Single-Tooth and Multi-Unit Dental Implants

Tampa dentist Dr. Scott Lampert is proud to offer affordable dental implant therapy of all kinds. Whether you need to replace a single tooth, adjacent teeth, an entire arch, or missing teeth in multiple locations in your mouth, he can design treatment that restores you to optimal function, health, comfort, and a confident smile. Because Dr. Lampert has completed extensive training in prosthodontics, the prosthetic crown or bridge he places in your mouth will function fully, appear naturally beautiful, and also work in occlusal harmony with your teeth, jaw muscles and joints. Dr. Lampert ensures his patients always receive the highest quality implant components that are designed for their specific situation. He also refers his patients to a preferred local implant surgeon for surgical procedures to ensure they receive the best of care and that their risk of any complication is minimized. Appropriate local anesthetic or sedation options will be offered for each step of treatment.

Dental implant treatment has several advantages over a removable partial denture or a fixed crown or bridge.

• An implant helps prevent bone loss and changes in facial structure. It is an anti-aging treatment.
• An implant eliminates the need to remove dental structure from adjacent teeth in order to place the crowns on either end of a fixed bridge.
• An implant eliminates the risk of damage and wear to adjacent teeth when a removable partial denture is taken in and out for cleaning.
• An implant provides more forceful chewing strength.
• Gum tissue framing can be controlled for a more natural smile.
• Implant supported prosthetics are flossed and brushed like natural teeth.
• Implants do not get cavities or decay like natural teeth can.
• With proper flossing, brushing, and regular visits to the dentist, your dental implant restoration can last the rest of your life. Thus, the long-term financial cost will likely be less.
• Most patients forget their prosthetic teeth are not their own natural ones because they look, function and feel like real teeth.

What does implant treatment for a single-tooth or multi-unit bridge involve?

A dental implant is a prosthetic replacement for missing tooth roots. A standard dental implant resembles a screw and is made of biocompatible titanium. On this implant, an attachment is placed to secure a single prosthetic tooth (like a dental crown) or a bridge of prosthetic teeth.

The first step is a consultation with Dr. Lampert. This initial appointment is free of charge. When you meet with Dr. Lampert, he will ask you about your oral health goals, do a cursory examination of your mouth, educate you about what is possible, and answer your questions. You will be given an estimate of what the entire process will likely cost and learn about your payment and financing options at Brookside Family Dental.

If you decide to go ahead with implant treatment, we will schedule you for a very thorough examination, update your x-rays, take some photos, make an impression of your mouth, and order a 3D CT scan of your jaw and teeth at the office of one of our preferred implant specialists. These records are essential for the 98% predictable success rate of implant therapy and are customary for today’s high standard of care. These records will be shared with Dr. Lampert and a customized approach to your case will be developed between Dr. Lampert and the surgeon. This plan will account for many factors, including the condition of your bone and gum tissue and the location of the missing tooth or teeth.

When a standard dental implant is placed for a single prosthetic tooth or bridge, you are usually sedated. The gum tissue is opened, the implant is screwed into the bone, and the gum tissue is closed. There is no post-operative pain in the bone itself. Post-operative swelling and pain in the gum tissue is minimal and easily controlled. For about the next two months, you will chew on your other teeth while osseointegration occurs. Osseointegration is the process of bone tissue growing firmly around the dental implant until it is fixed in the jaw.

After osseointegration, your gum tissue will be topically numbed and injected with a local anesthetic. The gum tissue will be opened, and an implant abutment will be attached to the implant. A healing end cap may be placed on the abutment to allow gum tissue to heals in a natural contour that will frame your prosthetic tooth. When your gum tissue has healed sufficiently, Dr. Lampert will place your custom crown or bridge on the implant abutment. You will immediately have strong stability when you bite or chew. You will floss and brush your prosthetic tooth or teeth like natural teeth.

The implant tooth or bridge your receive will be color matched with your surrounding teeth. Dr. Lampert may recommend that your natural teeth be whitened while you are waiting for healing to complete. This way, he can match your new prosthetic tooth or bridge to your preferred shade of whiteness.

Bone enhancement, and even soft tissue enhancement, is sometimes needed for optimal dental implant results.

Some patients require a bone graft, sinus lift, or other alveolar ridge enhancement procedure prior to implant placement, in order to provide sufficient bone support for predictable implant success or to ensure optimal aesthetic results. In the care of an oral and maxillo-facial surgeon who performs hundreds of these procedures each year, you will find the process is easy. If you are in need of bone and/or soft tissue enhancement, the process of your entire implant treatment may be extended by about two months to allow for full healing and bone strength.

If you are having a damaged or diseased tooth removed prior to implant replacement, the referred surgeon can remove the tooth, insert osseous material in the empty root socket, and close the gum tissue all in a single appointment. This easy bone enhancement procedure will help ensure sufficient dense bone tissue is available for implant placement within two months.

Schedule your complimentary dental implant consultation andlearn what is possible for you.

Dr. Lampert offers a complimentary (no fee) initial or second opinion consultation for dental implant therapy and other extensive dentistry. Contact us today, and start on the road to full function and a confident smile.