In 2023, there were about 3 million people in the United States with dental implants. That number was predicted to more than double by 2026, with 6% to 23% of Americans using these titanium screws to replace missing teeth. While there are no official numbers yet, our practice in Foley, AL, has seen the increasing interest in dental implants firsthand! At Riviera Dental Care, we offer the best implant options in 2026, serving patients in Foley and beyond. If you’re one of the millions of Americans interested in dental implant treatment, book a free implant consultation to speak with one of our experienced dentists.
Understanding Dental Implants
Dental implants are metal screws we use to replace missing teeth. Or, more accurately, these screws are embedded in your jawbone, providing a strong, stable foundation for tooth replacement options such as crowns, bridges, or dentures.
Thanks to their biocompatible design, dental implants are able to integrate with your bone over time. Once they’re secure in the bone, we use them to anchor tooth replacements, restoring function to your smile!
But beyond restoring your smile, implants also improve the health of your jawbone. Natural teeth have roots that stimulate your bone every time you chew. After losing teeth, you lose some of this stimulation, causing your jaw to lose mass and volume. Over time, bone deterioration can lead to changes in your face shape and shifting teeth.
Fortunately, dental implants replace these missing roots, stimulating your jaw. With implants in place, you can enjoy a stable smile that lasts for years to come!
What Are the Best Implant Options in 2026?
With multiple implant options available, how do you know which implant options are the best in 2026?
At Riviera Dental Care, we offer two types of dental implants. These titanium screws provide the same incredible stability, while also offering an innovative twist that makes treatment more accessible to patients like you.
Conventional dental implants are larger in diameter and have multiple components. To place these implants, we create an incision in your gums and expose your jawbone. Then, we use a series of drills to create an opening in the bone that will fit the implant. Because of their multi-piece design, these implants require multiple placement appointments over a few months. But once your implant is secure enough to support a restoration, you can enjoy a stable, functional smile!
Mini dental implants are smaller in diameter and have a unique one-piece design that sets them apart. Thanks to their slim build, mini implants fit in minimal bone, making implant treatment accessible to those with bone loss. Additionally, we use a minimally invasive procedure to place mini implants, which saves you both time and money.
Both conventional implants and mini implants are effective, with neither sacrificing on quality. But which implant is right for you depends on your bone quality and your budget.
Mini Dental Implants vs. Conventional Dental Implants
Most patients who look into dental implant treatment are told they may not have enough bone for a conventional implant. And while procedures like bone grafting help rebuild lost bone, they do add to the length and price of your treatment.
On the other hand, most patients in Foley, AL, and beyond are eligible for mini implant treatment! These narrow-diameter implants fit in minimal bone, allowing patients who weren’t eligible to restore their smile.
Aside from accessibility, mini implants also provide benefits that make them the best implant option for most patients. These benefits include:
- Faster integration: When a conventional implant is placed in your jaw, it takes around 3 months to integrate with your jawbone. During this time, you’ll wear a temporary restoration to protect your implant and wait for your next placement appointment. In contrast, mini dental implants integrate much faster, thanks to their gentle procedure. Without waiting months for your jaw to heal, we’re able to secure your final restoration within a month!
- Less discomfort: Because of their invasive procedure, conventional implants disrupt your bone and gum tissue. This makes the healing process difficult, prolonging your recovery. For older or frail patients, this is a big concern, as they may heal slower than other patients. Fortunately, mini dental implants don’t disrupt as much of the surrounding tissue, making for a more comfortable healing process. In most cases, patients only need over-the-counter medications to manage any discomfort and are back to normal in a few days.
- More affordable: Mini implants are typically about half the cost of conventional dental implants. Without the need for additional procedures like bone grafts, multiple components, or multiple appointments, mini implants save you time and money!
Find the Best 2026 Implant Options in Foley, AL
With interest in dental implants on the rise, it’s only natural to seek the best implant options in 2026. Here at Riviera Dental Care, we offer a variety of options to make sure we have what every patient needs. But in most cases, mini dental implants are the ideal tooth-replacement option, thanks to the many advantages they offer. Book a free implant consultation to find out whether we can use mini implants to restore your smile effectively and affordably!
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