The Gulf Coast region of Alabama is home to beautiful beaches and wildlife. And no one understands that more than the people of Gulf Shores, AL, who live right along the coast. Life here revolves around the outdoors, with plenty of fishing, boating, and seafood available. But missing teeth can get in the way of this coastal lifestyle! If you’re struggling with missing teeth, you may find it difficult to engage with others or bite into your favorite meal. Fortunately, dental implants replace missing teeth with stable and natural-looking restorations. If you’re looking for dental implants in or around Gulf Shores, AL, we recommend visiting us in Foley! Less than half an hour away from the coast, Riviera Dental Care provides patients like you with the tools they need to live life confidently again.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are screws that we anchor in your jawbone, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Unlike the more traditional tooth replacement methods, dental implant treatment involves securing your crown, bridge, or denture to your jaw. This connection keeps your smile stable, allowing you to chew and speak normally without worrying about your prosthetic coming loose.
These implants are made from high-quality titanium, a biocompatible metal alloy. Biocompatible means the metal is able to bond or integrate with your bone over time. And once it’s secure enough to support a restoration, we will permanently restore your smile.
However, not everyone is eligible for dental implant treatment. Because these titanium screws rely on your bone for support, you’ll need a sufficient amount of jawbone. But after tooth loss, many patients experience bone deterioration, making them ineligible for implant treatment.
Thankfully, Riviera Dental Care offers another option. At our office in Foley, we use mini dental implants for patients who don’t have enough bone. These implants have a much smaller diameter and a one-piece titanium post that allows easier placement. In many cases, patients who aren’t eligible for traditional implants are still eligible for mini implant treatment!
What Mini Dental Implants Do for Your Smile in Gulf Shores
Dental implants do more than just restore your smile. These implants also prevent bone loss by replacing missing tooth roots, and keep your smile stable while you laugh or eat with loved ones.
But beyond these benefits, mini dental implants come with specific advantages thanks to their simpler design. Mini implant benefits include:
- Less invasive procedure: Because mini dental implants are smaller, they are easier to place. We use a minimally invasive procedure to anchor your implants in just one appointment, without the use of incisions or stitches.
- Faster healing time: With a less invasive placement, healing is faster. Rather than waiting months for your implant to stabilize, mini implants are typically stable in just a few weeks! And for most patients, recovery is simple and comfortable.
- Immediate stability: Mini dental implants have the unique ability of immediate loading. This means that, under the right conditions, we may be able to anchor a final restoration on the same day we place your implant, providing you with an instantly functional smile.
- More affordable cost: Thanks to their one-piece design and simpler placement, mini implants are also less expensive than traditional dental implants. In most cases, these small titanium posts cost about half as much.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
Because titanium is a high-quality material, dental implants can be expensive. And while mini dental implants are less expensive than their traditional counterparts, Riviera Dental Care understands they may still be out of budget for some patients.
But if you’re worried about the cost of dental implants in Gulf Shores, we have ways to make your care more affordable!
First, we work with multiple insurance companies that help lighten your financial burden. The plans we work with include Principal, Sun Life, MetLife, Humana, and many Medicare Advantage plans that help cover our senior patients. Additionally, we are in-network with the Veterans Affairs Department, allowing us to care for veterans in the community.
While not all insurance companies cover dental implants, we work closely with your provider to develop a treatment plan that maximizes your benefits.
For those without insurance or who still face high out-of-pocket costs, we offer flexible financing. Riviera Dental Care partners with multiple third-party financing companies, like Cherry and CareCredit, that help split your costs into monthly installments. Depending on what you qualify for, you may be eligible for 0% APR options or longer payment plans that suit your budget. During your free implant consultation, we’ll discuss your financing options and help you apply.
Looking for Dental Implants in Gulf Shores? Visit Us in Foley, AL!
If you’re living on the coast, you want to be able to enjoy life by the water. That means good weather, good company, and good food. But it can be difficult to enjoy life with missing teeth, as everyday functions become a hassle. If you’re looking for dental implants in Gulf Shores to replace your missing teeth, visit Riviera Dental Care! Conveniently located in Foley, AL, we offer dental implant treatment to restore your smile. We also provide mini dental implants for patients seeking a more affordable solution and simpler placement. Book your free consultation today to learn which implant is right for you and how we make your care affordable.
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