DENTAL IMPLANTS IN LAKE MARY, FL
Dental Implants To Permanently Treat Tooth Loss
Loss of permanent teeth can be a truly debilitating experience. Not only does losing teeth make it harder to eat, speak, and smile, it promotes the development of other oral health related issues such as resorption, bad breath, indigestion, and gum disease.
Dentures and bridges offer some relief, but don’t provide bone stability or long-term protection from the related issues that come with tooth loss. That’s why, at Lake Mary Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, Dr. Bonn offers patients dental implants for a permanent, healthy smile.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are permanent restorations which look and function like natural teeth. Dental implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, several missing teeth, or an entire set with the help of an implant-supported denture.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants consist of two main parts: the biocompatible titanium implant, which replaces the root of the tooth and serves as the foundation, and the restoration, which replaces the missing tooth or teeth. Dental implants fuse to your jawbone in a process called osseointegration, meaning they won’t shift or fall out like other tooth replacement treatments.
The Drawbacks of Dentures And Bridges
Dental patients looking for relief from tooth loss may be tempted by faster, more affordable treatment options like dentures or bridges. Unfortunately, these are often short-term solutions at best and can sometimes create or exacerbate oral health issues. Some of the drawbacks of dentures and bridges include:
- Instability – Traditional, removable dentures are retained by a suction effect between the gum tissue and the denture. This effect is not completely secure and relying on it can lead to your dentures slipping or even falling out. Adhesives in the form of powders and pastes can be used to strengthen this bond, but available denture adhesives can be foul-tasting. Denture adhesive also needs to be thoroughly cleaned off, or the buildup can attract bacteria, causing bad breath and infection.
- Resorption – Because dentures rest on top of your gums and don’t provide stimulation to the jawbone, resorption, or loss of jawbone density can occur. This results in compromised retention and a poorer fit. Bone loss can be quite dramatic in those who have worn dentures for many years. Bridges are a more secure option because they rely on adjacent teeth for support. However, like dentures, bridges don’t stimulate the jawbone and can’t prevent resorption.
- Damages Healthy Enamel – Installing a bridge requires a small amount of enamel be removed from the adjacent teeth to make room for the bridge attachment. This compromises the structure of healthy teeth, making them more susceptible to decay and infection.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are the best available tooth loss treatment option for a number of reasons, such as:
- Durability
- Stability
- Last a lifetime with proper care
- Functionality
- Indistinguishable from your natural teeth
- Prevents infection and disease by sealing wounds
- Provides a stronger bite for better digestion
- Prevents resorption
- Better at preserving the shape of your face
- Promotes jawbone density growth
The Dental Implant Process
Consultation
Before you can receive your implants, you’ll need a consultation with Dr. Bonn so he can examine your mouth, review your oral history, and discuss your smile goals with you to determine whether or not you’re an ideal candidate for dental implant surgery.
Depending on your oral health situation, Dr. Bonn may recommend supplemental procedures in order to improve your chances of successfully integrating dental implants.
Supplemental Procedures
- Sinus Lift Augmentation – When upper back teeth are lost, the sinuses can enlarge. This usually makes it impossible to install a dental implant, because sinuses are air-filled cavities and dental implants need to be surrounded by bone to succeed.Sinus lift augmentation restores the sinus cavity to its original size and replaces the bone that has been lost as a result of the enlarged sinus. This new bone graft typically takes six to eight months to heal before the dental implants can be placed into the grafted bone.
- Autogenous Bone Grafting – When a future implant site lacks the required bone density, bone grafting can make the site more suitable for an implant. Bone grafting involves transplanting bone tissue from another part of your mouth, such as your chin or the back of your jaw, to the implant site.
- Soft Tissue Grafting – Lack of gum tissue also decreases a dental implants chances of success. Gum grafting, or soft tissue grafting, uses gum tissue from another part of your mouth, such as the roof of your mouth or an area where you have excess gum tissue, and covers the area where gum tissue is lacking.
- Implant Site Development – An infected or damaged tooth may also be surrounded by bone loss and need to be extracted to make way for an implant. During this extraction, bone grafting procedures can also be performed to prepare the site for an implant.
Dental Implant Surgery
Once all necessary supplemental procedures are complete and Dr. Bonn declares you a candidate for dental implant surgery, we’ll schedule your second appointment. Here’s what you can expect during your dental implant surgery:
First, we’ll apply a local anesthetic to ensure your experience is as pain-free and comfortable as possible. If you experience dental anxiety, ask us about sedation dentistry before your operation. After ensuring that your anesthetic is working, Dr. Bonn will make incisions in your gums. Your titanium implants will be inserted into these incisions.
The implants then need to bond to the bone through osseointegration before your third appointment can take place. This step typically takes three to six months, and Dr. Bonn will inspect your progress during this time to make sure everything is in order.
Restoration Placement
During your third appointment, Dr. Bonn will attach your restoration to your implants. This procedure may take as little as an hour. Finally, you’ll be able to walk out of our office with a permanently healthier, more complete smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
After implant surgery, wait until the anesthetic has worn off before you start eating again. Failure to wait can result in accidentally biting down too hard. This can damage your cheeks, lips, tongue, or new implants.
Dr. Bonn recommends eating soft foods after implant surgery such as:
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Jell-O
- Pasta
- Soft fruit
- Cooked vegetables
- Soup
- Smoothies
Avoid crunchy, chewy, spicy, or hard foods and drinks that are sugary, alcoholic, or hot for at least one week after surgery. If reintroduced to your diet too soon, these items can damage your implants, disrupt the healing process, and increase tooth sensitivity.
Good candidates for dental implants are adults who have lost one or more permanent teeth. Healthy gums and sufficient jawbone density are necessary for the procedure, but even patients who lack jawbone density and gum tissue may qualify with the help of supplemental procedures.
During your consultation, Dr. Bonn will review your medical history and discuss all of your options with you, so you can make an informed decision.
The cost of dental implants can vary based on factors such as the amount of implants you want, your oral health, and your insurance. Be sure to contact your insurance provider beforehand to learn what kind of coverage is offered for the procedure.
Lake Mary Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry also offers financing options to help make your dental implants more affordable.
We use local anesthetic to ensure your dental implant surgery is pain free. Mild pain or discomfort after the procedure is normal and usually goes away on its own within ten days. Post-operation soreness can usually be easily managed with over-the-counter medication.
If you experience pain or discomfort lasting more than ten days, call our office in Lake Mary, FL as soon as possible by dialing (407) 333-7393 and we’ll work with you to solve any issues with your dental implants.
You’ll care for your implants in much the same way you care for your natural teeth. Proper dental hygiene and regular dental exams will help ensure your dental implants last anywhere from twenty years to a lifetime.
Dr. Bonn recommends these tips to maintain your oral health and your dental implants:
- Brush twice a day for two minutes.
- Replace your toothbrush every three months or when the bristles fray.
- Floss at least once a day
- Rinse with mouthwash or water after meals
- Attend bi-annual dental appointments with Dr. Bonn so he can help you maintain your oral health, detect and diagnose any oral health issues, and ensure your implants are working properly
Choose Dr. Bonn for Experienced Dental implant Placement
Dental implant placement requires precision and skill. Dr. Bonn is a qualified expert in dental implant surgery and supplemental procedures.
Dental implants can truly make all the difference in your life, providing a new smile that can last a lifetime and bettering your oral health. To learn more about how Dr. Bonn can help restore your smile and your self-confidence call our office in Lake Mary, FL and schedule a consultation with Dr. Bonn. Dial (407) 333-7393 or fill out our online contact form and a team member will get back to you shortly.
Before and After
