2945 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06614 
(203) 375-3068Dental Implants Stratford
Reversing the Impact of Tooth Loss with a Permanent Solution
Tooth loss impacts more than just the look of your smile. A missing tooth can keep you from enjoying your favorite foods or from smiling with confidence. These gaps can also lead to more complex oral health issues down the line. Dental implants are often the best solution to replace one or more missing teeth, so you can smile through life again. For information about dental implants in Stratford, contact our team at Stratford Smiles today.
Why Choose Stratford Smiles for Dental Implants?
- The Dental Implant Process Completed In-House, Start to Finish
- CT/Cone Beam Scanner Used to Analyze & Prepare Treatment Plans
- Dentist is Active Member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium posts that act like natural tooth roots and fuse with the jawbone, delivering stimulation to keep the foundational support of your new smile lasting longer. They are highly versatile in being able to replace one or more missing teeth, and their lifespan of 30+ years makes them an attractive solution if you prefer to avoid regular replacements, relinements, and messy adhesives.
The Dental Implant Process
There are multiple steps required with dental implant placement; each one is essential if long-term success is to be achieved. Dr. Sheng will go over the process with you during your initial consultation, but the steps are as follows:
Placement
After your treatment has been approved, your doctor will arrange a date for your oral surgery and devise a surgical plan. Your doctor will create an opening in your gums and securely place a dental implant directly into the jawbone. Afterward, the surgical site will be cleaned and sutured to begin the healing process.
Healing & Osseointegration
After your implant surgery, your gums and jawbone will begin to heal. You can expect the incision area to only require 1-2 weeks; however, it will take 3-6 months for the implant to fuse with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. To ensure proper healing, we’ll schedule follow-up appointments during this phase to monitor your progress.
Applying the Restoration
Once the implant has fully bonded with your jaw, the final phase of the treatment will be to place your restoration. This is the visible part of a dental implant and most often takes the form of a dental crown when replacing a single tooth. Your restoration will be specially designed to match the rest of your smile and will be securely attached to the titanium implant via an abutment. Once your new tooth is in place, your smile will be fully restored!
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Unparalleled Comfort – Implants feel and function just like natural teeth! You can brush and floss like normal and still enjoy your favorite foods.
- Natural Look – Your implant(s) will be paired with a durable, natural-looking, and custom-crafted restoration to blend seamlessly with your smile.
- Preserve Your Oral Health – Dental implants mimic the form and function of your natural tooth roots to prevent further bone resorption.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Whether you recently knocked out a tooth during a sports-related accident or you lost several teeth due to gum disease, we have good news: we may be able to rebuild your smile with dental implants! This cutting-edge tooth-replacement solution is versatile, lifelike, and long-lasting. So, if you are interested in learning more about it, including the qualities we look for in a good candidate, schedule an appointment with our team at Stratford Smiles or read on.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
There are several qualities we look for in a good candidate, including:
- A jawbone that’s strong enough to support dental implants
- Healthy gums (and any remaining natural teeth)
- A commitment to healthy habits, like brushing consistently
- A willingness to break bad habits, including smoking
With that said, you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with our dental implant dentist in Stratford, even if you don’t meet these qualifications. After all, there are some cases where the necessary preliminary care can be provided, such as a bone graft or gum disease treatment!
Missing One Tooth
If you are missing one tooth, then there are a few ways we can fill the open space, including with a single dental implant. If you and Dr. Sheng decide that this is the best option, then the implant will be inserted into your jawbone, and a custom dental crown will be secured on top. The final result will look and feel extremely lifelike. Plus, with proper care, it can last for over 30 years!
Missing Multiple Teeth
Although traditional dental bridges are still an option for patients who are missing several teeth in a row, they aren’t as desirable since they often require the teeth surrounding the gap to be altered. Fortunately, that’s not the case with implant bridges. Instead of securing the prosthetic teeth in place with dental crowns, this tooth-replacement solution uses two dental implants.
Missing All Teeth
Oftentimes, patients who are missing all of their teeth assume that traditional dentures are the only option. That’s not the case! Implant dentures can also replace every tooth in an arch. Plus, they are the only tooth-replacement solution that stimulates your jawbone, which helps preserve your youthful face shape and strong bite as well.
Ultimately, if you are struggling with tooth loss, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with our dedicated dentist, Dr. Sheng. That way, she can review your treatment options and share her recommendations with your unique dental history, needs, and goals in mind.
Bone Grafting & Sinus Lifts
Some patients require extra preparation before receiving dental implants. Dr. Sheng is experienced in a variety of oral surgeries and procedures, like bone grafting and sinus lifts, to ensure your implants function properly and stand the test of time.
Frequently Asked Dental Implant Questions
How much do dental implants cost in Stratford, CT?
Dental implants start at $2,000 per implant. Because every smile is unique, Dr. Sheng will first perform a thorough evaluation—assessing your bone density, gum health, and aesthetic goals—to craft an individualized treatment plan. Depending on factors such as the need for bone grafting, sinus lifts, or the number and type of restorations, your final investment may vary.
To help make treatment affordable, we offer flexible financing options through Cherry and CareCredit, with plans that let you spread your payments over time, often with interest-free periods. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and get a precise, personalized cost estimate for your dental implant treatment.
What is a single-tooth implant?
Single-tooth dental implants are the most frequently used and consist of three parts: the dental implant, the abutment, and the dental crown. The dental implant is a titanium rod with a screw-like shape that is placed into the jawbone. The abutment, which is a connector piece, attaches the dental implant to the dental crown. The dental crown, also known as the restoration, reinstates the shape, function, and appearance of your natural tooth. Unlike a partial denture, single-tooth implants are extremely durable and never move or shift.
How are dental implants made?
Titanium dental implants are manufactured in reputable laboratories that offer a wide range of standard post sizes. However, the restoration is a personalized prosthetic. This ensures that you achieve a result that meets your specific needs and aesthetic desires. Your dentist may either create your restoration in-office using a milling machine or send detailed impressions to a collaborating laboratory.
The laboratory will then create a robust and long-lasting restoration, tailored to your individual needs. Most crowns are made from durable porcelain, which closely resembles tooth enamel in appearance. Once the crown is completed, the laboratory will ship it back to the office and the dentist will finish the procedure by firmly attaching the implant crown in place.
How long will my dental implant last?
When dental implants are placed by an expert and properly maintained through good at-home hygiene and regular checkups, they can last for 30 years or even the rest of your life.
The restoration, on the other hand, may eventually need to be replaced. This is no different than a traditional crown or denture, as the restoration experiences regular wear and tear from chewing and biting. Regular visits to the dentist will allow you to monitor the state of your restoration and the health of your implant, so you can maximize the longevity of your smile.
Can my dental implant become infected?
Dental implants can become infected, resulting in a condition known as “peri-implantitis.” However, this complication is extremely rare, and generally only occurs when the implant is not cared for properly after surgery.
As long as you follow your doctor’s post-op instructions, your chances of developing an infection are very low.
Do dental implants stop bone loss?
Yes, and they are the only tooth replacements to do so. When you lose a tooth, your jaw is no longer stimulated by the forces of chewing and biting. The jawbone will begin to deteriorate, which weakens the jaw and can cause the surrounding teeth to shift or become loose.
Dental implants mimic the form and function of natural tooth roots and are placed directly into the jawbone. Because of this, chewing and biting forces stimulate the jawbone just like natural teeth, which stops bone resorption from occurring in the first place.
Can I get a dental implant in one day?
Every implant case is different, but some patients may be able to receive an implant in a single visit. If this is a possibility, you’ll receive a temporary restoration to protect the implant while it heals, a process which usually takes between 3-6 months. You’ll be able to speak and eat normally between follow-up appointments.
Your doctor will monitor your healing progress and take impressions or digital scans of your teeth, which will be used to craft your final restoration. During your implant consultation, we will help you decide what type of tooth replacement is best for you and your unique oral health needs.