Dental Implants – Wesley Chapel, FL
Lifelike, Long-Lasting New Teeth
When you’re unable to keep all of your natural teeth, having dental implants placed can be the next best thing. While there are other ways to fill in the gaps in your smile (such as traditional bridges and dentures), dental implants are the only option that can restore the entire structure of your missing teeth – including the roots. As a result, not only do they feel natural, but they also offer various, unique benefits. To find out if dental implants in Wesley Chapel are right for you, call today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ali.
Why Choose Kaizen Family Dentistry for Dental Implants?
- Dental Implants Placed In-House
- Dentist That Cares About the Patient’s Experience
- Saturday Appointments Available
What Are Dental Implants?
When your dentist recommends dental implants, they refer to screwlike posts that are designed to be placed in the jaw at precisely chosen angles. The number of dental implants you receive will depend on how many teeth need to be replaced. Over time, a natural process called osseointegration will allow your dental implants to fuse with the jawbone, giving them chewing power and stability that is unmatched by more traditional forms of tooth replacement.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process typically takes several months and consists of the following four steps:
- Consultation: At the initial dental implant consultation, our team will go over your medical history to confirm whether dental implants are a good choice for you. Sometimes, we might find that certain preparatory procedures are needed before we can continue with the dental implant process.
- Dental Implant Surgery: The implant posts will be surgically placed in your jawbone. Once the surgery is done, each post will receive a protective cap.
- Osseointegration/Abutment: It normally takes about three to six months for osseointegration to finish. Once it does, abutments, which are small connector pieces, can be attached to your implants.
- Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations: The final restoration for your dental implants will be designed based on an impression of your mouth. Your new teeth will be secured to the implant posts via the abutments.
Benefits of Dental Implants
If you’re comparing tooth replacement options, you may find yourself asking, “What benefits will I be able to enjoy if I choose dental implants?” Here are a few of the most notable advantages:
- You’ll be able to eat a wider variety of foods.
- Your new teeth won’t slip, which can help your overall confidence.
- You can give your implants the same kind of care as your natural teeth (i.e., brushing twice a day and flossing daily).
- Dental implants are the only kind of tooth replacement that can prevent bone loss in your jaw.
- With the right care, dental implant posts can last for decades.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
To be considered a dental implant candidate, you need to be missing at least one tooth. Also, you must have good overall oral health (meaning no cavities or gum disease), and there needs to be enough bone in your jaw to support the implant posts. At your initial consultation, we can confirm whether dental implants are the best choice for your mouth. We’ll also explain what you can expect from the process based on the number of teeth you’ve lost.
Missing One Tooth
One dental implant post can be placed in the socket where a missing tooth used to be. Eventually, the post will be restored with a customized dental crown. Not only will the crown be shaded to match the color of your other teeth, but it will also reflect light the same way real enamel does, which will help the final results look as natural as possible.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If you have lost three or more teeth in a row, you might be eligible for a dental bridge supported by two implant posts. Traditional bridges can only be placed after a certain amount of enamel has been removed from your natural teeth; this isn’t necessary with an implant bridge, making it a good choice for people who want to save as much of their natural dental structure as possible.
Missing All of Your Teeth
Dental implants are very versatile; they can even be used to replace an entire arch of teeth that has been lost. Full dentures can be secured to four to eight implant posts inserted at strategic points in your jawbone. Implant dentures can be fixed in place, but in some cases, they can also be removable.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
No two patients have the same dental implant treatment plan, and as such, there is no set cost for the implant process. An estimate will be provided at your initial consultation after we have considered several factors, such as the number of teeth that need to be replaced. Bear in mind that in the long term, dental implants often prove more cost-effective than other tooth replacement options since they tend to last much longer.