Dental Implants Yarmouth, ME

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. The implants are titanium posts which are placed into the jaw bone where teeth are missing. The bone attaches to the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, dental implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing.

Dental implants are changing the way people live! With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life.

Evaluation for Dental Implants

If, like many others, you feel implant dentistry is the choice for you, we ask that you undergo a dental/radiographic examination and health history. During these consultation visits, your specific needs and considerations will be addressed initially by  Dr Russo, and later by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon or Periodontist referred by our practice. Your questions and concerns are important to us and our team will work with you very closely to help make your procedure a success.

Surgical Advances in Dental Implants

Dental implant placement is a team effort between an Oral Surgeon or Periodontist and a restorative dentist. Dr. Russo reviews with you which implant prosthetic options are available to fit your functional needs and aesthetic concerns.  He will work in conjunction with a surgical specialist to plan the placement of implants as specific sites in the jaw bone to carry out the treatment plan that you and Dr Russo have agreed upon.  Dr Russo will also fabricate any interim prosthetic (fixed or removable) that correlates with your specific treatment plan so that you are not missing teeth in the aesthetic zone while the implant heals.

Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants are essentially tooth root substitutes. They are surgically placed into the jaw bone.  After a normal healing phase, abutments (most often also made of titanium) are then attached to the implant, which protrude through the gums. These abutments are what connect the replacement teeth to the dental implants.

The placement of dental implants involves a surgical procedure. First, dental implants are placed within your jaw bone. For the first three to four months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums, gradually allowing the bone to attach to the root replacement/implant.  After healing/attachment of bone to the implant is complete impressions are taken to being fabrication of the final restorations.  For single implant restoration, or for multiple restorations in a stable occlusion (provided by the remaining natural teeth), the final restoration is completed in two visits.  For full arch cases (the entire upper jaw, lower jaw, or both) multiple visits will be required to achieve the final restorations.. Dr Russo will outline any steps necessary for restoration as well as outline timelines for treatment at the initial visit.  He will also reiterate these details at subsequent visits. 

The entire procedure from extraction to replacement with final prosthetics usually takes six to eight months.