Dental Implants

Do you want to replace your missing tooth or teeth immediately?

Are you tired of wearing a loose fitting and uncomfortable denture?

Is daily cleaning under your bridge inconvenient?

Consider dental implants. Smile, speak and eat comfortably!

Dental implants give you a second chance at having permanent fully functional teeth and enjoying life to its fullest. They are designed to look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth. Patients regain the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that their teeth appear natural and that their lip contours will be preserved or restored.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are tiny titanium posts surgically inserted into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These posts heal into the jawbone and act as solid anchors to which esthetic artificial teeth can be securely and permanently attached. Moreover, bone loss in areas of missing teeth can affect your facial contours. Dental Implants anchor your jawbone and prevent this bone loss to maintain a youthful facial appearance.

The Surgical Procedure

For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums and gradually bond with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. At the same time, your dentist is fabricating new replacement teeth.

After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the patient returns to our office for a brief 5 minute procedure. Your oral surgeon will uncover the implant and attach a small post which will anchor your new and esthetic artificial tooth. The entire treatment period usually takes six to eight months. Dental implants placements of proper length and width can restore functionality and the esthetic appearance of your smile. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.

Dental implants offer patients a long-term tooth replacement option that restores the appearance and function of natural teeth. We want our implant patients to be well informed about their options and the implant procedures before they decide whether this tooth replacement choice is right for them. Below, Dr. Achong provide answers to some of the most common questions about dental implants.

What are the main benefits of dental implants?

Dental implants offer patients who are missing teeth a stable, reliable, and realistic replacement option. Patients who receive dental implants can smile with confidence and eat their favorite foods without worry. More importantly, dental implants halt the bone loss associated with missing teeth and wearing removable dentures.

Who is a candidate for implant dentistry?

Almost anyone who is missing teeth is a good candidate for implant dentistry. You must have a sufficient amount of healthy bone in the jaw to support the implant. As with many types of medical procedures, certain health concerns will prohibit people from receiving dental implants. Please schedule an implant dentistry consultation at our practice serving Brentwood and all of Tennessee to determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.

I’ve been told I don’t have enough bone for dental implants. Is there anything you can do?

Yes. In most cases, even severe bone loss can be helped by a bone grafting procedure. This simple in-office procedure ensures that there is enough healthy bone for the successful integration of the implant post into the jaw, creating a strong foundation for the replacement tooth. Gradual bone loss is common among denture wearers, and many experience difficulty stabilizing their lower denture over time, which can lead to chewing, speaking, eating, and even digestion problems. But with modern bone grafting techniques, we can often return the jaw to normal function and place implants to stabilize a denture.

What are dental implants made of?

Dental implant posts are made from titanium, a metal that is also used for joint replacements. Since titanium is biocompatible, the jaw bone grows around the dental implant post, ensuring a firm and stable foundation for a replacement tooth.

How long does the implant dentistry procedure take?

The length of the implant dentistry procedure varies based on the type of treatment required. In most cases, a two-to-four month healing period is needed to allow the jaw bone to integrate with implant post. However, we are sometimes able to deliver fully functioning replacement teeth in a single office visit.

Do I have to go without my dentures during my treatment?

No. It is possible to wear your dentures immediately after the dental implant procedure depending on your treatment.

How much does the implant dentistry procedure cost?

The cost of dental implants is based on several factors:

The amount of bone present
The number of dental implants required
The type of replacement tooth or prosthesis chosen

Does insurance cover this procedure?

Coverage for implant dentistry in Florida varies depending on the insurance company and type of coverage. Some medical and dental insurance plans do cover part of the cost for dental implant treatment. At the Oral-Facial Surgical Arts, we are very familiar with insurance coverage issues regarding dental implant treatment.

Is financing available for dental implants?

Yes! We offer third party financing options such as Care Credit and the Citi Health Card. Interest free and long-term financing is available to help you achieve the full benefits of dental implant treatment.

Case 1

Before
Patient is unhappy with a bridge that spans the entire upper jaw. The patient is missing most of her teeth on the upper jaw and only six teeth is holding the bridge within her mouth.Note:

Uneven heights of the upper teeth
The black lines or spaces at the margins of each crown
The appearance of the teeth which look like “chiclets”.

After
Extensive bone grafting of the upper jaw and dental implant rehabilitation was performed. Note the esthetic shape of the teeth and the even gingival line.

Case 2

Patient has a discolored left lateral incisor tooth due to trauma.
These pictures show the discoloration and the significant inflammation of the gums around the tooth.
An xray that shows significant decay within the tooth. This tooth was unable to be saved.	The tooth was extracted and note the amount of tooth loss on the side of the root.
The patient decided to have dental implant treatment. A bone graft was performed and a dental implant was placed.
An xray showing the dental implant.	A picture that shows the crown which was cemented on the dental implant.

Links:

Nobel Biocare Implants: www.nobelbiocare.com

State-of-the-art technology

Oral-Facial Surgical Arts is one of the select few dental implant centers in the Clermont and Lake Nona area to use 3D CAT Scans for diagnosis and treatment planning. Only taking approximately 20 seconds, the scan supports a higher level of patient care. 3D CAT Scans allow a detailed look at existing teeth, bone, nerves, and tissue.

The 3D CAT Scan provides three-dimensional and cross-sectional views that allow our surgical and restorative team to:

Determine the density of the jaw bone that will anchor the dental implant(s)
Provide a more accurate treatment approach for each individual patient
Select the correct size of dental implants
Determine the location of vital structures such as nerves, the nasal cavity and maxillary sinuses

Call (352) 243-5599 to make an appointment now!