Dental Implants
Numerous individuals reach out to Coast Dental Deltona inquiring whether dental implants are an effective option for replacing lost teeth or stabilizing a denture. As durable and enduring solutions, dental implants facilitate eating, speaking, and smiling with assurance for many years ahead.
A dental implant consists of a titanium post, similar in appearance to a miniature screw. An oral health professional will position this post into the bone beneath your gums. Over time, the bone will integrate with the dental implant, forming a robust foundation for a crown, bridge, or secure denture. Additionally, dental implants boast a remarkably high success rate of over 95%, which surpasses that of many other tooth replacement methods.
How Dental Implants Work
At our Coast Dental office in Deltona, we can use dental implants to replace missing teeth in several ways.
Single Tooth Replacement
When you have a missing tooth, a dental implant can be inserted into the jawbone to replace the tooth’s root. Following this, an artificial crown that matches your natural teeth in color and is resistant to stains will be attached. Although choosing a dental implant may involve a greater initial expense than other tooth replacement methods, it’s often considered the best long-term option due to its high success rate. Additionally, an implant cannot decay, eliminates the need for potential root canals in the future, and provides a feeling very much like that of a natural tooth.
Multiple Tooth Replacement
When you’re missing several teeth, there’s no need to replace each one with its own implant. Dental implants can act as strong supports for fixed bridges. For instance, if you’re missing three teeth in a row, placing just two implants at either end of the gap may be enough. A bridge that covers this gap can then be securely fastened to these implants, negating the necessity for a separate implant for each tooth that’s missing. Unlike traditional methods that rely on neighboring natural teeth for support—potentially compromising their strength, increasing their risk of decay, and the future requirement for root canal treatments—dental implants offer an independent structure for support, sidestepping these issues.
Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures
Implants offer a reliable foundation for a complete set of upper or lower prosthetic teeth, designed to be permanently affixed without the option for removal. Generally, as few as four implants can sufficiently hold a full arch of prosthetic teeth in place. When there’s extensive loss of jawbone, additional implants might be necessary to firmly hold a set of 10 to 12 teeth. These implant-supported prosthetics are crucial in maintaining the integrity of the jawbone. They are intended as a permanent fixture, with the potential to last a lifetime for the patient.
Implant-Supported Removable Dentures
If you find that your upper or lower jaw dentures no longer fit well due to tooth loss, opting for implants can greatly enhance the fit of your dentures. This improvement leads to increased comfort and significantly enhances your confidence in eating and speaking. Unlike traditional dentures, which do not replace tooth roots, implants help prevent the jawbone from deteriorating—a typical consequence that lowers bone ridges key to denture stability. This deterioration can also change your facial structure, making it appear more sunken and contributing to a prematurely aged look as the jawbone recedes. By anchoring dentures with implants, the chewing forces are more evenly distributed, helping to preserve the bone ridge’s height. This added stability also prevents the lower denture from slipping out unexpectedly during tongue movements. Moreover, using implants to secure dentures can greatly decrease or completely eliminate the need for denture adhesives.
What Do Dental Implants Cost?
Opting for dental implants can be a financially sound choice when considering their long-term advantages for your health, comfort, and overall quality of life. While the upfront cost of implants is higher compared to other tooth replacement options like dentures or bridges, implants often outlast these alternatives and are less likely to need replacement.
It’s advisable to consult with your dental insurance provider to determine if your plan will cover any of the implant costs. Additionally, Coast Dental Deltona offers financing options through third-party partners, which could help make the expense of dental implants more manageable for your household budget.
The starting point is arranging a consultation to evaluate whether dental implants are an appropriate solution for you. If you’re dealing with the loss of one or more teeth, please contact our dental office in Deltona at (386) 574-8388 to book your appointment today.
