Dental Implants in Miami Beach, FL
Dental implant dentist, Dr. Mereos, has been restoring dental implants in Miami Beach for over 20 years. Hi patients love the way dental implants look like natural teeth and they love to be able to chew with confidence and eat their favorite meals again.
Implants are a great way to replace missing teeth. If you have lost a tooth, it is likely that one of your options is to replace it with a dental implant. Dental implants can be the most natural looking replacement for one or more missing teeth. Dental implants can restore the functionality of teeth and bite as well as provide a great new look for your smile. Dental implants are one of the standard cosmetic dental options offered at Precious Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry in Miami Beach.
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about Dental Implants:
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium metal replacement for a root of a tooth that is surgically implanted in the jawbone. Though there’s some evidence that ancient people may have tried to create dental implants from pieces of shell, nothing beats modern titanium. In the 1960’s, it was discovered that bone will grow so close to a titanium implant that bone and implant essentially become one.
As the body heals for approximately two to six months after the surgery, the bone around the implant fuses to the implant through a process called osseointegration. After the healing phase is complete, the implants are used to anchor crowns, bridges, or dentures. This way you can replace one tooth, a full arch of teeth, or a full mouth of teeth with dental implants.
What Is the Dental Implant Process Like?
The process of dental implants begin with a thorough evaluation of the patient’s medical and dental history, and a full clinical examination of the entire mouth and missing tooth area. The clinical exam will include specific X-rays and often a 3-D scan that can show us additional information about your mouth that conventional x-rays simply can't. After assessing the patient, a comprehensive treatment plan is devised with a surgical team.
Implants are surgically placed in the jawbone under local anesthesia or sedation anesthesia. The length of the healing time is based on the quality and quantity of bone, as well as the type of implant placed. After adequate healing is allowed to occur, the implant can be used to support a crown, bridge, or denture.
How Many Dental Implants Should Be Placed?
This is a question that should be determined during the treatment plan. A good rule-of thumb is to place one implant for each tooth replaced. Other decisive factors for the number of implants needed for success is the quality and quantity of the patient’s bone. Equally as important are the existing anatomy of the bone and the financial resources of the patient. Placing enough implants to restore teeth is vitally important to the long-term success of the restoration. Simply stated, the most costly mistake is to have an implant fail because not enough implants are placed to support the teeth. New dental implant technology now allows us to replace a full arch of teeth with 4 to 6 dental implants. The amount will vary on your specific case depending on the amount of bone available to stabilize the implants.
Who Should You See about Getting Dental Implants?
When getting dental implants, you should select a dentist or dental team with in-depth knowledge and prior experience with all aspects of the treatment. Dr. Mereos has been restoring dental implants for more than 20 years and is highly skilled in cosmetic dentistry to ensure your smile looks natural. It is important to know that implant treatment consists of two components: a surgical phase and a restorative phase. Traditionally, a dental surgeon, like an oral surgeon or a periodontist, performs the surgical component. A general dentist, or prosthodontist and laboratory technician performs the restorative component. However, as implant dentistry has become more sophisticated, sometimes a dentist who specializes in restorative dentistry conducts the entire procedure.
Are There Different Types of Dental Implants?
Yes, several types are available. The American Dental Association considers both the endosteal and the subperiosteal implants to be acceptable. An important factor for selection is to determine whether your jawbone can adequately support the implant. Most dental implants placed today are endosteal root form fixtures (similar to a manmade tooth root).
More knowledgeable patients have more input to offer their dentists about their implant treatment and have better chances of a successful treatment outcome.
Dental Implants If several of the teeth are missing or damaged, you really should check out dental implants.
Great advances are already made in implant technology, and the procedure of having several placed is already easier and fewer expensive. Unfortunately, the fee is just not usually covered with insurance.
Dental implants enables you to permanently replace missing teeth. A titanium device that may anchor artificial teeth is surgically implanted in the jawbone.
Dental implants can improve overall look, replace dentures and make chewing easier. The amount of dental work that must be done determines the length of time the dental implant procedure will require and the way many visits on the dentist is going to be required.
“We truly appreciate great patients, and are very thankful for the opportunity to serve our community,” says Miami Beach Dentist, Dr. Mereos. Whether you need dental implants, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, dentures, cosmetic dental surgery, crowns, or just a cleaning we can help.
Call us today at (305) 532-9114 Our office is conveniently located in the South Beach area of Miami Beach right on Alton Road.
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What Can I expect During My First Dental implant Consult
Dental Implant FAQ
Q. I had dentures for a long time and have lost a lot of the bone in my jaw. Now my lower dentures are fit loose, and I need help. Are dental implants an option for me?
A. Yes, absolutely. With new advances in dental implant technology treatment is possible. We encourage you get help as soon as possible. If you do nothing, the problem can only get worse over time, and you will lose more bone. Some of the problems with loose dentures include excessive wear of the jaw bones, unable to taste some foods, constant mouth sores, unhappy with the appearance of one's teeth and bite, pain in your jaw, unable to chew properly, and much more. If you have any or all of the above problems, dental implants may be the right answer for you.
Q. I am missing all the teeth in my mouth. Now I wear a full upper and lower denture. The lower dentures is a problem. Do I one implant for every tooth I am replacing on the lower jaw or can a denture be supported with less implants?
A. Many years ago we used to do one implant per tooth needed, but due to new dental implant technology, that is no longer the case. It is not necessary to have one implant for every tooth that is being replaced. The number of implants needed to provide support depends on the type of implants used and the type of restorations that will be attached to the implants. Usually, we can replace a full arch of teeth with 4 to 6 dental implants.
Q. I have two missing teeth next to each other. Can I replace booth with one dental implant?
A. The short answer is no. We find that it usually is not a good solution to restore two teeth with one implant due to the mechanical forces that are exerted on the implant. Too much mechanical force exerted on one implant can cause it to overload and fail. We often attach dental implants to each other. This can improve strength of the restoration and provides predictable results. Even though it may be slightly more costly to place two implants, in this particular situation it would be a better long-term solution.
Q. Ove the years I lost my upper back teeth on one side. I never did anything about it, but I noticed that I get sinus pain and problems on that side. Are my sinus problems related to my missing teeth?
A. This may be the case. When your lower teeth have nothing to oppose them or bite against them, they may become misaligned or even erupt. They may even reach the bone at the top. The bone on the upper maxilla may also become thin and reabsorb. If you are considering replacing those upper back teeth with fixed teeth do not wait too long after your extraction to replace these teeth. If you wait too long, then the bone may be reabsorbed, and it may be necessary to perform a sinus elevation surgery or graft bone to the area to support dental implants. A sinus bone graft involves placement of bone or bone substitutes into the lower part of the maxillary sinus. This increases the amount of bone used to place dental implants and restore the missing back teeth.
Q. I was told by a dentist many years ago that I was not a candidate for dental implants because I did not have adequate bone available to place dental implants?
A. New advances in dental implant technology now make it possible to have dental implants even if you have been told that you are not a candidate. It is rare for a person to not be able to receive dental implant treatment.
Q. I had a root canal that failed. The tooth is fractured, and it will have to be removed. Can that tooth be replaced with a dental implant, or do I have to get a dental bridge or a removable partial to replace the missing tooth?
A. Unfortunately, teeth that have had root canal treatment can often fracture more easily than other teeth because they have been treated, trimmed, and that often causes them to dry out. This causes the m to be more brittle. Before dental implants, the best available treatment was to remove the tooth and file down the adjacent teeth to peg shape and make a dental bridge that would be supported by the adjacent teeth. The middle tooth would be a false tooth, often called a "dummy tooth." New dental implant technology now allows us to replace the missing tooth with a single implant and not have to adjust the adjacent teeth. Now we can take a one tooth problem and give it a one tooth solution.
Questions Answered on This Page
- Do dental implants look like your natural teeth?
- What is the process for dental implants?
People Also Ask
- Can dental implants replace my missing teeth?
- Will I be able to eat my favorite foods after getting dental implants?
- Are dental implants a better option than dentures or dental bridges?