Dental Implants
Many individuals reach out to Coast Dental Killeen inquiring whether dental implants could be an effective option for replacing missing teeth or stabilizing dentures. Dental implants provide a durable and long-term solution, giving you the ability to eat, speak, and smile with assurance for many years ahead.
A dental implant is composed of a titanium post, which resembles a small screw in shape. This post is surgically inserted into the bone beneath your gums by a dentist or specialist. Over time, the bone fuses to the dental implant, forming a robust foundation for attaching a crown, bridge, or permanent denture. What’s more impressive is that dental implants boast a success rate exceeding 95%, a figure that significantly surpasses that of other methods for replacing teeth.
How Dental Implants Work
At our Coast Dental office in Killeen, we can use dental implants to replace missing teeth in several ways.
Single Tooth Replacement
Think of a dental implant as a reliable new foundation for a missing tooth. It integrates seamlessly with your jawbone, providing support for a strong, stain-resistant artificial tooth or crown that is carefully designed to match the color of your natural teeth. While the upfront cost of a dental implant may be higher than other tooth replacement options, its long-term benefits are unparalleled, with an impressive success rate. Moreover, an implant resists decay, eliminates the need for root canals, and offers a feel very similar to that of your natural teeth.
Multiple Tooth Replacement
In cases of several missing teeth, there is no need to place a separate implant for every lost tooth. Instead, dental implants can act as solid pillars for fixed bridges. Take, for example, the scenario where you’re missing three teeth in a row. You might only need to place two implants, one on each end of the gap, to securely support a bridge that spans the entire space. This approach reduces the need for individual tooth replacement. Unlike traditional tooth-replacement options, which rely on neighboring natural teeth for anchorage—risking additional wear, decay, and the potential need for root canals—dental implants offer an autonomous structure, lessening these concerns.
Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures
Implants serve as a strong foundation for custom-made dentures, designed for long-lasting and secure use in either the upper or lower jaw. Often, merely four implants are enough to underpin a full arch of prosthetic teeth. Yet, in cases of significant loss of jawbone, a greater number of implants might be necessary to reliably support a set of 10 to 12 teeth. These resilient, implant-supported dental prosthetics are crucial in maintaining jawbone structure and are constructed to potentially endure a lifetime.
Implant-Supported Removable Dentures
If you find that your upper or lower dentures are loose due to tooth loss, switching to implant-supported dentures can greatly improve their stability. This enhancement not only increases your comfort but also boosts your confidence during meals and conversations. Traditional dentures fail to compensate for the lack of natural tooth roots, which can lead to gradual jawbone deterioration—a typical aftermath of tooth loss. As the bone ridges that support the dentures begin to shrink, changes in your facial structure might occur, often leading to an older appearance due to the reduction in jawbone mass. Implant-anchored dentures distribute chewing forces more uniformly, helping to preserve the bone ridges’ height, thus providing excellent stability that minimizes the movement of the dentures while speaking. Moreover, securing dentures with implants substantially decreases, or even eliminates, the reliance on denture adhesives.
What Do Dental Implants Cost?
Dental implants are often a wise choice, presenting a cost-effective long-term investment towards your health, comfort, and overall well-being. While they may initially have a higher price point than other tooth replacement options like dentures or bridges, dental implants are designed to last and typically do not require replacement.
We suggest contacting your dental insurance provider to determine how much of the cost might be covered under your dental benefits. Additionally, Coast Dental Killeen offers partnerships with third-party financiers that can help make the cost of dental implants manageable within your family budget.
To find out if dental implants are the right choice for you, the initial step is booking a consultation. If you are missing one or more teeth and want to explore your options, please call our dentist in Killeen at (254) 285-2014 today.
