Guide to Dental Implants: Process, Benefits & What to Expect

When you're missing one, several, most, or all of your teeth, an incomplete smile can negatively impact your quality of life. It can make it difficult to enjoy all of your favorite foods and speak naturally, it can harm your oral health, and it can change your appearance. At Deliz Dental Studio, we're proud to provide comprehensive restorative dental care, including dental implant treatments, to help our patients restore the form, function, and beauty of their smiles. 

If you're considering smile restoration treatment with dental implants, we encourage you to continue reading to learn more about why dental implants are such a popular treatment option and what the dental implant treatment process entails. 

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a tooth-replacement treatment option that is designed to mimic a natural tooth. Dental implants consist of three basic components, including:

• Implant Anchor - The implant anchor is a screw-like dental prosthetic made of biocompatible metal. This prosthetic is inserted directly into the jawbone to act as artificial "roots" for a replacement tooth. 
• Implant Abutment - The abutment is also made of biocompatible metal. It attaches to the dental implant and is designed to support a dental restoration. 
• Dental Restoration - The only visible portion of a dental implant, the permanent restoration is designed to look like a natural tooth (or teeth). These are usually made of durable, tooth-colored porcelain to achieve a highly natural appearance.

The Benefits of Dental Implants: Why Choose Dental Implants for Your Dental Restoration?

Dental implants have become the most popular option for replacing missing teeth because they offer several benefits and advantages over alternative treatments.

Restorative treatments with dental implants offer several benefits, such as:

• Versatile Treatment Option - Dental implants can be used to support dental crowns, bridges, or dentures, so they can be used to replace individual, several, or all of a patient's missing teeth. 
• Lifelong Tooth Replacement - With proper care and good oral health habits, dental implants are designed to last a lifetime. 
• Natural Aesthetics - Dental implants provide a natural look that will blend in seamlessly with remaining natural teeth and complement our patients' features. 
• Natural and Secure Feel - Since they are designed to mimic a natural tooth's root system, dental implants are the most natural and secure-feeling tooth-replacement treatment option. 
• Natural Function - Dental implants work and feel just like natural teeth, so you can confidently bite into anything — even caramel apples — without worrying about your replacement teeth. 
• Preserves Your Facial Features - Dental implants are the only tooth-replacement treatment option that provides stimulation to the jawbone. Without this stimulation, the jawbone slowly deteriorates over time, changing a person's bone structure and facial features. Dental implants prevent jawbone deterioration. 
• Promotes Ongoing Oral Health - By preserving the jawbone and preventing natural teeth from drifting out of alignment, dental implants help to support the ongoing health of remaining natural teeth. 
• No Need for Dental Adhesives - Unlike traditional dentures, dental restorations that are supported by dental implants don't require any sticky dental adhesives, and they will never slip or move around in your mouth. 
• Easy Care and Maintenance - Implant-supported restorations are easy to care for. Patients can simply continue practicing good oral hygiene habits at home (brushing and flossing regularly) and visiting the dentist regularly to prevent periodontal disease (gum disease) and maintain their oral health. Sometimes, we also recommend that patients use a water flosser to ensure optimal cleaning around their dental implants and restorations. 

Treatment Expectations: The Dental Implant Procedure From Consultation to Completion

Getting dental implants can be a fairly complex and lengthy process, depending on the patient's individual treatment needs. During the process, each patient will undergo a few separate dental implant procedures.

Comfort Dentistry

In addition to achieving positive treatment outcomes, ensuring patient comfort and providing a pleasant treatment experience are top priorities. Dental implant treatments are always performed with the use of local anesthesia to ensure patients experience no pain or discomfort during their procedures. Additionally, we can provide patients with oral sedation to minimize anxiety, while helping patients stay comfortable and relaxed before and during their treatments. 

Consultation and Treatment Planning

Treatment begins with an examination, diagnostic images, consultation, and treatment plan design. During this initial appointment, our dentist talks with you about your concerns and treatment goals in addition to evaluating your oral health, oral anatomy, and medical history to determine if dental implants are the right treatment for you. 

Treatment Preparation

Depending on a patient's individual needs, some preparatory dental procedures might be required to prepare the patient for their restorative treatments. This might include extracting one or more teeth or performing bone grafting procedures (ridge augmentation or sinus lift) if a patient's jawbone has deteriorated or is not very robust. 

These treatments are typically followed by a period of healing and bone generation that can last a few months. We will schedule a follow-up appointment to evaluate healing and bone generation to determine when the patient will be ready to receive their dental implant(s). 

Dental Implant Placement

Implant placement is an oral surgical procedure that involves making a small incision in the gum tissues and implanting a dental implant anchor into the jawbone. 

Another period of healing follows this initial procedure. During this time, the implant anchor fuses with the jawbone (osseointegration), creating a secure bond and stable foundation to support a replacement tooth. 

Implant Abutment Placement

Once healed, we perform another quick procedure to place an abutment on the dental implant. The abutment is designed to attach to the implant and support the final restoration. This typically involves making another incision in the gum tissues and another healing period. 

Permanent Restoration Attachment

Once the gum tissues have healed around the dental implant abutment, we complete treatment by attaching the permanent dental restoration (dental crown, dental bridge, or implant-supported denture). The permanent restoration is the only visible portion of the dental implant and is designed to look and function just like a natural tooth or teeth. 

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

Dental implants are the most popular smile restoration treatment option. However, they are not right for everyone.

To be a candidate for dental implants, patients must be healthy enough to undergo dental implant surgery and any necessary preparatory dental procedures. Additionally, they must have generally good oral health and no existing periodontal disease. Patients must also be willing to abstain from tobacco and alcohol use during their treatment and recovery period, and refrain from tobacco use to protect the ongoing integrity of their dental implants. 

With an examination and consultation, our dentist can help you determine if you're a good candidate for tooth replacement with dental implants. 

Dental Implant Treatment Alternatives

If dental implants aren't right for you, you aren't out of options. There are plenty of alternative treatments for replacing missing teeth, such as a variety of dental bridges (i.e., Maryland bonded, traditional, or cantilever) and traditional, full or partial dentures. 

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

The cost of treatment with dental implants can vary significantly depending on several factors, such as:

• Additional procedures and preparation work
• The type of dental implant and materials being used
• The location of the dental implant(s)
• The number of teeth being replaced
• The type of permanent restoration being used

On average, dental implants range from about $3,000 to $6,000 per tooth in Florida. The average cost of a full-mouth restoration with dental implants often ranges between about $20,000 and $50,000, again depending on the exact type of treatments being administered. 

Once we have completed a consultation and examination, our dental office will provide you with a variety of treatment options and estimated costs. We will be sure to answer all of your questions regarding these options and help you determine the best overall option for achieving your oral health goals within your budget. 

Insurance Coverage, Medicare, and Payment Options

One of the most frequently asked questions about dental implants is whether or not insurance and Medicare provide coverage for treatment. The answer to this question is, "It depends."

• Dental Insurance - Insurance coverage for dental implants can vary significantly. Some dental insurance policies include coverage for smile restoration with dental implants, and others do not. The level of coverage provided usually depends on the type of policy you have and whether the dental implants are considered medically necessary. 
• Medicare - Typically, Medicare Parts A and B do not cover the cost of treatment with dental implants. Medicare Part C, however, sometimes does offer some coverage for dental implants. 

If your insurance does not include coverage, but you're still wondering how to get dental implants, we encourage you to speak with our office team. We offer a variety of payment and financing options because insurance companies shouldn't be the deciding factor in determining what type of treatment is best for you. If you are concerned about the cost of your proposed treatment plan, please speak with our office team about your dental care budget so we have the opportunity to work with you to find a plan that fits your needs. 

Smile Confidently and Comfortably for Life: Dental Implants in Valrico, FL

If you're missing one or more teeth, our experienced dentist can help you restore your oral health, smile, and confidence with an implant-supported dental restoration. To learn more about dental implants and the treatment process or to request a consultation with Dr. Deliz, we welcome you to contact Deliz Dental Studio today.