Dental Implants - Bonita Springs, FL

When you first visit us, we will evaluate your oral health, ask about your medical history, learn about your goals for treatment, and answer any questions you might have about the road ahead. We may also use advanced imaging technology to get an in-depth look at your oral anatomy. Before we approve you for implant placement surgery, you might need to undergo one or more preliminary treatments. For example, some patients require extractions, a bone graft, or gum disease treatment.

Your consultation is also an excellent time to discuss the financial aspects of dental implant services. We are a dental insurance-friendly dental office, and we are pleased to accept CareCredit financing.

Placing dental implants is a surgical procedure that requires a high level of precision, so most dental offices need to refer their patients to an outside specialist for this step. However, that’s not the case here at Pelican Landing Dental! Dr. Lacy Gilbert, DMD, MICOI, FAGD, has advanced training in implant dentistry and has even earned a Mastership in Dental Implants. She will personally ensure your comfort and confidence every step of the way on your journey to your new smile.

During your initial dental implant surgery, one or more dental implants will be inserted into your jawbone. Although the procedure requires a high level of training and education, the basic idea behind it is actually fairly simple. Your dentist will make an incision in the soft tissue, and the implant is placed into the bone. Then, the incision is closed so you can begin the healing process. We use anesthesia and sedation to ensure that our patients are comfortable during their surgery. Most people are able to go back to work within a day or two of their surgery.

Following implant placement, patients need to wait two to five months before receiving their replacement teeth. During this time, a process known as osseointegration occurs. This is the fusion between the implant posts and the jawbone that allows the dental implants to mimic the natural function of tooth roots. Once your implants have fused with the bone, we will expose the dental implants again and attach abutments that will eventually hold your restoration(s) in place.

After your abutments are in place, we’ll take some images and impressions of your mouth. They will serve as the basis for designing your custom restorations, whether you are receiving a crown, a bridge, or an implant denture. A dental laboratory will fabricate the restorations according to our detailed instructions. We’ll thoroughly evaluate the quality of your restorations before we secure them in your mouth. Then, you can go and enjoy your new smile!

Did you know that one survey found that a whopping 33% of denture wearers believe that their prosthetic limited their ability to enjoy life to the fullest? If you can relate, then you’ll be happy to know that dental implants allow patients in Bonita Springs to:

• Enjoy a varied diet – Since they are inserted directly into the jawbone, they have much more stability than traditional bridges and dentures. So, you can enjoy a varied diet filled with all of your favorite foods!
• Smile confidently again – Dental implants are custom-made for each patient, meaning they look as great as they feel.
• Speak clearly – While traditional dentures can slip if they don’t fit properly, dental implants are so secure that you won’t have to worry about that.
• Complete their oral hygiene regimen with ease – Dental implants don’t require special cleaning tools or products; you can care for them the same way you do your natural teeth!

Dental implants don’t just benefit the look of your smile; they benefit the function and health of it as well. Here are a few noteworthy health advantages of dental implants:

• Jawbone preservation – While other tooth-replacement solutions rest against your gums or rely on the surrounding teeth for support, dental implants are surgically placed into the jawbone, which provides the stimulation needed to prevent bone loss.
• Better alignment – Without dental implants, the teeth surrounding the gap can begin to drift out of place. Fortunately, this state-of-the-art tooth-replacement option can prevent that from happening and doesn’t require any alterations to your healthy natural teeth.
• Improved overall health – Dental implants ensure you can smile confidently, speak clearly, and eat a well-balanced, varied diet – all things that impact your quality of life and overall health.

Dental implants are known for their long lifespan, but how long do they typically last exactly? Study after study has found that they have a 95% success rate even after 20 years. As a result, there is a good chance that they are the most cost-effective tooth-replacement option in the long run! Plus, maintaining them doesn’t require an overhaul of your existing oral hygiene regimen. Simple best practices like visiting your dentist for a checkup every six months, brushing twice a day, and avoiding unhealthy dental habits like smoking can go a long way in keeping them pristine!

For those patients who are missing one tooth or several consecutive teeth, we will create a dental crown or fixed bridge. A single implant can be used to support one dental crown replacement tooth, and in some cases, the single implant post is able to support two crowns fused together to replace two consecutive teeth.

Patients missing three or four consecutive teeth will need to have two implant posts placed. The posts will attach to either end of a fixed bridge. If you’re missing more than four consecutive teeth or nonconsecutive teeth, you may want to consider a partial denture. Implant partial dentures are supported by two to four dental implants, and they flawlessly fill in the gaps in patients’ smiles.

We can also craft full dentures that work in much the same way as their traditional counterparts. However, rather than creating suction between the gums and denture to provide support, an implant-retained denture is attached to several, precisely placed implant posts. Typically, an implant denture can be adequately supported with four to six implants.

Some patients require preparatory treatment before they are eligible to receive dental implants. For example, you might require tooth extractions, gum disease therapy, or a bone graft. Logically, these services each come with their own price.

The dental implant placement surgery, as well as any sedation that is used during it, will also influence your financial obligation. The costs associated with these depend on the number of implants placed and other factors. Our dentists are able to provide most dental implant services in-house, and we will be with you every step of the way to help you understand the prices associated with your treatment.

The materials used in your implant procedure come with their own price. Manufacturers charge different fees for various types of implants. During your consultation, we will clearly explain why we recommend a certain type of implant procedure and the benefits associated with it. If there are any alternative options, we’ll discuss those with you as well. We always aim to be transparent with our patients.

A dental implant restoration is the prosthetic tooth (or teeth) that gets attached to dental implants. As you might expect, a single crown for a single implant will cost less than a denture that replaces an entire arch of lost teeth. A multi-unit bridge or partial denture has a separate price as well. Also, keep in mind that the type of material used to fabricate a restoration (such as acrylic or porcelain) also has a bearing on the cost.

More and more dental insurance companies are recognizing the value of dental implants and offering coverage for them. However, there are still many policies that do not. If yours does not, it may help to cover other portions of your implant treatment plan, such as preliminary procedures or your final restorations. It is also worth checking with your medical insurance to see if it covers dental implants. Our team will be happy to help you understand how your dental policy applies and file claims on your behalf.

While insurance is a valuable asset, it is not the only resource that may make your new smile more affordable. For example, most patients are eligible for financing through CareCredit. CareCredit is a third-party lender that offers low-interest and no-interest payment plans for medical and dental services. You will be able to apply for the type of financing that you believe is the best fit for your situation.

The cost of dental implants may seem high at first, but most patients have absolutely no regrets about investing in them. They can provide you with a lifetime of healthy smiles!