Implants

Patients can enjoy a more comfortable and functional bite after losing teeth with dental implants. Implants act as artificial roots to anchor permanent teeth replacements. If you are missing one or more teeth or need to have one extracted, dental replacements can be a great option to restore your smile.

Dental implants can be beneficial for people who want a tooth replacement option that closely imitates natural teeth. They can be a very effective long-term solution for missing teeth. Dental implants are available at Fort Lauderdale Dental Studio in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area. Call our team at (954) 462-5252 to learn more about this service and set up an appointment.

The Dental Implant Process

Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots to support new replacement teeth. During the procedure, an incision is made in the patient’s gum to expose the bone where the implant will be placed. We will then insert the implant and suture the gum around the implant post. In some cases, a temporary denture is used instead of replacement teeth.

Following the surgery, the bone needs to heal around the dental implant. This process can take several weeks or months. Once it is sufficiently strong, a dentist can fit the permanent replacement teeth. According to the Mayo Clinic, some extra steps may be necessary. For patients with weak jawbones, a bone graft may be needed to ensure sufficient strength. After the bone has healed, an abutment connects a crown or dentures to the dental implant.

How To Care for Dental Implants

Caring for dental implants is very similar to caring for natural teeth, especially if the replacement teeth are permanent. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash is necessary for maintaining proper oral hygiene with implants. Getting regular checkups and teeth cleanings at the dentist are important for taking care of replacement teeth.

Dental implants may require extra cleaning to keep them in optimal condition. Removable, implant-supported dentures should be taken out at night and soaked in a denture solution. Patients can also use an oral irrigator to help clean below and around the dental implants.

What To Expect After the Procedure

Following the procedure, it is common to have swelling and discomfort around the implantation site. Some patients may experience minor bleeding and bruising of the skin and gums in the treatment area. These side effects can be managed with pain medication and antibiotics if necessary. Patients can expect such side effects to subside after a few days.

After receiving dental implants, it is best to stick to eating soft foods while the bone heals. Most dental implant procedures use dissolvable stitches, so patients will not have to come back to get them removed. These stitches will usually fall out within seven to 10 days. Following the aftercare instructions and advice will help the healing process.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants can be a good choice for many patients with missing teeth. Dental implants allow new teeth to feel, look, and function naturally. Here are some key benefits of dental implants:

• Comfortable: Dental implants act as tooth roots and stay firmly in place. This firm foundation makes them more comfortable than dentures and other replacement tooth options. Many patients report that implants feel similar to their natural teeth.
• Functional: The stability of implants makes them effective for eating, talking, and cleaning. They function similarly to the teeth they are replacing. Less permanent options may interfere more with daily life.
• Permanent: Dental implants are one of the most permanent tooth replacement options. They can last a lifetime with good care. Additionally, fixed replacement teeth on implants do not need to be removed every day for cleaning.
• Natural-looking: Implant-supported replacement teeth look like natural teeth. The visible part of the dental implant is a cosmetic crown made from a composite material that is color-matched to the patient’s tooth enamel. It can be hard to tell the difference. Many patients enjoy dental implants’ aesthetic appeal, as others cannot tell the difference between the replacement and natural teeth.

Questions Answered on This Page

Q. What happens during the dental implant process?

Q. How to take care of dental implants?

Q. What happens after the dental implant procedure?

Q. What are the benefits of dental implants?

People Also Ask

Q. What can I expect the day of the implant procedure?

Q. What does the implant recovery process look like?

Q. How does the bone grafting procedure work?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I know if I am a candidate for dental implants?

A. According to WebMD, most healthy people are good candidates for dental implants. However, weak or unsubstantial jawbone mass may limit whether a patient can receive implants. Restorative procedures like bone grafting can overcome this issue in some cases. A dentist can determine whether a patient is a candidate during an exam and consultation.

Q. What is the success rate of dental implants?

A. According to the Cleveland Clinic, dental implants have a success rate of up to 97%. Furthermore, they can last a lifetime with proper care. Dental implants are one of the most permanent solutions for missing teeth.

Q. How much do dental implants cost?

A. The cost of dental implants will vary depending on the patient’s needs, bone quantity, and the treatment area. Dental implants may qualify for some insurance coverage, but situations will vary. People interested in receiving this procedure should contact their insurance provider and receive a consultation to learn more about the cost.

Q. Are dental implants removable?

A. The dental implant is permanent. The replacement teeth that sit on them can be fixed or removable. Fixed dentures are the preferred option for many patients due to their stability and comfort.

Q. Do I need full dentures to get implants?

A. No, implants may support one or more replacement teeth. Some patients receive partial dentures with multiple teeth, while others receive a full arch of teeth. Dental implants are a flexible solution for each patient’s needs.

Dental Implant Terminology

Call Us To Learn More About Dental Implants

Dental implants closely imitate the form and function of natural teeth. If you are missing teeth, this may be the solution for you. Call (954) 462-5252 to set up an appointment at Fort Lauderdale Dental Studio and learn more about this procedure.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a titanium screw that is placed in your jawbone to replace a root of a missing tooth. This screw has a special design at the top of it that allows us to attach different things to it and among those things is a prosthetic tooth.

When would a dentist recommend a dental implant?

The conditions that will cause a dentist to recommend a dental implant are basically when the tooth can no longer be restored. That could be because of large decay or because a restoration that the tooth had before failed. Another reason why we would recommend implants is when the patient has a terminal dentition, and this is when the remaining teeth are not in a good healthy state and those have to come out. In those cases, we would place implants across the jawbone and restore the function with either a fixed or a removable dental restoration.

What are the advantages of dental implants?

The advantage of dental implants is that they help the patient maintain the masticatory function. They help maintain the bone. Also, they are able to substitute a single tooth without having to modify neighboring teeth and they can also help you substitute all of your teeth if you have terminal dentition. Another advantage is that they have been thoroughly researched since 1965.

What is the process for getting a dental implant?

The process for you to get a dental implant is as follows. We first need to have a diagnostic and data gathering appointment. At that appointment, we will go over your medical history and also find out what medications you are taking. There are certain medications that will interfere with bone metabolism and that may interfere with the ability of your body to accept the implant. So it's very important that you disclose to your dentist all the medications that you are taking. At that appointment, we will also be taking a CT scan of your jawbone to identify anatomical structures that may have to be avoided and to virtually place an implant, figuring out the exact position that the implant has to go in so that we can have a very good looking and functioning restoration on top of it.

What are the steps in placing a dental implant?

The steps in placing a dental implant are the following, and this is more from a standpoint of replacing a single tooth. For example, you are about to lose one tooth and we want to replace it with a dental implant. Your tooth needs to come out, so you come in for an appointment where we extract that tooth. At that same appointment, you may have to get what we call a bone graft. A bone graft is basically placing bone inside of the extraction socket. That then needs to heal, usually about four months or more. After you heal, we give you an appointment where we numb the area and place a dental implant. The dental implant needs to heal for about three months. After three months, you come back, we uncover the top part of the implant, and we place something that we call a healing cap or healing abutment. The healing cap or healing abutment is what's going to start shaping and forming the gums around the implant so that when you receive your final restoration, the restoration looks natural and looks like it's coming out from your gums. That healing abutment stays there for about a month. After a month, you come back again, and we take a digital scan of your implant and fabricate your prosthetic tooth. When your prosthetic tooth is ready, we give you an appointment where we remove the healing cap or healing abutment, and then your prosthetic tooth goes in and off you go to enjoy your new tooth.

When is a bone graft needed?

A bone graft will be needed when we need to extract the tooth to be able to place a dental implant. So the tooth comes out, now we have a hole in the jawbone, so we need to place bone inside so that the bone heals quicker and it heals denser, like it needs to heal stronger and dense to be able to receive a dental implant screw.

What are the options for implant-supported prostheses?

When choosing an implant-supported prosthesis, you have two options. You have a fixed option, which is a denture that you cannot remove yourself—the dentist has to do it to clean it once a year. Then you have a removable option that you can remove at home so you can take it out and put it in.

What are the pros and cons of the fixed option?

The pros of the fixed option are that usually the material that the teeth are made of is more durable. Also, it is fixed, so if the patient is coming from a situation where they were wearing a non-implant supported denture, they might want to have that security that the denture is not going to come out or move when they talk or eat. The cons are that it is more expensive, harder to clean at home, the upfront cost is more, and the maintenance is more money. Usually, you have to go to a dentist once a year where they remove the denture, clean it for you, and remove all the stuff that you couldn't remove throughout the whole year at home.

What are the pros and cons of the removable option?

The pros of the removable denture are that they are easier to clean. If the patient lives in an assisted living facility, the aide can remove it, clean it, and put it back in the patient. The cons are that the teeth material is not as durable, so once every five or seven years, you may have to replace the teeth but not the denture itself.

What is the recovery time after a dental implant procedure?

Let's first define what recovery time is. Recovery means the amount of time it would take for you to be completely asymptomatic after a dental implant procedure. If you're getting a single implant placed, that amount of time would be around 10 days. If you're getting multiple implants placed to get an implant-supported denture, for example, that may be more like four weeks.

How long do dental implants last?

It is a tricky question to answer. I've had patients who have had implants for 25 plus years. It will depend on the patient's hygiene, overall health, the medications they are currently on, the implant design, the restoration design, and the implant placement. There are too many variables. The general consensus is that implants have a 90 to 98 percent survival rate after 10 years, depending on the study you are looking at.

Can dental implants get cavities?

No, dental implants cannot get cavities.

What is the cost for dental implants?

The cost for dental implants can be anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000 for a single tooth, and that would also depend on the location of the implant. Usually, implants on the front teeth are more expensive. The cost for implant dentures is variable and varies widely. Usually, dental offices work with financing institutions that help the patients afford these treatments, and they usually offer interest-free options or deferred interest options.

Does dental insurance cover dental implants?

I would say that it's a 50-50 chance. Some dental insurances have what they call a missing tooth clause. That means that they will not cover or replace a tooth that you lost prior to purchasing that insurance policy, which is the way they are.

If you have any additional questions or if you're ready to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at (954) 462-5252. We are here to help.

Helpful Related Links

• American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2022
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2022
• WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2022