Dental Implant Treatment – From $79/mo
Restore Your Smile With Dental Implants in Davie
Living with missing teeth can be a debilitating and embarrassing ordeal. Not only does tooth loss hinder your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence, but it may also put your health at risk. Untreated tooth loss leaves you vulnerable to a host of oral health issues that can negatively affect the rest of your body.
Tooth loss is a common dental issue that affects millions of Americans. Fortunately, advancements in modern dentistry mean you don’t have to settle for non-permanent treatments that may fall out, need frequent replacement, and may not protect your oral health. At Comfy Smile Dental, Dr. Cortes is proud to offer durable dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are permanent replacements for missing teeth made of three parts:
- Titanium fixture: The foundation that mimics the root of the tooth.
- Abutment: The piece that connects the replacement tooth to the fixture.
- Restoration: The replacement for the missing tooth connected to the fixture by the abutment.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants provide a number of advantages over non-implant solutions like traditional dentures and bridges, such as:
- Stability — The titanium fixture is surgically inserted into your jawbone, where it fuses to the bone through a process called osseointegration.
- Durability — Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care.
- Health Benefits – Dental implants provide added protection against tooth loss related health issues such as loss of jawbone density (resorption) and TMJ (temporomandibular disorder).
- Natural Appearance – Our stunning dental crowns sit atop your titanium implant and are the only part of your restoration visible above the gum line. They look and feel as comfortable as your natural teeth, so you can smile with confidence.
- Easy Care – Caring for your implants is easy — simply brush twice a day, floss once a day, and rinse between meals to keep your implants clean. We also strongly recommend visiting our Davie, FL office at least twice a year for routine dental exams.
The Dental Implant Process
- An initial consultation with Dr. Cortes in which he’ll give you a thorough dental exam, review your medical history, and discuss your budget and oral health goals with you. With the information he collects during your consultation, Dr. Cortes will be able to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for dental implants.
- At your next appointment, we’ll prepare your mouth for implant placement surgery by applying a local anesthetic. This will help ensure you don’t feel any pain while Dr. Cortes works.
- Once we’ve ensured the anaesthetic is working properly, Dr. Cortes will make a small incision into your gums where the titanium fixture will be inserted.
- Next, he’ll insert the titanium fixture into your jawbone through the incision. You’ll return for your next appointment once the osseointegration process is complete. This may take anywhere from three to six months, but the timeframe can vary based on several oral health factors.
- When you return for your final appointment, Dr. Cortes will attach your restoration to the titanium fixture with an abutment piece.
- After Dr. Cortes has made any necessary adjustments, you’ll be able to walk out of our Davie office with your new smile!
Dental Implants For Lifelong, Healthy Smiles
With dental implants, you can have a permanent tooth loss solution that preserves your oral health and well being and allows you to take pride in your smile.
To learn more about dental implants, or to schedule a consultation at our Davie office, call us at (954) 251-0804 or request an appointment online. Dr. Cortes and his skilled team are happy and eager to assist you in completing your smile.
Bone Grafting in Davie, FL
Prepare Your Jaw For Dental Implants
A strong and healthy jawbone is one of the most important contributors to a dental implant’s success. Without plenty of healthy bone tissue, your implant will lack the support it needs to function like a natural tooth.
If you have insufficient jawbone mass for dental implants, don’t let that discourage you. Our dentists can help you qualify for implants with a bone grafting procedure. Learn more about this supplemental treatment and how it can prepare you for implant placement.
What is bone grafting
Bone grafting is a supplemental oral surgery procedure designed to prepare a patient’s jawbone for dental implants. When you’re missing teeth, the connected portions of your jaw lose their source of stimulation, causing your jawbone to rapidly weaken and deteriorate. This will eventually lead to misaligned teeth, sagging skin, premature wrinkles, and more.
As a result, patients who have lived with missing teeth or worn dentures for a long time often require a bone graft to become candidates for implants. The procedure is fast, minimally-invasive, and provides your jaw with the stimulation it needs for healthy bone growth.
How Bone Grafting Works
For your convenience, we complete every step of your implant treatment in our office, including any supplemental procedures. This means you won’t have to visit another dentist for your bone graft, as is often the case.
We’ll start your treatment by numbing the grafting area with local anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel any pain. We’ll then take healthy bone tissue from a donor or another part of your body and graft it to the deficient areas of your jaw, restoring it to full strength. If necessary, we can also prescribe an antibiotic or oral rinse to prevent infection and other complications.
Frequently asked questions
Are dental implants right for me?
Ideal candidates for dental implants have sufficient bone density and overall good oral health. If you’re interested in dental implants, schedule a consultation with Dr. Cortes by calling 954-251-0804. He’ll examine your oral health and determine the best plan of care.
What can I eat after dental implant surgery?
To help your implants heal properly, you’ll need to avoid certain foods and drinks for up to two weeks. Before eating again, allow your anesthetic to wear off. This will prevent you from unknowingly biting down too hard and damaging your lips, cheeks, tongue, or your new implants.
When you do start eating again, stick to soft foods like:
- Jell-O
- Soft and ripe fruit
- Cooked vegetables
- Soup
- Smoothies
- Cooked pasta
- Mashed potatoes
- Applesauce
As for what you should drink, stick to liquids that are:
- Low on sugar
- Non-carbonated
- Room temperature
- Non-alcoholic
Following these rules for at least two weeks after your dental implant surgery will reduce tooth sensitivity, help preserve your dental implants, and keep the healing process on schedule.
How many teeth can be replaced with dental implants?
Dental implants can replace as little as one tooth or as many as a full set. If you choose to get a full set, you’ll need as little as four implants to secure a complete smile. If you’re interested in completing your smile, contact our office by calling (954) 251-0804.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth. They are the most advanced method of restoring your smile because they’re more resilient and durable than bridges and dentures.
By following a regular oral hygiene routine and scheduling biannual checkups and cleanings with Dr. Cortes, you can expect your implant to last a lifetime.
Is bone grafting painful?
We’ll use a local anesthetic to numb your mouth before the procedure, so you won’t feel any pain. The treatment is fast and minimally-invasive, so you should be able to recover quickly with minimal discomfort. Most patients don’t report any pain while their graft heals and any symptoms can typically be managed with over-the-counter medications.
How long does bone grafting procedure take?
A bone grafting procedure is typically completed in 45 to 90 minutes at our office. Your recovery period after treatment will last about two weeks and the bone should fully regenerate in three to six months. Keep in mind that both your treatment time and recovery time can vary based on the size of the bone graft and the nature of your specific case.
Do you need bone graft for dental implant treatment?
If you’ve suffered from jawbone deterioration as a result of missing teeth, you’ll likely need a bone graft to qualify for dental implants. However, patients who have only recently lost teeth often still have plenty of jawbone mass, eliminating the need for a bone graft.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Cortes or Dr. Prieto will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, and jawbone to determine if you need any supplemental procedures to become a candidate for implants.
Will my dental insurance cover bone graft?
Unfortunately, most insurance providers don’t offer full coverage for bone grafting. However, some providers may pay for up to 80% of the total cost, depending on the specifics of your plan. Our team is always happy to answer any questions you have about insurance and help you maximize your benefits.