How Dental Implants Work

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. Dental bridges require drilling on the teeth that hold the bridge in place. Sometimes these abutment teeth need to be worked on anyway, but other times they are perfectly healthy teeth which do not require any treatment.

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!

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Video Transcript

Hi, I’m David. Um, Dr. Scott, um, gave me new denture, uh, give me new life. I have, um, easy access to take in, uh, take, put it in and take it out. Um, no pace, no more pace. And I have more pal area. Uh, it feels really natural and it looks very good. Thank you very much, Bob. Thank you, David. So how are the implants feeling? The implants are perfect, um, healed properly. Uh, um, no discomfort. Um, um, and um, they, they hold the teeth in perfectly. Yeah, great. Very tight. Um, no looseness. Uh, sometimes, I mean, I have to force and take it out, uh, which is good. Um, I can go back each my bones. Awesome. Thanks David. Thank you.

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, or to a bridge or denture. 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 or hold a bridge. For extra denture retention 4 or more implants are used. For a fixed option to hold a full arch implant prosthetic at least 4 implants are required. 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. The 3D imaging allows us to measure the bone and plan on the best size of implant to use in the best location in your mouth. The planning with CBCT makes the procedure much easier and predictable.

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.

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-X” implants.

“ALL-ON-X” IMPLANTS: A life-changing upgrade to your oral health

Also called “Teeth in a Day” or fixed hybrid dentures, All-on-X implants have revolutionized the way we can replace an entire dental arch. Patients with no teeth at all or a mouth of non-restorable teeth can have a beautiful fully fixed implant supported prosthetic. At least four dental implants are strategically placed per arch, where they support a complete bridge that has been custom-crafted for your unique smile. More and more patients are choosing implants because they are:

The Full Mouth Implant Placement Process

At Pearl Dental Care, getting an “All-on-X” 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 works very closely with you to plan and sequence your treatment so that you are never without teeth during the process.

Next, we discuss the case with our board-certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Adam Abel. If you seem like a good surgical candidate, Dr. Abel will meet you at our office and present to you the full treatment and surgical plan. He will guide you through the process and answer all of your questions. Our practice is unique in that you do not need to visit other offices for surgery. Dr. Abel and Dr. Pearl work together at our Hamden practice to plan your case, place the implants, and deliver your teeth. Dr. Abel and Dr. Pearl are in the operatory together and collaborating to make sure the implants and prosthetics are exactly as planned.

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 to 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 prosthetics.

Do not hesitate to reach out to us for a consultation to explore your options for dental implants, whether it be for one tooth or an entire mouth.