What are dental implants, and how do they work?
Dental implants are one of several tooth replacement options available at our Pensacola, Florida, office. If you are currently considering your options for tooth replacement, Drs. Gina and Christopher Gomez of Gomez Family Dentistry can assist you.
What is a dental implant?
Our team at Gomez Family Dentistry defines a dental implant as a custom, artificial tooth root that is surgically embedded into the jawbone to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. It’s made of titanium and other materials compatible with the human body, making them biologically safe. Dental implants act like anchors for the replacement teeth and can replace one or more missing teeth without impacting adjacent teeth. They also help preserve facial structure, reducing bone degeneration that often accompanies bridgework and dentures. In addition, since they become a part of your mouth, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
Am I a proper candidate for dental implants?
At Gomez Family Dentistry, we offer traditional dental implants designed to help restore your smile based on your specific needs. Drs. Gina and Christopher Gomez will carefully evaluate if you are a good candidate for these restorations. The best candidates are those missing one or more teeth with sufficient jawbone structure available to ensure a successful surgery. This can be determined using dental X-rays to look at the structure of the jaw and mouth and decide on the best placement of the implant for desired results. If you don’t have sufficient jawbone to place an implant, many times bone can be added to the site in question to ensure a successful implant surgery.
How are dental implants used?
Dental implants are versatile, making them a reliable choice for many patients experiencing tooth loss or extraction. These restorations can be used to replace a single tooth. These can also be used on one or both sides of a dental bridge, offering a foundation when patients might not have surrounding teeth. Alternatively, dental implants can also be placed along the dental arch to hold a full conservative denture in the smile for complete restoration.
Real Patients, Real Results
What alternative options are available?
Dental implants are just one of many tooth replacement options in our practice, including full dentures, partial dentures, and dental bridges.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are titanium roots, that are replaced with in the jawbone to resemble a tooth or group of teeth. A screw is inserted through the gums and into the jawbone. A porcelain crown is then attached to the screw to become the new tooth or teeth. They can be used to support dental prosthesis including crowns, dentures, and bridges. Today’s treatments are so natural looking, no one will know you had surgery. There’s approximately a 95% success rate for all implants. With modern advances in dentistry, some implants can be restored immediately with life like all porcelain crowns. For more details ask your dentist.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
How many teeth can dental implants replace?
Dental implants are incredibly versatile and can replace any number of missing teeth. Common dental implant options include:
- Single-tooth implant: The dentist combines a titanium post with a dental crown to replace an individual missing tooth.
- Implant-supported bridge: Replace a few missing teeth in a row with an implant bridge that doesn’t rely on surrounding teeth for anchorage.
- Full-mouth restoration: All-on-X dental implants replace an entire arch of missing teeth with four or more implants per arch.
Whether you have lost one, several, or all of your teeth, we can customize dental implants to meet your specific needs, providing natural-looking, long-lasting results.
Does getting dental implants hurt?
Not at Gomez Family Dentistry. We use powerful local anesthetics that keep your mouth fully numb during treatment. You may feel pressure, but not pain. Afterward, you may experience sensitivity, bruising, and swelling. However, any discomfort is mild and easily manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers and home remedies. Our team ensures maximum comfort during and after the dental implant procedure.
Why do I need a healthy jawbone for dental implants?
Dental implants rely on a strong, healthy jawbone for support. The implant acts like a tooth root and needs sufficient bone density to fuse properly in a process called osseointegration. If you have significant bone loss because of trauma, gum disease, or prolonged tooth loss, we recommend bone grafting to replenish lost bone tissue.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants can last 20 years or more, and often a lifetime with regular maintenance. To maximize the longevity of your implants, observe good oral hygiene and visit your dentist biannually for dental check-ups and cleanings. It’s also important to be mindful of your habits, so avoid smoking and using your teeth as tools.
Can dental implants fail?
Dental implants have an over 95% success rate, making them one of the most reliable tooth replacements. However, like most things in life, there is no 100% guarantee. While rare, dental implants can fail because of poor osseointegration, infection (peri-implantitis), implant rejection, and poor healing. Although failure can happen, working with an experienced dentist helps minimize any risks.
Can I have dental implants if I smoke?
Tobacco products contain harmful chemicals that slow down wound healing, increasing the risk of implant failure. That said, smoking doesn’t automatically make you ineligible for dental implants. You can still become a candidate if you are committed to quitting. Your Pensacola implant dentist will recommend that you quit smoking before and during healing to improve your chances of success.
What is the cost of dental implants in Pensacola, FL?
Your treatment cost depends on the number of implants, the complexity of treatment, and the need for additional procedures such as bone grafting. At Gomez Family Dentistry, we’ll discuss costs during the consultation stage to ensure you proceed with confidence. We’ll also discuss how to make treatment affordable with insurance and dental financing.
Does insurance cover the cost of dental implants?
Yes, but the exact coverage varies by plan. It’s important to verify the specifics of your coverage with your provider to avoid surprises down the line. As a courtesy, our team can also check your coverage and even file claims on your behalf. We want to make your experience seamless so that you focus on what matters most: your oral health.
Who offers the best dental implants in Pensacola, FL?
Gomez Family Dentistry is the premier destination for dental implants in the Pensacola area. If you want single-tooth or full-mouth dental implants, you can trust Dr. Christopher Gomez and Dr. Gina Bertuglia Gomez with high-quality implant services. Call (850) 429-4664 and schedule your appointment today.
Christopher Gomez, DDS
Studied Chemistry at Florida International University. After college, he received a US Air Force Health Professions Scholarship and graduated at the top of his class from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 2012. Then, he completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program at Keesler Air Force Base (Biloxi, Mississippi) and was stationed at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, where he served the rest of his term as a Captain. Dr. Christopher completed a year-long Comprehensive Implant Residency Program in Bessemer, Alabama, which gave him specialized knowledge on dental implants. He is currently in a 2-year orthodontic program learning to do conventional orthodontics and clear aligners.
Gina Bertuglia Gomez, DDS
Studied Psychology and Spanish Studies at the University of Delaware before attending the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, where she met Dr. Christopher Gomez. Upon graduation from dental school, she completed a one-year General Practice Residency at Stonybrook University, NY. She has spent the last ten years in private practice in Gulf Breeze and Pensacola, Florida. Dr. Gina always keeps the patients’ best interests at heart and treats them the same way she would treat her family.
