Lexington Prosthodontics provides dental implants in Burlington, MA. Call 781-222-3359 to learn more and schedule your appointment.
Why choose a prosthodontist for dental implants? As a prosthodontist, Dr. Cusanello has received specialized training in the creation of replacement teeth that look and function just like your natural teeth. While there are many dental practices that offer implants, prosthodontists have a unique understanding of the artistry involved in creating a beautiful smile for their patients. Our Burlington, MA dental practice offers the following types of implants:
The term “dental implants” is often used as a catch-all, but the actual dental implant is the small titanium post that is implanted into the jaw. A piece called an abutment is attached to the implant, then a crown is secured to the abutment to complete the restoration. Dental implants are the preferred solution for missing teeth because they are the only option that replaces both the visible portion of the tooth as well as the root, which prevents bone loss in the jaw.
When three or more adjacent teeth are missing, implant-supported bridges are an ideal solution. These bridges are held in place by two dental implants used to replace the outermost missing teeth. The bridges we create are made with a realistic looking materials that blend in with your natural teeth, improving both function and aesthetics.
While traditional dentures are held in place by adhesive paste, implant-supported dentures are secured with two or more dental implants. These dentures can be full or partial, fixed or removable (also known as snap-on dentures). Not only do implant-supported dentures stay in place better than traditional dentures, they also result in a stronger bite and prevent changes to facial structures.
When an entire upper or lower arch of teeth is missing, we can replace them all with only four dental implants used as anchors to hold the restorations in place.
If there has been bone loss in the jaw, traditional dental implants may not be an option. In these cases, we can place mini dental implants, or MDIs. These implants function the same way as traditional dental implants, but the size of the implanted post is smaller, making them easier to support. MDI placement is less invasive than dental implant surgery, usually requiring only local anesthetic and no sutures, and the entire process can often be completed in a single day.
Call 781-222-3359 to schedule your appointment.
Unless there are complicating health issues or other factors, dental implants are our preferred solution for missing teeth. Dentures replace the visible portion of missing teeth, but only dental implants replace the roots of the teeth as well. This means that dental implants function more like your natural teeth. They are more stable, less uncomfortable, and they can prevent and even reverse bone loss in the jaw.
Yes, if ideal conditions exist, but other procedures involve a lengthier process that can take several visits to our office to complete. Rest assured that if you need to have a procedure that must be done over the course of several weeks or months, we’ll provide you with a temporary restoration so no one will know that you’re in the process of getting dental implants.
Yes, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve had teeth missing—you’re still a candidate for dental implants. In fact, many patients are interested in dental implants after years or even decades of wearing traditional dentures. The more time that has passed since your teeth were extracted, the more likely it is that you have suffered some bone loss in the jaw. If you don’t have the jawbone support needed for traditional dental implants, mini dental implants could be an option or you may simply require a sinus lift and/or bone grafting prior to dental implant surgery to augment the jawbone.
Mini dental implants have a smaller diameter than traditional dental implants, which means they need less jaw support, but this also means that they are not quite as strong. For most patients, this does not present any issues, and the benefits of MDIs outweigh the fact that they don’t have the same strength as conventional dental implants.
Yes, if you have suffered from facial collapse due to bone loss in the jaw, a combination of bone grafting and dental implants can help restore your face shape. The difference dental implants make is dramatic and cannot be replicated with any other type of dental restoration.
Dental implant surgery is not painful at all. You will be given local anesthetic prior to your procedure so you won’t feel any pain while we work, although you may feel some movement and pressure. In the hours and days after dental implant surgery, you’re likely to experience some tenderness at the surgical site, but this can usually be remedied with cold compresses, over-the-counter pain medication, and a soft food diet.