Dental Implants – Jacksonville, FL
Sturdy, Long-Lasting New Smiles
If you need dental implants or if tooth loss is inevitable, Dr. Altenbach will guide you through a variety of options to consider. Significant advances have been made in the field of implant dentistry over the past several years, and dental implants are an excellent long-term option to replace missing teeth and restore your smile.
Altenbach Dentistry is proud to be among the few general dental practices able to offer world-class dental implant services from beginning to end, including planning, placement, and restoration. Call us today to schedule your consultation for dental implants in Jacksonville!
Why Choose Altenbach Dentistry for Dental Implants?
- In-House Dental Implant Surgery
- Long-Lasting, Reliable Dental Materials
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts placed in the upper and/or lower jaw to support a missing tooth or teeth. Since dental implants replace missing tooth roots, they provide the strength and stability required to support chewing, while also stimulating the jawbone to prevent bone loss.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
- Consultation: The first step of the process is to schedule a consultation at our office so that we can confirm that you’re a candidate for dental implants. Bone grafts and other preliminary treatments may be needed before you move on to the next step.
- Surgery: We can place dental implants in-house, so you won’t have to worry about driving to a separate specialist’s office or relying on an unfamiliar team for the surgery.
- Osseointegration/Abutment: Osseointegration usually takes about three to six months. Once the implants have joined with the jawbone, we can attach abutments to them.
- Final Restoration: We’ll take impressions of your smile to design a customized bridge, denture, or crown. Said restoration will be secured to your implants via the abutments.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants stand apart from other tooth replacements thanks to several unique advantages:
- They fulfill the same functions as natural tooth roots, actively preventing bone loss in your jaw.
- They restore most of your chewing power so that you can eat whatever you want.
- They keep your new teeth in place at all times, unlike dentures that might periodically slip.
- They can last for several decades with minimal maintenance, meaning you’ll rarely, if ever, need to replace them.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
You are most likely able to get dental implants if you are missing at least one tooth, are in good overall health, are free of gum disease, and have enough bone in your jaw for successful dental implant surgery. If you don’t meet these criteria, don’t worry; bone grafts and other preliminary treatments can address any issues so that implants remain a viable option for you. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have so that you can be sure dental implants truly fit your needs.
Missing One Tooth
A single missing tooth can be replaced with one dental implant post. Once your mouth has healed, the implant post can be restored with a lifelike dental crown. The results will look and feel so natural that you might occasionally forget that you ever had a tooth replaced at all.
Missing Multiple Teeth
You don’t need a dental implant post for each tooth you’ve lost. Two dental implants can support a dental bridge to replace three or more consecutive teeth. If there are multiple gaps in your smile, a partial denture can be attached to a set number of implant posts set throughout your grin.
Missing All of Your Teeth
When you’re missing an entire arch of teeth, a full denture is often the most efficient way to replace them all at once. But instead of having your denture rest on your gums, you can have them attached to four to six dental implant posts; this will give them much better stability and let you eat all your favorite foods without restriction.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Before you move forward with the process of having dental implants placed, you need to figure out how the treatment will fit into your budget. We don’t want your new smile to strain your bank account too much, which is why we will always be transparent about the costs attached to the procedure. On top of that, we’ll make sure that you’re aware of your financial options and point you toward any strategies that could make paying for dental implants easier.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
The dental implant process is different for everyone. Some patients might need gum disease therapy, bone grafting, and other procedures performed in order to be considered candidates for dental implant placement. As such, you may need to pay for any preliminary treatments that our team deems necessary.
The cost of the actual dental implant surgery is not set in stone. Factors such as the surgical site and the possible use of sedation need to be considered. Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about receiving a bill from a different practice since the surgery can be performed right here at our office.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
How much will you end up paying for the dental implants themselves? The answer depends on:
- • The number of dental implant posts that are needed to fill in all of the empty space in your smile.
- • The type of prosthesis that will be attached to the dental implants. (Said prosthesis could be a crown, a bridge, or a denture.)
- • The material used to make the dental implant posts.
- • The brand of dental implant used.
When you visit our office, we can go into more detail about the factors listed above so that you fully understand the role they play in determining the final cost of your dental implants.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
Even though dental implants cost more than traditional dentures and bridges, they can also help you save money. While that might sound like an odd idea, it makes sense if you consider the longevity of the dental implant posts. A traditional denture or bridge will likely have to be replaced every 5 to 10 years; dental implants, meanwhile, are known to be able to last for decades. In other words, dental implants can be good for your budget in the long term since you won’t have to pay for replacements as often.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
There are many dental insurance plans that will not pay for dental implants but can still provide coverage for the final restoration as well as a number of preliminary treatments. Talk to your insurance company to confirm your benefits; you should already be familiar with what your plan does and doesn’t cover before you begin the dental implant process.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
When discussing ways to make paying for dental implants easier, we may mention our Altenbach Dentistry Membership Plan, which includes discounts on a variety of services along with various other benefits. We can also help you apply for CareCredit, SunBit, or Wisetack financing if breaking the cost of your care into installments would help simplify things.
Dental Implant FAQs
If you're ready to replace your missing teeth, you don't have to settle for less than the best. Dental implants in Jacksonville can treat your tooth loss permanently using a solution that looks and feels natural. Don't worry if you have a few concerns because Dr. Sean M. Altenbach will explain everything during your consultation. While you wait for your appointment, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about dental implants.
Can I Take Dental Implants Out?
A dental implant is unlike any other tooth replacement method because it replicates both the root and the crown. A titanium post is surgically placed into your jawbone to mimic a root. Your bone will fuse to the implant through a process called osseointegration, allowing it to potentially stay in place forever. Therefore, only a trained dental professional can remove it, but some implant dentures can be taken out for easy cleaning.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants have over a 95% success rate and are proven to last for 30 years or longer, but many factors affect their cost. The quality of materials you choose can influence their lifespan, as well as the location of the implant. Back teeth undergo more wear and tear naturally, so those used to replace molars may have a slightly shorter lifespan. You can get the most from your investment with good oral hygiene habits at home and visiting your dentist regularly for a cleaning and checkup.
Does It Hurt to Get Dental Implants?
You will require oral surgery to implant your post, but you don't have to worry about a painful day in the dentist's chair. Your implant dentist in Jacksonville will use medications to block any pain, so you won't feel anything. However, after the effects of any numbing agents or sedatives dissipate, it is normal for your mouth to be tender for a few days. You can manage it by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever and applying a cold compress. Your dentist will give you additional aftercare instructions, like eating soft foods.
What Are the Signs of Dental Implant Failure?
The risk of dental implant failure is less than 5%, but it's important to remain vigilant for any signs of complications, like inflammation, redness, or bleeding of the gums. If you experience pain near the implant or it feels loose, don't wait to contact our office. The sooner you receive treatment, the more likely we can save your investment from failure.
What Should I Do If My Implant Feels Loose?
After your jawbone has integrated with the post, it should never feel loose. If your dental implant wiggles, contact our office immediately. It can be a sign of peri-implantitis, an infection like gum disease. It can also indicate other issues, like bone loss or rejection of the implant. Do not wait to see a dentist.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Your dental implants have the potential to provide you with a lifetime of healthy, happy smiles. However, they can only fulfill that purpose if you do your part. You should make diligent efforts to care for your prosthetic teeth. What specifically should you do? Here is some practical guidance:
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
Infection around dental implants is a leading cause of implant failure. Often, such infections are caused by poor oral hygiene. To prevent that from happening to you, you should:
- Thoroughly brush your teeth at least twice a day. Use a soft brush and apply gentle pressure.
- Floss once a day or use an oral irrigator to clean along your gumline.
- Regularly rinse with antibacterial mouthwash.
- Drink lots of water.
Eat a Healthy Diet
You should feel free to eat all of your favorite foods with dental implants. However, just like natural teeth, some foods are better for implants than others. Here are some basic dietary guidelines to protect your prosthetic teeth:
- Enjoy sugary, starchy, and acidic foods only in moderation.
- Do not bite down on extremely hard foods. For example, you should be careful with bone-in meats.
- Eat lots of nutrients that support oral health, such as vitamin C, vitamin D, and calcium.
Break Bad Habits
A couple of bad habits that could put your implants at risk include:
- Smoking is a major contributor to dental implant failure because it increases the risk of infection and can weaken your immune system.
- Using your teeth as tools. You should not use your teeth to open packages, trim your fingernails, or carry out other tasks for which they are not designed.
Protect Your Dental Implants
Dental implants are very strong, but they still need to be protected from damage. For example, you should be sure to wear a mouthguard whenever you play sports. Custom mouthguards tend to be more effective and comfortable than OTC options. If you tend to grind your teeth at night, you should wear a different kind of mouthguard — one that is specifically designed to prevent your upper and lower teeth from harming one another.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
Even if you do not have any remaining natural teeth, you should still attend a dental appointment every six months. During these visits, we can thoroughly clean your mouth. We may even remove your restorations so we can clean your implant abutments (this is important because some types of implant restorations cannot be removed by a patient at home). We will also look for signs of any developing problems. If we notice any issues, we can provide prompt treatment.