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Dental implants are durable, long-lasting solutions to replace one or more missing teeth. In addition to functioning like a natural tooth, dental implants provide a beautiful, natural-looking appearance. If you are ready to replace lost teeth, strengthen your bite and improve your confidence in social and professional interactions, The Smile Centre can help.
To discuss your dental implant options with one of our experienced dentists, please complete the form on this page or call today to schedule a free initial consultation. If you live in the Sarasota area of Florida, contact our Palm Aire location online or at 941-351-4468. If you live in or around Florida, please contact us online. We welcome patients from Sarasota, Bradenton and neighboring Florida communities.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that provides a secure base for a replacement tooth. Because they feel and function just like natural teeth, dental implants are an ideal solution for patients seeking a beautiful, strong and long-term tooth-replacement option.
Dental implants feel completely comfortable and secure. They comprise a medical-grade titanium post that fuses naturally with your jaw bone over time. This creates a strong and reliable anchor for your custom-crafted artificial tooth or teeth, and eliminates the risk of slippage or other movement that can occur with other tooth replacement options.
Dental implants are also convenient because you can care for them as you would your natural teeth and you don’t have to give up any of the foods you love.
Traditional dental implants typically consist of three elements:
Dental implants are incredibly durable and long-lasting tooth-replacement options. When properly placed, dental implants:
If you are missing teeth, you may be a good candidate for dental implants. A comprehensive examination by one of our experienced dentists is necessary to determine your candidacy for the procedure. Generally, a good candidate for dental implants has:
This list is only a general guideline and not a substitute for meeting personally with one of our implant dentists. If you have unhealthy gums or inadequate bone tissue, you are not necessarily prohibited from receiving dental implants, but you will need to undergo corrective treatment for these issues before continuing with teeth implants.
During your initial consultation, our dentist will evaluate your condition, determine your candidacy and explain all of your treatment options.
Dental implants replace the roots of missing teeth. Once the jaw has accepted them, they will not come loose or fall out under normal circumstances.
Issues like trauma or advanced gum disease (periodontitis) can affect the longevity and security of dental implants. However, with proper care – and barring injury – dental implants should provide a lifetime of support.
Caring for dental implants is easy: brush at least twice a day (preferably after each meal) and floss at least once (preferably twice – and always before you brush) to keep your teeth and gums clean.
Visit our Sarasota office twice a year for examinations and professional cleanings as well. These allow us to remove bacteria from deep along the gum line and to check on the integrity of your implants.
Implants can take four to six months to integrate into the jaw. Once integrated, the abutment and prosthesis can be placed. From start to finish, the dental implant process may take six to seven months.
However, that entire time is not spent in active recovery. Most people can resume work within three to four days. Some tenderness and swelling are expected, but these things should subside on their own. Regular activities, even demanding ones like heavy lifting and exercise, can be resumed within seven days of placement.
Dental implants are placed under local anesthetic. Therefore, you should not experience any discomfort. However, if you are nervous about dental implant placement, we can discuss our office’s safe and effective sedation options during your initial consultation.
Most people report pain levels between two and three (out of ten) during the first few days of dental implant recovery. Over-the-counter medications are typically enough to address the issue. Tenderness and swelling should subside within three to four days, so long as proper care is taken after implants are placed.
There are different dental implant options. These include:
The best type of dental implant for your needs depends on factors such as how much bone is present in the jaw, how long teeth have been missing, how many teeth are being replaced, and other unique considerations. During your initial consultation, we will carefully evaluate your teeth and gums to help you determine which implant option will best meet your needs.
Osseointegration is the process by which your dental implants become a steadfast addition to your smile. During the osseointegration process, connective tissues and osteoblasts (cells that secrete the matrix for bone formation) attach to the surface of the implant, firmly securing it into your jawbone. This eliminates the risk of your implant post falling out or coming loose.
Osseointegration is complete once your dental implant is secured into your jawbone firmly enough to prevent it from moving. It is at this point where the implant process can continue with the placement of an abutment and crown or other prosthesis to return strength and beauty to your smile.
The osseointegration process can take up to six months, although this can vary from patient to patient. Many patients are able to get temporary restorations placed in a few weeks, once the initial healing process allows it. However, it’s important to remember that every patient heals differently. When developing your customized dental implant treatment plan, our implant dentist will thoroughly explain what to expect during recovery and provide a timeline to help you plan accordingly.
When replacing one or more teeth with dental implants, our dentist will surgically place a small titanium post under your gums and anchor it into your jawbone. If you lack adequate bone density, your jawbone may no longer be thick enough to support an implant. There are a number of reasons for a loss of bone density, including:
A bone graft is a surgical procedure that can increase the strength and density of your jawbone so that it can securely hold a titanium post in place. These procedures can be performed using your own bone or processed bone.
During your dental implant consultation, a complete evaluation of your oral structure will be performed to determine if a bone graft is necessary before continuing with the dental implant process.
The amount of time it will take to complete your dental implant process varies based on a number of factors, including the number of implants being placed and whether you need gum or bone treatment prior to surgery. Although every situation is different, the dental implant process often follows this general timeline:
Before your dental implant surgery, you will complete an initial evaluation with one of our experienced dentists. During this examination, we will assess your oral condition, determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants, answer your questions and discuss any alternative options that may be appropriate. Once you agree to move forward with dental implant surgery, a customized treatment plan will be designed specifically for you.
In some cases, preparatory procedures are required before you can receive implants. If you suffer from gum disease, periodontal treatment will be necessary prior to your implant procedure. If your tooth loss has caused jawbone recession, you will require a bone graft. This can hold up your dental implant surgery for several months or even a year, depending on your unique situation.
If no preparatory work is needed, your implant surgery may be scheduled soon after your initial exam. Generally speaking, surgery for a single implant lasts about an hour, but results vary from patient to patient. The amount of time your surgery will last will vary, based on the number and type of implants you are receiving.
Although every patient heals differently, it usually takes about four to six months for your gums and bone to seal around the titanium post in the osseointegration process. Follow-up visits may be scheduled during this time to ensure the process is going smoothly.
Once your implant fuses to your jawbone through osseointegration, the abutment may be placed. In some cases, the connective device is placed during the initial implant surgery, eliminating the need for a separate abutment procedure. However, since the abutment can be seen when your mouth is open, many patients prefer to have this device attached in later procedures.
Your gums will need a few weeks to heal after the abutment is placed. More impressions of your mouth will be made once your gums heal, and your custom, realistic-looking artificial tooth will be crafted.
Once your crown or other prosthesis has been completed, it will be secured in place. Two follow-up appointments are recommended the first year, and continuing visits will be discussed with your dentist.
If you need to replace a full arch of missing teeth, we may recommend All-on-Four dental implants. The procedure is a good option for patients who are seeking a permanent solution to missing teeth, but do not have sufficient bone volume for other procedures.
As the name may imply, the All-on-Four procedure utilizes just four dental implants to support an entire set of replacement teeth. What existing bone structure you do have is maximized by placing the rearmost implants at an angle. This helps to achieve successful results even in the absence of sufficient bone structure, often without the need for bone grafts.
While offering some benefits, traditional dentures do come with certain limitations; they can shift in your mouth, agitate your gums and prohibit you from enjoying all of the foods you love. Implant-supported dentures, on the other hand, offer a level of functionality, comfort and stability that conventional dentures simply cannot.
While just one tooth implant typically supports a single crown, multiple implants can support a complete denture prosthesis and restore a naturally beautiful and fully functioning smile.
Implant-supported dentures provide several benefits over traditional alternatives, including:
While implant-supported dentures offer a variety of benefits, they are not necessarily the best solution for every patient. During your initial consultation at The Smile Centre, your candidacy for dental implants will be determined and all of your treatment options will be carefully explained.
When a tooth is lost, particularly a back tooth, you may not feel the need to immediately replace it, since no one can see the gap and you still have plenty of existing teeth. However, once a tooth is lost, more bone loss is occurring under the surface of your gums. Each of your teeth is surrounded and supported by an alveolar bone. When teeth are missing, that bone basically melts away in a process called resorption. Within the first year of tooth loss, you may lose up 25% of your bone density around that particular area. It only worsens from there. For this reason, many people who have lost teeth have an apparent “caved-in” appearance to their mouths.
In addition to harming the immediate area, a missing tooth also affects your remaining teeth. Teeth contribute greatly to your facial structure, and their absence can cause other teeth to shift and create bite problems and aesthetic issues. Tooth loss can also affect jaw joints, muscles and other structures of the face.
The comfort, safety and satisfaction of our patients are our top priorities. At The Smile Centre, our experienced dental team takes the time to listen to you and understand your concerns. We strive to provide you with an unparalleled level of quality and patient care.
Led by our founder, Dr. Richard Stanley, The Smile Centre specializes in multidisciplinary dentistry. This means that between the clinical expertise of our team and the state-of-the-art surgical centers at each of our three locations, there is no need for you and your family to go anywhere else for your dental needs.
In addition to ensuring excellence in our services and results, The Smile Centre is passionate about providing positive patient experiences; this includes a friendly and attentive staff, a compassionate and honest chair-side manner, and sedation options to help you feel comfortable and at-ease.
The cost of dental implants varies depending on a number of factors, including the implant type as well as the number of implants needed. We proudly offer a number of payment and financing options to help you get the appropriate dental care you seek. During your consultation, you will be provided with an approximate estimate for your procedure, and our staff will explain all of your payment and financing options.
There are a number of reasons why you should replace your missing teeth with dental implants. Both your oral health and general health will benefit from a strong, healthy bite. Dental implants can improve your self-confidence and keep your gums, teeth and jaw healthy for years to come.
If you are interested in replacing one or more teeth, call The Smile Centre today to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our experienced dental implant dentists. If you live in the Sarasota area of Florida, contact our Palm Aire location online or at 941-351-4468. If you live in or around Florida, please contact us online. We serve Sarasota, Bradenton and nearby areas in Florida.
