Implant Dentistry
Dental implants are a state-of-the-art solution to the age-old problem of missing teeth. Instead of a removable appliance, we are able to actually craft you a whole new tooth and then attach it to a biocompatible titanium root that is implanted in the place where your missing tooth used to be.
Unlike other dental offices, which send you to see a specialist somewhere else to have the titanium post implanted, Dr. Drower is able to complete both parts of the process right here in our Keene, NH dental office, saving you time and hassle.
What Is a Dental Implant?
In the past, dental crowns have been placed over filed and shaped natural teeth in order to repair a damaged or broken tooth or strengthen one that has been structurally weakened. Dental implants give us the option to take that crown and attach it to a titanium post that has been surgically implanted into your jaw. Titanium is a biocompatible metal, which means that your body will easily accept it without worries of allergies or rejection.
The process begins when you call our office and schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Drower to find out if dental implants are right for you. If you and Dr. Drower both agree that implants are a good choice, you will be scheduled for the procedure to have your post (or posts) placed. Once the posts are placed, your jaw will require some time to heal. We will monitor you throughout this healing process to make sure that everything is going well.
Once you are healed, you will return to our office where we will craft your crowns and attach them to your tooth root implant. Your crown will be created using CEREC technology here in our office. This process allows us to create a tooth that blends in flawlessly with your own natural teeth in both shape and color to create a healthy, fully functioning, natural-looking smile.
Additional Dental Implant Options
Currently, most dental insurances don’t cover the cost of dental implants. Some people find that if they are missing multiple teeth, a full set of dental implants may be out of their budget. Fortunately, other permanent restoration options are available that give you full restoration with a minimal number of implants. For example, you may opt to have a dental bridge placed using crowns over dental implants instead of over your own teeth, which allows us to preserve more of your healthy tooth structure. Other options include implant-retained dentures and partials, which allow you to combine the permanence of dental implants with the cost-saving benefits of dentures and partials. Talk to Dr. Drower about your needs and concerns. We will work with you to find the solution that is right for you.
Caring for Dental Implants
One of the biggest benefits of dental implants is that once they are placed, they become a permanent part of your mouth and require little extra care beyond the brushing and flossing routine recommended for you by Dr. Drower. Continue to return to our office for routine check-ups and cleanings to keep your implants in great shape.
To find out more about dental implants and whether they are a good option for you, please call our office today to schedule a consultation with Keene dentist Dr. Sean Drower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people know the benefits of dental implants for tooth replacement, but did you know that when you lose teeth, you could be putting your other teeth at risk? Tooth loss can cause bone loss.
Because your teeth are rooted into your jaw bone, when you lose a tooth the bone in that area can begin to recede, putting your adjacent teeth at risk by compromising their foundations. Your teeth may begin to cave in toward one another, tilting or twisting. This condition can create problems with your gums and your bite by redistributing force in an unhealthy way.
Bone loss can also create cosmetic changes in the structure of your face, since your bone supports your muscle and skin. You have probably seen people with missing teeth who appear older and shriveled around the mouth and lips.
Dental implants may help slow down or eliminate this risk by anchoring to your bone to keep it from receding and also by filling the empty space left by your missing tooth. Both of these benefits may protect your remaining teeth, your gums, and your bite.
To find out if you are a good candidate for dental implants, call Dr. Sean Drower’s office. We look forward to working with you to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.
If you currently have missing teeth, you know that gaps can take away from your smile and be distracting when you are speaking or eating. Dental implants can improve the beauty of your smile by filling in those gaps. Because dental implant crowns are custom made for each patient, others may never notice that you have them.
Being self-conscious about missing teeth may prevent you from doing some of the things you enjoy like being social, laughing, and going out to eat with friends. Dr. Sean Drower knows how important it is for his patients to remain active and experience life fully. That is why he offers dental implant placement and restoration at his Keene, NH dental practice.
Dental implants provide one of the most convenient and reliable tooth replacement therapies available. Because they are the most like your natural teeth, patients rave about the results. Dental implants are not only attractive, but completely functional, as well. That means that you can chew normally and they are easy to keep clean.
Dr. Sean Drower has helped numerous patients restore their smiles with dental implants. To find out if you are a good candidate for implants, or to discuss all of your tooth replacement options, call Dr. Sean Drower’s office and speak to one of our helpful team members today.
In order to determine if you are a good candidate for a dental implant, Dr. Sean Drower would need to do a complete exam and an evaluation of the area of your missing tooth. Being a good candidate for a dental implant depends on a few factors such as the space between your missing teeth, the location of your missing tooth, your bone level, and your bone density.
If the space between your teeth is insufficient for a dental implant crown, then an implant may not be possible. When you lose teeth, if the space where your tooth once was is not maintained your teeth may tip or shift, leaving inadequate room for a dental implant.
Certain areas of your mouth are not conducive to dental implants. For example, if the implant will sustain too much force from your bite, an implant may not be possible. Dr. Drower will evaluate the area to see if a dental implant will work.
Lastly, if your bone levels or bone density is too low, you may not qualify for a dental implant or you may need to undergo bone grafting prior to the placement of your implant.
Dr. Drower is highly skilled in dental implant procedures. He can answer all of your questions after an implant evaluation.
Fortunately, once your implants are placed and restored by Dr. Sean Drower, caring for them becomes much like caring for your natural teeth. It is extremely important that your gums remain healthy when you have a dental implant. Just like your natural teeth, gum disease can destroy the health of your implant and cause it to fail.
As with all dental care, the majority of the work must be done by you at home. Regular brushing and flossing will help you maintain the health of all of your teeth, including your dental implants.
Proper nutrition that promotes overall health and prevents bone loss can also play a part in the success of your dental implants. Avoiding sugary snacks and sticky junk food that can cause decay will help your other teeth to stay healthy and promote overall wellness.
In addition to impeccable home care, it is important to maintain regular hygiene appointments and exams with Dr. Sean Drower. When you visit his office, he will do an exam to make sure all of your teeth, including your implants, remain completely healthy and stable. If he sees any areas of gum disease, he will tell you right away and help you get it under control so that it does not jeopardize the health or beauty of your smile.
Depending on your dental health and your lifestyle, you may be considering dental implants. Dental implants are replacements for your missing teeth. Typically, they are made of titanium or another biocompatible metal post and topped with a dental crown to provide aesthetic tooth replacement and a stable chewing surface.
While denture technology has improved by leaps and bounds, dental implants do still have some advantages over traditional removable dentures. Most of our patients appreciate the fact that once dental implants are in place, they become a permanent part of your mouth, only requiring the same care as your own natural teeth. They also love never having to worry about whether a certain type of food will cause a problem or that their appliance will slip at precisely the wrong moment.
Dental implants look so natural that other people are unable to tell that dental work has been done. Dr. Drower is especially skilled at creating a seamless smile so that you achieve the greatest function and aesthetics possible.
Having dental implants also helps to retain your bone. That means your facial structure will not change because of missing teeth.
To learn more about dental implants and whether they are right for you, please call our Keene, NH dental office today!
Meet Our Doctor:
Sean P. Drower DMD, MAGD
After obtaining his Bachelors from the University of Scranton in Scranton, PA, Dr. Sean Drower attended Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, graduating with his DMD. He then went on to perform his general practice residency at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Drower has achieved his Master's designation in the Academy of General Dentistry, an achievement earned by only 2% of dentists.
Dr. Drower is a strong believer in ongoing education and is committed to staying on top of the latest advancements in the field of dentistry. He is a ...