Dental Implants
Many individuals reach out to Coast Dental Metro West inquiring whether dental implants are an effective remedy for missing teeth or to stabilize dentures. Dental implants offer a durable, long-term solution that enables you to eat, speak, and smile confidently for many years.
A dental implant consists of a titanium post designed like a tiny screw. This post is inserted by the dentist or a specialist into the jawbone beneath your gums. Over time, the jawbone grows around the implant, forming a solid foundation for a crown, bridge, or fixed denture. One of the most compelling benefits of dental implants is their high success rate, documented at over 95%, markedly surpassing that of 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
Think of a dental implant as a reliable new foundation for a missing tooth, seamlessly integrating with your jawbone to anchor a strong, stain-resistant artificial tooth or crown. This crown is carefully made to match the color of your natural teeth. While the upfront cost of a dental implant may exceed those of alternative tooth replacement options, its long-term benefits are incomparable, with a notable success rate. Plus, an implant is impervious to decay, eliminates the need for root canals, and offers a feel almost identical to your natural teeth.
Multiple Tooth Replacement
When managing multiple missing teeth, it’s not always required to place an individual implant for each missing tooth. Dental implants can act as strong foundations for fixed bridges. For instance, if there’s a gap caused by three consecutive missing teeth, installing just two implants—one at each end of the gap—may suffice to securely support a bridge that spans the gap. This approach reduces the need to replace each tooth separately. Unlike traditional methods that rely on adjacent natural teeth for support—potentially leading to wear and increasing the risk of decay and root canals—dental implants offer a standalone support system that reduces these risks.
Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures
Implants serve as a sturdy foundation for custom-made dentures, designed for long-lasting and stable use in either the upper or lower jaw. Often, only four implants are needed to support an entire arch of prosthetic teeth. In cases of significant jawbone loss, additional implants might be necessary to securely uphold a set of 10 to 12 teeth. These durable, implant-supported dentures are essential for maintaining the integrity of the jawbone and are crafted to potentially last a lifetime.
Implant-Supported Removable Dentures
If your upper or lower dentures are loose due to tooth loss, switching to implant-supported dentures can greatly improve their stability. This enhancement significantly increases the comfort and confidence you experience while eating and talking. Traditional dentures fail to compensate for the loss of natural tooth roots, 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 may occur, often giving a more aged appearance due to the reduction in jawbone mass. Dentures secured by implants distribute biting forces more evenly, aiding in the preservation of bone ridge height. They offer enhanced stability, minimizing movement of the lower dentures during speech and potentially eliminating the need for denture adhesives.
What Do Dental Implants Cost?
When considering the longevity of the solution, dental implants can be seen as a cost-efficient choice for your health, comfort, and overall well-being. Although the initial outlay for implants is higher than other tooth replacement options like dentures or bridges, they tend to last much longer; indeed, most implants may never require replacement.
It’s advisable to consult your dental insurance provider to understand how much of the cost might be covered by your dental plan. Additionally, Coast Dental Metro West offers financing options through partnerships with third-party lenders, which can help incorporate the expense of dental implants into your family’s budget.
The initial step is to arrange a consultation to determine whether a dental implant is the best solution for you. If you are dealing with the loss of one or more teeth, please contact our dentist in Orlando at (407) 293-8324 to schedule an appointment today.
