Dental implants provide a replacement for teeth that are missing or need to be extracted. Of the options available for artificial teeth, dental implants are the latest technology and are considered to be the highest quality. 

If you’re considering getting one or more dental implants, you probably have some questions about them such as how they work and how long they last. Here’s the essential information about dental implants to help you make an informed decision. 

 

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth and root system. The dental implant itself is the root portion that is surgically placed in the jaw bone. It is a post made of titanium with threads like a screw to help it fuse with the bone and form a solid bond. Once it is bonded an abutment and crown can be added to complete the restoration. 

When multiple or all of the teeth need to be replaced, 4-6 dental implants can be placed in the jaw to provide support for an implant supported bridge or implant supported denture. Implant supported dentures stay in place more securely than traditional dentures that rely on suction and adhesives, making them more comfortable and functional. 

 

Average Lifespan of a Dental Implant 

A dental implant is expected to last 20 to 30 years or more. Once the process of osseointegration, or fusion with the bone, is complete a dental implant could last a lifetime. However, there are those instances where one may be lost prematurely. This is not a problem though. The area can be rebuilt with a bone graft and once healed, a new implant can be reimplanted and a new restoration fabricated. On the other hand, the prosthetic portion attached to the implant, the crown, bridge, or denture, may need to be replaced after about 10-15 years. Dental prosthetics are most often made of porcelain because it is strong and resembles natural tooth enamel. Although porcelain is durable, it can eventually wear down or become damaged over time. 

 

What Factors Affect the Lifespan of a Dental Implant?

How long a dental implants lasts depends on a number of factors: 

• Accurate placement. A key factor in the success of a dental implant is accurate placement. Guided placement technology makes it possible for dentists to place dental implants at the proper angle and depth for optimal support. 

• Jaw bone structure. Before a dental implant can be placed it is necessary to make sure there is sufficient bone structure in the jaw to support an implant. If the bone is not thick enough or strong enough, the dental implant may not last. 

• Oral hygiene. It is important to take good care of your teeth and gums. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day will help your dental implant last longer. 

• Smoking and tobacco use. One of the most common causes of dental implant failure is smoking and chewing tobacco. These habits restrict the blood vessels and irritate gum tissue, which can interfere with healing after implant placement. 

• Follow up care. After dental implant placement it is important to follow your dentist’s instructions for follow up care. You’ll need to be careful about what you eat and drink and take special care when brushing and flossing. You also need to go in for follow up appointments to monitor your healing progress. 

 

Where Should I Go For Dental Implants? 

Many dental practices offer dental implants, but South Florida Sedation Dentistry is dedicated to making your experience as comfortable and relaxing as possible. If you feel anxious or nervous about dental procedures, there are a variety of sedation options available to make your experience stress free. 

Call 561-967-2001 or contact us to learn more and schedule an appointment.

Dental implants are advanced medical devices that functionally replace missing teeth. Made of titanium and stainless steel with a ceramic dental crown, implants bond with the jawbone to provide lifelike, permanent tooth replacement. They will help to improve chewing, speaking, and eating, and they can significantly lift your self-esteem.

 

How Do Dental Implants Work?

Dental implants replace the root portion of the tooth. The titanium post screws into the jawbone, bonding with the bone through osseointegration. Osseointegration helps to protect the jaw against the deterioration that occurs with missing teeth.

An abutment attaches to the implant and is the junction between the implant and a crown or overdenture type of restoration. The crown is a lifelike replacement for the missing tooth. The crown itself may last about 10 to 15 years, while the dental implant may last a lifetime with proper care.

 

The Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants involve a multi-step procedure with a series of appointments. The entire process may take six months or more, depending on the complexity of the treatment.

Before you receive implants, you may need bone graft surgery. A bone graft is performed to rebuild lost bone. One important condition of an implants’ survival is being placed in an adequate bed of bone.

 

Types of Dental Implants

Dental implants are available in several forms:

Single-Tooth Implants

These are the most common implant type. Single-tooth implants are appropriate for patients with a small number of missing or damaged teeth. One post supports one tooth replacement. These implants are easy to care for using standard at-home techniques and seamlessly replace natural teeth.

Implant-Supported Bridges

Implant-supported bridges are more durable than the standard crown-supported type. Instead of attaching the artificial teeth to two crowns, the dentist permanently bonds them to sturdy implants.

Implant-Supported Dentures and Full Arch Replacements

Implants can replace a few teeth up to an entire arch. Full arch replacements can be removable or permanently fixed. They may rest on as few as four to six implants per arch. 

 

Benefits of Dental Implants

Eat Anything You Want

Dental implants allow you to eat freely. You will no longer have to avoid chewy, sticky, or hard foods. You will need to exercise caution with the crowns on your implants, but less than you would if you had standard dentures or bridges.

Preserve Tooth Spacing

If you have missing teeth, your remaining teeth may shift out of position. This movement can create problems with tooth alignment and crowding and reversing previous orthodontic work.

Prevent Jawbone Deterioration

Dental implants stimulate the jawbone and prevent it from deteriorating around missing teeth. This protection keeps you from developing the "sunken" look familiar to people with standard dentures.

Regain Your Bright Smile

With dental implants, you'll feel free to smile again. People who are missing teeth often only smile without showing their teeth or covering their mouths when they laugh. Implants can restore your self-confidence.

 

Call South Florida Sedation Dentistry

Dental implants may seem expensive compared to dentures, but their improved function and oral health benefits make them an excellent investment.

Call South Florida Sedation Dentistry at 561-967-2001 to inquire about dental implants and find out how they can change your life.

When one or more teeth are missing or can’t be saved, dental implants provide a replacement option. Rather than leaving a gap in your teeth or getting a dental bridge, a dental implant provides a solution that could last a lifetime. 

You have to understand that a dental implant is a support structure.  It is evalent to the root of a tooth.  Once the implant is placed in the bone and has integrated, then it will be able to support your desired choice as a restoration, be it a single crown, bridge or denture

If you’re thinking about tooth replacement and weighing the options, one factor in your decision may be the cost. How much do dental implants cost in South Florida? Here’s what you can expect. 

 

Average Cost of Dental Implants

The cost of dental implants varies greatly depending on a number of factors. On average you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000-$6,000 per implant. Where your individual estimate will fall within that range depends on the following. 

 

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Implants 

Rarely will any two people receive the same quote for dental implants because there are so many factors that play a part in the total cost. A cost estimate takes into account: 

• The number of implants. Each dental implant comes at an individual cost. There are some discounts for multiples, however you can expect that the more implants you need, the higher the overall cost will be. 

• The type of prosthetic. Whether you are getting a single implant to replace one tooth or multiple implants to support a bridge or dentures will affect the cost. The larger your prosthetic, the higher the cost will be. 

• Quality of the prosthetic. The quality of the material your prosthetic is made of and the way it is manufactured will affect the cost. The higher the quality, the higher the cost, but also the more natural it will look. 

• Preparatory procedures. Not everyone is immediately ready for a dental implant. If the bone in your jaw has weakened since your tooth has been missing, the bone may not be thick enough to support an implant. A bone graft procedure may need to be done first to prepare the bone, and this additional procedure will add to the total cost of your tooth replacement. 

• Cost of living in the area. Where your dentist’s office is located may affect the cost of dental implants. The cost of living in an area affects the cost of many things, including dental services. Larger cities tend to have a higher cost of living than small towns. 

• Location of the tooth being replaced. Replacing front teeth is more complex than back teeth because the implant must be more precisely placed. The quality of the prosthetic also needs to be higher in order to look natural in a highly visible part of the mouth. 

 

Are Dental Implants Worth the Cost? 

If you’re concerned about the cost, you may be wondering if dental implants are worth it. According to dentists and patients alike, dental implants are the highest quality tooth replacement option. According to the Institute of Health, it is the number one option for replacing a missing tooth. When compared to the alternatives, here’s how dental implants prevail: 

• Leaving an empty space in your mouth. You could leave an empty space in your mouth where a tooth used to be. However, your other teeth may shift out of position, causing orthodontic issues and gaps between your other teeth. The support structures for that tooth, including the jaw bone, will deteriorate and eventually resorb, or dissolve. Attempting to get a dental implant later on may require a bone graft. It is best to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant as soon as possible. 

• Replacing a single tooth with a bridge. A bridge is supported by crowns placed over the healthy teeth on each side of the gap. The enamel of your healthy teeth must be shaved down to make room for the crowns. Eventually the support teeth may become damaged due to the force of chewing on the prosthetic. But a dental implant restoration won’t damage your healthy teeth; in fact it won’t affect your other teeth at all, other than to keep them in position. A dental implant is surgically placed in the jaw bone, providing support for the jaw and preventing it from weakening. 

• Getting traditional dentures. Implant supported dentures are more secure than traditional dentures because they are anchored securely to the jaw. There are no adhesives required and no risk of the dentures slipping out of place. In addition to those benefits, implants over dentures preserve the bone of your jaws. Preventing resorption and the need to constantly reline and adjust an ill fitting denture.

 

South Florida Sedation Dentistry Provides Dental Implants Procedures

Dental implants are worth the cost due to their many benefits. In most cases a dental implant can be placed with just local anesthesia. If you feel nervous or anxious about dental procedures, sedation options are available to provide relaxation assistance. We specialize in sedation dentistry, helping patients feel more relaxed for stress-free dental care. 

To learn more, call 561-967-2001 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.