Dental Implants at Pinellas Family Dental

Doctors Don and Amy Vespa place dental implants (artificial tooth roots) and restore missing teeth with custom prostheses (crowns, bridges and dentures). They use CAMLOG® dental implants made of pure titanium. This material is extremely stable and has a high level of biocompatibility. High precision and reliability are the hallmarks of all CAMLOG implants and components, providing predictable functional, esthetic and long-term stable results.

Why Choose Dental Implants to Replace Missing Teeth

Dental implants are today’s recommended standard of treatment for the replacement of missing teeth and also for the stabilization of lower overdentures, because the results are very strong, stable and durable. They are not more expensive than traditional crown and bridge restoration, and they can be used where crown and bridge cannot be used. Implant supported overdentures are not more expensive than traditional overdentures that need to be periodically relined and replaced. And, in both cases, you are given significantly improved chewing function, oral health, and the ability to smile, laugh, and speak with confidence, because your smile looks naturally beautiful.

Benefits Our Patients Appreciate:

  • One or more missing teeth can be replaced without affecting adjacent teeth.
  • Restoring missing teeth with dental implants resolves joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
  • They provide the opportunity for having a “fixed” prosthetic tooth, bridge or denture that is immobile and does not have to be removed to be cleaned. This is more functionally stable and comfortable–so comfortable, in fact, that you may come to think of your prosthetic teeth as your own natural ones.
  • Dental implants restore fully functioning chewing, digestion, and speech. There is no slipping or discomfort. You will be able to eat all the foods you enjoy.
  • Dental implants restore a confident smile and can restore or enhance facial features.
  • Overdentures can be retained on four or more small dental implants.

Snap-On Overdentures

A relatively affordable and popular lower denture replacement treatment is to have four small implants placed in the lower jaw and the denture refabricated to snap on and off the mini implants. With this type of treatment, you no longer have concerns about the lower denture slipping, and you can enjoy all your favorite foods once again. Today’s implants and methods have greatly reduced the cost of having this type of treatment to the point that the American Dental Association now recommends this treatment as the standard of care for patients who traditionally would have been fitted for a removable lower complete denture.
Note: Many patients have more concerns than cost when it comes to upgrading their denture. There are implant options for almost every situation and for almost every mouth. If you are tired of your slipping lower denture, or you want to avoid this situation altogether, let us evaluate your mouth to determine which type of implant treatment would be best for you.

What to Expect if You Choose Dental Implant Therapy

X-rays and impressions are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for the implant(s). While the area is numb, the implant anchor(s) will be surgically placed into the bone and then time will be allowed for the bone to heal around the anchor(s). Depending on the type of implant, a second minor surgery may be required to place the post that will hold the artificial tooth on the anchor. With other implants, the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time. The prosthetic tooth, teeth, bridge or over-denture are custom fabricated and fitted to the post portion of the anchors after the healing period. Once these artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant, they provide excellent stability and function like real teeth.
In some cases, the area of bone to receive the implant needs augmentation via a bone grafting procedure and/or
sinus augmentation. In some cases, the soft gum tissue at the site of the implant may need augmentation. We’ll plan your treatment for best health, function and esthetics.

At Pinellas Family Dental in Largo, Florida, we offer a complimentary (no fee) initial consultation. You will be fully informed about the treatment, options and costs, so you can make an informed decision that brings you happiness for years to come.

For a textbook definition of dental implants, read this article.



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