Dental Implants St. Augustine

What are Dental Implants?

Dental bridges and dentures only replace the visible portion of your smile, but dental implants restore the roots and crowns of missing teeth. Made of titanium, these posts mimic the look of small screws while delivering similar functionality as tooth roots. When placed within the jawbone, they fuse over time to allow for a stable smile that can last 30 years or more; in fact, many cases state that these prosthetics can last a lifetime.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

• Initial Dental Implant Consultation – You will first need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lee. He will use our CT/Cone Beam Scanner to craft a personalized treatment plan that indicates whether you require additional preliminary treatments or not.
• Dental Implant Surgery – Total Dental Care does not perform dental implant surgery in-house, so we will refer you to an outside specialist. They will place each implant into the appropriate area along your jawbone to ensure maximum support.
• Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment – Once your surgery is complete, you will return home to heal and allow osseointegration to occur. This involves the implants fusing with your jawbone and can take 4-6 months. You will then have your metal abutments attached, which ensures your restoration and implant remain connected.
• Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s) – During your initial consultation, Dr. Lee will determine which type of restoration you will need (i.e., crown, bridge, or denture). He will have it created and ready for placement once you are fully healed.

Benefits of Dental Implants

While dental bridges and dentures offer many benefits, dental implants go a step further to deliver the kind of advantages that cannot be achieved with any other form of tooth replacement. These unique prosthetics not only make it easier to eat the foods you love because of the optimal stability, but they also allow for better oral health and well-being. You’ll enjoy greater confidence each time you speak to others or prepare to enjoy a meal, and you’ll appreciate the beautiful aesthetic that comes from a smile that looks and feels natural.