Dental Implants
Many individuals reach out to Coast Dental East Colonial inquiring whether dental implants would serve as an effective replacement for missing teeth or to secure dentures firmly. Dental implants provide a durable and long-term option, allowing individuals to 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 jawbone beneath the gums. Over time, the bone fuses with the dental implant, establishing a robust foundation for a crown, bridge, or fixed denture. Impressively, dental implants boast a documented success rate exceeding 95%, making them a more reliable choice than many other tooth replacement methods.
How Dental Implants Work
At our Coast Dental office in Orlando, we can use dental implants to replace missing teeth in several ways.
Single Tooth Replacement
Facing a missing tooth, a dental implant can serve as a replacement for the root by being embedded into the jawbone. A strong, stain-resistant artificial crown, matched to the color of your natural teeth, will then be attached. Although the initial expense of a dental implant might be more than other tooth replacement methods, it’s often considered the best investment for the long haul due to its distinguished success rate. Additionally, an implant is immune to decay, eliminates the potential need for future root canals, and provides a feel almost indistinguishable from a real tooth.
Multiple Tooth Replacement
When you have multiple missing teeth, it’s not always essential to replace each one with its own implant. Dental implants can act as strong foundations for fixed bridges. For instance, a space left by three consecutive missing teeth might only need two implants, placed at either end of the gap, to hold a bridge that covers the entire area. This strategy reduces the necessity for an implant per missing tooth. Traditional methods, which rely on surrounding natural teeth for support, can compromise those teeth, increasing their vulnerability to decay and possibly necessitating future root canal procedures. In contrast, dental implants offer an independent support system, mitigating these risks.
Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures
Implants offer a solid foundation for a complete set of prosthetic teeth for either the upper or lower jaw, designed to be permanently fixed and not removable. Usually, just four implants can securely support a whole arch of prosthetic teeth. In situations involving extensive loss of jawbone, additional implants might be necessary to firmly anchor a set comprising 10 to 12 teeth. These permanent, implant-supported dental prosthetics are crucial in maintaining the integrity of the jawbone’s structure and have the durability to possibly last a lifetime for the patient.
Implant-Supported Removable Dentures
If you find that your dentures for either the upper or lower jaw aren’t fitting as snugly as they once did due to tooth loss, opting for implants can markedly enhance how your dentures fit, boosting both your comfort and confidence while eating and speaking. Unlike traditional dentures that fail to replace the tooth roots, implants play a key role in preventing the jawbone’s deterioration—a typical consequence of tooth loss that leads to the shrinking of bone ridges crucial for denture stability. This reduction in bone can also impact your facial structure, leading to a more hollowed look and contributing to a more aged appearance as the jawbone shrinks. By anchoring dentures with implants, the forces exerted during chewing are distributed more uniformly, aiding in the preservation of bone ridge height. This additional stability also lowers the chances of the lower denture dislodging during tongue movements. Moreover, using implants to secure dentures can significantly lessen, or completely remove, the need for denture adhesives.
What Do Dental Implants Cost?
Viewing dental implants as a long-term investment, they are frequently seen as a cost-effective choice for your overall health, comfort, and quality of life. While the initial cost of implants is higher compared to other tooth replacement options like dentures or bridges, implants tend to have a longer lifespan; in fact, the majority may never require replacement.
It’s advisable to consult your dental insurance provider to determine the extent of coverage your plan offers for implants. Additionally, Coast Dental East Colonial partners with third-party financiers, which could assist you in fitting the cost of dental implants into your household budget.
The initial step is to arrange a consultation to evaluate whether dental implants are suitable for your situation. If you’re missing one or more teeth, you should contact our Orlando dentist at (407) 228-0132 today to set up an appointment.
