Whether due to injury or decay, losing a tooth can greatly affect your appearance and self-esteem. Additionally, tooth loss may cause difficulties with eating or speaking and can alter your facial structure, leading to toothless individuals appearing as if they’re frowning even when they’re not.
Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry offers a comfortable and long-lasting solution to tooth loss, helping you feel confident in your own skin, and improve your quality of life. Dr. John Paul Gallardo, of Gallardo Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, has performed countless successful dental implants in the Miami area, and he’s passionate about helping patients improve their smiles and their lives with permanent restorations that look and feel just like natural teeth.
What Are Dental Implants?
Acting as artificial tooth roots, dental implants provide a permanent foundation for fixed, replacement teeth called crowns. Dental implants are a popular and effective solution for individuals who have lost one or more adult teeth, serving as the gold standard in dental restoration due to their natural feel, function, and fit. Implants can replace single teeth, multiple teeth, or an entire set of damaged teeth.
Comprising three parts, implants consist of a screw serving as the new tooth’s root, permanently anchoring it to the jaw. The second component, the abutment, is a permanent and removable connector that supports a tooth or set of teeth. Lastly, the visible portion of the tooth, the crown, ensures durability and a natural, appealing appearance with porcelain construction.
How long do Dental Implants last?
About multiple tooth implants
The traditional method of replacing lost teeth is to cement a bridge onto the neighboring teeth. This process unfortunately requires the grinding down of neighboring teeth to provide support.
A superior solution to the problem is using multiple tooth implants or an implant-supported bridge. This technique involves placing several implants in the jaw to replace the roots of the teeth, supporting the bridge without harming adjacent teeth. The outcome is a natural-looking and feeling replacement.
Multiple tooth implants offer the advantage of easier cleaning. With traditional bridges, receding gums can expose metal, and cement may wash out, creating gaps. These issues are not only cosmetically unappealing but also pose risks for bacterial growth and infection.
A multiple tooth replacement provides a stunning, complete smile, along with restored normal eating and speaking abilities. The replacement feels like natural teeth and offers a permanent solution with no restrictions, additional procedures, or risk of cavities.
Before and After Photos
Procedure Gallery
* Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Benefits of dental implants
Getting dental implants can be a life-changing experience. Unlike treatments that only repair the outer portion of a tooth, dental implants replace the entire dental structure, including the root. As a result, they feel just like natural teeth and behave like regular teeth, too. After implant surgery, patients are thrilled to discover that they can speak, chew, and laugh like normal again. Some patients even forget they’re wearing dental implants after they get used to them.
Other benefits of dental implants include:
- High success rate
- More hygienic substitution for the metal of traditional bridges
- Prevent bone loss
- Keep surrounding teeth stable
- Help prevent gum disease
- Easy to care for
- No more removable dentures or bridges — implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss and prevent accidents, such as swallowed dentures.
Dental Implant Options
When it comes to creating dental implants, titanium, and zirconia are biocompatible and can create a strong and stable foundation for replacement teeth, so they are ideal materials.
Titanium dental implants
Titanium was once the material of choice for dental implants because of its durability and ability to attach and grow into the bone as it heals. Titanium posts are safe for most people, but they may pose a risk for allergic reactions in individuals with metal allergies. Another downside to titanium implants is that they can show through the gum tissue, making the surrounding area look dark gray.
Zirconium dental implants
Made from a natural ceramic material, zirconia implants are the newest alternative to traditional titanium. The ceramic material used to make zirconium implants is some of the strongest on the market today. And it’s also resilient to years of biting, chewing, and grinding, just like its metal counterparts. Unlike titanium, ceramic implants are similar in color to natural teeth and never show through the gum tissue.
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Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Good candidates for dental implants are individuals who’d like to replace one, several, or all of their teeth and don’t want bridges or traditional dentures. They should have healthy gums and be an adult with a jaw bone that has completed the growing phase.
However, you may not be a candidate for dental implants if you:
- Smoke
- Use alcohol excessively
- Have uncontrolled gum disease
- Have an unresolved health condition, like diabetes or cancer
During your initial consultation, Dr. Gallardo will evaluate your unique situation and discuss whether implants are a good option or recommend an alternative approach.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
Costs can fluctuate based on the procedure’s complexity.
Single Tooth Implant Cost
Typically, the cost of a single-tooth implant falls between $3,000 and $4,500, encompassing the implant, abutment, and crown.
Multiple Tooth Implant Cost
The cost of multiple tooth implants, or implant-supported bridges, can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the number of teeth being replaced and the materials used.
Full Mouth Implant Cost
Full mouth implant procedures, such as All-on-4 or All-on-6, can range from $20,000 to $45,000 or more. Complex cases require additional procedures leading up to the implant, which will have additional costs.
Keep in mind that these are general estimates, and the exact cost of your implant procedure will depend on your specific needs and circumstances that are determined at a consultation. Some dental insurance plans might pay for part of the procedure.
The Best Dental Implant procedure
Dental implant surgery involves a three-phase process
Dental implant surgery involves a three-phase process that typically takes several months to complete:
- The initial procedure consists of carefully inserting the implants into the jawbone. To do this, Dr. Gallardo will first administer local anesthesia to keep you from feeling any pain. We also offer a number of sedation dentistry options, like intravenous (IV) conscious sedation for implants or nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for greater comfort.
After the area is comfortably numb, Dr. Gallardo will make small incisions in the gum line to expose the bone and make space using special instruments. Then, he will gently place the implant and cover it with gum tissue. After this process is completed, the dental implant will need to integrate into the jawbone for three to six months. Temporary dental crowns will be placed to cover the implant posts.
- In the next phase, Dr. Gallardo attaches a post to the implant and allows the gum tissue to grow around it. Sometimes, the implant and post are placed at the same time.
- During the last appointment, a customized, permanent crown is attached to each implant post. After this, you can enjoy your new smile and care for the implant as you would your natural teeth.
Recovering from dental implant surgery
Dr. Gallardo will provide special aftercare instructions following your dental implant surgery. You will be advised to refrain from rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. Expect some bleeding or redness for 24 hours. In the event of excessive bleeding, place a gauze pad directly on the wound and bite it for half an hour.
Apply an ice pack on the cheek in the area of the incisions to reduce swelling. Do this as much as possible for the first 48 hours to encourage the healing process. You are also encouraged to drink plenty of water and avoid hot foods or liquids for a few days after surgery. Opt for soft foods like mashed potatoes, applesauce, mac and cheese, and oatmeal on the day of the procedure. Avoid hard and sticky items like steak, caramel, cookies, and spicy foods for at least a couple of weeks. Sometimes canker sores appear and they can be treated at home. Consult Dr. Gallardo for different treatment options.
Caring for your dental implants
You must practice good oral hygiene
Implants are the next best thing to real teeth, but you must practice good oral hygiene to reap their full benefits. Follow these oral health practices to keep your implants clean and healthy for years to come:
- Brush and floss daily like you would your natural teeth, paying special attention to the base of the implant to remove food debris
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Avoid habits that can damage the implants, like biting your nails, smoking, chewing on pens or ice, or opening packages with your teeth
- Avoid biting straight into hard foods, like apples or carrots
- Don’t smoke and only drink alcohol in moderation
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year for regular checkups and professional cleanings
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Dental Implants FAQs
It depends on your dental insurance provider. Some policies cover at least part of the surgical procedure, while others may only cover the dental bridge, crown, or appliance supported by the implant, but not the implant itself. If you have any questions about insurance or payment options, please contact our office at 305-547-8805. Our staff is always happy to help.
No, not at all. Surprisingly, implants actually have a success rate of over 90%. Most cases of implant failure can be traced back to inadequate aftercare, such as not maintaining proper oral hygiene.
Fortunately, most of our patients report that their implants gave them minimal pain. Dr. Gallardo uses a variety of advanced techniques and offers detailed aftercare instructions to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during and after the procedure.
Since the implants go into the bone itself, patients must wait until bone growth is complete before having the procedure done. This typically happens around the end of adolescence. Temporary solutions are always available, however. Dr. Gallardo can advise you on your best options until your bones are fully developed and ready for the implants.
Dental implants are strong and snugly fitted into the jaw bone or gum and they can be surgically removed. They won’t shift or fall out unless there is trauma to the teeth or poor dental hygiene. Although dental implants do not come with a lifetime guarantee, you may very well be stuck with them for life. These advanced prosthetic teeth can withstand decades of stress, and they don’t rot. Because of their potential for longevity, they make an excellent choice for single or multiple teeth replacements. You’ll just need to care for your implant daily and keep your appointments for regular dental checkups, and your beautiful smile can last forever.
If you live near Miami, FL, Gallardo Periodontics and Implant Dentistry offers dental implants among its services, and is conveniently located at 2020 SW 27th Ave Miami, FL 33145
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Why choose Dr. Gallardo
- Dr. Gallardo has over 25 years of experience offering general dentistry and specialized periodontics to patients throughout South Florida.
- Graduated from the University of Miami
- Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from New York University College of Dentistry
- Accepted into the V.A. Medical Center General Practice Residency Program of the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs where he was honored with the “Outstanding Resident of the Year” Award.
- C.A.G.S. (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study) from Boston University
- Has lectured nationally and internationally to dentists and hygienists and has been sponsored by companies such as Procter and Gamble to speak on clinical topics related to gum disease and implant dentistry.
- Dr. Gallardo remains on the leading edge of periodontics and implant dentistry through his active and past involvement with University of Florida, Florida Association of Periodontists and North American Society of Periodontists.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation at Gallardo Periodontics and Implant Dentistry
If you are self-conscious about your missing tooth or teeth, we encourage you to schedule a dental implant consultation at our modern Miami area office as soon as possible. We look forward to learning more about your needs and can’t wait to help improve the aesthetics of your smile as well as your oral health. Call us at 305-447-1447 to schedule a private consultation today.
