Dental implants are dental restorations that can replace missing teeth. They restore functionality to the mouth and prevent occlusion or periodontal problems. Tooth implants are titanium screws Dr. Rebecca Benedict places below the gum line in the underlying jaw bone. Dr. Benedict has training in implant surgery to place one or more dental implants for patients in her Tampa, FL, dental office.
Dr. Benedict can also provide bone grafting to her patients as needed. Bone grafting ensures that patients have sufficient bone tissue for the implant post. Dr. Benedict works with patients to ensure their candidacy for treatment and to replace their lost teeth permanently. Patients with a single missing tooth or full arches of missing teeth benefit from implant-secured restorations.
The Benefits of Dental Implant Restorations
Dental implant restorations are considered to provide the best treatment for missing teeth. Some of the more prominent benefits of dental implant restorations are:
- Dental implant restorations replace both the root and the visible portion of the tooth.
- Due to osseointegration, dental implant restorations are a strong anchor for any dental restoration. The dental restoration does not move while talking or chewing.
- Implants help fill the gaps left by missing teeth. They make the smile look symmetric and beautiful.
- Dental implant restorations also restore facial contour by providing strong anchoring.
- They provide a durable solution for missing teeth. Implants are extremely long-lasting.
Patients may need to replace their crown, bridge, or denture eventually. However, the supporting implant will stay in the mouth permanently. As long as patients care for their implant restorations and continue visiting the dentist, their results last for years.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
You may be a candidate for dental implants and not even realize it. Dental implants are an excellent option for adults with one or more permanent missing teeth.
Before implant treatment, we will ensure you have enough natural jaw bone tissue. Sometimes, you can lose jaw bone tissue if you wait too long to replace missing teeth. However, Dr. Benedict will recommend bone grafting or sinus augmentation to ensure patients are good implant candidates. Grafting places healthy bone tissue where needed so the implants have proper support.
Dr. Benedict will also ensure that patients are in good oral health. You can receive dental implants after addressing gum disease, tooth decay, and other common dental problems. Additionally, you can also receive dental implants if you already have a dental bridge or denture. If you’re tired of your restoration slipping around your mouth or need a new dental restoration, we may recommend dental implants.
Dental Implants in Tampa, FL
A single dental implant consists of a titanium screw that acts as a false tooth root. An abutment piece connects the implant post to a dental crown, bridge, or denture. The dental implant secures false teeth that replace the visible portion of the missing teeth.
Dr. Benedict will help prepare patients for treatment. She ensures that patients are in good oral health and have enough bone tissue to support dental implants. Once she places the dental implants, it will take months for each titanium implant post to fuse to the jaw bone. She will provide healing caps to protect the implants as they heal.
After implant placement, we recommend that you avoid smoking, using straws, or spitting, as this can delay your healing time. Keep brushing and flossing your teeth, but avoid the surgical site.
Dr. Benedict will use an impression of your teeth to create your implant-supported restoration. She can create custom dental crowns in her office using CEREC and CAD/CAM technology. With computer-aided design, Dr. Benedict creates a 3-D image of the crown. Then, she can manufacture the dental crown from this precise digital image.
Dr. Benedict can also work with local dental laboratories to create dental bridges and partial or complete dentures. She will send an impression of your smile to the lab. Technicians will create the custom restoration according to her specifications.
After the surgical implant completely heals, Dr. Benedict will place the custom crown, bridge, or denture. It can take three to six months for a dental implant to heal. Dr. Benedict will check your implants at a follow-up visit to determine whether they have healed. If you require more time, we will help you schedule another follow-up appointment.
Dental Implant FAQs
Learn more about dental implants and implant-supported dental restorations with answers to these commonly asked questions:
Can I smoke after I get dental implants?
While you can smoke again two months after you receive your implant restoration, we wouldn’t recommend it. Even after your dental implants fully heal, it’s still a bad idea to continue to smoke and use tobacco products. When you use tobacco products, you can increase the risk of gum and tooth infections surrounding the implants.
If you use tobacco products, you can increase your risk of peri-implantitis. Peri-implantitis can inflame the tissue surrounding your implants and impact your implant integrity.
How painful is dental implant surgery?
You will not feel pain when you receive dental implants. We will numb your mouth with a local anesthetic so you will not feel discomfort. While you still may feel sensations, you will not experience any pain. We can also use dental sedation for your procedure. As you heal following your surgery, you will need pain medication.
When can I get dental implants after a tooth extraction?
You must wait about ten weeks and up to three months before we consider dental implant treatment. Your soft tissues need to heal fully before major dental implant surgery. However, it’s important to ensure you don’t wait too long to replace your extracted teeth.
Restore Your Teeth
Are you missing permanent teeth? Do you want a fuller, more natural-looking smile? Ask us about dental implant treatment. Call Dr. Benedict and her team for dental implants in Tampa, FL, today at 813-733-6981.
You may also request a dental appointment online. Let Dr. Benedict know if you have questions about dental implants or your candidacy for dental implant surgery.