Dental Implants Ponte Vedra Beach
The Gold Standard of Tooth Replacement
Dental implants are widely considered to be the leading method of tooth replacement, and prosthodontists are the go-to experts when it comes to rebuilding the smile following tooth loss. We’re able to offer both here at Ponte Vedra Family Dentistry. Dr. Perry combines his specialty training with 3D imaging to fully plan every treatment to ensure a comfortable experience and strong, lasting results. If you’re ready to put tooth loss behind you, reach out today to schedule a consultation.
Why Choose Ponte Vedra Family Dentistry for Dental Implants?
- Board-Certified Prosthodontist with Years of Experience
- Entire Implant Process Completed In-House
- Advanced Dental Technology Ensures Optimal Outcomes
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small metal “roots” that are placed in your jawbone where your tooth root once was. They are placed just beneath your gum line. The bone heals around this dental implant post, securing it in place. Dr. Perry then attaches a dental crown or a prosthetic tooth to the implant. This provides a permanent solution that functions and looks exactly like a natural tooth and is a medically sound treatment.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
- Initial Dental Implant Consultation – The process for getting dental implants begins with a consultation; your oral health and jawbone density will be evaluated to determine if you’re a good candidate. If you need a preliminary procedure like a bone graft or periodontal treatment, that will need to be carried out first.
- Dental Implant Surgery – You’ll be glad to hear that Dr. Perry can complete the entire dental implant process here in our Ponte Vedra Beach office. This surgery is straightforward; the implants are placed directly into the jawbone, where they’re meant to stay permanently.
- Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment – Osseointegration refers to the process where your implant posts fuse with your bone tissue. This will take months to complete, but assuming it goes well, it sets the stage for your implants’ future success. Abutments can be attached to these posts once they’ve fused before you receive your new teeth.
- Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s) – Once everything’s healed, we’ll call you back to deliver your custom-made teeth. Dental implants can be used to support any type of restoration, so your new smile will look and function beautifully!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants have revolutionized the replacement of missing teeth. They provide an exciting option for patients in need of replacements ranging from one tooth to all teeth.
Here are a few of the benefits you get with this dental treatment option:
- Permanence
- Natural Appearance
- Safe for Adjacent Teeth
- Ease of Care
- Jawbone Stability and Prevention of Bone Loss
Dental implants, crowns, or prosthetic teeth offer the longest-lasting solution to tooth loss.
This is because the implants fuse with the jawbone, mimicking a tooth root and becoming part of the jaw.
When you lose a tooth, the bone beneath it becomes vulnerable and can even begin to melt away. This happens when it loses the stimulation a tooth naturally provides. This can cause a prematurely aged look. Dental implants provide needed stimulation to the bone, making the jawbone more stable.
Implants sit below the gum line, with only a crown or prosthetic tooth visible on top. Crowns and prosthetics are made with tooth-colored materials that mimic the look of natural teeth. This means you never have to worry about your implants appearing artificial.
Some tooth replacement options rely on the adjacent teeth to stabilize and support the replacement. Bridges, for example, require support from the adjacent natural teeth and can weaken them over time. Dental implants have no negative impact on nearby teeth.
Implants require regular brushing and flossing, but they will never decay.
They can last a lifetime with proper care. Gum disease can be a concern, but regular dental cleanings and exams can prevent this threat. This ensures your dental implants remain in good condition.
Immediate Dental Implants Are Available
Depending on your unique needs, you may even be able to receive immediate implants. This typically happens when you need to have one or more teeth removed due to periodontal disease or injury. We may be able to place dental implants immediately after your extraction procedure. If you aren’t able to receive immediate implants, it may still be possible to receive implant dentures. This means you could be fitted for a denture prosthesis to begin wearing immediately after tooth extraction. This lets you maintain your smile while you await your permanent implants.
Implant Dentures are Available
Dental implants may also be used to support dentures that replace missing teeth. If you are missing many teeth but your jawbone is strong enough to support implants, an implant denture or partial denture may be the option you need. Unlike traditional dentures, this is a type of overdenture that is attached to and supported by dental implants. It is made to look like natural teeth.