Are Dental Implants the Right Solution for You?

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Missing a single front tooth takes a drastic toll on your smile. Having a few or more missing teeth can affect your day-to-day life even more, with eating and speech struggles. At Capitol Dental Associates, our dentists in Hartford, CT, offer dental implants as replacement solutions. Here’s how to know if they’re the most suitable option for you.

Is There Enough Jawbone for the Post?

An implant post is what acts like a new root for your replacement tooth. You need to have enough jawbone to hold the post and allow it to fuse with the tissue around it.

Do You Have Gum Disease?

When you want to get dental implants in Hartford, CT, you need to have healthy gums. If you have gum disease or gingivitis, we’ll need to address that first.

How’s Your Health Overall?

The implant process involves undergoing surgery for post placement. If you have underlying conditions that affect healing, such as an autoimmune disorder, that may affect whether or not you can get implants.

Do You Smoke?

Being a smoker comes with a higher risk of complications and an increased chance of implant failure. You should focus on quitting if you plan to replace teeth with dental implants.

Are You Expecting a Quick Replacement?

Part of the implant process involves waiting for the post to integrate with your jaw tissue. That healing time can take weeks or even months to happen, so implants aren’t a fast solution.

Visit Us for a Dental Implant Consultation

Do you need help deciding if you should choose this option? At Capitol Dental Associates, our dental team can help you determine if dental implants in Hartford, CT, are the ideal solution for replacing your missing teeth.

 

What Are the Benefits of Choosing Implant-Retained Hybrid Dentures?

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Do you need a replacement option for several teeth? As you compare options, keep implant-retained hybrid dentures in mind. These dentures differ from traditional dentures in many ways, offering some important advantages. Our dentist in Hartford, CT, offers this denture solution for patients who are good candidates. Let’s go over the benefits that implant-retained hybrid dentures offer.

Greater Stability

Traditional dentures are designed to fit over your gums, but they don’t always stay in place. Implant-retained dentures are fixed in place with implant posts in your jawbone, stopping them from shifting.

Natural Tooth-like Appearance

Implant-retained hybrid dentures in Hartford, CT, resemble real teeth, giving you a confident smile and a subtle type of tooth replacement. Traditional dentures tend to be more noticeable and less natural-looking.

Long-Lasting Replacement Option

Traditional removable dentures may only last a decade or less, which means you need to replace them more often. But implant-retained dentures have a much longer lifespan, with the implant posts lasting a lifetime.

Restored Appearance and Function

With implant-retained dentures, you can speak clearly and chew food easily, while having a beautiful smile. Traditional dentures may not necessarily make eating and speaking easier, especially if they slide around.

Reduced Risk of Bone Loss

Implant-retained hybrid dentures include posts that integrate with your jawbone tissue. These posts become like tooth roots, stimulating tissue and preventing bone loss that can affect your appearance and functionality.

Visit Our Dentist for a Consultation About Dentures

Are you unsure which type of denture is right for you? At Capitol Dental Associates, our dentist can help you compare implant-retained hybrid dentures in Hartford, CT, with other options and select the best type for your mouth.

How Do I Maintain My New Implant?

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A dental implant is a great investment if you’re missing a permanent tooth. Once the implant is in place, it’s important to take care of it. Your dentist in Hartford, CT, can help with this.

At Capitol Dental Associates, we provide information to our patients to help them take care of their dental appliances, including their dental implants. There are many things you can do to ensure that your dental implant will last a long time.

Dental Implant Maintenance Tips

  1. Brush your dental implant twice daily. Dental implants need to stay clean just like natural teeth. Plan to brush your dental implant twice a day with non-abrasive toothpaste.
  2. Floss your dental implant. Floss your dental implant at the same time that you floss your other teeth. The dentist can show you how to do this so that your flossing is effective and good for your implant.
  3. See the dentist regularly. Most people need to see the dentist every six months to have their teeth cleaned. Keep up with your dental appointments. This helps prevent problems like gum disease, which can cause the deterioration of the bone that’s holding your dental implant in place.

Avoid Damaging Your Dental Implant

Dental implants need to be treated like natural teeth. They should not be used as tools to tear through packaging or bite things that aren’t food.

Don’t Whiten Your Teeth

Whitening your dental implant can cause your implant to become mismatched with your other teeth. Avoid whitening your teeth after your implant is in place.

Need Dental Implants in Hartford, CT? Call Today

Do you need dental implants in Hartford, CT? If so, contact the dental professionals at Capitol Dental Associates to learn more about how you can take care of your implant.

4 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Dental Insurance

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Having dental insurance makes it easier and more affordable to take care of your teeth. If you have dental insurance, it’s important to maximize your policy’s benefits. Your dentist in Hartford, CT, can help. Here’s what you need to know about getting the most out of your dental insurance.

1. Don’t Skip Preventive Appointments

Many dental insurance companies pay for a maximum of two dental cleanings annually. Skipping those dental cleanings means leaving benefits on the table. If you fail to make one of your cleaning appointments during the calendar year, the benefit will not carry forward to the next year.

2. Know Your Benefits

Dental insurance policies vary. Knowing the benefits and your responsibility as a patient is important. This will help you catch any errors made by your insurance company, and will help you make decisions about your dental care (when the time comes). To learn more about your dental benefits, review your policy or contact your dental insurance company to learn where your benefits are described.

3. Choose a Dentist That’s In-Network

Many dental offices have a network of dentists. Going to dentists that are in-network allows patients to take full advantage of their dental benefits. If you choose a dentist who is out of network, you could find yourself paying for services out of pocket.

4. Focus on Prevention

Many dental insurance policies focus on prevention and will pay more to help patients maintain clean, healthy teeth, versus helping patients fix their teeth after they’re injured or damaged. Is it time for your dental cleaning and exams in Hartford, CT? Call today to make an appointment.

What Happens When I Skip a Dental Appointment?

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When you skip a dental appointment, you may lose out on insurance benefits while damaging your teeth. Most people need to see the dentist in Hartford, CT, every six months. If you’ve missed an appointment or are thinking about skipping your next dental appointment, here’s what you need to know.

Missing Out on Benefits

Dental insurance will pay for patients to see the dentist every six months for cleanings. If you miss a dental appointment, you miss out on those benefits. At the end of the year, you will not be able to collect money for unused insurance benefits, and most insurance companies will not carry benefits forward to the next year.

Impacts On Your Teeth

When you go to the dentist for a dental checkup, the dentist will remove plaque and tartar from your mouth. Plaque is the sticky substance left behind on your teeth after eating. If left there for long enough, the plaque will turn into tartar. Tartar forms around the gumline and can contribute to gum recession.

The gums are responsible for nourishing your tooth roots, so gum recession leaves your teeth vulnerable. People with serious gum recession may experience loose permanent teeth and tooth loss.

Additionally, putting off your dental appointments makes the cleaning process more difficult when you come in. Your dental appointments may take longer and the cleaning process may be more uncomfortable.

Don’t Forget Your Appointments

Has it been more than six months since your last dental checkup in Hartford, CT? If so, then it’s time to come in for a cleaning. The dental professionals at Capitol Dental Associates can help. Call today to make your next dental appointment!