Dental implants are widely considered to be the best way to replace any number of missing teeth, and Dr. Hoop heartily agrees. Right now, they are the only treatment that restores both the visible crown and hidden root of a tooth, creating a prosthetic that looks natural and is just as strong as the real thing. Thanks to his periodontal specialty training, Dr. Hoop is able to provide every aspect of implant dentistry right here at Total Dental Solutions in Naples, making it easier than ever for patients to rebuild their smiles. To get started on the road to your renewed oral health and function, contact our dental office today to learn more about dental implants in Naples, FL.
A dental implant is essentially a prosthetic tooth root made of titanium. Resembling a small screw, it’s placed into the jawbone in the space left by a missing tooth, where it bonds with the surrounding bone through a process called osseointegration. Once this is completed, this new root can be topped with a crown, bridge, or denture to restore the visible portion of a patient’s tooth/teeth.
Why does Dr. Hoop recommend dental implants to all of his patients with missing teeth? Because unlike traditional bridges and dentures, they:
Dental implants are a viable option for any patient no matter how many teeth they are missing. After giving you an exam, Dr. Hoop can go over the various types of implant procedures he offers and let you know which ones would best fit your situation.
A space between two healthy teeth can be filled using an implant root topped with a custom-made porcelain crown. The nearby teeth won’t need to be altered to make room for the prosthetic, and the crown itself will be meticulously shaped and shaded to seamlessly blend with the smile.
Instead of using natural teeth to support a bridge or partial denture that closes larger gaps in the smile, these prosthetics can instead be attached directly to the jawbone using just one or two implants. This makes the new teeth much more stable and long-lasting.
With as little as four to six implants, a full denture can be affixed to the jawbone, giving a patient a prosthetic that is smaller, more comfortable, and more stable than a traditional removable denture. Implant dentures also maintain their fit for much longer and have been proven to bring back more of a patient’s bite force.
Sometimes, a patient’s jawbone isn’t thick or strong enough to support implants as is. That’s because they have suffered bone loss as a result of their tooth loss. Rather than having a patient opt for a less effective replacement, Dr. Hoop can perform a variety of advanced procedures designed to build up the jawbone so every patient can enjoy the advantages dental implants have to offer.
A sinus lift involves placing a bone grafting material on the upper back portion of the jaw to make it strong enough to hold dental implants. The procedure gets its name from the fact that the sinus membrane located right above the jaw has to be gently lifted to make room for the new bone.
This procedure involves building up and strengthening the bone that is immediately around a tooth. It is often performed when a failing tooth is extracted so the bone is able to immediately support a dental implant, or it may be needed to fortify an area where a tooth has been missing for a long time.
Bone grafts enable Dr. Hoop to augment specific areas of the jawbone so it is sturdy enough to hold dental implants. He places a bone grafting material where the new teeth will be located, and this stimulates the growth of new, healthy tissue that ensures the implant will stay firmly in place.
Dr. Hoop implements a variety of advanced techniques to increase the success and comfort of the dental implant procedure. These combine his decades of periodontal expertise along with some of the latest technology to improve the patient experience as well as the quality of the outcome. When you come in for a consultation, Dr. Hoop will discuss which of these techniques would best fit your situation.
Using 3-D CBCT technology to find the most appropriate location for an implant increases treatment success and reduces discomfort. We use four computer programs and precise surgical stents to place your implant within .2 mm (the thickness of a couple of sheets of paper).
Most implant dentists use flap surgery for placement, but Dr. Hoop often doesn’t have to make an incision at all. It’s faster (by about 50 percent) and greatly improves recovery. You will experience less swelling and less bleeding.
Using All-on-X, we can angle implants around your maxillary sinus and mandibular nerve to avoid the need for bone grafts.
This method involves Dr. Hoop extracting a broken or decayed tooth and then immediately placing a dental implant, which allows the healing process to begin as quickly as possible so a patient can receive their final restoration(s) with minimal wait.
Patients who have ample bone levels or need failing teeth removed can replace their missing teeth with implants and beautiful restorations on the same day! You don’t have to wait months for your teeth using systems like All-on-4® dental implants, TeethXpress, and Smile-in-a-Day. These options are popular for patients who are edentulous (those without any natural teeth).
Mini dental implants, as their name indicates, are shorter and thinner prosthetic roots compared to regular implants. They are ideal for patients with thin jawbones that can’t support traditional implants. With them, many patients are able to get dental implants without having to undergo some type of bone graft first.
Bioactive modifiers, like L-PRF® (leukocyte-platelet rich fibrin derived from a patient's own blood), rhPDGF, and rhBMP-2 can be placed on an implant surgery site right after the procedure to promote accelerated healing as well as reduce post-surgery discomfort and swelling.
No two dental implant procedures are exactly alike, so the cost of the treatment is different from patient to patient as well. How many implants a patient needs, whether or not they require a bone graft first, and what type of restoration they want are all factors that can affect the final price. Dr. Hoop will give you an exam and discuss all pricing information when you come to see him for an implant consultation. At this same appointment, our team can help you figure out how to use your insurance and/or financing to make your new teeth easily affordable.
Dental implants in Naples are an excellent option to replace your missing teeth. As a nearly perfect replica of your natural smile, you’ll invest in the most realistic treatment that offers predictable results. Although you are excited to treat your tooth loss, we know you have several concerns before you’re ready to commit to the procedure. We’ll explain everything during your initial consultation. While you wait for your visit, we have the answers to a few of the most common questions patients as us about dental implants.
Although gum disease is preventable, it’s the leading cause of tooth loss. If you’ve lost a tooth or two from it, you won’t be a candidate for dental implants until after the infection has been treated. Periodontal therapy will resolve the infection and create the healthy foundation your dental implants need to thrive. While it adds another step to your plan, it’s time well-spent to ensure your new smile lasts.
Age isn’t necessarily a determining factor for dental implants if you’ve finished growing. Instead, we consider several other potential influencers, like your oral and general health, the density of your jawbone, and your lifestyle habits. We’ll perform a thorough consultation to look for any concerning areas to ensure dental implants are the right solution for your needs.
Dental implants are the most reliable option to replace missing teeth, but they can fail in rare cases. Generally, the risk of complications is less than 5%, which is most often caused by a preventable infection called peri-implantitis. There are several steps you can take to safeguard your new smile, such as maintaining your oral hygiene at home and visiting your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. If you develop any concerning signs in between your routine appointments, don’t hesitate to contact our office, like redness or swelling of the gum tissue.
As with any oral surgery, you will have a bit of a recovery ahead of you. It’s normal to have some discomfort for the first few days after your placement surgery; however, it can be managed with an over-the-counter pain reliever. After your jawbone has healed, you shouldn’t experience any pain. If you develop any pain or your dental implant feels loose, contact our office right away.
Every plan is unique, but many insurance policies can be used to help offset the cost of certain steps in your treatment. After reaching your yearly deductible, you can use your plan to lower the fees of various phases in your treatment, like the consultation, periodontal therapy, or restorations. We’ll work on your behalf with your insurance company to file the necessary claim forms to maximize your annual allowance. If there’s any remaining balance, we’ll help you find the solutions you need to keep your dental implants within your budget.