Replace teeth with dental implants for a natural appearance, and lasting, healthy function
Dental implants present a versatile option for a tooth replacement; many patients can complete and restore their smiles with prosthetic teeth supported by these “artificial tooth roots.” Modern systems allow your professional, family-owned, and operated dental practice, Pearl Dental Care in Hamden, Connecticut, to replace a single tooth with unsurpassed stability or “retrofit” old bridges and conventional dentures with this gold standard treatment. Additionally, the technologies that Drs Gary and Scott Pearl use to plan for your treatment support high implant success rates and the lasting durability of your new tooth (or teeth).
~ Rich B.★★★★★
Very thorough in discussions about implants and explaining the best plan when involving multiple areas to proceed.
Basics about a not-so-basic treatment
Traditional options to replace teeth, such as conventional removable dentures and dental bridges, are designed to replicate the part of the tooth visible above the gum line (the crown). Dentures also reproduce the appearance of the gummy tissue that supports our teeth. These systems are not designed like natural teeth, made up of structures and tissues underneath the gum line. The roots hold our teeth securely in place. Since traditional tooth replacement does not replace the roots of the teeth, common complaints have included issues with the denture slipping and causing sores inside the mouth. Loose dentures also give rise to problems with chewing food and speaking.
Conventional systems also do nothing to stop devastating bone loss. When teeth are no longer present, the supporting jawbone doesn’t get the stimulation from chewing or breaking down food that it needs to retain its strength and height. Just like muscle tissue “atrophies” or shrinks during periods of bed rest, so too does our bony tissue shrink when it doesn’t get “exercised.” After all, if you don’t use it, you lose it!
Fortunately, dental implants replicate the design of natural teeth. The implant itself is a tiny cylinder made from biocompatible (tissue-friendly) titanium or zirconium. During a procedure, the implant is placed strategically in the jawbone. Over the following months, the implant “osseointegrates” or joins the surrounding bone. In this way, the implant becomes part of the bone, like a natural tooth root is connected to the surrounding hard tissue. The implant is then attached to the replacement tooth, an implant supported ceramic crown. Due to this natural design, the new tooth is stabilized in the jaw through the implant. A single implant can be used to replace one tooth, or as few as two implants can be used to snap into a denture. In other words, implants are appropriate to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or all the upper or lower jaw teeth.
Optimal outcomes at our practice
Our dentists are no strangers to the use of advanced technologies. These technologies support the best possible outcomes from treatment and a gentle, fast, and pleasant experience at our practice. For instance, they use detailed planning that is supported by precision diagnostics. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a form of dental imaging that allows us to place each implant in a less invasive manner and more accurately than traditional planning techniques and tools. Our methods add up to less downtime, speedy and uneventful healing, fewer risks of post-treatment complications, and a faster procedure in general.
We use Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to plan all of our implant cases so that we can we safely and predictably make sure your implants have the best chance of a long service life.
Do not hold on to broken, painful teeth. Don’t hide gaps in your smile. We can restore your teeth and confidence today—Call (203) 285-8245 to schedule an appointment at our office in Hamden. We proudly serve North Haven, Woodbridge, East Haven, Cheshire, Wallingford, and communities in and around New Haven County.
Dental Implants at Pearl Dental Care
Why are dental implants needed?
Hi, my name is Dr. Scott Pearl, and I would like to talk to you about dental implants.
Our practice philosophy is to save natural teeth whenever possible. We feel that natural teeth are best for the patient, and we will go out of our way to save your teeth.
However, teeth are sometimes already missing or truly can’t be saved. Then we consider dental implants because they are the next best option.
What are the different dental implant options?
Dental implants can be placed immediately after an extraction, delayed a month or two, or placed about four months after the extraction.
If bone grafting is needed to make the site better, or if there is an infection, we often wait about four months after extraction to place the implant.
Implants can replace one tooth, two teeth, or all the teeth in the jaw.
Implants can attach a single crown, the prosthetic tooth, or they can attach a bridge to replace 2-3 teeth or hold a denture.
If a patient has a traditional loose denture, we can place two or more implants that the denture can snap onto so the denture holds better.
Another option is the hybrid denture, where we screw the denture onto the implants. This is the most retentive type of prosthetic if the patient is missing all of their teeth.
What is the process after placing an implant?
After the implant is placed, it heals under the gum line, and your body’s bone grows and attaches to the implant to make it solid in the bone.
After the implants heal, we scan your teeth to make your crown or bridge and screw them onto the implants thereafter.
Everything we do with implants is customized to the patient considering their health and best fit.
We use 3D imaging to plan the best size and positioning of the implants, and we always come with a detailed plan that works best for each patient.
Feel free to call us and make an appointment to get your dental implants.
Actual Patients Before and After Stories for Dental implants
Dental implants were used to help this patient achieve a stunning new smile. Durable implants improved stability and function in chewing and speaking while a beautiful restoration provided an attractive smile.
Restore your smile and your confidence with Full Mouth Implants
Tooth loss can impact nearly every aspect of your life, from how your smile looks and how you speak to your ability to chew your food correctly. At Pearl Dental Care in Hamden, Connecticut, we take pride in helping our patients regain their quality of life and confidence with modern dental solutions for tooth loss, including Full Mouth Implants, sometimes called “All-on-4” implants.
“All-on-4” implants: an efficient and economical tooth replacement option
Also called “Teeth in a Day” or fixed hybrid dentures, All-on-4 implants have revolutionized the way we can replace an entire dental arch. The full mouth implant system combines the affordability and convenience of dentures with the oral health benefits and stability of dental implants – all in just one day! At least four dental implants are strategically placed in your gums, where they support a complete denture that has been custom-crafted for your unique smile. More and more patients are choosing implants because they are:
- High Value: All-on-4 dental implants are a more economical option than a full mouth of single unit dental implants. The combination of stability and cosmetics is unmatched.
- Convenient: With traditional dental implants, you must wait several months after your initial implant placement before the final dental restorations are placed. With “All-on-4”, you never have to go without teeth because your denture is placed on the same day as your surgery, enabling you to enjoy your new teeth even as your mouth heals.
- Great for your oral health: After tooth loss, the jawbone naturally begins to deteriorate due to a lack of force placed on the bone to keep it healthy. Dental implants help stimulate the bone to keep it healthy while also enhancing the functionality of your teeth and improving your confidence in your smile.
- Long-lasting: Your dental implants can last a lifetime if you maintain good oral health.
Actual Patients Before and After Stories for Dental implants
We used stable dental implants to support a restoration to repair this patient’s smile. The final result provided a smile with improved function and appearance.
The full mouth implant placement process
At Pearl Dental Care, getting an “All-on-4” fixed hybrid implant prosthetic is a beautiful and exacting process for our patients due to our precise planning and expertise. The first step is an in-depth examination by Dr. Gary Pearl or Dr. Scott Pearl. We evaluate your current oral health and medical history, take detailed images of your oral and maxillofacial structures, talk with you about your goals for your smile, the cost of your treatment, and answer any questions you have. This examination provides us with the necessary information that we then use to strategically plan out your dental implant placement and create your new teeth based on precise specifications. The number of implants necessary for a fixed implant restoration is at minimum 4. If a removable prosthetic is desired sometimes as few as 2 implants can be used. If there is very little maxillary bone then Zygomatic implants can be discussed. Drs. Pearl work very closely with you to plan and sequence your treatment so that you are never without teeth during the process.
Actual Patients Before and After Stories for Dental implants
Depending on your case we may remove your teeth prior to implant surgery and make you a conventional denture or we may not remove teeth until the implant surgery day and deliver teeth you then. The concept of “teeth in a day” means that you can go from diseased or no teeth at all to implants and teeth in one visit. The surgery is performed with various forms of anesthesia depending on the patient. After approximately 4 months of healing we then fabricate the final Zirconia teeth.
