Dental Implants and Implant Dentistry

Serving the Sarasota, Tampa and Tampa Bay areas

Dental implants are used to correct missing teeth. Dental implants replace the entire tooth, and they look so much like natural teeth that after an implant has been placed, it will be indistinguishable from the rest of your teeth.

Losing a tooth, along with making you self-conscious about your smile, can cause many different dental problems. The surrounding teeth can drift out of place, gums can become infected, and your jawbone can begin to deteriorate in the space where a tooth once was.

Implant dentistry corrects missing teeth by implanting replacement teeth into the spaces where the missing teeth were. Dental implants are titanium implants that are placed in the jawbone, mimicking the look, function, and feel of a natural tooth.

Unlike dental bridges, a dental implant does not require special maintenance or brushing techniques. Dental implants can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Replacing a missing tooth
• Anchoring dental bridges
• Anchoring dentures
• Replacing several missing teeth

During the dental implant procedure, local anesthetic will be used to completely numb the entire area the dental implant will affect. If you are especially concerned about the pain or discomfort of the procedure, Dr. Stanley can perform your dental implant procedure while you are sedated.

The dental implant procedure usually requires two separate appointments to the dentist office. During the first appointment, the titanium implant is place in your jawbone, and the gums are stitched closed. The dental implant will be left there until it has fused with your jawbone. On occasions, Dr. Stanley can load the implant in one appointment, depending on your individual situation.

During the second implant dentistry appointment, a titanium post, called an abutment, is attached to the dental implant. Once the abutment has been placed, a dental crown is bonded to the abutment, providing you with a replacement tooth that looks exactly like the rest of your natural teeth.

If you are missing more than one tooth, you can either replace them with dental implants, or anchor a dental bridge to fill the space. Dental implants can also be used to anchor partial or full dentures, allowing you to eat comfortably without messy adhesives, rubbing, or pain.

If you are considering dental implants to correct one or more missing teeth, contact Dr. Stanley's implant dentistry office in Sarasota, Englewood, or Venice, Florida. During your initial consultation, Dr. Stanley will answer all your dental implant questions and inform you about the dental implant procedure.