Dental Implants
Many individuals contact Coast Dental Ocala North inquiring whether dental implants could effectively replace missing teeth or stabilize a denture. Dental implants offer a durable and long-term solution that ensures you can eat, speak, and smile with assurance for many years.
A dental implant consists of a titanium post, resembling a tiny screw, which the dentist or a specialist embeds into the bone beneath your gums. Over time, the bone integrates with the dental implant, forming a solid foundation for a crown, bridge, or fixed denture. Remarkably, dental implants boast a success rate of over 95%, making them a more reliable option than other tooth-replacement methods.
How Dental Implants Work
At our Coast Dental office in Ocala, we can use dental implants to replace missing teeth in several ways.
Single Tooth Replacement
Envision a dental implant as a dependable new base for a missing tooth. It fuses perfectly with your jawbone, offering a foundation for a hard-wearing, stain-defying artificial tooth or crown, meticulously crafted to blend in with the hue of your natural teeth. Although the initial investment for a dental implant might exceed that of other tooth replacement alternatives, the enduring advantages are unrivaled, underscored by an exceptional success rate. What’s more, an implant is immune to decay, negates the requirement for root canals, and provides a sensation nearly indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Multiple Tooth Replacement
When dealing with multiple missing teeth, it’s not always necessary to place an individual implant for each one. Dental implants can serve as robust supports for fixed bridges. For example, if there is a gap from three consecutive missing teeth, installing just two implants—one at each end of the gap—may be enough to securely support a bridge that covers the space. This method minimizes the need for individual tooth replacements. Unlike traditional approaches that depend on adjacent natural teeth for support, potentially causing wear and increasing the risks of decay and root canals, dental implants provide an independent support system that reduces these risks.
Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures
Implants provide a sturdy base for tailor-made dentures, intended for extended and steady usage in the upper or lower jaw. Typically, just four implants can support an entire arch of prosthetic teeth. However, if there is notable jawbone loss, more implants may be required to dependably uphold a set of 10 to 12 teeth. These resilient, implant-supported dentures play a key role in preserving jawbone integrity and are designed to possibly last a lifetime.
Implant-Supported Removable Dentures
Dental implants are capable of supporting a full denture, which represents a whole line of replacement teeth. Usually, the dentist or specialist installs four dental implant posts to which the denture is then attached. These implant-supported dentures remain stable within the mouth, avoiding the flapping or slipping common with regular dentures. This stability makes speaking and eating more effortless.
What Do Dental Implants Cost?
Dental implants are often seen as a cost-effective choice when considered a long-term investment in your health, comfort, and overall well-being. While initially more pricey than other tooth replacement options such as dentures or bridges, dental implants tend to last much longer and are likely to never need replacement.
We advise you to contact your dental insurance provider to find out what part of the cost may be covered under your dental benefits. Additionally, Coast Dental Ocala North offers third-party financing options that may help make the cost of dental implants more manageable within your family budget.
To determine if a dental implant is the right choice for you, we recommend scheduling a consultation. If you are missing one or more teeth, call our Ocala dentist today at (352) 732-4847.
