Dental Implant
A dental implant is a titanium post surgically placed in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth’s root, then topped with a crown, bridge, or denture. Once it fuses with bone through osseointegration, it functions like a natural tooth. Oxford Smiles Dental in Marlborough places single, multiple, and full-arch implants with a 95–98% success rate.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium post placed into your jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Once it fuses with the bone, a natural process called osseointegration, it becomes the permanent anchor for a crown, bridge, or full-arch restoration. The result: a replacement tooth that is indistinguishable from the real thing, won’t slip, doesn’t require adhesives, and can last a lifetime with routine care.
If you’ve been living with a gap, struggling with loose dentures, or holding off because you’re not sure implants are right for you, this page covers everything: the process, your options, what it costs, how to pay, and what real patients’ results look like.
Why People Lose Teeth and Why Replacing Them Matters
Tooth loss is more common than most people realize. The leading causes include decay, gum disease, trauma, and failed root canals. But the consequences go beyond appearance:
When a tooth root is gone, the jawbone beneath it begins to shrink, and about 25% of bone volume is lost in the first year alone. Over time, this shifts neighboring teeth, changes your bite, hollows the face, and makes future tooth replacement harder. A dental implant is the only tooth replacement option that preserves bone by mimicking the function of a natural root.
Types Of Dental Implants
Single Implant
Restore your smile with a single implant that looks and feels natural.
Removable Denture
Rediscover your smile with removable dentures for a natural look and comfort.
All On 4 Implants
Full-arch restoration with four implants ensures strong, lasting support.
Zirconia Teeth
Experience long-lasting beauty and strength with stain-resistant zirconia teeth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Natural Look and Function: Dental implants closely resemble natural teeth in both appearance and performance. They are designed to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth, giving you a confident, natural-looking smile.
- Clearer Speech: Unlike removable dentures that may slip or shift while talking, dental implants remain securely in place. This allows you to speak clearly and confidently without worry.
- Greater Comfort: Because implants are permanently anchored into the jawbone, they eliminate the discomfort and inconvenience of removable dentures. There’s no need to worry about irritation, sore spots, or messy adhesives.
- Improved Chewing Efficiency: Dental implants restore full chewing power, making it easier to enjoy your favorite foods without pain or difficulty. They provide the strength and stability needed for proper digestion and nutrition.
- Exceptional Durability: With regular care and maintenance, dental implants can last a lifetime. They offer a more reliable and long-term solution than other tooth replacement options, which may need repairs or replacement over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime with proper care. The implant post integrates permanently with the jawbone. The crown on top typically lasts 15–25 years. Bridges and dentures, by contrast, typically need replacement every 7–15 years as the jawbone shifts.
Implant surgery is performed under local anesthesia - patients feel pressure but not sharp pain during the procedure. Post-operative soreness and mild swelling resolve within 3–7 days for most patients. Oxford Smiles.
A standard single implant involves: consultation + imaging, implant placement surgery, a healing period of 3–6 months, abutment placement, and final crown delivery - typically 4–6 appointments over 4–9 months. Cases requiring bone grafting add additional steps.
Dental implant success rates of 95–98% over 10 years in healthy patients. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and poor oral hygiene are the primary risk factors. Dr. Mehta assesses all risk factors before recommending implant treatment.
Smoking significantly increases the risk of implant failure by impairing bone healing and increasing infection risk. Dr. Mehta may still offer implants to smokers with careful case selection, but will strongly recommend cessation for at least 2 weeks before and 2 months after surgery. Quitting smoking dramatically improves implant success rates.
Flexible Financing & Insurance options
We strive to make dental care affordable and accessible for all our patients. That's why we accept most major insurances, and will work with you to help you understand your plan and maximize your benefits. If you have questions about insurance, or anything at all, give us a call to speak with one of our friendly insurance experts. Don't see your insurance listed? Give us a call on (508) 290-8714, and we'll walk you through all your options!
No Insurance? No Problem.
Flexible financing & membership plans available
We offer Quality Membership Plans along with flexible financing options through LendingClub, Sunbit, and CareCredit. Quality dental care is an investment in your health and happiness and we believe the cost of treatment should never stand in the way of your ideal smile. That's why we partner with trusted healthcare lenders, allowing you to create personalized payment plans that fit your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
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We take great pride in extending our exceptional care to patients not only within Marlborough but also from diverse locations, ensuring that our commitment to service reaches beyond boundaries.
One Location, Countless Smiles
We take great pride in extending our exceptional care to patients not only
within Marlborough
but also from diverse locations, ensuring that our
commitment to service reaches beyond boundaries.
- Marlborough
- Auburn
- Maynard
- Bolton
- Hudson
- Framingham
- Westborough
- Shrewsbury
- Northborough
- Southborough
- Hopkinton
- Ashland