Get Natural-Looking Dental Implants at Align Orthodontics, Winslow, ME

Dental implants are a widely sought-after solution. They are a reliable way to replace missing teeth and restore chewing function. We provide comfortable and lasting solutions at Align Orthodontics in Winslow, ME. Our team is ready to guide you through every step of the process.

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What Are Dental Implants

Dental implants are small, screw-like posts made from titanium. We surgically place them into your jawbone where a tooth is missing. After a short healing period, your bone grows around the post, securely integrating it. Once fully healed, we restore the implant post with a crown that looks just like your natural tooth. It blends seamlessly, and most people won't even notice it's not a natural tooth. You can chew, smile, and talk as you used to.

Implants don't shift like dentures or rely on adjacent teeth for support like bridges. They function independently, which helps preserve the strength and integrity of your remaining natural teeth. Dental implants may be your best solution if you've lost one or more teeth.

Benefits of Choosing Dental Implants

Dental implants provide several benefits for oral health and well-being beyond aesthetics:

• Stability: They stay in place, allowing you to eat, laugh, and talk confidently.
• Bone Preservation: They protect the jawbone and help maintain facial shape.
• Protection of Natural Teeth: They don't modify healthy adjacent teeth.
• Longevity: With proper care, they can last for decades.
• Natural Feel: They feel like real teeth, often going unnoticed once in.

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Advanced Technology Behind Dental Implant Procedures

Today's dental implants use cutting-edge tools that make treatment safer, faster, and more accurate. At Align Orthodontics, we use 3D scans to take a clear, detailed look at your mouth. This helps us plan exactly where the implant should go.

We also use digital impressions instead of the old, messy molds. It's faster, cleaner, and more comfortable, plus, we've got tools that help guide the placement, making sure everything lines up just right. Thanks to these modern tools, the entire process is smoother and more comfortable from start to finish. Even healing times are often shorter.

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Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants

Many people can get dental implants, but a few things must first line up. You need healthy gums and enough bone in your jaw to hold the implant. If your bones are a little thin, we can help with that.

You also need to be in decent overall health. If you smoke or have conditions that slow healing, it might take a little extra care. But even then, we've helped people in all sorts of situations.

Here's who usually makes a great candidate:

• Someone who is missing one or more teeth
• Someone with healthy gums and decent bone
• Someone who brushes, flosses, and keeps up with dental visits
• Someone is willing to take care of their implant

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The Dental Implant Process

Getting a dental implant may take a few months, but each step is designed to help the implant last a lifetime. We start with a checkup and look at your teeth, take a scan, and figure out the best spot for the implant.

Next comes the placement; we numb the area so you won't feel anything. The implant goes into your jaw, and then we wait a few months to fully heal and bond with the bone. After it's settled in, we place a small piece called an abutment, which holds the crown. It's shaped to match your others, and you're good to go once it's in.

Healing Time and Aftercare Tips for Dental Implants

After the implant is placed, your body needs time to heal. Most people feel swelling or soreness, but it fades in a day or two. When the implant fully joins with the bone, the full healing takes a few months.

Here's how you can help it along:

• Eat soft foods for a little while, like soup, yogurt, or mashed potatoes
• Keep it clean by brushing gently and rinsing with warm salt water
• Follow the aftercare plan your dentist gives you

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How Long Do Dental Implants Last, and What Affects Their Longevity?

Dental implants are tough, and they can last 20 years or more with the right care, sometimes even a lifetime. Brushing and flossing every day helps keep your implant healthy. Regular checkups also help us spot any issues early. But things like smoking, grinding your teeth, or skipping cleanings can shorten the life of your implant. The spot where the implant sits also matters; teeth in the back of your mouth take more pressure from chewing, so those implants might wear out faster than the front ones.

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Why Dental Implants are Preferred Over Dentures and Bridges

When replacing missing teeth, you have choices: dentures, bridges, and dental implants. But here's why implants often come out on top. Dentures can be tricky; they might slip around when you eat or talk, and you must take them out to clean them daily. Some people don't like the feeling of plastic in their mouth, and dentures can sometimes cause sore spots.

Bridges are glued to your nearby teeth, meaning those healthy teeth must be shaved down to hold the bridge in place. Over time, this can weaken them. Bridges don't stop your jawbone from shrinking where the tooth is missing. Dental implants act like natural tooth roots, keeping your jawbone strong. You don't have to remove them; they don't affect your other teeth.

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Meet Dr. James W. Sul, DMD, MS

Dr. James W. Sul has the education and training to provide quality dental care. He ensures patients understand their treatment and feel at ease during their visits.