Look younger with Dental Implants

You can look younger and feel healthier with dental implants. Dental implants are like having a new set of natural teeth. You can enjoy the comforts of healthy eating, speaking, and socializing without the embarrassment of missing teeth or “slipping” dentures and partials. According to the American Dental Association, a dental implant offers comfort, and stability and is a dental restoration that is the closest thing to a natural tooth.

In a survey of more than 50,000 adults, only one-third of respondents were aware that missing teeth can alter facial contour. But that is only half the story. And what you do not know can hurt you. Chewing, talking, laughing, and even kissing are a few instances when the role of healthy teeth is often taken for granted until one or more teeth are damaged or lost.

Over time, even a single missing tooth can lead to bone loss which, in turn, can alter your jaw structure, cause teeth to shift, and can actually change the shape of your face. Once the tooth roots are no longer in place, bone recession in that area can gradually develop into a “sunken” appearance prematurely aging your face.

Tooth replacement that also replaces your tooth root is necessary to maintain proper facial contour. Dental implants are the only tooth replacements that substitute your tooth’s crown and root.

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, dental implants should always be considered as an option to replace a failing or missing tooth.

Tooth replacement is not just a cosmetic fix. Studies have shown that failing to replace lost teeth can also affect your eating habits, speech, self-esteem, quality of life, and your overall health. Missing teeth that are not replaced can limit your diet to softer foods lacking proper nutrition which can lead to weight problems, digestive disorders, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Dental implants allow you to eat foods that can enhance your health.

Why compromise your health, give up your favorite foods, or look older than you are, when you may not have to?

Dental implants are the next best thing to your natural teeth. Until you have experienced tooth loss or having to adjust to partials or dentures you probably take for granted the simple pleasures of eating and tasting. Did you know that you can not fully taste food without “chewing awareness”? No matter how juicy that steak is or how tasty that spaghetti sauce might be, the eating experience goes beyond the mechanics of placing food in your mouth and chewing it.

Your gums, teeth, and palate (roof of your mouth) each play a part in how your brain processes chewing forces and food tastes. When your gum surfaces, teeth, and palate are covered by dentures or partial, chewing reception is altered dulling your sense of taste.

The good news is dental implants help maintain normal “chewing awareness”. So if enjoying mouthwatering meals is an important part of your life, here’s just one more reason to consider the advantages of dental implants.

Dental implants are second to none. No other tooth replacement compares to the look, feel, and function of dental implants. The good news is most people are candidates for this exciting, time-tested, and proven treatment option. In addition, in dental implant treatment, no other teeth are involved but the missing teeth.

Here are some of the many benefits of dental implants

• Dental implants look and feel more like your natural teeth
• Dental implants improve chewing ability
• Dental implants provide better nutrition and health
• Dental implants avoid facial bone loss
• Dental implants boost self-confidence
• Dental implants improve speech

Dental Implants Frequently Asked Questions.

What are the dental implants?

Dental implants are substitutes for the roots and crowns of missing teeth. They act as an anchor for one or a series of replacement teeth or can be used to anchor bridges and dentures.

What is the cost of dental implants?

Dental implant treatment can vary depending on your needs. Of course, a dental implant dentist will be able to fully determine the cost, which is based on the specifics of your individual dental needs. These factors can include the complexity of your case and how long a dental implant treatment will take. In the U.S., the cost of dental implant treatment ranges from $1,700 to $2,200, with the national average at about $1,900.For instance, the average dental implant cost in Fort Lauderdale, FL is $1,900.

Does my dental insurance cover dental implants?

Dental insurance plans may cover on average $400 - 800 towards dental implant costs just as they would with other teeth replacement treatments like dental bridgework. Either your dentist insurance provider or your dental insurance carrier can help you determine the exact dental coverage for your dental implant treatment based on your dental insurance coverage policy. If your dental insurance does not cover all of your dental implant treatment costs or if the cost of a dental implant is a concern for you, talk to your dental implant dentist provider about payment options - many dental implant dentists offer flexible and affordable monthly payment plans and financing, many with no down payment and no interest. About one-half of dental implant patient use financing options to spread their dental implant treatment costs over time.

Am I a candidate for dental implants? 

According to the American Dental Association, candidates for dental implants need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the dental implant. A thorough evaluation by your implant dentist will help determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.

Dental implant patients are of all ages and dental implants may be the right choice for anyone missing one or more teeth due to dental injury, gums disease, or dental cavity. Dental implant is especially practical for patients who can no longer wear removable dentures. A complete oral exam, dental x-rays, and dental and medical health history are necessary to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants.

Do I have enough gums and bone to hold a dental implant?

It is important for a dental implant patient to have enough bone to support the dental implant. If you do not have enough bone, there are many safe and effective ways to correct bone deficiency.

Why replace my missing tooth in the back if I can't see it?

For one thing, if you lose an upper tooth, you essentially lose the chewing function of that tooth and the one just below it. In addition, when you don’t replace a missing tooth, excessive force is then placed on adjacent teeth and may lead to tooth fractures and tipping. By ignoring damaged or missing teeth, you leave yourself prone to further tooth loss, teeth shifting, crowded teeth, speech problems, diet restrictions, and other dental complications.

Facts and figures about dental implants

• More than 5 million people have dental implants and that number is growing by over 500,000 a year
• Dental implants have been used for over 50 years.
• In some cases, the cost of a single tooth implant is less than the cost of a fixed three-unit dental bridge. (a fixed three-unit bridge is needed to replace a single missing tooth)
• Unlike dental bridgework, dental implants don’t require the reduction of healthy adjacent teeth.
• Dental implants are considered more predictable than dental bridgework and root canal treatments.