Dental Implants Tampa
Say Goodbye to the Gaps in Your Smile for Good
Permanent tooth replacement was once only a dream; however, millions of people are now experiencing the reality of a complete smile that can last a lifetime. Dental implants provide a new way to say goodbye to the gaps in your smile for good, and our team at Advanced Dental Associates of South Tampa is here to help you with the process. By scheduling a consultation for dental implants in Tampa with Dr. Patrino, you will experience the opportunity to enjoy a fully rebuilt set of teeth, better oral health, and a smile that will last well into the future.
Why Choose Advanced Dental Associates of South Tampa for Dental Implants?
- Dental Implant Placement & Restoration Provided In-House
- CT Scanner Used for Precise Dental Implant Treatment Planning
- We Welcome Your PPO Dental Insurance Plan
What Are Dental Implants?
Unlike dental bridges and traditional dentures that require replacement after several years, dental implants can last decades or longer because of their permanent placement within your jawbone. As a highly versatile form of treatment, these prosthetics can adequately treat all types of tooth loss, supporting dental crowns, dental bridges, and full dentures.
Dental implants are small titanium posts that look like screws but act similarly to natural tooth roots. Once fused with the underlying bone, they help reduce the likelihood of facial sagging and bone and tooth loss.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process is painless and takes several months to complete. Dr. Patrino will make sure each stage of your treatment plan is completed successfully before moving forward and take care to provide detailed information along the way so that you do not experience any surprises throughout treatment. We’ll also be sure to provide you with thorough aftercare instructions to help ensure a smooth recovery.
While each dental implant treatment plan will be uniquely tailored to the patient’s needs, the process will always go through four key steps. Here’s a quick look at how dental implants are placed at our office in Tampa.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The first step of the dental implant process is a consultation at our office in Tampa, and it will allow Dr. Patrino to thoroughly evaluate your oral health and medical history to determine if dental implants are right for you. Some patients may need additional preliminary procedures such as gum disease therapy or bone grafts before having dental implants put in place, and we’ll be happy to help you schedule any necessary treatments. This meeting will also give you the opportunity to ask questions about your new smile and what to expect during the placement process.
Dental Implant Surgery
Dr. Patrino will place your dental implants in-house, preventing you from needing an outside referral for this stage of treatment. You can expect to receive local anesthesia beforehand so that you remain comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
After surgery, your new implant will need some time to heal. Osseointegration – the fusing of your implants and jawbone – can take 4-6 months to complete, and it gives your implant the sturdy hold it needs to function exactly like real teeth and last for decades if it receives proper care. After you are healed, you will receive your metal abutments that help hold your restoration in place.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
The final stage of dental implant placement involves receiving your customized restoration. Dr. Patrino will make sure your new crown, bridge, or denture looks natural, fits correctly, and is comfortable once secured in place. You will then be able to start enjoying life with your new and improved smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
There are many benefits that come with rebuilding your smile with dental implants. That’s why they are considered the gold standard in tooth replacement! During your consultation, our team at Advanced Dental Associates of South Tampa can go over all of them to help you decide if this is the ideal solution for you. In the meantime, you can read on to learn a few reasons they are loved by patients and dentists alike.
Day-to-Day Benefits
Let’s start with the benefits of dental implants in Tampa that you’ll likely notice first:
- They Are Extremely Lifelike – Since dental implants are inserted into the jawbone and topped with a custom-made restoration, they look and feel extremely natural. As a result, no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile. Instead, you can enjoy a more vibrant, youthful, and confident appearance.
- They Restore Your Bite Strength – In the weeks, months, or years following tooth loss, you may have resorted to eating plain yogurt, oatmeal, and other extremely soft foods. As we mentioned above, dental implants get their strength from your jawbone. So, you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of foods without worrying about your teeth sliding or slipping out of your mouth.
- They Help You Enunciate Clearly Again – Another downside of tooth loss is that it makes it difficult to enunciate clearly. Again, rebuilding your smile with dental implants can help! Since they don’t slip unexpectedly, and the restoration secured on top is custom-made for you, there isn’t much of a learning curve either.
Health Benefits
Dental implants are also widely loved because they can have a positive impact on your oral and overall health. Here are a few examples:
- They Don’t Require Healthy Enamel to Be Altered – One downside of traditional dental bridges is that the teeth surrounding the gap need to be altered to make room for the crowns, even if they are healthy. Fortunately, dental implants are self-supporting, so they preserve more of your natural smile.
- They Help Prevent Dental Drift – If you haven’t heard of dental drift before, it’s when the teeth surrounding the gap drift into the open space. This can lead to several issues, including premature wear and tear. With dental implants, we can replace any number of missing teeth, helping to preserve the alignment of your bite in the process.
- They Allow You to Eat a More Nutrient-Dense Diet – We mentioned previously that dental implants restore your bite strength. Not only does this prevent you from having to eat the same foods on repeat, but it also allows you to eat a well-balanced diet that’s filled with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Long-Term Benefits
Finally, dental implants continue to be popular year after year because:
- They Prevent Bone Loss – Since dental implants are placed into the jawbone, they provide stimulation that increases their durability and preserves your youthful face shape.
- They Are Easy to Maintain – Simply put, you don’t need to adopt a cumbersome oral hygiene regimen or buy special cleaning products. Just use the same best practices you use to care for your natural teeth, like flossing every night before you go to bed.
- They Are Long-Lasting – In addition to looking and feeling natural, dental implants can last decades or a lifetime without ever needing to be replaced.
Dental Implant FAQs
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
When taken care of properly, dental implants can last for 30 years – or more! To get the most out of your implants, we recommend:
- Brushing your teeth twice daily
- Flossing once per day
- Getting a sulcus brush so you can clean the space underneath your restoration
- Visiting our office for biannual checkups and cleanings
- Avoiding tobacco products, as they’re heavily associated with dental implant failure
Can I Take Dental Implants Out?
No – please don’t attempt to take your dental implants out! Since they are surgically anchored to your jawbone, you could end up damaging the restoration, the bone, or even nearby nerve endings.
To clarify, some implant dentures are designed to be removed. Patients can take these restorations out of their mouth for easy cleaning. Even then, though, only the denture base will “snap” on and off. The implants themselves will stay firmly planted in your jawbone!
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
We understand that dental implant surgery doesn’t exactly sound pleasant. Rest assured, our team will administer a local anesthetic that will keep your mouth numb while we place your implants. We also offer multiple dental sedation options and would be happy to meet with you to discuss which one would be best.
Are Dental Implants Safe?
Dental implants are considered to be extremely safe. In fact, they have a 90% success rate that holds up even after ten years from initial placement.
Part of what makes them so reliable is the meticulous treatment planning process. Your implant dentist in Tampa will thoroughly review your health history and the current state of your mouth. If you have a condition like low jawbone density or gum disease, we’ll be sure to take care of these issues before starting your treatment so you’ll have a good foundation for your new smile!
Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?
Only if you happen to be in high school! Most people’s jaws aren’t fully developed until their mid-20’s, and it’s not a good idea to place dental implants along a bone that’s still growing.
Now, there’s no upper age limit for dental implants. As long as you have good oral health and a strong jawbone, you should be able to successfully support them. Even if you don’t, we may be able to help you get there with corrective treatments like gum disease therapy and bone grafting.
If you’re not sure whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants, it’s worth talking to your implant dentist about your options. You might be pleasantly surprised!