Dental Implants — Fort Lauderdale, FL

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

Before we can start anything else, we need to meet with you in person. This appointment gives us the opportunity to examine your mouth, make sure you’re eligible for implants, and plan out the rest of your treatment. You have the chance to talk about your replacement options, the timing and cost of treatment, and discuss any preliminary procedures you may need to increase your chances of success. These procedures include bone grafts and gum disease therapy. Our periodontist will do everything possible to ensure that your dental implants are successful!

Dental Implant Surgery

Once all the preliminary work has been done, we can actually work on positioning the implant posts. We start by numbing the area, so that you’re completely comfortable during the placement surgery. This procedure involves making a small incision in the gum tissue and inserting the post into the jawbone. As a board-certified periodontist, our expert has the experience and clinical knowledge to handle these advanced procedures with ease. Then, we’ll close up the gum tissue and send you home to rest and recover for a few days.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

Following the placement procedure, there will be a waiting period of at least a few months where we allow the jawbone to generate new tissue growth and surround the implant posts. This process, called osseointegration, is critical for your implants’ success. After about three to six months, we should be ready to put in the abutment piece or connector that attaches the restoration to the post. For this procedure, we will need to make another small incision in the gum tissue, but your recovery should be much faster.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

Finally, when the abutment is in place, we can then take impressions of your arches. Our trusted dental lab fabricates your custom restoration, whether it be a crown, bridge, or denture. When it’s ready, they’ll ship it to us, and we’ll contact you to schedule a time when we can bond the restoration in position. It should feel just like your natural teeth, and it is ready to use and enjoy almost immediately, meaning you can eat basically anything you’d like after the restoration has been placed.

Looks Natural for Added Confidence

All-ceramic material is used to custom-craft your dedicated implant restorations. They are designed to match the color, size, and shape of your teeth. You can speak and smile with confidence knowing your new teeth look natural, so no one will know they aren’t your own.

Feels Natural to Enjoy Your Favorite Foods

Dental implants don’t rely on the support of other teeth to hold them in place. In fact, titanium implant posts are surgically placed into your jawbone to serve as roots. Your jaw fuses to the posts to provide a secure foundation for your restoration, so you’ll never need to worry about any slipping or irritation. You’ll regain as much as 70% of your biting force to enjoy your favorite foods again and maintain a balanced diet.

Preserve Your Jawbone Density

With the implant posts acting as new roots, they stimulate your jaw to encourage new bone growth. This preserves your jawbone’s density and stops dental drift, a phenomenon where remaining teeth move out of alignment, therefore improving your overall oral health. Since dental implants are the only treatment to replace the roots, they are also the only solution to stop bone loss associated with missing teeth.

Long-Term Solution, Cost-Effective

Even with the best care, traditional prosthetics need to be replaced every few years. Dental implants are proven to last for decades with the right aftercare. As a result, they are more cost effective because they should never need to be replaced. Not to mention, they also improve your dental health to lower your risk of cavities, tooth decay, and tooth loss. This decreases your oral health expenses overall. You can ensure your new smile lasts by maintaining your oral hygiene at home and visiting your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.

Nearly Perfect Success Rate

Dental implants are the most reliable solution to treat tooth loss. In fact, they have over a 95% success rate to last for decades. You’ll never need to worry about them failing if they have a strong foundation and you remain committed to your oral hygiene habits. It’s also best to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol in excess to ensure your new smile lasts.

What are the Stages of Dental Implant Treatment?

One of the features of the dental implant placement process is that it requires your dentist in Fort Lauderdale to carefully complete the following stages:

• Consultation - to discuss your needs and eligibility
• Initial Surgery – to place the implant into the jawbone, followed by a period of healing
• Abutment Addition – to act as an anchor that allows the final restoration to be securely attached
• Final Restoration Placement – to leave a functional and attractive smile

For these stages, the cost can vary depending on what each requires. Therefore, after performing a thorough assessment at your first visit, Dr. Kellner will design a full plan, which will contribute toward a final cost. This allows you to be fully-informed and to plan accordingly.

Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?

Dental implant insertion provides a key benefit that no other form of tooth replacement can match; it replaces the complete tooth structure. Whereas with other processes the final restoration rests above the gums, with a dental implant that attaches at the jawbone level, the missing stability of a tooth root is once again restored. This leaves the patient with a much more stable foundation that prevents jawbone degradation in the future, and it creates a more natural-looking smile.

Then, by brushing and flossing consistently, monitoring what you eat and maintaining six-month visits for preventive care, your restoration can last for 30 years or more!

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

In most cases, dental insurance doesn’t cover the cost of dental implants in Fort Lauderdale. However, there may be some form of coverage available for any restorative care that is needed prior to the start of the procedure. There may also be additional coverage available to apply to the cost of the final prosthetic. To know for sure, you’ll need to review your policy details or contact your dental insurance company.

Here at Seaside Family Dentistry, we understand that some patients may be more cost-sensitive. To accommodate their needs, we accept the following alternative payment options:

• CareCredit – provides low-to-no interest financing that, depending on the cost, can be repaid in six to 24 months
• Compassionate Finance – allows patients to receive upfront care and to determine the amount of their monthly payment

Making Oral Hygiene a Priority

Poor oral hygiene can be detrimental to dental implants. Without regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing, your mouth is susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay (among healthy teeth). Making sure that you brush twice each day, floss at least once (preferably after every meal), and rinse with an ADA-approved mouthwash will give your dental implants the attention they need to avoid common oral health problems.

Eating a Healthy Diet

You might enjoy sugary and starchy foods but eating too much of it can be harmful to your body and your smile. This is why it’s strongly encouraged that you adopt a diet that consists of nutrient-rich foods that are proven beneficial in reducing your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Choosing leafy greens, calcium-enriched foods, and those high in various vitamins and minerals will give your teeth (real and artificial) as well as your gut the positive nutrients they need to thrive.

Breaking Bad Habits

Whether you’re prone to chewing on pens when you’re nervous, eating ice out of habit, or smoking, these bad habits can all spell disaster for your dental implants. Choose to give up these practices so that your dental implants do not suffer the consequences. Instead of visiting the emergency dentist’s office to treat a cracked implant, you can opt for a glass of water (without ice) and go about your day knowing that your teeth are safe from possible danger.

Protecting Your Dental Implants

Sports are a great way to exercise and stay in shape. It’s also a fun activity you can engage in with friends. But if you’re not careful, you’ll run the risk of damaging your dental implants. The same can also be said if you are prone to grinding your teeth at night while you sleep. The solution to both problems is a customized mouthguard. When worn while playing sports and/or before going to bed, your teeth can remain safeguarded against hard pressure.

Scheduling Regular Dental Checkups

You can abide by all of the above-mentioned tips, but if you’re not seeing your dentist every six months for a regular dental checkup and teeth cleaning, you’re putting your smile at risk. Letting a trusted dentist examine and clean your real and artificial teeth is essential. This not only ensures the current health and state of your smile, but it also helps to determine if there might be any other areas of concern that you should be mindful of as you take proper care of your teeth.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are one of the most permanent solutions for missing teeth, capable of lasting well over 30 years. Of course, their exact lifespan depends heavily on your oral health and lifestyle. You can help your upgraded smile’s durability by brushing twice a day along with daily flossing and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash. Make sure you visit our dental team every six months for a checkup and cleaning as well!

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

Before the procedure begins, we will numb your mouth with a local anesthetic to ensure you’re completely comfortable. You’ll also most likely be sedated during your surgery which means your body’s ability to register pain will be much lower. For the first few days following dental implant placement, your mouth may feel sore and irritated. Fortunately, you can easily manage your discomfort by taking over-the-counter pain medication and using cold compresses.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Dental Implant Surgery?

Most patients can return to their usual activities the day after surgery. However, it’s incredibly important you avoid strenuous exercise for the first 1-2 weeks as it can hinder the healing process. Although you can expect some bleeding and swelling after your procedure, it should stop within 3-4 days. While you recover, make sure you take your prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as directed. It’s worth noting you may need up to six months for the implants to fuse with your jawbone via osseointegration.

Will People Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?

Your restorations are going to be personalized for your smile because your implant dentist in Fort Lauderdale takes impressions of your mouth to create them. Once they are placed, people shouldn’t be able to tell the difference between them and your natural teeth. The implants are secured in your jaw like tooth roots, so you won’t need to hold your jaw in an awkward way to keep them in place as you might with poorly fitting dentures. The combination of natural appearance and secure fit is unmatched!

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

After your surgery, blood clots should form at your implant sites. These are an important part of your body’s healing process, so you should take a few steps to protect them:

• Do not spit. Swallow excess saliva or use tissues to absorb it.
• Do not use drinking straws or smoke cigarettes. The suction action could dislodge your blood clots.
• Do not touch your surgical sites. Try to keep your tongue and fingers away from your surgical sites for at least a few days.

Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement

You might experience some side effects during the initial part of your recovery, including:

• Intermittent bleeding. This should be manageable with gauze and light pressure. It may continue for a multiple days.
• This can continue for anywhere from three days to an entire week. Cold compresses can minimize it.
• General discomfort. Try to get plenty of rest and take pain relievers as necessary.

If you experience any severe or unusual side effects, let our team know.

Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery

Hard, crunchy, or chewy foods could cause you discomfort. Therefore, it is best to stick to a diet of soft, nonabrasive foods while your mouth is still sore. Here are some examples of foods that might work well for you:

• Mashed potatoes
• Yogurt
• Ice cream (without hard add-ins)
• Brothy soups
• Pudding
• Pasta
• Scrambled eggs

You can gradually incorporate tougher foods when you feel up to it. Just go slowly and be careful!

Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene

You can brush your teeth normally after your surgery, but you should exercise extreme caution around your implant sites. You should also periodically rinse your mouth with warm salt water to calm inflammation and fight bacteria. Use a prescription mouthwash if you have it, but avoid any mouthwashes that contain a lot of alcohol.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

After your new teeth are attached to your implants, your gums might be sore or sensitive for a few days. However, there should be no bleeding, no lengthy downtime, and no complex or time-consuming post-treatment precautions. You will be able to start using your new smile right away!