Whether you have already gone through tooth loss or are planning ahead, our team at Implant and Comprehensive Dentistry in Champions Gate, FL is ready to help. Options used to be quite limited when it came to replacing teeth, but now dental implants are considered an excellent way to replace the functionality of your missing teeth.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Benefits for the Long Run
Dental implants are composed of a biocompatible metal rod and an artificial tooth that tops it. The rod is what anchors the artificial tooth securely in place, and with proper care, the metal portion of the implant is designed to last a lifetime. The artificial crown resting on top of the implant can last quite a long time as well. Some patients find that they need to replace the crown after about 10 years, while others can go longer.
If you have questions about your timeline and what you can expect, we would be happy to give you a more personalized estimate during your consultation. We will be able to examine your mouth, talk through your needs and goals, and help you set up the right treatment plan for your needs.
Good Candidates
These long-lasting implants can be a great fit for many people. Most patients who seek out implants want to preserve the health of their jaw, avoid bridges, or don’t want to limit their diet. There are many benefits to seeking out dental implants, but to be sure it’s a good fit for you, we’ll want to meet with you in person and go over your health and your needs.
A good candidate will have enough jawbone material to anchor the implants into. We’ll also want to make sure the jawbone has had time to fully develop. Before considering implants, we will check over the health of your gums and make sure they’re in good shape before we begin treatment.
How Do Dental Implants Function?
Root Replacement
The most important function of an implant is to replace the role of your missing tooth’s root. Teeth are anchored to the jawbone with roots, which not only serve to keep teeth in place but also help prevent jawbone deterioration. When a tooth goes missing, and its root system is gone, the jawbone may begin to degrade in that area.
Jawbone deterioration can lead to more tooth loss and vice versa. This can contribute to a domino effect of dental issues. Not only can jawbone loss weaken the roots of healthy teeth, but healthy teeth also tend to “migrate” toward empty slots left behind by missing teeth. An implant can help avoid all of these issues by replacing the function of the roots.
The Process
The implant rod is usually made of titanium. This material tends to be readily accepted by the body, as it is considered biocompatible. It also is unique in its ability to bond with bone, which helps the jawbone bind to the rod. This way, the rod and the jawbone can be strengthened by each other.
Once the fusion between the rod and jawbone is complete, it will be time to top the rod with an artificial tooth. If multiple or all of the patient’s teeth are being replaced, dentures may be secured to the rods instead of individual replacement teeth. No matter your needs, we can go through your options and help you find your perfect fit.
What Benefits Can I Expect?
Fewer Wrinkles
Many people may not know about the connection between tooth loss and wrinkles. It has to do with the bones of your face. Since tooth loss can lead to bone loss in the face, that can make the facial skin looser than it was before.
This extra skin tends to sag and exaggerates wrinkles. It may also make the lips appear thinner. Since implants help protect the bone structure of the jaw, this treatment can prevent negative changes to the face.
Protect Your Teeth
When you lose one or more teeth, there are several replacement options. Unfortunately, some of these options involve altering your healthy teeth. For instance, while fixed bridges can be useful and a good fit for some patients, they do require permanently modifying healthy teeth so they can support the bridge. Implants do not require making any changes to your healthy teeth.
Avoid Prostheses
Some patients find removable prosthetics like dentures too uncomfortable. Whether they don’t like how the dentures feel directly against their gums or don’t like the texture of denture cream, implants can help patients avoid these discomforts.
Denture Support
On the other hand, some patients don’t mind dentures but still want to avoid jaw deterioration. In that case, implants can be used to protect your jaw and support your dentures simultaneously. This has the additional benefit of allowing patients to avoid annoying adhesives and food limitations.
In addition, implants can help your dentures last longer, as changes to the jaw bone can make more frequent denture replacements necessary.
Natural Look
Implants can help artificial teeth and dentures look, feel, and function more naturally. With everything firmly set in place, you don’t have to be on edge waiting for your dentures to fall out or dread the taste and texture of leaky denture adhesive. Implants can help our patients smile with confidence, eat without worry, and laugh freely.
Regular Diet
Traditional dentures require some sacrifices when it comes to diet. Chewy foods, tough meat, nuts, and hard fruits or vegetables may all have to be cut out of the diet or altered to make them easier to chew. When your dentures or artificial teeth are secured with dental implants, it allows you to eat all your favorite foods.
Digestive Health
Since implants allow you to eat a wider range of food, it can be easier to meet your nutritional needs. They can also make chewing easier, which can help with digestion. For patients who have food allergies or health issues like IBS, cutting out the staples of their diet can be very distressing. Implants can help you avoid limiting your diet any more than you already have to.
Easier Speech
Some patients have a difficult time adjusting to speech while wearing traditional dentures. Even as they adapt to the dentures, they may worry that the way they talk has changed due to being nervous about the dentures falling out. Implants function as closely as possible to your natural teeth, which can help preserve your natural and comfortable speech patterns.
Oral Health
Implants are easy to maintain since you can brush them right along with your natural teeth. In the case of implant-supported dentures, you can still remove the dentures as normal and clean them without any added hassle. Making dental hygiene easy can help patients stay on top of their oral health.
What Can You Expect From Us?
Quality Work
The treatment itself is considered very effective, and many see it as the gold standard of tooth replacement. In addition, our team is dedicated to your success. We will be here to answer your questions from the first consultation all the way through your treatment process.
Streamlined Process
We offer implant placement and restoration in the same convenient location. We can help you through every step of the process as we place your implant, create a customized crown, and place the crown for you. This helps save you time and effort since you don’t have to worry about bouncing around from place to place.
Precise Equipment
We use cutting-edge imaging equipment, so we can locate the strongest and best placement for your implants. Everything is able to be personalized for your needs, and we will use comprehensive 3D digital cameras and extensive experience to help deliver the best results possible. This same technology can also help us make sure you’re a good candidate for treatment.
Comfortable Environment
Our whole team strives to create an environment that is welcoming and soothing. That said, we know dental treatments can be very anxiety-inducing for many people. It’s important that you feel comfortable enough to seek out the treatments you need or want. We have minimal oral sedation therapy available for those who would find it helpful.
Ready for Quality Dental Care?
We have the experience, tools, and knowledge to help you make an informed decision. We welcome you to contact us at Implant and Comprehensive Dentistry in Champions Gate, FL, today and set up a meeting. Our state-of-the-art dental practice is ready to help you achieve the healthy and appealing smile of your dreams.