Dental Implants St. Augustine
Giving You the Chance to Smile for a Lifetime
At Total Dental Care: Tony Lee, DMD, we offer many different options when it comes to tooth replacement, but if you prefer something that delivers permanence and longer-lasting stability, you won’t find a better solution than dental implants. Delivering natural-looking results and optimal functionality, our dental implants in St. Augustine make it possible for you to enjoy a better-quality smile as well as improved overall health. If you are without one or more missing teeth and would like to discuss the potential for dental implants, give our office a call today.
Why Choose Total Dental Care: Tony Lee, DMD for Dental Implants?
- We Partner with Local Dental Implant Specialists
- CT/Cone Beam Scanner Used for Treatment Planning
- In-House Discount Plan for Uninsured Patients
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: Tony Lee, DMD 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.
Dental Implant FAQs
How long do dental implants last?
Depending on the care they receive, dental implants can last for thirty years or more, which is several times longer than the average lifespans of traditional restorations like dentures and bridges. To make yours last for as long as possible, make sure to brush, floss, and use antibacterial mouthwash every day while attending routine dental exams and cleanings at our St. Augustine office. It’s also important to avoid chewing too vigorously on items that are crunchy or chewy as well as using your teeth to open bottles or packages. Smoking is terrible for your oral health and linked to early implant failure.
Does getting dental implants hurt?
The dental implant placement procedure begins with numbing your mouth with a local anesthetic to ensure that you feel no pain throughout the process, and Dr. Lee can administer a sedation treatment if you need extra help staying calm and still. The jawbone doesn’t have many nerve endings to begin with, which means that it is less sensitive to discomfort. After the procedure, you may experience soreness for a few days, but this issue can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers. You may also be able to reduce your discomfort by applying an ice pack or cold compress. However, call our office if your discomfort seems to be getting worse after a few days, as this may be a sign of infection.
Are dental implants safe?
Dental implants are remarkably safe for patients with adequate oral health as long as they are placed by a qualified oral surgeon. If you have conditions such as thin jawbones or gum disease that preclude you from receiving dental implants during your initial consultation, bone grafts or periodontal therapy may be able to address these issues so you can receive these restorations safely. Conditions that inhibit the healing process such as diabetes and cancer can complicate the placement process, so be sure to mention them to Dr. Lee during your consultation so he can plan your treatment accordingly.
How successful are dental implants?
Dental implants placed by a skilled dental professional boast a success rate of over 95% even ten years after placement. However, the success of your implants mostly depends on how well you take care of them by following your postoperative instructions, practicing excellent oral hygiene, keeping up with routine checkups, and making smart eating decisions. Since molars bear more pressure during the chewing process than the front teeth, dental implants placed in the back of the mouth may fail sooner.
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