Dental Implants
Many people call Coast Dental South Lakeland to ask if dental implants would be a good solution to replace missing teeth or to secure a denture in place. Dental implants are a strong, long-lasting solution that lets you eat, talk, and smile with confidence for years to come.
A dental implant is a titanium post that is shaped like a small screw. The dentist or specialist places the post in the bone under your gums. The bone will gradually grow around the dental implant, creating a strong base for a crown, bridge, or fixed denture. Best of all, dental implants have a documented success rate of more than 95%, which is significantly higher than other tooth-replacement options.
How Dental Implants Work
At our Coast Dental office in Lakeland, we can use dental implants to replace missing teeth in several ways.
Single Tooth Replacement: When you have one tooth missing, 
a single dental implant is inserted into the bone to replace the tooth root. Once that has healed, the dentist will place a custom-made, color-matched, stain-resistant crown on top of the dental implant so that it looks like a natural tooth. Best of all, a dental implant will never decay or need a root canal.
Multiple Tooth Replacement: If you have more than one tooth missing, your dentist 
may recommend placing dental implants to secure a bridge. For example, if you are missing three teeth in a row, then the dentist may recommend placing two implants, one on other side of the gap, and then topping it with a three-point bridge. One of the advantages of having dental implants anchor a bridge is that the dental implants won’t weaken or decay.
Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures: 
Dental implants can also support a complete denture, which is an entire row of replacement teeth. Typically, the dentist or specialist will place four dental implant posts, and the denture will be attached. Implant-supported dentures are secure in the mouth. They don’t flap or slip like a normal denture can. That makes it easier to speak and eat.
What Do Dental Implants Cost?
Dental implants are often a cost-effective option when viewed as a long-term investment in your health, comfort, and well-being. Initially, implants are more expensive than other tooth-replacement methods such as dentures or bridgework. But dental implants last longer; in fact, most never need to be replaced.
We recommend you check with your dental insurance company to see what portion may be covered by your dental benefits. Coast Dental South Lakeland also has third-party financing partnerships which may be able to help you work the cost of dental implants into your family budget.
The first step is to schedule a consultation to see if a dental implant is the right option for you. If you are missing one or more teeth, call our dentist in Lakeland at (863) 644-1226 today.
