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Dental Implants – South Portland, ME

Improving Your Day-to-Day
with Lifelike Replacement Teeth

Man and woman sharing healthy smiles after replacing missing teeth with dental implants

Our dedication to our patients’ quality of life isn’t just echoed by our intuitive nutritionist and in-office energy healer—it’s also apparent in the treatments that we offer. Dental implants from our South Portland, ME dentist are one of the latest restorative solutions in the dental world that boast an impressive 98 percent success rate. They look, feel, and function nearly identically to your natural teeth, so you can feel confident when you smile, eat, or laugh.

Why Choose Mind Your Mouth for Dental Implants?

  • We Offer Additional Financing
    Through CareCredit
  • Implants Can Replace
    One or All Teeth
  • CT/Cone Beam Scanner
    for Placement Accuracy

What is a
Dental Implant?

Animated dental implant supported dental crown placement

A dental implant is a small post made from titanium, which is a biocompatible metal, that is placed below your gumline to restore the missing root of a tooth. Once inserted, you’ll undergo a healing stage where the post will chemically fuse with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This allows the post to provide vital stimulation and blood flow to the jawbone to keep it from deteriorating and preserve your facial structure. Then, we’ll be able to attach your dental crown, bridge, or denture to the implants to repair the entire structure of any number of missing teeth.

Benefits of
Dental Implants

Man smiling after dental implant supported tooth replacement

Dental implants come so highly recommended by patients and professionals alike because they offer a variety of unique benefits that set them apart from traditional restorations. Some advantages that you’ll be able to enjoy when you get implants include:

  • Prevent jawbone deterioration
  • Enhance the power of your bite and eat more foods
  • 98 percent treatment success rate
  • Preserve your facial structure and prevent sunken cheeks
  • Get restorations that look and feel completely natural
  • Don’t worry about slipping or shifting dentures anymore
  • 35+ year lifespan
  • Easy maintenance and care

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

Man considering dental implant supported replacement teeth

The best way to learn whether dental implants are right for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Parét. During this appointment, our team will examine your mouth along with a 3D blueprint of your oral cavity as well as the nerves and tissues present in your facial structure. This will provide us with important information to determine whether you’re a good candidate for the dental implant procedure. We’ll then outline a customized treatment plan with you, including details such as how many implants you’ll need placed, what type of restoration you require, and details about pricing.

Missing Single Tooth

Animated dental implant supported dental crown placement

For a single missing tooth, we can place one dental implant below your gumline. Once it heals and fuses with the jawbone, we’ll attach a metal connector piece, called an abutment, to it that will secure your dental crown in place and maintain the current alignment of your teeth.

Missing Multiple Teeth 

Animated dental implant supported fixed bridge placement

Our patients who are missing multiple consecutive teeth can benefit from our implant-retained bridge. We’ll place two dental implant posts at either end of the gap in your arch, which will hold the crowns located at both ends of the bridge. During this procedure, no alteration of your existing healthy teeth is required.

Missing All Teeth

Animated dental implant supported denture placement

To replace an entire arch of teeth, we also offer implant-retained dentures. We’ll secure a customized denture to anywhere from four to eight dental implant posts located along the arch. Once attached to the abutments, you won’t have to worry about slipping or shifting dentures.

The 4 Step Dental Implant Process

An older gentleman wearing glasses and smiling after receiving his dental implants

When preparing to move forward with dental implants, it is important that you understand it is a multi-step process that requires several months to complete. Although it takes longer to achieve desired results than more traditional tooth replacement solutions, the superior quality and long-term benefits are worth the investment in time and money. Not only will you receive a new smile that is capable of lasting 30 years or even a lifetime with proper care, but you’ll also enjoy greater functionality, an improved appearance, and better oral health.

As you embark on this journey, remember, no two patients are alike. Although treatment plans will vary from patient to patient, you can expect a similar process to occur. If you’re ready to learn how dental implants work in South Portland, Maine, let’s take a look.

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

A dentist shows a female patient what a dental implant looks like and explains how it works

During your initial consultation with Dr. Parét, she will examine your smile and full oral cavity before assessing your facial structure using a Cone Beam CT Scanner. By capturing a complete image of your bone, nerve paths, and other structures, she can use the 3D model to craft a customized treatment plan based on your individual needs. It is also during this visit that she will explain, in detail, the entire process step-by-step as well as provide an estimated timeline for receiving your new and improved smile.

Should you require any preliminary treatments (i.e., tooth extractions, bone grafting, periodontal therapy), your implant dentist in South Portland, Maine, will go over the necessary procedure and expectations.

Dental Implant Surgery

A dentist talking with a patient about the process of receiving dental implants

Dr. Parét is dedicated to achieving beautiful, successful results that last a lifetime, which is why she partners with South Portland’s most recognized oral surgeons during the dental implant process. After your initial consultation, our team will help you schedule your dental implant surgery with one of our recommended specialists. Using a team-based approach, you will receive the best possible care.

During your surgery, you will be administered local anesthesia, which will numb the appropriate areas of your mouth before one or more incisions are made in your gums. After carefully placing each implant into the respective areas of your jawbone, a cap will be placed over the post to better protect it and allow for the gum tissue to maintain its shape.

Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment

A digital image shows a dental implant, metal abutment, and customized dental crown being placed on the lower arch of the mouth

Once your surgical procedure is complete, you will return home to spend the next 4-6 months recovering. During this time, osseointegration will occur, which is the process of your implants fusing with the bone and surrounding tissues. Yes, this process does require much patience on your part, but remember, it is well worth the wait.

You will also receive temporary restorations during this time that will allow you to experience what your new smile will look and feel like. Once osseointegration is finished, you will return to our dental office to receive your abutment(s), which are metal appliances that connect to the dental implants in South Portland, Maine, and help to secure your restoration to your new tooth root.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

A dental professional holds a cross-section mold of the mouth that houses a single tooth dental implant between two healthy teeth

The final step of the dental implant process is receiving your customized dental restoration. Your gum tissue and bone must be fully healed before it is secured in place. Lab technicians will send your fabricated dental crown, bridge, or full denture to our office where Dr. Parét will carefully secure it to the top of your implants. Because of the high-quality materials used, you can expect your new teeth to look extremely lifelike and feel completely comfortable. After months of waiting, you’ll finally get to enjoy a healthier, more beautiful smile and better quality of life.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

Animated parts of a dental implant replacement tooth

Once we’ve had a chance to review your mouth and determine how many implants you need, what type of restoration you require, and whether you need to undergo preparatory procedures before your surgery, we can breakdown the cost with you. Our team is dedicated to helping maximize your dental insurance benefits in any way we’re able to. We also offer additional financing through CareCredit, which makes the process easy and affordable.

Dental Implant FAQs

Young woman with thoughtful, curious expression on her face

Dental implants represent a big investment of both time and money, so you should be well-informed about the road ahead of you before you commit to anything. To help you understand this treatment, we have put together the following list of frequently asked questions about dental implants, along with succinct and easy-to-understand answers. If your specific questions are not addressed here, please reach out to us directly. We will be pleased to chat with you.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last? 

Dental implants have the potential to last for 30 years or longer. In fact, many patients enjoy lifelong function from their prosthetic tooth roots. The restorations on top of dental implants are also designed to stand the test of time.

Of course, how well your implants last depends partially on you. It is important that you have a thorough oral hygiene routine, attend regular checkups, and stick to other good habits that will support the health of your replacement teeth.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

The oral surgeon who places your implants will numb your mouth for your surgery. They may also offer sedation to dull your response to discomfort and promote calmness and relaxation. Many people feel little to nothing during their procedure.

After any local anesthesia and sedation wear off, it is normal to experience some discomfort. You may need to take pain medications, get plenty of rest, eat a soft diet, and take other measures to ease any pain and discomfort that you will experience. Most people are feeling normal within a few weeks of their surgery.

If you experience any unusual pain during your recovery, you should reach out to your oral surgeon ASAP.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

Dental implants are considered safe. They are made out of a biocompatible titanium alloy, which works well in the human body. The risks associated with the placement surgery are no greater than what you would experience with many other medical procedures.

If you have any medical conditions that could elevate the risks associated with your treatment, our team or your oral surgeon will help you to understand the situation and make a well-informed decision about how to move forward.

For the majority of patients, the rewards of dental implants far outweigh the small chance that something could go wrong.

What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?

Dental implant failure is rare. When it does occur, it is most commonly due to an infection known as peri-implantitis. This condition is the result of bacteria attacking the tissue around a dental implant. It usually develops as the result of poor oral hygiene.

Failed osteointegration is another possible culprit behind dental implant failure. Due to underlying medical conditions or other factors, the implants may not bond properly with the surrounding bone tissue.

Our team will coach you on the steps you can take to minimize your risk of dental implant failure.

three people smiling together

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