Dental Implants
Many individuals contact Coast Dental Town N Country inquiring whether dental implants are an effective option for replacing missing teeth or securing dentures. Dental implants offer a durable and long-term solution, enhancing your ability to eat, speak, and smile with assurance for many years.
A dental implant is essentially a titanium screw that is inserted into the jawbone beneath your gums by a dentist or specialist. Over time, your bone integrates with the implant, providing a solid foundation for a crown, bridge, or permanent denture. Importantly, dental implants boast a success rate exceeding 95%, making them a more reliable choice compared to other tooth-replacement methods.
How Dental Implants Work
At our Coast Dental office in Tampa, we can use dental implants to replace missing teeth in several ways.
Single Tooth Replacement
Picture a dental implant as a robust, fresh foundation for an absent tooth. It fuses flawlessly with your jawbone, acting as the anchor for a strong, stain-resistant fake tooth or crown that is meticulously crafted to blend with the shades of your current teeth. Although dental implants come at a higher initial expense compared to other tooth replacement methods, their enduring advantages are impressive, underscored by an exceptional success rate. Moreover, an implant is resistant to decay, negates the necessity for root canals, and delivers a sensation remarkably similar to your real teeth.
Multiple Tooth Replacement
In scenarios where multiple teeth are missing, it’s not always necessary to place an individual implant for each absent tooth. Dental implants can serve as strong supports for fixed bridges. For example, if you’re missing three consecutive teeth, it might only be necessary to insert two implants, one at each end of the missing section, to securely anchor a bridge covering the gap. This strategy lessens the need for replacing each tooth separately. Unlike traditional methods, which depend on adjacent natural teeth for support—potentially causing them to wear down and increasing the risk of decay and the need for root canals—dental implants provide independent support and alleviate these issues.
Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures
Implants offer a robust foundation for custom-fitted dentures, guaranteeing a solid and secure attachment for both upper and lower jaws. Typically, only four implants are necessary to securely uphold a complete set of prosthetic teeth. However, in cases of significant jawbone loss, additional implants may be required to adequately support a denture of 10 to 12 teeth. These durable, implant-supported dentures are crucial in maintaining the health of the jawbone and are designed to last a lifetime. Furthermore, they help preserve the natural shape of the face, preventing the sunken appearance often associated with tooth loss.
Implant-Supported Removable Dentures
Dental implants offer a dependable way to secure a full denture, replicating a whole row of artificial teeth. Typically, a dentist or specialist places four implant posts that act as a sturdy base for the denture to attach firmly. These implant-supported dentures remain stable in the mouth, avoiding the common issues of movement or slippage associated with traditional dentures. The improved stability not only boosts comfort but also greatly enhances function during actions such as talking and eating. Moreover, the firm attachment provided by dental implants contributes to a more natural look and feel, increasing the confidence of the wearer.
What Do Dental Implants Cost?
When considering dental implants as an investment that benefits your health, comfort, and overall quality of life, they often present a cost-effective solution over the long term. While initial costs are higher for implants compared to other tooth replacement methods like dentures or bridgework, they typically have superior longevity; in fact, most dental implants don’t require replacement.
It’s advisable to check with your dental insurance provider to determine what part of the cost might be covered under your dental plan. Additionally, Coast Dental Town N Country offers partnerships with third-party financing services, which may help you integrate the expense of dental implants into your household budget.
The initial step is to set up a consultation to find out if a dental implant is the right choice for you. If you have one or more missing teeth, contact our dentist in Tampa by calling (813) 886-1800 today.
