Dental Implants
Many individuals contact Coast Dental Largo inquiring whether dental implants are a viable option for replacing missing teeth or securing dentures. Dental implants offer a durable, long-term solution that enables you to eat, speak, and smile with assurance for many years.
A dental implant is a small, screw-shaped titanium post. This post is inserted into the bone beneath your gums by a dentist or specialist. Over time, your bone will naturally integrate with the implant, forming a solid foundation for a crown, bridge, or permanent denture. Impressively, 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 Largo, 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 missing tooth, seamlessly integrating with your jawbone to provide support for a strong, stain-resistant artificial tooth or crown. This replacement is carefully designed to match the color of your natural teeth. While the upfront cost of a dental implant may be higher than other tooth replacement options, its long-term benefits are unparalleled, with an exceptional success rate. Furthermore, an implant is resistant to decay, eliminates the need for root canals, and offers a feel almost identical to that of your natural teeth.
Multiple Tooth Replacement
If you have several missing teeth, it is not always required to place a separate implant for each one. Dental implants can act as sturdy anchors for fixed bridges. For instance, in the case of three adjacent missing teeth, two implants—one at each end of the space—could be sufficient to securely support a bridge that spans the gap. This approach reduces the need to replace each tooth on its own. Traditional replacement methods lean on adjacent natural teeth for support, which may lead to wear and raise the chances of decay and root canals. In contrast, dental implants offer a self-sustaining support structure that lessens these concerns.
Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures
Implants serve as a strong foundation for custom-made dentures, designed for durable and secure use in either the upper or lower jaw. Often, only four implants are needed to hold up a complete arch of prosthetic teeth. Nonetheless, in cases where there’s significant loss of jawbone, additional implants might be necessary to firmly anchor a set of 10 to 12 teeth. These robust, implant-supported dentures are crucial in maintaining the jawbone’s structure and are crafted to potentially last a lifetime.
Implant-Supported Removable Dentures
If you find that your upper or lower dentures are loose due to tooth loss, switching to implant-supported dentures can greatly improve their stability. This upgrade enhances the comfort and confidence you experience while eating and speaking. Traditional dentures fail to compensate for the absence of natural tooth roots, often leading to gradual jawbone deterioration—a typical result of tooth loss. As the bone ridges that support the dentures start to shrink, changes in your facial structure could occur, potentially aging your appearance due to loss of jawbone. Implant-anchored dentures help distribute biting forces more evenly, aiding in the preservation of bone ridge height. They offer enhanced stability, reducing the movement of the dentures during speech. Furthermore, securing dentures with implants can significantly decrease or even eliminate the need for denture adhesives.
What Do Dental Implants Cost?
Dental implants are typically a cost-effective choice when considered as a long-term investment in your health, comfort, and overall well-being. While implants initially cost more than other tooth-replacement options such as dentures or bridges, they have a longer lifespan; in fact, most do not need to be replaced.
It’s advisable to contact your dental insurance provider to determine what portion of the cost may be covered by your dental benefits. Additionally, Coast Dental Largo offers partnerships with third-party financiers that could help make the cost of dental implants more manageable within your family budget.
To find out if dental implants are the right choice for you, the initial step is to schedule a consultation. If you are missing one or more teeth, please call our dentist in Largo at (727) 535-9993 today.
