Dental Implants Tampa

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

Before starting treatment, you may be wondering whether dental implants are even a good fit for your situation or whether you need any preparatory procedures first. To determine the answers to these questions, we’ll need to examine your mouth in person and discuss your needs and goals with you. At your consultation, we’ll discuss all of these details plus your financial information and schedule, so you know what to expect moving forward.

Dental Implant Surgery

If you decide to proceed with these replacement teeth, our team will handle the placement surgery ourselves, meaning you won’t have to deal with a referral to an outside specialist. During this procedure, after we’ve numbed the area completely, we’ll make a tiny incision in the gums, insert the post into the jawbone, and carefully close the tissue up again. At every step of the process, we’ll be by your side, making sure you’re comfortable.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

Although the surface tissue usually heals in about a week after the placement procedure, more time is necessary for the implants to become secure. Over the next four to six months, the implants will meld with your jawbone to form the foundation of your new teeth. This is a natural process called osseointegration, and it gives your implants stability. Then, abutments or connector pieces must be inserted into the posts, and they will stick out above the gums.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

Following this healing period, we will take impressions of both your arches and send these to our dental lab. Once your custom restoration is complete, our dentists will place the replacement tooth, which fits on top of the implant post with dental cement. This might be a dental crown, dental bridge, or a complete or partial denture. Each dental implant restoration is custom made to fit your smile comfortably and aesthetically.

Day-to-Day Benefits

Receiving dental implants can deliver significant benefits for your daily life, including:

• Allowing you to chew all your favorite foods so that you’ll never have to miss out on tasty and chewy meats like steak or pork chops or crunchy snacks like popcorn and nuts again.
• Being easy to brush and floss so you only have to stick with the same oral hygiene regimen that you use to keep your natural teeth clean.
• The confidence having a full set of teeth can bring when you smile.
• Not having to worry about the embarrassment that can come when your teeth slip out of place when you eat or speak.

Health Benefits

Dental implants can also allow you to enjoy remarkable benefits for your oral and overall health, including:

• Preventing bone loss in the jaw that can lead to misalignments as well as dental injuries and infections.
• Supporting surrounding teeth to prevent them from sliding out of place or becoming injured due to uneven chewing pressure.
• Allowing you to enjoy a diet of many different nutritious foods that your body needs to stay healthy and strong.
• Not causing gum sores and other soft tissue irritations due to your restoration sliding around within your mouth.
• Their ease of cleaning makes it much easier to avoid dental and overall health problems associated with poor oral hygiene.

Long-Term Benefits

Replacing lost teeth with dental implants can also lead to several impressive long-term benefits such as:

• A success rate of over 95% even ten years after placement, making them incredibly reliable.
• Lasting for more than thirty years with excellent care, making them an solid investment.
• Not needing frequent expensive replacements like traditional restorations such as dentures and dental bridges do, potentially saving you thousands of dollars over the years.
• Protecting your natural teeth by sharing the burden of chewing so they can last for many years to come.

Giving you the confidence you need to make an excellent first impression, which can open all sorts of opportunities in the professional world and the social scene.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Preliminary treatments such as gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, or bone grafting are essential for ensuring the success of dental implants but can increase the overall cost. Many of these treatments may be partially covered by dental insurance. The cost of the implant surgery itself will also vary based on the implant placement and the type of sedation or anesthesia required. The surgery is performed in-office, so you'll benefit from having all procedures managed under one roof, avoiding additional fees for an external surgeon.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

The cost of dental implants can be influenced by several factors. The number of implants needed affects the total cost; for example, a single implant is less expensive than a full arch of 4-6 implants for an implant-supported denture, although the denture might be more cost-effective than individual implants for each missing tooth. The type of restoration—whether crowns, bridges, or dentures—also impacts the cost, with smaller restorations generally being less expensive. Additionally, the size and material of the implant, such as zirconia versus titanium, play a role in the cost. The brand of the dental implant can vary in price and quality, similar to different brands of consumer products. Feel free to ask us about the specific implant brand and its benefits to better understand the costs involved.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money In The Long Term

Dental implants can save money in the long term due to their durability and effectiveness. Designed to last a lifetime with proper care, implants eliminate the need for frequent replacements and repairs, unlike dentures and bridges, which typically need to be replaced every 5-10 years. Implants are also more resistant to damage and wear, reducing ongoing maintenance costs.

Additionally, they help preserve jawbone health by stimulating bone growth, which can prevent further dental issues and additional treatments. With their superior chewing function and comfort, implants minimize the risk of problems related to poor bite or discomfort. By investing in implants, you may avoid the recurring costs associated with less durable options and potentially save on future dental treatments.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Dental insurance coverage for dental implants varies depending on the plan. While some insurance plans may cover a portion of the cost, many do not provide coverage for implants due to their classification as a more advanced and costly procedure. Instead, insurance plans often cover less expensive treatments like dentures or bridges.

For those with partial coverage, insurance might cover associated costs such as the crown, abutment, or surgical procedure, but typically not the entire implant. We’ll help you consult with your dental plan to ensure that you’re getting the most from your benefits.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

We also know that not everyone has insurance. That’s why we endeavor to make the services we offer as affordable as possible for patients without it by offering them useful alternatives.

For one, we have an in-house membership plan that affords patients substantial discounts on many of their preliminary services for a low monthly fee. We have one for general patients and another with a greater focus on periodontal treatment, meaning that you can pick the financial option that suits you best.

We also offer financing services through CareCredit and Lending Club, both of which can allow you to split the cost of your treatment across several convenient monthly payments.

If you have questions about any of these financial options, make an appointment for a consultation with us today!