Dental Implants
How Dental Implants Work
At our Coast Dental office in Altamonte Springs, we can use dental implants to replace missing teeth in several ways.
Single Tooth Replacement
For a solitary missing tooth, a single implant is implanted in the bone to substitute the root portion. Atop this implant, a tailor-made crown that matches the color and resists staining is mounted, effectively replicating a real tooth. This option not only possesses the highest success rate but is also considered the most advantageous long-term investment for restoring a single lost tooth, despite being initially more expensive than alternatives. An implant is immune to decay, eliminates the need for root canal therapy, and provides the feel of a natural tooth.
Multiple Tooth Replacement
If you are missing multiple teeth, it’s not necessary to replace each one with an individual implant. Instead, dental implants can serve as anchors for fixed bridge work. For instance, in a scenario where three consecutive teeth are missing, two implants can be positioned at both ends of the missing span, supporting a crown in the middle without its own implant. This technique offers the benefit of not having to depend on natural teeth as bridge supports. Using natural teeth as abutments for fixed bridges can lead to weakening, susceptibility to decay, and potential root canal issues—concerns that are nonexistent with dental implants.
Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures
Implants are capable of supporting a full row of upper or lower replacement teeth that are permanently fixed in the mouth and never need to be removed. Often, as few as four implants can sustain the entire set of replacement teeth. However, if there has been significant deterioration of the jaw bone, additional implants may be required to support a span of 10 to 12 teeth. Replacement teeth secured by dental implants help preserve your jaw bone, will not slip, and are designed to last a lifetime.
Implant-Supported Removable Dentures
Have you lost all of your upper or lower teeth? You might find that your denture doesn’t fit as tightly as you would prefer. Implants can enhance the comfort of dentures, allowing you to eat and speak with assurance. Traditional dentures can lead to issues because, without tooth roots, your jaw bone starts to shrink, reducing the bone ridges that hold your dentures in place. This bone recession can affect your facial appearance, leading to sagging and a more aged look as the jaw bone diminishes over time. By installing implants in either the upper or lower jaw, which the removable denture can then attach to, pressure is diverted, helping to preserve the bone ridge. The stability from the implants also keeps the tongue from easily dislodging the lower denture. Furthermore, dentures secured by implants greatly reduce or eliminate the need for denture adhesives.
What Do Dental Implants Cost?
Considering dental implants as a long-term investment can reveal their cost-effectiveness when evaluated for their benefits to your health, comfort, and overall quality of life. While the initial expense of implants is higher than other tooth replacement solutions like dentures or bridges, the durability of dental implants is unmatched—they often last a lifetime without needing replacement.
It’s advisable to consult with your dental insurance provider to assess the extent to which your plan may cover implant costs. Additionally, at Coast Dental Altamonte Springs, we collaborate with third-party financing organizations that could assist in making dental implants a manageable expense within your family budget.
The initial step towards your new smile is arranging a consultation to determine if dental implants are suitable for you. If you are missing teeth and considering your options, contact our Altamonte Springs dentist at (407) 862-2211 today.
