Replace teeth with dental implants for a natural appearance, and lasting, healthy function

Dental implants present a versatile option for 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 teeth with unsurpassed stability or “retrofit” old bridges and conventional dentures with this gold standard treatment. Additionally, the technologies that Dr. Gary Pearl, Dr. Scott Pearl, and Dr. Adam Abel use to plan for your treatment support high implant success rates and the lasting durability of your new implants.

Dental - Implants Review from Google ~ Rich B.
★★★★★

Very thorough in discussions about implants and explaining the best plan when involving multiple areas to proceed.

How Dental Implants Work

Illustration of dental implant

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! 

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.


Actual Patients Before and After Stories for Dental implants

Actual Patients Before and After Stories for Dental implants

Periodontal disease led to loss of the 2 front teeth. Dr. Adam Abel placed 2 dental implants and Dr. Scott Pearl created 2 implant crowns to restore the look and feel of real teeth and a great smile.


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.

Dental Implants at Pearl Dental Care

Dental Implants at Pearl Dental Care
If your tooth is missing or cannot be saved, dental implants may be the option for you. Watch Dr. Scott Pearl of Pearl Dental Care talk all about it.

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.


What To Expect During Your Dental Implant Consultation

first visit when you're getting a dental implant
This informative video answers some common questions about dental implants. From what happens during your first dental implant consultation to when you can expect to get your final crown, this video can give you an idea of what to expect during the whole process.

Speaker 1: Hi. Today I’d like to talk about your first visit when you’re getting a dental implant.

Speaker 2: What is the process and how long?

Speaker 1: The process to get an implant is we welcome you to the office, and we take a look in your mouth and see what your goals are and see what’s possible. We will probably take a 3D image called a cone beam and see what your bone is like. If your bone is adequate, we can plan for an implant. And if the bone is not quite wide enough or tall enough, we might have to talk about bone grafting. Once the implant is placed, it takes about four months of healing time and then we can make the tooth

Speaker 2: Does it hurt?

Speaker 1: So we get people very numb for their appointment. We might even use a oral sedative or laughing gas if the patient wants, but for the most part, just regular local anesthesia and people have a very easy time getting them.

Speaker 2: How do you place the implant?

Speaker 1: So we use the help of our 3D imaging and a scanner to guide us on where the implant should go and what size implant can be placed. And sometimes we use something called a surgical guide, which helps us aim the drilling protocol. So we use special drills that help us make a few holes in the bone and then we’re able to place the implant and the implant will fuse to the bone and the gum heals around the implant and then it’s ready for the crown in four months.

Speaker 2: After the four months, is that when you can get a crown?

Speaker 1: Yes. So we wait about four months for the bone to heal or integrate to the implant so that the implant is strong enough to hold a crown.

Speaker 2: And how do you clean the implant?

Speaker 1: So even though implants can’t get cavities, we still want patients to brush and floss like it’s a regular tooth, to keep the gum and bone healthy because implants can still get gum disease. So you have to maintain good oral hygiene.


Snap-on smile before and after

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-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:

  • 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-X”, you never have to go without teeth because you get a fixed temporary prosthetic 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.
All-on-x Implants Image-1, Pearl Dental Care, CT
All-on-x Implants Image-2, Pearl Dental Care, CT
All-on-x Implants Image-3, Pearl Dental Care, CT
Dental implant Pearl Dental Care

Actual Patients Before and After Stories for Dental implants

The patient had traditional dentures that prevented him from properly eating and enjoying food. Dr. Abel placed 4 zygomatic implants for the upper and 4 implants for the lower. The patient wore a screwed-in temporary prosthetic during the healing phase, which allowed him to experience the wonders of no acrylic on the roof of his mouth. For the final restorations, Dr. Scott Pearl created permanent zirconia teeth that stay firmly in place and allow for normal chewing and function again.

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 work 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.

Actual Patients Before and After Results

Whitening and veneers
Whitening and bonding