Dental Implants Tampa, Florida

Once the appropriate treatment plan has been determined, we will place the implant(s) in the bone using a gentle surgical technique.  Depending on your needs and desires, the procedure can be performed under local anesthetic, oral sedation utilizing sleeping pills or an IV (conscious) sedation.  For most patients, there is minimal, if any, discomfort in the days following the procedure.  When sedation is not utilized, most patients are able to resume their routine daily activities as soon as the appointment is completed.  Postoperative discomfort is easily managed with over-the-counter or prescription-strength non-narcotic medications.

For the implants to bond properly to bone, they must remain undisturbed for a period of several weeks to several months. At this time, greater than 90% of the routine implant placements in our office are ready to begin the final restoration process with the patient’s restoring dentist in 6 to 8 weeks. During the healing period, the bone will remodel around the implants and attach directly to them.  In most cases we will attach a small cap to the implant that is flush with the gum tissue. This cap stays in place while the bone is bonding the implant(s).  Because this cap extends through the gum tissue, unlike years ago, there is usually no need for a second surgery to expose the implant.

If needed, our doctors or your dentist will create a temporary replacement tooth for you to wear during the bone remodeling period.  In some cases, a provisional crown (temporary replacement crown) can be placed immediately on the implant.  The important thing is that you will not have to go without your teeth.

In many cases, patients are referred to our doctors at the time a tooth has been identified as hopeless, nonrestorable, or when predictable treatment options no longer exist.  In those cases that a dental implant is the chosen tooth replacement, we are asked to remove the tooth and prepare the bone for the placement of a dental implant in the future.  This process is referred to as a ridge preservation bone graft and can be performed to prevent the loss of bone that occurs after a tooth is extracted or to rebuild bone that is lost due to infection associated with the tooth.  The process of preserving the jawbone anatomy is significantly more predictable and more comfortable than rebuilding the jawbone once it is lost.  Maintaining proper jawbone anatomy ensures that dental implants are placed into appropriate positions for long-term success.

In areas where teeth have been missing for many years, there may not be adequate bone available to ensure that the implants are stabilized.  Fortunately, techniques have been developed that allow our doctors to rebuild the missing bone and provide the necessary support for facial structures and implants.  These bone augmentation procedures include ridge augmentation bone grafts as well as sinus elevation bone grafts.

In certain situations, our doctors may recommend a special type of implant procedure where the implant is placed immediately following the surgical removal of a tooth.  This allows the number of surgeries involved with the implant treatment to be minimized and speeds the implant tooth replacement process.  To place an implant into an extraction socket, we have to be able to place the implant tightly into the jawbone.  This tight fit minimizes any microscopic movement that might occur as the implant and jawbone are both healing.  Because the teeth in the front of the mouth often have one root that is closer in size to dental implants, the ability to place immediate implants is more common the closer the teeth are to the front of the mouth.

The loss of a tooth is a traumatic event.  The psychological trauma is greatly multiplied when the tooth is part of a patient’s smile.  Our doctors understand the emotional stress caused by the loss of a tooth.  For that reason, our doctors and staff make it a priority to ensure patients understand their options regarding tooth replacement following extractions.  Tooth replacements, usually removable, can always be prefabricated by a patient’s dentist or our doctors.  In highly specific cases, we can place a temporary crown on an implant placed on the day of the tooth extraction.  The crown is meant to be a cosmetic tooth replacement during the initial healing of the extraction socket and while the bone bonds to the implant.  Psychologically, the impact of having an immediate tooth replacement greatly reduces the emotional trauma of losing the tooth.

After the implant has bonded to the bone, a connection post (abutment) will be placed so that your dentist can fabricate your new replacement tooth.  There are different types of abutments, including abutments prefabricated by the implant company or customized abutments fabricated for your particular anatomy.  Customized abutments are most commonly utilized in the majority of cases, with fixture level impressions as the primary choice versus abutment level impressions. We will recommend the appropriate abutment for your situation.

In the final phase of treatment, your dentist creates and fits the replacement teeth to the abutments.  Your new teeth are designed after careful assessment of both your functional and cosmetic requirements.  During the fabrication process, the models made from the impressions of your mouth are sent to the dental laboratory technician who will fabricate your new replacement teeth.  You, your dentist, and the laboratory technicians will work together during the fabrication process to ensure the replacement teeth are the proper size, shape, color, and fit.

Implant maintenance care at home is very similar to the care necessary for your natural teeth. Professional care does differ, however, and special instrumentation may be necessary to clean the implant surfaces below the gumline. Our hygienists utilize these instruments and other technologies as part of implant maintenance care performed in our offices. Good oral hygiene, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new implant