Dental Implants
Many individuals reach out to Coast Dental Gladiolus with inquiries about whether dental implants could effectively replace missing teeth or firmly anchor a denture. Dental implants offer a durable and long-term solution, empowering you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence for many years.
A dental implant consists of a titanium post designed like a tiny screw. This post is implanted into the bone beneath your gums by a dentist or specialist. Over time, the bone naturally fuses around the dental implant, establishing a solid foundation for a crown, bridge, or fixed denture. Importantly, dental implants boast a success rate of over 95%, making them a more reliable option for tooth replacement compared to other methods.
How Dental Implants Work
At our Coast Dental office in Fort Myers, we can use dental implants to replace missing teeth in several ways.
Single Tooth Replacement
If you have a missing tooth, a dental implant can act as a dependable new root, merging flawlessly with your jawbone. Atop this implant is placed a strong, stain-resistant artificial crown, crafted to match the color of your natural teeth closely. Although getting a dental implant initially costs more than other tooth replacement methods, its long-term advantages are unmatched, with a notably high success rate. Moreover, an implant isn’t prone to decay, removes the possibility of needing root canals, and offers a sensation nearly identical to your actual teeth.
Multiple Tooth Replacement
When you have several missing teeth, it’s not always required to replace each one with its own implant. Dental implants can serve as robust anchors for fixed bridges. For example, a span created by three consecutive missing teeth may only require two implants, placed at either end, to firmly anchor a bridge that spans the gap. This method decreases the necessity of replacing each tooth separately. In contrast to conventional techniques that depend on surrounding natural teeth for support – which might weaken those teeth and elevate their chances of decay and future root canals – dental implants provide an independent support structure that lowers these risks.
Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures
Implants provide a strong base for a complete set of artificial teeth, tailored to be permanent and steadfast, for either the upper or lower jaw. Frequently, as few as four implants can secure a full arch of prosthetic teeth. Should there be substantial loss of jawbone, extra implants may be required to reliably support a series of 10 to 12 teeth. These enduring prosthetics, anchored by implants, play an essential role in preserving the health of the jawbone and are constructed to last potentially for a lifetime.
Implant-Supported Removable Dentures
If your dentures, whether upper or lower, begin to fit less securely due to tooth loss, switching to implant-supported dentures can markedly enhance their fit, providing increased comfort and assurance while eating and speaking. Traditional dentures do not address the loss of tooth roots, which can lead to the deterioration of the jawbone—a frequent outcome of tooth loss that causes the bone ridges, critical for denture stability, to shrink. This bone loss may also change your facial structure, resulting in a more aged and sunken appearance as the jawbone recedes. Implant-anchored dentures distribute chewing forces more evenly, helping to maintain the height of the bone ridge. This improved stability also reduces the likelihood of lower dentures becoming dislodged during conversation. Furthermore, dentures that are secured by implants can greatly decrease or even eliminate the need for denture adhesives.
What Do Dental Implants Cost?
Dental implants are often seen as a wise long-term investment for your health, comfort, and overall well-being due to their cost-effectiveness over time. While the upfront cost of implants is higher compared to other tooth replacement options like dentures or bridges, their longevity stands out; many implants may never require replacement.
It’s advisable to consult with your dental insurance provider to determine the extent of coverage under your dental benefits. Coast Dental Gladiolus offers assistance through third-party financing partnerships, which could make incorporating the cost of dental implants into your household budget more feasible.
Taking the first step involves scheduling a consultation to explore whether dental implants are the suitable choice for you. If you’re missing one or more teeth and are in the Fort Myers area, call our dentist today at (239) 466-9454.
