Losing a tooth or two leaves you with a gap-toothed smile and speaking and eating challenges. If you would rather not have a removable bridge to replace the missing teeth, you could opt for dental implants. Dental implants in Ocean Springs are done by Dr. Tyler McCabe, D.M.D., who has been doing implants for many years.
The results are always stunning as no one can tell that patients have implants. Dr. McCabe is accepting new patients, if you are interested in giving him a call.
How Implants Work
A cosmetic dentist in Ocean Springs takes pictures and scans of your mouth with the missing teeth. These pictures and scans help the dentist make the false crowns for the implants. A surgery is scheduled for the abutment screws that make the implants permanent.
The abutment screws are inserted into the jawbone where you have missing teeth. The gum tissue is stitched around the base of the abutment screw. The screw's top is left exposed. After a few weeks of healing, you return to have the false crowns snapped on over the abutment screws.
The dentist checks the implants for a proper fit and comfort level. If dental floss can easily pass through on both sides of the implant, it's in correctly. If not, the cosmetic dentist in Ocean Springs makes adjustments to the false crowns and tries again. When it fits right, a special adhesive permanently secures the false crown to the abutment screw and you're done.
Implants Last a Long Time
When compared to other permanent or semi-permanent options for replacing missing teeth and filling gaps, dental implants from Ocean Springs dentists last much longer. If your mouth remains healthy and you don't experience blows to the face, the implants can last up to 20 years. Compare that to a bridge that may need replacing in 10 years or less, or a partial denture that lasts even less time.
Cost for Dental Implants
Dental implants are rarely, if ever, covered by dental insurance. Because they are considered cosmetic by dental insurance companies, the cost falls squarely on patients' shoulders. There are only a few exceptions as they relate to children.
The cost varies, depending on which teeth need to be replaced by the implants. It can range anywhere from $3,100 to $5,000 a tooth. Thankfully, most cosmetic dentists have ways to finance or pay in installments to help you cover the cost of implants.
Caring for Your Implants After You Get Them
Caring for dental implants is no different from caring for your natural teeth. You brush them and floss them just like they are real teeth. It helps keep them clean and white and keeps the gum tissue around them healthy.
Should you notice anything out of the ordinary with your implants, contact Dr. McCabe right away. It's unlikely that there will be major issues, but you should still follow up with Dr. McCabe. Call his office for a consultation, to schedule an implant appointment, or to ask questions about this cosmetic procedure.