Dental Implants in Foley, AL

What if you no longer had to adjust your lifestyle because of missing teeth? Imagine smiling wide in a photo, speaking confidently at work, and eating your favorite foods again. All of this is possible with dental implants.

Unlike traditional tooth replacement options, dental implants harness the strength of your jawbone to stabilize artificial teeth and restore your bite force. They provide a permanent solution for missing teeth, ensuring you don’t have to compromise on the things that matter most: sincere laughter, great meals, and genuine self-confidence.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental Implants in Foley, AL | Book a Free Implant Consultation
Mini dental implants (left) and traditional dental implants (right) are reliable options for replacing missing teeth.

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made from durable titanium alloy. We insert them into the jawbone where, over time, they fuse with the bone to provide long-lasting support for false teeth. They’re an incredibly versatile tool in dentistry, as we can use them to support crowns, bridges, or dentures.

Patients often ask us why they should consider dental implants over traditional methods like bridges or dentures. It’s not that traditional options don’t work—it’s that dental implants provide many additional benefits in addition to simply replacing a tooth:

  • Enhanced stability: Unlike dentures that can slip or shift, dental implants stay in place because they are anchored in your jawbone. This stability means you can eat, speak, and smile without worrying if your teeth will move unexpectedly.
  • Stronger bite force: Dental implants function more like natural teeth, allowing you to enjoy all your favorite foods without worry. While dentures can limit your diet, implants restore nearly the same bite force as real teeth.
  • Better tooth preservation: Unlike bridges, which require altering healthy teeth for support, implants stand independently. This helps maintain the strength and integrity of your natural teeth.
  • Long-lasting results: While bridges and dentures may need frequent adjustments or replacements, dental implants are intended to last a lifetime. Though the upfront cost is higher, patients often save money in the long run by reducing the need for future dental work.
  • Better jawbone health: When you lose a tooth, the underlying bone begins to deteriorate due to a lack of stimulation from the tooth roots. Implants replace the missing root structure, keeping the jawbone strong and preventing bone loss.
  • Improved facial aesthetics: Implants fuse with the jawbone, helping maintain bone structure and preventing the sunken facial appearance that can accompany tooth loss.

The Dental Implant Process

With traditional implants, the procedure is spread out over a series of appointments. While the timeline can vary based on your specific needs, the process typically includes these steps:

Consultation

The first step in replacing your missing teeth is a free implant consultation. At this initial visit, we’ll determine if you’re a good candidate for implants by performing a dental exam and taking a CBCT scan. This advanced imaging system generates a precise 3D image of your mouth and jaw. It allows us to see if you have enough space in your jaw for dental implants. If not, we may recommend bone grafting or mini dental implants instead. No matter your situation, our goal is to find the best solution for you.

We’ll also discuss your goals, preferences, budget, and expectations to create a personalized treatment plan. Some patients choose sedation for relaxation, while others opt for L-PRF, a therapy that uses the body’s natural healing abilities to speed up recovery.

Bone Grafting for Dental Implant Support

Bone grafting is a procedure that rebuilds and strengthens the jawbone, creating a solid foundation for dental implants. When teeth are missing for a long time, the surrounding bone shrinks due to lack of stimulation. If your jawbone can’t provide sufficient support for an implant, a bone graft may help. Our doctors have extensive experience performing bone grafts, carefully placing bone material—either from your own body, a donor source, or synthetic material—so it integrates naturally.

Implant Placement

We use 3D-printed surgical guides for precise implant placement. This protocol means we don’t need to make large incisions and cut the gums back to expose the bone. The surgical guides direct the angle, depth, and location of the drills, allowing us to place the implant in the ideal position. Our technique streamlines the process, enhances accuracy, and minimizes discomfort.

Once the site is prepared, we place the implant body—a screw-like post—into the jawbone. It will fuse with the bone over a period of 3-6 months.

Healing Period

As you heal, we’ll schedule follow-ups to check your progress and make sure your recovery is going smoothly. We’ll also take impressions to create your custom tooth replacement.

Abutment and Restoration Placement

A traditional dental implant uses two separate pieces. Once the implant body has integrated with the bone, we’ll attach the abutment piece. This is the piece that secures the restoration to the implant. After a short healing period, we’ll then connect your final restoration, completing your transformation.

Mini Dental Implants

While conventional dental implants are a reliable tooth loss solution, they’re not ideal for every patient. Fortunately, those who don’t have sufficient jaw space for traditional implants still have excellent options with mini dental implants. These narrow-diameter implants are much slimmer and are just one piece. As a result, they don’t demand as much space in the jawbone or require as complex of a procedure.

Mini dental implants may also be a great option for patients who want:

  • Quicker results
  • A shorter healing period
  • A less invasive procedure
  • More budget-friendly options

As the sole Mini Dental Implant Center of America (MDICA) in Foley, AL, Riviera Dental Care is uniquely equipped to provide specialized solutions with mini dental implants. Our doctors have undergone extensive training in the innovative technique for placing mini implants, ensuring the best treatment outcomes for our patients.

Restore Your Confidence With Dental Implants

Missing teeth can take a toll on your confidence, making you hesitant to smile, speak, or even enjoy meals with others. Dental implants offer more than just a functional replacement—they restore your ability to live life without worry. With their stability, durability, and natural appearance, implants allow you to smile freely, eat comfortably, and speak confidently. If you’re ready to regain control of your smile, schedule a free implant consultation at Riviera Dental Care today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Your dental insurance may cover dental implants, but coverage percentages vary by plan. Sometimes, insurance will cover the implant, and sometimes it will just cover the prosthesis. Some plans also help with related procedures like bone grafting. Since every plan is different, we’re happy to help you check your benefits.

For those concerned about out-of-pocket costs, we offer flexible financing to help make treatment more affordable. We partner with multiple third-party financing companies, making it easy to get your dental work now and pay over time with manageable monthly installments.

Your comfort and trust in us are our top priorities. When you get a dental implant at Riviera Dental Care, you can expect experienced and compassionate care throughout the process. At the beginning of your procedure, we use local anesthesia to help keep you comfortable. Some soreness afterward is normal, but over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough to manage it. Plus, if you’re nervous about the procedure, we offer sedation options to help you relax. Our goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible!

Yes, it’s possible—but we recommend replacing a missing tooth as soon as possible. Over time, bone loss occurs in the empty space, which can make placing a traditional implant more challenging. However, if you’ve lost too much bone for a conventional implant, you’re not out of options! Mini dental implants are a great alternative because they require less bone and use a simpler procedure. Whether it has been months or years since your extraction or tooth loss, we can help find the best solution for you. We encourage you to schedule a consultation to go over your options.

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