Dental Implants Nocatee

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the only known root-to-crown tooth replacement. Offering the same level of stimulation and stability as natural teeth, they are surgically placed within the jawbone and can last a lifetime with proper care. Their versatility makes them suitable for supporting crowns, bridges, and dentures, even All-On-4.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

• Initial Consultation – You must first schedule a consultation with Dr. Veazey-Georges. Here, you will learn if you can immediately receive dental implants or if you require additional care, such as bone grafting, gum disease treatment, etc. In some cases, we may be able to suggest All-On-4 implants to avoid a grafting or sinus lift procedure.
• Dental Implant Surgery – We partner with outside dental implant specialists so that your posts can be positioned and placed appropriately. Using local anesthesia, you will feel nothing throughout your procedure.
• Osseointegration/Abutment – Once your healing caps are in place, we will send you home to recover for 4-6 months. Osseointegration will occur during this time, effectively fusing the implants with the bone tissues. Once you’re fully recovered, you will receive your metal abutments, which are attachments that hold the restoration to the implant.
• Delivery of the Final Restoration – To complete the dental implant process, you will receive your custom crown, bridge, or denture, which will be secured on top of your implant posts.

Benefits of Dental Implants

• Greater confidence because of the more youthful appearance you will see
• The ability to eat all of your favorite foods and avoid the embarrassment of accidental slippage
• Stronger bite force and chewing power
• A more cost-effective form of treatment, as you will not need denture adhesive or regular replacements over time
• Improved jawbone stimulation that reduces the risk of facial collapse and bone loss

Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implant

Dental implants fuse with your jawbone through osseointegration, allowing them to last significantly longer than traditional bridges or dentures. With proper care, your new smile could easily last 30 years or even a lifetime! Fortunately, maintaining dental implants is straightforward and requires just a few simple steps. Here’s how you can ensure your implants remain in excellent condition.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

While dental implants are resistant to cavities, maintaining good oral hygiene is still crucial. In fact, it’s more important than ever. Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease, which is a leading cause of dental implant failure.

To keep your implants and the surrounding gum tissue healthy, it’s essential to maintain a clean mouth. Brush both your natural teeth and implants every morning and night, floss daily, and use an ADA-approved mouthwash regularly. This routine will help ensure the longevity and success of your dental implants.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Dental implants allow you to enjoy a wide range of foods but be cautious with overly hard or sticky items as they can damage or loosen your restoration. You should only eat these foods in moderation. For optimal implant health, include calcium-rich dairy products and leafy greens in your diet. These foods support a strong jawbone and healthy gums, providing a solid foundation for your dental implants and helping them last a lifetime.

Break Bad Habits

Certain habits can jeopardize your dental implants, with smoking being one of the most detrimental. Tobacco use (smoking, vaping, or chewing) can impair healing and prevent osseointegration, leading to implant failure. Smokers are also more than twice as likely to develop gum disease. We strongly recommend quitting tobacco at least two weeks before and ideally after surgery. Another harmful habit is chewing on hard or inedible objects, which can damage your implants. Instead of biting nails or chewing ice, try chewing sugar-free gum to protect your implants.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Dental implants may be durable, but they are not immune to damage. If you play sports, protect them with a custom mouthguard designed by your implant dentist to guard against impact. Similarly, if you grind your teeth at night, wearing a nightguard is essential. Chronic grinding can weaken and damage your implants, so a nightguard helps preserve their integrity and longevity.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Even if you have no natural teeth remaining, regular dental checkups and cleanings are essential. These visits allow us to monitor the health of your dental implants and address any issues early. By catching and treating minor problems before they get worse, you can save time and money in the long run.