will fail.

Age

Older people have a higher rate of implant failure than others. The reasons for this could be existing health conditions, diabetes, blood disorders, cancer, or other age-related conditions. However, your dentist in Burlington, MA, will examine and x-ray your mouth and let you know beforehand if you are a good candidate for dental implants.

Location of the Implant

Front-tooth dental implants are more likely to be successful than those in the back of your mouth. This is because back tooth implants are under more bite force that can loosen or wear them down. However, overall, dental implants have about a 95% success rate; therefore, this isn’t much of a concern.

Which Type of Dental Implant Has the Highest Success Rate

Endosteal dental implants have the highest success rate (about 95%) than other types of dental implants. This is because endosteal dental implants are placed directly into your jawbone, unlike those placed under the gum and not implanted into the jawbone.

Are You Looking for a Reputable Dentist in Burlington, MA?

If you want to get dental implants, you will need a dentist to perform the procedure. Please Contact Advanced Dental Care to schedule a consultation. We will go over the entire process with you and help you decide the best route to go.

A Woman Smiling

The Three Parts of a Dental Implant

/0 Comments/in /by

Have you been thinking about getting dental implants in Burlington, MA? If so, you probably want to know how they work first…right? Well, sit back and relax. We are going to go over the three parts of a dental implant.

The Three Parts of a Dental Implant

Here is a quick overview of the steps you will go through when getting a dental implant. Your dentist in Burlington, MA, will explain everything in more detail.

  • Treaded Post/Screw

Your dentist will place a titanium post that looks like a screw into your jawbone. That post is a replacement for your tooth’s root. Bone will then form around that post (osseointegration). This process is what provides stability for your new dental implant and makes it just as strong as a natural tooth.

  • Abutment

After your implant has gone through osseointegration, an abutment can be attached to the implant. The abutment is a small connector piece that the artificial tooth is placed on and is what joins the implant and the artificial tooth to make them one.

  • Prosthetic Restoration

The prosthetic restoration is the process of adding your new artificial tooth to the abutment and completing your dental implant procedure.

Your dental implant can accommodate a removable option, such as a full or partial denture. It can also accommodate a fixed artificial tooth that is permanently screwed or cemented onto your new implant abutment.

Are You Looking for a Reputable Dentist in Burlington, MA?

You will need a dentist to perform your dental implant procedure. Please Contact Advanced Dental Care today to schedule a consultation. Our dentist has over 1,000 hours of post-graduate continuing educational training in dental implants and extensive experience. We would love to show you just how quick and easy getting dental implants can be!