Dental Implants Phoenix
The Best Tooth Replacement Choice Available
Are missing teeth standing between you and a healthier, happier, and more confident smile? At Smile Fitness Dental Center, we offer a strong and beautiful alternative to traditional restorative options like bridges, partials, or full dentures called dental implants. Dental implants in Phoenix are the best tooth replacement choice available because they’re the only option that is designed to replace the entire structure of a missing tooth, not just the part you see when you smile!
With dental implants, our patients will see improvements in their smiles, health, well-being, and their quality of life. A complete dental implant procedure will restore the look, feel, and function of one or more missing teeth as if they were never lost in the first place! Keep reading to learn more, and give us a call today to schedule your dental implant consultation.
Why Choose Smile Fitness Dental Centers For Dental Implants?
- Replace Any Number of Missing Teeth for Life
- Entire Dental Implant Treatment Completed Under One Roof
- Multiple Options Available for Making Dental Implants Affordable
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are composed of several parts that recreate the entire structure of a missing tooth. First, there is the implant itself, which is a small, screw-shaped post made of titanium. Surgically placed into your jawbone, it mimics the natural tooth root, helping to stimulate the bone and prevent weakening or deterioration. Next is the abutment, which is the small piece that works to connect the implant to the custom restoration. Finally, the visible portion of the dental implant is the dental crown, implant bridge, or implant denture. Each restoration is custom-made to match the size, color, and shape of your natural teeth, so you have a seamlessly blended smile.
By imitating an entire natural tooth from the root up, dental implants offer a prosthetic that is virtually indistinguishable from home-grown pearly whites.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
When you ask our team about dental implants, we’ll make a point of describing each step of the process. One major thing to remember is that the treatment won’t be completed in just one visit; you will need to plan on making multiple trips to our office, and it may take months or more than a year before your new smile is complete. Rest assured that each step will be carefully planned to ensure that you’re able to enjoy a comfortable, high-quality treatment.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Once you inform our team that you’re interested in dental implants, we’ll set up a consultation for you. When you arrive at our office, we will carry out a traditional examination of your mouth and take some X-rays. Why do we need to do this? Because the information we gather will tell us whether your mouth and jaw will be able to support dental implants.
Sometimes the issues that are preventing you from having dental implants placed can be resolved. We will let you know if bone grafting or other procedures could be used to increase your chances of dental implant success.
Dental Implant Surgery
Your dental implant surgery will be scheduled once we have confirmed that your mouth and jaw are ready. The gums will be opened so that we can access the jawbone. The implant posts will be placed precisely where they need to be. After the treatment is complete, a cap will be attached to each implant post; this aids with the healing of the soft and hard tissues in the area.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
The next phase of the dental implant process is up to your body’s natural processes. Thanks to osseointegration, the jawbone will eventually fuse with your implant posts. This is an extremely important step; without osseointegration, the implant posts wouldn’t have the stability that they need.
After osseointegration comes the placement of the abutments. This does require another surgery, and it will take a few weeks for your gums to heal afterward. Once the abutments are in place and your mouth has fully recovered, we can start preparing to put the finishing touches on your new smile.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
“Dental implant restoration” could refer to a crown for a single implant, a bridge for two implants, or a denture for four or more implants. It goes without saying that the number of teeth that need to be replaced helps determine the kind of restoration you get.
We’ll rely on an outside dental lab to design and create your restoration. Then, when the time comes to anchor it to your dental implants, we’ll take one last look to make sure that there aren’t any sort of adjustments that still need to be made.
Benefits of Dental Implants
In recent years, dental implants have become one of the most popular solutions for missing teeth. They’re an excellent way to restore the strength and appearance of your smile. Because of their unique placement inside the jawbone, implants offer multiple benefits that you simply can’t get with traditional methods (i.e., dentures and dental bridges). At Smile Fitness Dental Center, we’ll explain the advantages of this tooth-replacement solution during your initial consultation. To learn more about how this treatment can improve your quality of life, continue reading or give our office a call today!
Day-to-Day Benefits
Many denture-wearers believe that their prosthetic limits their ability to enjoy their day-to-day life. Fortunately, upgrading to dental implants can be a game-changer. They offer multiple everyday benefits, including:
- Regained Ability to Eat Most Foods – Since implants replace the entire structure of a missing tooth, they’re able to provide unmatched stability and durability. They can withstand the chewing power of almost any food!
- Increased Confidence – With implants, you don’t have to worry about the moving around your mouth because they’re integrated into place. You can eat, speak, and smile with complete confidence!
- Easier Maintenance – Believe it or not, caring for dental implants is as easy as caring for natural teeth. You don’t have to purchase special products or incorporate complex steps into your oral hygiene routine.
Health Benefits
Aside from appearance, you can expect to reap several health benefits with dental implants, such as:
- Jawbone Preservation – Because implants are inserted into the jawbone, they provide it with internal support. As a result, it helps prevent its deterioration and maintains the face’s overall shape.
- Protection for Natural Teeth – It’s common for teeth to shift after tooth loss. Luckily, dental implants serve as placeholders to ensure every member of your smile stays exactly where it belongs.
- Improved Overall Health – Studies have shown a strong correlation between tooth loss and an increased risk of multiple health conditions. Since implants closely resemble natural teeth, it’s safe to assume that they can help lower such risks.
Long-Term Benefits
Dental implants offer many long-term benefits, including:
- High Success Rate – Implants have an impressive success rate of about 95% even 20 years after they’ve been placed!
- Youthful Appearance – Since dental implants stimulate the jawbone, they help prevent the sunken, aged look that often comes with tooth loss.
- Longer Lifespan – As long as you take proper care of it, you can expect your new and improved smile to last decades without needing replacement!
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants can be used to replace any number of missing teeth anywhere in the mouth. What’s more, practically any healthy adult can be considered a good candidate for them! When meeting with one of our dentists for your initial consultation, they will take the time to fully examine your smile to see if dental implants are a good choice for you. During this process, they will evaluate:
- Your oral and overall health – Things such as tooth decay, gum disease, autoimmune disorders, or health-related conditions or diseases can hinder or prevent dental implant placement.
- The strength of your jawbone – Without a strong, durable jawbone, dental implants will have nothing to hold them up.
- Lifestyle habits – If you smoke or enjoy using tobacco products, it’s likely you will be unable to receive dental implants.
If for any reason they find a reason you are not eligible for dental implants, it’s possible they could still be in your future; however, you will need to make some changes. If your jawbone is weak, you can opt to have a bone grafting procedure performed to add extra bone to the weakened area. If you smoke, you will need to quit immediately. If you have gum disease or tooth decay, you will need to take care of these problems before moving forward with dental implants. From there, we can plan your dental implant treatment depending on how many teeth you’re missing.
Missing 1 Tooth
Replacing a single missing tooth requires one dental implant that’s placed into the jawbone where the roots of the tooth once were. Then, the implant is covered with a beautiful, custom-made dental crown for a seamless and fully self-supported tooth replacement.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Several missing teeth in a row can be replaced with an implant bridge. One dental implant is placed on either side of the gap in your smile. Then, the two implants are used to support an implant bridge, effectively closing the gap without altering the remaining teeth, as a traditional bridge would require.
Missing All Teeth
Patients with more advanced tooth loss may want to consider an implant denture. Just like removable prosthetics, the implant varieties use a gum-colored base to support numerous replacement teeth. However, instead of resting on the gums, an implant denture is anchored via four to six dental implants throughout the jaw.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
You’ll naturally want to know how much dental implants cost before you decide for sure that they’re the tooth replacement option for you. We’ll be happy to give you an estimate and discuss strategies for fitting the procedure into your budget more easily. During your first consultation, we’ll examine your mouth and carefully consider both your oral health needs and your financial situation; we will then outline what would need to happen during the implant process and make sure that you understand the costs involved with each step.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
Before you can even begin getting the implants themselves, you might have to pay for a preparatory procedure. This could include tooth extractions for when the tooth being replaced hasn’t actually been lost yet or bone grafts for patients that have already experienced bone loss. Each of these treatments will be paid for separately. The actual implant surgery will have its own cost to consider as well.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
A single dental implant comes in three parts: implant post, abutment, and restoration. We will need to consider the costs of these different parts along with a variety of factors like the material they’re made of and the number of implants needed for your specific case. When it comes to selecting implant material, you can rest assured that we will make sure you get your money’s worth by only selecting reliable materials from trustworthy manufacturers.
Your Final Dental Implant Restoration
You’ll receive your final restoration once your mouth has fully healed from the previous procedures. The price attached to your restoration depends on what kind you need. You may only get a crown for a single implant, but if you’ve lost three or more teeth in a row, a bridge might be used with a pair of implants instead. Partial dentures and full dentures can both be supported by a strategic number of implants to replace multiple teeth throughout the entire mouth. Naturally, each of these restorations come at their own price points.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
You can call your insurance carrier to confirm whether or not implant placement is included in your benefits. More often than not, dental implants are considered elective and won’t be covered. However, parts of the restoration or certain preliminary treatments might still fall under the scope of your plan. Whatever the details of your own insurance policy are, you’ll have our team to review the finer details and help you file the necessary claims to maximize your benefits.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
If you sign up for our Membership Plan, you can get a 20% discount off of various procedures completed at our practice. Third-party financing through CareCredit is available for those who might struggle paying the entire cost of care all at once.
Caring for Your Dental Implants
With good dental hygiene and by curbing bad oral habits that could harm your smile, your dental implants can last for up to 30 years. Our team doesn’t want you to have to worry about having to deal with dental implant failure and salvage, restoration replacements, or any post-operative complications. One way to reduce your chances of this is to follow these key maintenance tips that we’ve outlined for you below.
Prioritize Good Dental Hygiene
Just like with your natural teeth, it’s important to maintain a thorough and good at-home oral hygiene routine. Be sure to brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes, floss daily, and rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash. This will help minimize your risk of peri-implantitis, a leading cause of dental implant failure, by minimizing the presence of harmful oral bacteria.
Maintain a Balanced Diet
If you have a tendency to snack on foods that are high in carbohydrates like sugars and starches, it’s a good idea to occasionally substitute them for smile-friendly alternatives, like fresh fruits and vegetables. Harmful oral bacteria feed off of carbs, meaning the longer sugary or starchy food debris lingers in your mouth, the more bacteria it will attract.
Break Bad Oral Habits Like Smoking
Smoking and tobacco use have been linked to an increased chance of dental implant failure. While it’s not a direct correlation, the act of smoking has been shown to restrict blood flow throughout the mouth. As a result, the osseointegration and healing process following dental implant surgery can become prolonged, increasing the risk of developing an infection. Our team recommends quitting using all tobacco products no later than two weeks before your surgery until your dental implants have fully fused with the jawbone.
Protect Your Implants with a Nightguard
If you have a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth at night, it’s important that you invest in a customized nightguard to minimize the amount of force your dental implants have to sustain. A nightguard can also treat symptoms related to bruxism, like daily headaches, jaw tension, and TMJ disorder.
Schedule Your Routine Checkups & Cleanings
Finally, the last crucial step to maintaining your dental implants is to visit our team at Smile Fitness Dental Centers every six months for your routine checkups and cleanings. At these visits, our team will make sure your dental implants are secure and fully functional. If we notice any signs of issues, these regular appointments allow us to catch them early and be proactive in treating them.
Dental Implant Failure & Salvage
There is no doubt that dental implants are highly reliable for filling in the gaps left by missing teeth. However, they can potentially fail under certain circumstances. Do your implant posts feel loose? Are they causing you any pain? Let us know about these types of problems immediately; we will take whatever steps are necessary to protect the overall health of your smile, and we will do what we can to try to save your dental implants whenever possible.
Learn More About Dental Implant Failure & Salvage
Dental Implant FAQs
Dental implants in Phoenix are the most reliable method for treating tooth loss, but they are a big investment. Don't worry if you have a few questions because your dentist at Fitness Dental Centers will explain everything during your consultation for dental implants. While you wait for your appointment, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions to determine if they are right for you.
Can I Take Dental Implants Out?
A dental implant is unlike any other treatment because it recreates both the root and the crown. An implant post is surgically inserted into your jaw to mimic a root. Your bone will fuse to it through a process called osseointegration. Therefore, you cannot remove it on your own. Only a trained dental professional can take it out, such as in cases of failure. However, some implant dentures are removable for easy cleaning.
Does It Hurt to Get Dental Implants?
You don't have to worry about a painful day in the dentist's chair. Your dentist in Phoenix will use a sedative to keep you comfortable during your placement surgery. Although you won't have any pain during the procedure, your mouth will be tender for a few days after the effects of any sedatives or numbing agents wear off. You can manage your discomfort with an over-the-counter pain reliever and applying cold compresses. Your dentist will instruct you to eat soft foods while your mouth heals. Don't smoke or drink a lot of alcohol to prevent delays in the healing process.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are proven to last for 30 years or more with the right care, but many factors affect their lifespan. High-quality materials can last longer than discounted options. The location of your implant can also affect its life expectancy. Molars undergo more wear and tear naturally, so dental implants used in the back of the mouth may have a slightly shorter lifespan than those used for front teeth. Your oral hygiene is also important to the long-term success of your new smile. Besides brushing and flossing, visit your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup. It's best to break any bad habits that can damage your dental implants, like smoking, chewing on your fingernails, or loosening bottle lids with your teeth. With a commitment to your smile, you'll never have to worry about replacing your lost teeth again.
What Are the Signs of Dental Implant Failure?
The risk of dental implant failure is less than 5%, but it's best to monitor your smile for any changes. The early signs of complications can appear as red, swollen, or bleeding gums. Any pain or tenderness near the implant indicates a problem. If your implant feels loose, contact an emergency dentist right away. Early detection and treatment are crucial to reversing issues that can lead to implant failure. Your dentist will provide the quick care you need to safeguard your investment.