Dental Implants
At Hadar Dental, we offer dental implant treatment to help patients replace missing teeth with restorations designed to look, feel, and function as naturally as possible.
Dental implants are one of the most advanced options available for replacing missing teeth. They can restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence while providing a stable foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium or other biocompatible post that is surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root. Over time, the implant can integrate with the surrounding bone, creating a strong foundation for a replacement tooth.
Depending on your needs, implants may be used to:
- Replace a single missing tooth
- Support a dental bridge
- Stabilize a removable denture
- Support a full-arch restoration when multiple teeth are missing
Implants can also help maintain the bone surrounding a missing tooth. When teeth are lost, the jawbone can gradually change over time, so replacing missing teeth may help preserve the supporting structures of your smile.
Is Dental Implant Treatment Right for You?
Every patient is different. Before recommending dental implants, we perform a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, jawbone, bite, and overall oral health.
Your evaluation may include:
- Comprehensive dental examination
- Digital dental X-rays
- 3D imaging when indicated
- Review of your medical and dental history
- Evaluation of available bone and gum tissue
- Discussion of your goals and treatment options
In some cases, additional procedures may be necessary before an implant can be placed. If specialized surgical treatment is needed, Dr. Hadar may coordinate your care with a trusted oral and maxillofacial surgeon or other specialist.
We’ll explain your options and help you understand the advantages, considerations, and expected timeline before treatment begins.
The Dental Implant Process
Dental implant treatment typically involves several stages. Your exact treatment plan and timeline will depend on the number of teeth being replaced, your oral health, and whether additional procedures are necessary.
1. Comprehensive Evaluation
We begin by evaluating your oral health and determining whether an implant is an appropriate option for you. We’ll discuss your treatment goals and develop a personalized plan.
2. Implant Placement
The implant is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it will serve as the foundation for your replacement tooth.
3. Healing & Integration
After placement, the implant needs time to heal and integrate with the surrounding bone. This process, known as osseointegration, can take several months.
During this period, a temporary tooth or other temporary restoration may be available depending on your individual situation.
4. Restoration
Once the implant has healed sufficiently, the next phase of treatment begins. An impression or digital scan is taken so your replacement tooth or teeth can be custom designed.
A connector, known as an abutment, may be attached to the implant to support the final restoration.
5. Your New Smile
Your final crown, bridge, or denture is carefully designed to provide an appropriate fit, function, and natural appearance.
Our goal is to create a restoration that feels comfortable and blends naturally with your existing teeth.
How Long Does Implant Treatment Take?
The overall timeline varies from patient to patient. Some straightforward cases can be completed relatively quickly, while others require additional healing time or preparatory procedures.
Factors that can affect treatment time include:
- Number of implants being placed
- Bone quantity and quality
- Need for bone grafting or other procedures
- Healing time
- Type of final restoration
- Individual health and treatment needs
During your consultation, we’ll provide a more specific estimate based on your personalized treatment plan.
Caring for Your Dental Implants
Although dental implants are designed to function similarly to natural teeth, they still require proper care.
We recommend:
- Brushing twice daily
- Flossing or using an implant-specific cleaning aid as recommended
- Maintaining regular professional cleanings
- Attending routine dental examinations
- Avoiding habits that could damage your restoration
- Following all personalized instructions provided by your dental team
Restore Your Smile With Confidence
Missing teeth don’t have to keep you from eating, speaking, or smiling with confidence. Dental implants may provide a stable, natural-looking solution for replacing missing teeth and restoring your smile.
At Hadar Dental in Lexington, MA, we’ll take the time to understand your goals and help you determine whether dental implants are right for you.
Ready to explore your options? Call Hadar Dental at (781) 860-7700 to schedule an implant consultation.
