Dental Implants
Many individuals contact Coast Dental New Tampa inquiring whether dental implants are an effective way to replace missing teeth or secure dentures firmly in place. Recognized for their durability and longevity, dental implants provide a reliable foundation that enhances your ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently for many years.
A dental implant consists of a titanium post designed to resemble a small screw. This post is implanted into the jawbone beneath your gums by a dentist or specialist. Over time, the jawbone fuses with the implant, forming a strong anchor for a crown, bridge, or fixed denture. With a success rate exceeding 95%, dental implants are a top-performing solution for tooth replacement, outperforming other alternatives.
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
Think of a dental implant as a reliable new foundation for a missing tooth. It integrates seamlessly with your jawbone, serving as support for a durable, stain-resistant artificial tooth or crown, 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 outstanding success rate. Moreover, an implant is impervious to decay, eliminates the need for root canals, and offers a feel almost identical to that of your real teeth.
Multiple Tooth Replacement
For multiple missing teeth, it’s not always required to place a separate implant for each missing tooth. Dental implants can act as strong supports for fixed bridges. For instance, if there’s a gap caused by three missing teeth in a row, installing just two implants – one on each end of the gap – could suffice to securely support a bridge that spans the gap. This approach reduces the need to replace each tooth individually. In contrast to traditional methods that rely on neighboring natural teeth for support, which can lead to wear and an increased risk of decay and root canals, dental implants offer an independent support system that lowers these risks.
Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures
Implants serve as a solid foundation for custom-made dentures, designed for prolonged and secure use in either the upper or lower jaw. Often, only four implants are needed to underpin an entire arch of prosthetic teeth. However, in cases where there is significant loss of jawbone, additional implants might be necessary to reliably support a set of 10 to 12 teeth. These durable, implant-supported dentures are crucial in maintaining the integrity of the jawbone and are crafted to potentially endure a lifetime.
Implant-Supported Removable Dentures
Transitioning to implant-supported dentures can greatly improve the fit of your upper or lower dentures if they’re loose from tooth loss, enhancing your comfort and confidence while eating and speaking. Traditional dentures can’t prevent jawbone deterioration that stems from missing tooth roots, possibly altering your facial structure and making you appear older. Implant-anchored dentures better distribute biting forces, helping to preserve the bone structure. They also offer enhanced stability, minimizing lower denture movement when you talk, and can significantly cut down or even eliminate the use of denture adhesives.
What Do Dental Implants Cost?
Dental implants can be an economical choice when considering their long-term benefits to your health, comfort, and overall quality of life. While the initial cost is higher than dentures or bridges, dental implants are built to last and often don’t require replacement, making them a worthwhile investment.
It’s advisable to speak with your dental insurance provider to understand what costs your plan may cover. Additionally, Coast Dental New Tampa offers third-party financing options that can help make the expense of dental implants more manageable for your household budget.
The first step towards this investment is to schedule a consultation to determine if dental implants are suitable for you. If you’re missing teeth and want to explore your options, you can reach out to our dentist in Tampa at (813) 972-1201 to set up an appointment.
