Dental Implants
Many individuals reach out to Coast Dental Kissimmee to inquire whether dental implants would serve as an effective replacement for missing teeth or to firmly anchor a denture. Dental implants offer a durable and long-term solution, enabling you to eat, speak, and smile confidently for many years.
A dental implant consists of a titanium post, resembling a small screw. This post is implanted into the bone beneath your gums by a dentist or a specialist. Over time, the bone will fuse around the dental implant, forming a solid foundation for a crown, bridge, or fixed denture. Most impressively, dental implants boast a success rate of over 95%, making them a more reliable choice than many other tooth-replacement methods.
How Dental Implants Work
At our Coast Dental office in Kissimmee, we can use dental implants to replace missing teeth in several ways.
Single Tooth Replacement
Think of a dental implant as a reliable new foundation for a lost tooth, seamlessly integrating with your jawbone to support a strong, stain-resistant artificial tooth or crown designed to match the color of your natural teeth precisely. While the upfront cost of a dental implant may be higher than other tooth replacement options, its long-term benefits are unparalleled, with an outstanding success rate. Moreover, an implant is immune to decay, eliminates the need for root canals, and offers a feel nearly identical to that of your natural teeth.
Multiple Tooth Replacement
In cases of multiple missing teeth, there’s no need to resort to an individual implant for each missing tooth. Dental implants can act as sturdy bases for fixed bridges. For instance, a gap resulting from three sequentially missing teeth may only require two implants—one on each end of the gap—to securely support a bridge spanning the space. This approach reduces the necessity of replacing every tooth separately. Unlike traditional methods that rely on adjacent natural teeth for support—thereby risking wear, decay, and the need for root canals—dental implants offer a self-sufficient support system that lessens these concerns.
Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures
Implants serve as a strong foundation for a custom-made set of dentures, designed for lasting and secure fit in either the upper or lower jaw. Often, only four implants are needed to anchor a full arch of prosthetic teeth securely. In cases of significant loss of jawbone, however, additional implants might be necessary to reliably support a set of 10 to 12 teeth. These durable, implant-supported prosthetics are crucial in maintaining the jawbone’s integrity and are built to potentially endure a lifetime.
Implant-Supported Removable Dentures
Should you experience loose-fitting upper or lower dentures as a result of tooth loss, making the switch to dentures supported by implants can significantly improve their steadiness. Such an enhancement is likely to increase the comfort and assurance you experience while eating and speaking. Conventional dentures fail to compensate for the missing natural tooth roots, which leads to gradual jawbone deterioration—a typical effect of tooth loss. As the bone ridges that underpin the dentures shrink away, changes in your facial structure could ensue, potentially leading to a prematurely aged appearance due to the diminishing jawbone. Implant-secured dentures distribute chewing forces more equally, aiding in the preservation of bone ridge height. They offer excellent stability, cutting down on the shifting of the lower dentures when talking. Furthermore, anchoring dentures with implants can substantially lessen, or in some cases even negate, the dependency on denture adhesives.
What Do Dental Implants Cost?
Consider dental implants as a worthwhile investment in your health, comfort, and overall quality of life for the long term. While they may initially come with a higher price tag compared to other tooth replacement options like dentures or bridges, dental implants tend to have a much longer lifespan—many never require replacement.
It’s a good idea to get in touch with your dental insurance provider to understand what costs your plan may cover. Additionally, Coast Dental Kissimmee offers financing options through third-party partners, making it easier to integrate the expense of dental implants into your household budget.
To determine whether dental implants are the right choice for you, the initial step is to set up a consultation. If you’re dealing with the loss of one or more teeth, don’t hesitate to contact our Kissimmee dentist at (407) 935-1772 to book your appointment today.
