Dental Implants

Dental Implants

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Damaged or loose teeth? Don’t let this affect your lifestyle. In fact, it is extremely common for our patients to have concerns about missing teeth.

Missing teeth can impact your life in more ways than you might think. Beyond the aesthetic concerns and what others may think of you, missing teeth can affect your ability to chew comfortably and speak clearly.

In some severe cases or in cases where multiple teeth are missing, foregoing a dental implant or any similar solution can even contribute to bone loss in the jaw.

At Elevate Smiles Dental in Tampa, FL, we proudly serve the local community with top-notch dental care services.

We understand the challenges of missing teeth, so we offer dental implants – a revolutionary solution for restoring a healthy and confident smile.

What Exactly are Dental Implants?

Perhaps they need no introduction, but dental implants aren’t always what you see in Hollywood movies. The dental profession has improved dramatically, and we have many different options available.

In general, dental implants are small, biocompatible titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone. These are complexly safe and act as artificial tooth roots, providing a strong and stable foundation for supporting restorations like crowns, bridges, or dentures.

You may think of dental implants as removable teeth that are placed in jars, or single replacements that are visible to the naked eye.

While these solutions still exist, traditional bridges or dentures rely on neighboring teeth for support.

In contrast, dental implants are self-supporting, offering a long-term and reliable solution for replacing missing teeth.

What are the Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants offer numerous advantages over traditional methods of replacing missing teeth:

• Similar Function: Worried about how implants act compared to your home-grown teeth? Implants function similarly to natural teeth, allowing you to chew and speak with confidence and comfort.
• Enhanced Appearance: Implants provide a natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing restoration, boosting your smile’s beauty and giving a discreet look that no one will notice, depending on the material used.
• Permanent and Durable: Dental implants are built to last and have an extremely high success rate when properly cared for. Don’t worry—we’ll provide you with aftercare instructions!
• Better Oral Health: Implants prevent bone loss in the jaw, which can occur with traditional dentures. This promotes long-term oral health and stability.
• Increased Confidence: A complete and beautiful smile can significantly boost your confidence and self-esteem, opening doors and opportunities in your day-to-day life.
• Renewed Speech: Missing teeth can impact your speech clarity. Implants help restore normal speech patterns and reduce common things such as lisps and lack of confidence in speaking.
• Enjoy Your Quality of Life: Enjoy the freedom to eat your favorite foods without limitations and smile confidently in all social situations.

How Do I Know Dental Implants Are Right For Me?

There are many situations where dental implants are right for you. The dental implants at Elevate Smiles Dental in Tampa, FL, offer numerous benefits, but they might not be suitable for everyone.

Here are some factors that determine whether you are a good fit for dental implants:

Good Overall Health

Generally, good overall health is essential for undergoing dental implant surgery. Recovery after implants is also important, so you must be willing to make a shift (at least temporarily) in certain lifestyle habits to reduce the chance of infection and inflammation.

Adequate Jawbone Density

Sufficient bone density in the jaw is necessary for successful implant placement. If bone loss is present, bone grafting procedures might be necessary beforehand. Our team of highly specialized dental care experts will walk you through this process.

Healthy Gums

Healthy gum tissue ensures optimal healing and long-term implant success. This is a job for both of us. Our team will help improve the health of your gums and will also coach you through proper lifestyle and dietary habits to improve or sustain gum health.

What Does Our Dental Implant Process Look Like?

The professional team atElevate Smiles Dental in Tampa, FL, takes a personalized approach to dental implant treatment, which ensures a smooth and comfortable experience throughout the process.

Although it is different depending on each situation, here’s what the process usually looks like:

• Consultation and Evaluation: After booking your initial consultation, our dentist will conduct a thorough examination, discuss your dental goals, and assess your suitability for dental implants. We might take X-rays and CT scans to evaluate jawbone health and plan implant placement.
• Treatment Planning: Once we are both 100% sure that we want to move forward to a chosen solution, we’ll develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan will outline the number and location of implants required, the type of restoration (crown, bridge, denture), and the timeline for the entire process. Everything will be planned and documented, and we will walk you through the process along the way.
• Implant Placement Surgery: At this point, we will schedule the implant placement surgery. Depending on the case and your comfort level, we will typically perform the surgery under local anesthesia or light sedation. Our experienced dentist will then expertly and meticulously place the implant(s) into your jawbone, making sure it is a tight fit. We will let you know an estimated timeline for recovery, including some things you can do to minimize pain and lifestyle habits to avoid or add to your schedule.
• Abutment Placement: After the site of the implant and its surrounding area have healed, we will place a small connector piece called an abutment that will be attached to the implant. This abutment serves as the foundation for the final restoration.
• Final Restoration: Once the abutment is placed, a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture will be securely attached, restoring your optimal function and aesthetics. We will make sure that your comfort is at the top of our minds and will provide you with instructions on how to make the recovery process easier. Other than that, you will enjoy your new teeth and the ability to confidently smile, chew, speak, and eat.

Modern Solutions for Moden Problems

We invest in cutting-edge technology to ensure the highest quality care for our patients. Moving forward in out commitment to our patients, we stay abreast of all new changes – both within or surrounding dentistry.

We use digital X-rays and CT scans wherever possible, both as a diagnostic tool and as a preventative tool. These advanced imaging tools provide detailed views of your jawbone and surrounding structures, allowing for precise 3D implant placement planning. It’s possible that we can provide you with a solution on the same day, depending on the situation.

Are other clinics giving you the run-around for things being made in the lab? Our computer aided design and imaging tool makes this a breeze. This technology allows for the creation of customized and highly accurate restorations for your dental implants.

In some cases, we might use surgical guides designed using 3D imaging. These guides enhance precision and accuracy during implant placement, potentially minimizing surgical time and discomfort. We rely both on our expertise, caring hand and our technology to give you the best results possible.

What are Some Common Dental Implant Solutions?

Now that you know about the tools, equipment, knowledge, and expertise that sets us apart, you may wonder what solutions exist.

We offer a variety of dental implant options to suit your specific needs and preferences.

Here are some of the services we have on offer related to dental implant solutions:

• Single Implants: A single implant replaces a single missing tooth. A crown is attached to the implant for a natural-looking and functional restoration, creating a barrier for plaque and infection.
• Implant-Supported Bridges: Have multiple missing teeth? There’s no need to worry any longer. Implant-supported bridges offer a stable and long-lasting solution for replacing multiple missing teeth in a row. We will strategically place multiple implants in the jawbone and then finish it with a custom-designed bridge that is securely attached, restoring both function and appearance.
• Implant-Overdentures: This option is ideal if you are missing all your teeth in a single arch (think upper or lower jaw). We’ll set up a strategic layout, and then a custom-made denture is designed to snap securely onto the implants. This provides superior stability and comfort compared to traditional dentures.
• All-on-Four Implants: We use this innovative technique as it only needs four strategically placed implants to support a full arch of fixed teeth (bridge). This approach can minimize the number of implants needed while achieving excellent long-term results – a win-win for both of us!
• Immediate Load Implants: In certain situations, with optimal jawbone health, it might be possible to place temporary crowns on the implants immediately after surgery. This allows you to experience the benefits of a restored smile with minimal disruption to your daily routine!

How Much Does it Cost to Invest in My Smile?

The cost of dental implants can vary depending on several factors, including:

• The number and location of implants needed
• The type of restoration (crown, bridge, denture)
• The complexity of the surgical procedure
• The geographic location of the dental practice

While the initial cost of dental implants might seem higher than traditional options, it’s important to consider the long-term benefits and lifetime value of the solution.

Dental implants are a durable and reliable solution that can last a lifetime with proper care, saving you money and future pain and time spent on replacements and repairs in the future.

We understand that dental implant treatment can be an investment. That’s why we offer flexible financing options to help make this life-changing treatment accessible.

Our team will work with you to develop a personalized payment plan that fits your budget. We will review any benefits and insurance options to make sure that we can easily make this an affordable option for you, allowing you to focus on what’s most important: your health.

Caring for Your Dental Implants

Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for the long-term success of your dental implants. This means regular brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleanings to prevent peri-implantitis, an infection around the implant.

but don’t fret, our team will provide you with specific instructions on caring for your implants and maintaining optimal oral health.

Additional Considerations

Here are some final things to consider when contacting our clinic:

• Safety and Biocompatibility: We use only high-quality and biocompatible dental implants for optimal safety and long-term success.
• Minimally Invasive Techniques: Our dental care team is trained in minimally invasive techniques so that we can minimize discomfort and promote speedy recovery times.
• Patient Comfort: We always put your comfort first throughout the entire process. We offer various options for anesthesia and sedation to ensure a relaxed and comfortable experience that eases anxiety and fear around dental procedures.
• Long-Term Support: We are committed to your long-term dental health. We’ll provide ongoing support and guidance to ensure the success of your dental implants for years to come.

Your Local Quality Dental Care Professionals

Dental implants can be a difficult topic that you don’t think about. During the hustle and bustle of everyday life, this may be left on the back burner. Caring for your oral health isn’t just about looking your best but also improving your overall health.

Leaving damaged, infected or missing teeth for too long can spread infections and cause more severe complications in your life. We are here to help.

During your next appointment with the experienced team at Elevate Smiles Dental in Tampa, FL, you can be sure that you and your loved ones receive the best possible care and guidance that you deserve.