Dental Implants – Gainesville, FL
Restore Your Beautiful Smile with Dental Implants
Tooth loss affects millions of people every day, but you don’t have to be part of that statistic. When you visit Dr. Gabriel Nossa for dental implants in Gainesville, you’ll gain far more benefits than what you’d typically find with other tooth replacement methods. These advanced dental devices are clinically proven to withstand daily use and provide reliable function for many years, so don’t hesitate to contact our office today and get started on your path to a beautiful, functional, and long-lasting solution to tooth loss.
Why Choose Gabriel A. Nossa, DMD for Dental Implants?
- Implants Placed & Restored in One Convenient Location
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology Used
- Insurance Accepted & Affordable Financing Available
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a screw-shaped titanium post that acts as a substitute root for a lost tooth. This post is surgically inserted into your jawbone at just the right angle and location to stimulate your jawbone in just the same way as your natural tooth roots did. Once the surgery is complete, the implants actually become fused to your jawbone over the next few months. Then, Dr. Nossa can attach a metal attachment called an abutment. After that, he can secure a custom-made dental crown, bridge, or denture (depending on how many teeth are being replaced) on top, completing your smile.
When it comes to reconstructing your smile after tooth loss, dental implants are by far the most comprehensive option. Unlike traditional solutions that just sit atop the gums, implants recreate the entire tooth structure, making them more reliable, lifelike, and durable than anything else. That’s why Dr. Nossa often recommends dental implants for the majority of patients who have lost one or more teeth.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Admittedly, getting dental implants takes longer than getting a traditional denture or dental bridge. However, most patients find that the long-term benefits that implants offer make them well worth the wait.
The entire treatment process typically takes multiple appointments that occur over the course of a few months to a year. Luckily, Dr. Gabriel Nossa is an experienced implant dentist in Gainesville who can handle every step of the treatment right here in our office! Every patient’s journey differs, but here is a quick summary of the four steps of the dental implant process.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The first step toward enjoying a complete smile with dental implants is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nossa. This appointment gives him an opportunity to ask you about your medical history as well as the specific goals you have in mind for your future smile. He can also walk you through the treatment process, so if you still have questions about how dental implants work in Gainesville, this would be the perfect time to ask!
Next, Dr. Nossa closely examines your mouth, jaw, and other oral structures using his highly trained eyes as well as detailed X-rays. If he determines that you’re a good candidate for dental implants right away, then you can schedule your surgery. However, many patients must undergo one or more preparatory procedures before their mouths are ready to support implants. These include tooth extractions, periodontal therapy, or bone grafting to fortify a jawbone that has weakened after tooth loss.
Dental Implant Surgery
Once all of your preliminary treatments are completed, you’ll be ready for dental implant surgery. Thanks to Dr. Nossa’s advanced training, he can perform this procedure right here in our office! Not only does this make your treatment more convenient and affordable overall, but it eliminates the risk of miscommunication between multiple doctors and offices.
Dental implant surgery is a relatively straightforward procedure. You shouldn’t even feel pain because of the incredibly effective local anesthesia and sedation our team uses. After numbing your mouth, Dr. Nossa makes tiny incisions in your gums and inserts the implant posts at specific locations in your jawbone that were determined based on the images we took during your consultation. Then, he sutures your gums closed and you can begin healing.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
The main reason why dental implants in Gainesville are so successful is a process called osseointegration. Over the next several months (three to six on average), the biocompatible implant posts encourage the jawbone to grow around it, forging a foundation that can support any number of replacement teeth for decades to come.
When your mouth and jaw have fully healed, you’re ready to receive your abutments, which are metal fixtures that support a dental crown, bridge, or denture. During a brief surgical procedure, Dr. Nossa places the abutments on top of your implants and stitches the gums closed around them. Once your gums have healed around the abutments (which takes a couple of weeks), your gumline will look completely natural.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
After you heal from your abutment surgery, it’s time for the moment you’ve been waiting for – getting your brand-new teeth! The crowns, bridges, or dentures that Dr. Nossa places onto your abutments are customized to complement your facial features and mimic your natural pearly whites. Once your restorations are in place, you can count on your new smile to last for 30+ years with the right care.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are not like your typical tooth replacement like traditional bridges or dentures. Implants work to replace the entire root structure of your teeth as well as the crown. By doing this, your smile isn’t the only thing that becomes reinvigorated: your jaw is getting proper stimulation as well! They are truly an all-in-one solution to tooth loss, whether you’re trying to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch. Keep reading to learn more about these many benefits ahead of your initial consultation!
Day-to-Day Benefits
- Stronger bite: Without a tooth root, the jawbone cannot receive the stimulation it needs to maintain its fullest biting force possible. Once a dental implant replaces the root, you can eat all the foods you previously enjoyed as if your teeth were never missing to begin with, even tough and crunchy foods like steak, nuts, and apples!
- The best aesthetics possible: Implants also offer enhanced aesthetics by using all-porcelain crowns to replace teeth, ensuring no one can tell the difference between your existing teeth and your implant. Only you and our office will know that you had them placed while everyone else is wowed by your dazzling smile!
- Simple at-home oral hygiene: Brushing and flossing your dental implants feel virtually no different compared to your natural teeth. To keep it healthy, brush twice a day and floss at least once a day.
Health Benefits
- Prevent future tooth loss: When a tooth is lost, the risk of future teeth falling out only goes up. This is largely because the foundation that teeth rely on (the bone tissue) to remain stable only begins to atrophy and break down further the longer you go without replacement.
- Keep healthy teeth in place: Another common side effect of long-term tooth loss is dental drift, a phenomenon where remaining teeth begin to shift out of place to compensate for existing gaps. Dental implants prevent this drift, ensuring your bite does not become uneven and lead to issues with teeth grinding or your jaw joints.
- Improve your overall health: Research has shown that having all your teeth can potentially reduce your risk for other systemic health problems, including heart disease. With oral health being just as important as your overall health, dental implants can play an even bigger role in helping you achieve a better quality of life.
Long-Term Benefits
- The strongest tooth replacement available: Dental implants are durable and long-lasting. In fact, they are capable of lasting for as long as 30 years and even the rest of your life when properly maintained. This is significantly longer than other tooth replacement options like dental bridges or dentures, both of which usually need replacement much sooner.
- The most reliable tooth replacement: When placed by a professional, they have success rates as high as 98 percent, even after a 10-year period. That means even after living with them for several years, you can expect them to remain stable, functional, and beautiful.
- Better cost savings: Because dental implants last longer, you can expect to pay lower dental care costs overall on replacement restorations. Even with their higher upfront costs, most patients recognize dental implants are worth it, particularly when combined with their other benefits.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Because of their versatility, many people can benefit from restorations retained by implants. Take a moment to consider your options below before attending your dental implant consultation with Dr. Nossa.
Missing One Tooth
Those wanting to replace a single tooth with dental implants will only need one titanium post and a single porcelain crown. Dental implants typically use porcelain in order to create the most natural appearance possible. The crown and implant are attached via an abutment, which provides a stable foundation for regular use.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Replacing multiple consecutive teeth is as simple as creating a restoration designed to fit with two implants. Instead of relying on neighboring teeth to hold the bridge like it would traditionally, an implant on either side can easily hold a bridge designed to replace three to four teeth at a time.
Missing All Teeth
For those who currently use dentures or are missing all teeth in a single arch, implants can be paired with an implant denture. By placing four to six implants throughout the jaw, an entire arch can be restored. This option is ideal for those who are looking for a more stable foundation for their denture.
We also offer All-on-4 as an alternative for patients to receive same-day dentures secured onto just four implant posts.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Over 500,000 per year are choosing dental implants to replace their missing teeth because they have a high success rate and provide unmatched benefits. Although you’re ready to invest in a permanent option to treat your tooth loss, it’s normal to be concerned about the cost of dental implants in Gainesville. While it’s tempting to choose the cheapest option, you’ll get what you pay for. Instead, there are various factors to consider to make the best decision for your smile.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
Every treatment plan is unique, which means your estimate is based on your individual needs. On average, you can expect to pay for:
- Preliminary Treatments: It’s common to need additional procedures before your placement surgery, like periodontal therapy, tooth extractions, or bone grafting.
- Placement Surgery: Besides the surgery fees, you’ll also need sedation or anesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable during the procedure.
Dr. Nossa is specially trained to perform the complete dental implant process in-house, so you can avoid specialist fees to reduce the amount you’ll need to pay for your new smile. Since your procedure involves multiple steps, you won’t have to cover the entire cost at once. You’ll have more time to pay to make your treatment affordable.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
The largest contributor to the cost of dental implants is the number of teeth you’re replacing, and the materials used to rebuild your smile. There are many discount materials; however, they may not have the same durability or success rate. Your implant dentist in Gainesville, Dr. Nossa, will help you choose the best brands to meet your needs and your budget.
Final Dental Implant Restoration
Besides the implant posts and abutments, your restoration will also influence the amount you’ll pay. Your restoration will be customized depending on your severity of tooth loss, such as if you need a single crown, bridge, or denture. The more teeth you need to treat, the higher the fee will be for your replacement teeth.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Every insurance policy differs, but many plans can be used to offset the amount you’ll pay out-of-pocket for dental implants in Gainesville. While your benefits won’t cover the full cost, your plan can be used to lower the fees of certain steps in your treatment, like the consultation, X-rays, or your restoration. Our team will work on your behalf with your dental insurance company to maximize your annual benefits to keep your new smile affordable.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
Our office offers several solutions to help you replace your missing teeth without draining your wallet. Besides using your dental insurance, we offer several payment options, including:
- Traditional Payment Methods: We accept many forms of traditional payment, including cash, check, and most major credit cards.
- Financing: Our office works with CareCredit to offer affordable financing to cover any out-of-pocket expense. You are given the funds you need based on your credit’s approval which you’ll repay using a plan that fits your budget.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
One of the reasons why dental implants are so popular is that they can potentially last a lifetime. However, this only occurs if you take good care of them! Without the proper care and maintenance, your new teeth could fall victim to damage or infection, and you’d wind up right back where you started – with missing teeth. Fortunately, following these five easy tips will go a long way toward ensuring your smile stays healthy and complete for decades to come!
Prioritize Your Oral Hygiene
Dental implants themselves can’t get cavities, but oral health issues like gum disease can still cause them to fail. That’s why oral hygiene is still crucial even if you’ve replaced your natural teeth. Unlike dentures, daily dental implant care in Gainesville is quite simple; just brush twice a day, floss at least once a day, and rinse with a therapeutic mouthwash regularly. In fact, caring for dental implants isn’t that much different from caring for natural teeth!
Eat a Balanced Diet
With dental implants, you have the chewing strength to eat practically anything you’d like, making it easy to get all of the nutrients you need. That being said, try not to overindulge in foods that are particularly hard, sticky, or sugary. You could end up breaking or dislodging your restoration, or increasing your risk of gum infections. Maintain a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and dairy products to promote a strong jawbone and healthy gums.
Break Harmful Habits
Tobacco use is one of the most common reasons behind dental implant failure. Not only does smoking raise your risk of gum disease by contributing to dry mouth, but it also slows your rate of healing, which may cause your implants to never integrate with your jawbone in the first place. Additionally, you should quit habits like nail-biting, eating ice, chewing on pen caps, and using your teeth for anything other than chewing food. If you’re having trouble kicking these habits, don’t be afraid to ask our team for help! We’ll point you toward the resources you need to keep your new smile in great condition.
Protect Your Dental Implants by Wearing a Mouthguard
Even though dental implants are incredibly durable, a sudden sports-related injury or long-term wear from chronic teeth grinding can damage them quite a bit. For that reason, it’s essential to wear a mouthguard whenever you play sports or if you have a habit of clenching and grinding your teeth at night. We can provide you with custom-made trays that fit more comfortably and are more effective than the ones you’ll find in stores.
Keep Up with Your Routine Dental Checkups
No matter how many natural teeth you have left, you should still schedule two routine dental checkups and cleanings per year. That way, Dr. Nossa can look for small signs of problems with your implants (and any remaining teeth) before you’ve even noticed them. From there, we can treat them before they have a chance to wreak havoc on your smile.
Dental Implants Post-Op Instructions
At the office of Dr. Gabriel Nossa, our team is prepared to handle the entire dental implant process for you at our office location. Once you have your implants placed, the next step is recovery. We’ll provide you with dental implant post-op instructions in Gainesville to ensure everything goes smoothly. You’re going to be informed about what to expect in terms of symptoms, as well as tips to ensure you heal properly. Of course, if you ever experience intense pain or side effects that seem strange, or if you just have a few questions since we last saw you, be sure to contact our office for assistance.
What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery
Once you’ve made it past the surgery stage, proper care and maintenance are essential to maximizing your chances of a comfortable, swift recovery. Be sure to follow the aftercare instructions of our implant dentist in Gainesville consistently. Your top priority is to avoid disturbing the blood clot on your surgery site or risk a setback. Make sure to abide by the following:
- Keep your fingers and tongue away from the surgical site(s).
- Don’t smoke for at least the first day.
- Don’t use straws when you drink.
- Don’t spit; instead, use tissues or swallow your saliva.
Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement
If you’ve had oral surgery before, you may know what to expect. If not, understand some mild side effects are totally normal, especially in the first few days after your implants are placed. Here’s what you can expect:
- General discomfort, which makes sense after any surgery. Use pain medication as needed.
- Swelling is expected for the first three days and could last a week. Cold or warm compresses can provide relief.
- Intermittent bleeding can last 2-3 days. It can be mitigated with gauze and light pressure.
If any of these effects are not fading away with time, be sure to call our office.
Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery
It’s wise to choose softer, nonabrasive foods for a while after your procedure, such as:
- Pasta
- Scrambled eggs
- Soup (not very hot)
- Pudding
- Ice cream
- Yogurt
- Mashed potatoes
You can return to a normal diet when you feel ready, but be cautious with crunchy or tough foods and avoid chewing directly on the implant site.
Post-Op Health and Oral Hygiene
You can brush your teeth the day after surgery but be careful near your surgery sites. Steer clear of mouthwash with high alcohol levels, such as Listerine or Scope. Use salt water to rinse your mouth 2-3 times each day, preferably after meals; substitute prescription mouthwash if you have it.
What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached
The hard part is already over since you’ve been careful and allowed your mouth to heal. Once your new crown, bridge, or denture is attached to your dental implants in Gainesville, it’s normal to have some minor, temporary sensitivity in your gum tissue; use pain medication as needed. But there should be no bleeding or swelling. Now, go share your new smile with the world!
Dental Implant FAQs
Dental implants in Gainesville are a smart investment if you have missing teeth. Many patients say they can hardly tell they aren’t their natural teeth. Although you’ve heard about their various benefits, you still aren’t sure if they are the right option for you. Dr. Nossa knows you have several questions, but there’s no need to worry. He takes the time to explain the process in detail during your consultation, but here are the answers to a few of the most common concerns he hears.
Can I get dental implants if I have gum disease?
Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss because it destroys the supporting structures of the teeth. If you’ve lost one or more as a result of the infection, you may not be a candidate for dental implants. The long-term success of the procedure relies on your jawbone supporting the posts and remaining infection-free.
Gum disease can compromise the density of your jawbone while also increasing your risk of failure as a result of the bacteria. Unfortunately, you cannot get dental implants until after the infection has been successfully treated. You may also need additional procedures to repair any damage the infection has caused, such as bone grafting.
Am I too old for dental implants?
Age is not necessarily a determining factor for your candidacy for dental implants; however, you must be finished growing. You must also have good oral and general health to undergo the treatment.
Can dental implants fail?
Dental implants are the most predictable and reliable tooth replacement option. They are proven to last for several decades, but there are instances where they can fail. The risk is generally less than 5%, which is most often caused by a preventable infection that’s like gum disease. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to decrease your risk of complications, including:
- Maintain your oral hygiene at home.
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.
- Don’t smoke or use tobacco.
- Don’t drink alcohol in excess.
Does dental insurance cover dental implants?
It’s no secret dental implants are initially more expensive than traditional treatments, but they are actually more affordable long-term because they can last for a lifetime. Paying for your new smile is easier than you might believe because the treatment is performed in multiple stages, giving you more time to pay. Dr. Nossa explains the costs associated with each phase of your treatment to ensure you’re making the best choice for your oral health needs and your quality of life.
Unfortunately, most dental insurances will not pay the entire cost of the treatment, but they may cover certain aspects. Our office staff works on your behalf with your insurance company to reduce the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket. We accept several forms of payment to keep your new smile affordable, including third-party financing with CareCredit. We’ll help you find the solutions you need to successfully replace your missing teeth.