Dental Implants at Seminole Premier Dental
Hi, I'm Dr. Mertens here at Seminole Premier Dental. We receive quite a few questions about dental implants, and I'm here to answer some of those questions.
Dr. Louisa Mertens
Replacing Teeth with Dental Implants
Dental implants remain today's most patient-trusted tooth-replacement option with millions of Americans currently enjoying the benefits of dental implants. Dental implants are a time-tested tooth replacement method that make it easier for patients suffering from missing teeth or decaying jawbone material to replace these teeth as well as protect the health of their jawbone, all while having a beautiful and natural-looking smile!
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is essentially a screw that gets placed into your bone, followed by a healing period. It takes about 3 to 4 months for the bone to integrate. Afterward, you will receive a crown on top of it, which replaces a missing tooth without needing any work on the adjacent teeth.
Dental implants are made of two main parts – one part is a titanium implant which is placed in the jawbone itself, and the other part is the porcelain crown which is placed on top of the implant. The implant takes the place of the existing tooth root, while the crown serves as the top portion of the tooth that is visible. Dental implants can be made to be permanent, or also removable in the form of removable dentures. Dental implant candidates are ideally patients already in strong oral health who happen to be missing teeth through accidents or dental emergencies.
Why get a dental implant?
Dental implants are recommended for tooth loss. If you are missing a tooth, your other teeth will start shifting if you don't replace it. In such cases, I recommend a dental implant. One of the advantages is that it replaces your missing teeth without requiring any work on your adjacent teeth.
Tooth Replacement Options with Dental Implants
One main benefit of dental implants are in their versatility and their ability to help replace single missing teeth or several missing teeth. If a patient simply has one tooth missing, a single dental implant and crown is all that's needed to replace this single missing tooth. For patients who are missing several missing teeth, dentures or bridgework may be utilized to help patients best replace these several missing teeth. Especially for patients who are missing many missing teeth that are located next to each other, dental bridges may be the ideal solution here as to replace these teeth with the minimal number of dental implants. For patients missing all teeth, an entire row of dentures supported by dental implants can be leveraged to replace all of these missing teeth with one treatment plan.
Advantages of Dental Implants
While some patients may opt for traditional dentures or bridgework, not all patients are able to benefit from these treatments the same as others – some patients may actually require dental implants, for example, because of deteriorating jawbone structure that is need of support that dental implants are able to offer far more effectively than traditional bridges or dentures. Dental implants also better resemble natural teeth in their look and feel. Dental implants can also last far longer than bridges and dentures when properly maintained!
Usually, a dental implant lasts around 25 years. With regular cleanings, it can last even longer.
What is the process for getting a dental implant?
The first step is to call our office to set up a comprehensive exam, which includes taking X-rays, performing a scan, and possibly doing a cleaning if you're due for one. We will discuss the costs of getting the implant done. Once you agree on the pricing, we will schedule the surgery. The procedure takes about 1 to 2 hours to place the implants. Then there is a healing period of about 3 to 4 months. If there are any postoperative concerns, you can call us so we can assess it. After those four months, if everything has healed perfectly, we will schedule the appointment to get the crown done, which takes about 2 weeks to come back, and then you're all set.
What is the process of placing a dental implant?
If we're placing an implant because you need a tooth removed, we first extract the tooth. If the bone is adequate, we place the implant the same day by drilling the screw into the site of the removed tooth. Then we suture everything up, and you heal for 3 to 4 months. If you've had a missing tooth in the past, we place the implant in a similar manner, without removing a tooth, and then you heal for 3 to 4 months.
When is bone grafting required?
Bone grafting is required when there isn't enough bone to support the implant. For example, if you've had a tooth removed in the past, a bone graft is often placed. Sometimes, the bone isn't dense enough for the implant to properly integrate. In such cases, a bone graft is necessary. Another reason is when extracting a tooth and placing the implant simultaneously. Often, the roots of the tooth are larger than the implant. In these cases, a bone graft ensures the implant can integrate into the bone.
How long does it take to recover from placing a dental implant?
Recovery typically takes a couple of days. Some patients experience sensitivity for about a week, but otherwise, you shouldn't feel the dental implant anymore as the gum will heal over it.
Can dental implants get cavities?
No, dental implants cannot get cavities. However, it's still important to see your dentist for regular maintenance cleanings because bacteria can accumulate on the implant. While you won't get a cavity, bone movement around the implant can occur otherwise.
Caring for Implants After Care
Caring for dental implants is as simple as brushing and flossing as you would normally, and then also visiting your dentist for routine dental checkups and visits. The more comprehensive your care is for your implants, the longer they will last!
Our team at Seminole Premier Dental is able to offer patients a full range of implant-related services, including:
- Sinus Lifts Augmentation: Sinus lifts may be necessary for patients whose sinuses are inconveniently placed as far as implant placement goes. These cases are when a patient does not have sufficient bone where their dental implants will be placed, which is problematic as implants require solid bone to be able to be placed correctly. Bone grafts through sinus lifts typically take many months to a year to heal fully, which is then when patients will be able to have their implants placed.
- Bone Grafting: Some patients, as mentioned above, may not have the sufficient bone material needed to have dental implants placed safely, which are cases where bone grafting comes into play. Bone grafting allows our team to take bone from another part of a patient's body, usually the chin or other area of the mouth or jaw, and place it in an area of the mouth that requires additional support needed for dental implants.
- Implant Site Preparation: When teeth require removal due to infection, bone loss typically goes along with this infection resulting in deteriorated jawbone material. In these cases, there may not be enough bone material present to place dental implants, and bone grafting may be used in order to strengthen these implant sites and allow patients to move forward with implant dentistry.
- Appliance Maintenance: After dental implants have been placed, maintaining them is key to ensuring a long-lasting smile. Remember to brush and floss regularly after receiving implants, as well as visiting your dentist for routine visits to ensure that your implants maintain their strength and function.
How to schedule an appointment?
Want to learn more? Call Seminole Premier Dental at (727) 732-2633 or email [email protected]. Our team is happy to answer your questions and help schedule your visit.