Dental Implants in Lake City, FL

Tooth loss can have a serious impact on our lives, affecting both our physical and emotional well-being. It can hinder our ability to chew and speak effectively, diminish our self-esteem, and even lead to a decline in overall oral health. Unfortunately, the likelihood of tooth loss due to tooth decay and gum disease rises as we get older. Recent data demonstrates that over 45% of Florida adults had a permanent tooth removed because of these oral health issues. If tooth loss is causing you to suffer, dental implants can help.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a key component of restorative dentistry. These prosthetic tooth roots fill the gap in your smile and support restorations like crowns, bridges, and dentures. Traditional dental implants have a two-piece design with a titanium screw inserted into the jaw and an abutment piece connecting to the restoration. While the size of conventional implants ranges based on specific patient needs, they typically measure 5 mm in diameter.

Because of their versatility, dental implants are an important tooth replacement solution. If you are missing one or more teeth (including all your teeth), dental implants can save your bite and improve your smile.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

A suitable candidate for dental implants is generally someone over the age of 18 who has a healthy jawbone and gums. If your tooth loss is a result of advanced gum disease, we will take steps to control the infection before beginning implant treatment.

It’s important to note that eligibility for dental implants may be affected by various factors, such as:

• Tobacco use
• Radiation or chemotherapy
• Compromised immune system
• Diabetes
• Poor oral hygiene, including severe decay
• Pregnancy
• Bone diseases
• Vascular diseases
• Unmanaged bruxism
• Specific medications

For individuals with conditions like diabetes, implant placement may be considered once the condition is consistently under control. During your complimentary consultation, we will thoroughly review your medical history, discuss your lifestyle habits, and examine your teeth, gums, and mouth to determine if dental implants are an appropriate treatment.

The Mini Dental Implant Difference

Mini dental implants are an innovative advancement in dental implant technology. These implants are half the size of a standard implant, measuring less than 3 mm across. Because of their size, more people are eligible for implant solutions than ever before. These narrow implants are ideal for individuals with bone loss who may not have qualified for traditional options or were told they needed a bone graft. With mini implants, bone grafting is typically unnecessary.

The implants also improve the design of the traditional model. Mini implants are a single unit featuring an integrated connector. The connector end, which looks like a small ball, attaches to artificial teeth using a rubber O-ring. While mini implants reduce the size and simplify the design of a standard implant, these aspects don’t diminish their effectiveness. Studies indicate high survival rates equivalent to those of standard implants.

Mini Implant Benefits

While dental implants are more secure alternatives to tooth-supported bridges or traditional dentures, mini implants themselves boast impressive benefits.

Unique to mini implants are the following advantages:

• Reduced treatment timeline: Between the multiple procedure steps for standard implants, you’ll need to wait months for the bone to heal. With mini implant technology, the implants are viable as soon as they are placed.
• Minimally invasive procedure: Because of their narrow design, we can place mini dental implants in a single, minimally invasive procedure. No large incisions are needed. Instead, we will make only a small pilot hole into the jawbone for each implant needed.
• Immediate outcomes: The efficient placement technique we use and the immediate strength of the mini implants allow us to mount your artificial tooth or teeth instantly. New teeth in a day are possible with mini implants.
• Minimal downtime: Due to the gentle procedure, you can expect minimal discomfort after your implants are placed. Many patients report a quick return to their normal activities, usually within 48 hours.
• Long-lasting: Mini dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care, including a consistent oral hygiene routine and regular visits to Aspire Dental Group for professional cleaning and maintenance.
• Cost-effective: Everyone should be able to restore their ability to chew properly, speak clearly, and smile confidently. With mini implants, reliable tooth replacement is accessible to patients with diverse budgets. Compared to the conventional option, mini implants are half the cost. This price difference is due to the reduced number of office visits needed, the efficiency of the procedure, and the streamlined design.

Mini dental implants offer significant advantages, making them a preferred choice among individuals seeking to replace their missing teeth.

The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth

If you have experienced tooth loss, you are likely familiar with some of the challenges that accompany missing teeth. You may have struggled to eat your favorite foods or felt self-conscious while smiling. By filling gaps in your teeth, dental implants help you regain your quality of life. Here’s what else they can do:

• Stop teeth from shifting: Implants create a barrier that prevents neighboring teeth from angling toward the gap. The implants maintain your teeth’s positioning to ensure proper alignment, making it easier to bite and chew.
• Improve chewing function and strengthen bite force: Implants improve chewing function by increasing the surface area and enhancing chewing force. Unlike traditional dental bridges, they distribute chewing forces evenly and alleviate pressure on natural teeth, making chewing more effective and comfortable.
• Restore smile confidence: Smile flaws can profoundly impact our self-esteem. When you have lost teeth, you may hesitate to smile or laugh for fear of judgment. By making your smile more aesthetically pleasing, dental implants can improve your self-confidence.
• Enhance speech clarity: Speech clarity relies on proper airflow, tongue and lip movements, and teeth positioning. Certain sounds are dependent on specific teeth. Whether you are missing a front tooth or a molar, your speaking ability will likely be altered. Replacing your missing teeth with dental implants improves your ability to communicate effectively.
• Preserve facial appearance: The roots of your teeth stimulate your jawbone to maintain its strength. Unfortunately, when you lose even one tooth, your jawbone begins to break down. Over time, this can change your facial appearance, making your face appear sunken. Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants stimulate the jawbone, preserving your face’s structure.

Are Dental Implants Affordable?

At Aspire Dental Group, we understand that investing in dental implants is an important decision for our patients, for both their oral health and overall well-being. We’re committed to making this process as accessible as possible. Mini dental implants provide an affordable alternative, ensuring that quality tooth replacement doesn’t have to be out of reach.

Our team will work closely with you to navigate your insurance policy and maximize your benefits. For out-of-pocket expenses, we’re proud to partner with trusted third-party lenders like CareCredit and Proceed Finance to provide flexible financing solutions. These companies offer an array of plans that allow you to customize your loan term so that you can make manageable monthly payments that fit your budget.

Restore Your Smile With Dental Implants

Replacing missing teeth with dental implants is essential to improve your chewing and speaking ability, enhance your smile, and maintain your oral health. At Aspire Dental Group, Dr. Robert Harvey and Dr. Rameek McNair specialize in mini dental implant placement. Their expertise and combined 45 years of experience means you can trust that your implant procedure is in the hands of seasoned professionals.

Another benefit to choosing our practice for your mini implant procedure is our in-house crown and bridge laboratory. This unique feature means your dental restorations are meticulously crafted for a perfect fit and a faster production schedule, all at a cost-effective rate.

Whether you are missing one tooth or many, your journey to a complete, confident smile begins here. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost dental implant consultation with the experts at Aspire Dental Group.