Thanks to dental implants, it's possible to completely restore missing teeth. The innovative tooth restoration option is one of the many 
dental services offered by your Santa Rosa Beach, FL, and DeFuniak Springs, FL, dentists, Drs. Michael O'Donnell, Courtney Wright and Chris Farrugia of Great Florida Smiles & Orthodontics.
No other restoration method replaces your entire tooth
Bridges and dentures replace missing teeth, but both have one important drawback. They only restore your crowns, the part of your teeth you see when you smile. A dental implant replaces your entire missing tooth from the root to the crown.
Your Santa Rosa Beach, FL, and DeFuniak Springs, FL, dentist implants a small titanium post during the first step of the dental implant process. The post serves as an artificial root and supports a dental crown. In some cases, you'll need to wait about three to six months before a permanent crown can be attached to your dental implant. During that time, the implant will slowly fuse to your bone and eventually become as strong as your natural roots.
The benefits of dental implants
A full smile can improve your self-esteem and make chewing much easier. When there's a gap in your teeth, it can be hard to grind, tear, and chew food. As a result, you may not chew your food thoroughly before you swallow it and may be more likely to experience an upset stomach.
Dental implants are the next best thing to growing a new tooth. In fact, many Santa Rosa Beach, FL, and DeFuniak Springs, FL, residents say that their new tooth doesn't feel any different than their natural teeth.
Cost is certainly an important consideration when you consider restoration methods. Dental implants may cost a little more than other restoration methods initially but can save you money over time. In most cases, dental implants never need to be replaced. Bridges and dentures must be replaced approximately every 10 to 15 years due to wear. You will need to replace your crowns occasionally, although the cost will be less than replacing an entire bridge or denture.
Are you ready to find out if dental implants are a good choice for you? Schedule an appointment with Dr. O'Donnell, Dr. Wright, or Dr. Farrugia of Great Florida Smiles & Orthodontics by calling (850) 622-5888 for the Santa Rosa Beach, FL, office, or (850) 892-2500 for the DeFuniak Springs, FL, office!