Dental Implants in Coral Gables, FL

Missing teeth can be embarrassing, causing you to hide your smile and lose self-esteem. The space that a missing tooth creates can easily become infected with bacteria, causing other teeth to shift out of place and making it difficult to speak or eat correctly.

The team at Gables Exceptional Dentistry is sensitive to the hardship a missing tooth can cause. We provide dental implants so our patients can regain their self-confidence, improve their health, and approach life boldly.

We know that there are multiple dental providers to choose from, so the team at Gables Exceptional Dentistry is constantly looking for ways to improve the patient experience. Our office is located in Coral Gables, and we offer patients the opportunity to restore missing teeth in a way that looks natural and beautiful.

Questions to Ask When Selecting an Implant Dentist

  • What treatment options do you use to restore missing teeth?
  • How many implant procedures have you performed?
  • What’s your success rate?
  • What’s your education and training in implant treatment?
  • What should I expect throughout the process?
  • Will I have teeth throughout the process?
  • What type of anesthesia do you use?
  • What are the risks of the treatment option you’re recommending?
  • What are the benefits?
  • Can you share before-and-after pictures of other patients you have treated?

The Process of Placing Dental Implants

If one or more of your teeth fall out, you may qualify for dental implants to permanently replace the missing teeth. To find out, schedule an appointment with our Coral Gables dentist office by calling (305) 614-2438.

We will examine your mouth and jawbone to determine if the procedure is right for you. Before we begin the procedure, your gums need to be healthy, and your jawbone needs to be strong. If we identify any cavities or signs of gum disease, we will need to treat them before the dental implant procedure.

Once you are cleared for dental implants, a staff member at Gables Exceptional Dentistry will take an impression of your mouth to create your replacement tooth or teeth in a dental lab. Each synthetic tooth will match the size, shape, and color of the surrounding teeth perfectly so your smile will look completely natural. Patients love the results because no one can tell the difference between their real and synthetic teeth.

Coral Gables Dental Implants

The next step in the procedure is to implant a metal post under the gum line. This aspect of the procedure is what sets an implant apart from other forms of cosmetic dentistry. The metal post is secured to the jawbone to create a durable, synthetic root system that rivals the strength of natural roots, with one exception that the metal cannot become infected. The metal post and jawbone will fuse after some months, creating a level of durability that cannot be replicated with other procedures.

Afterward, we will secure the new synthetic tooth to the metal post at the gumline. The new tooth will be so secure that you can eat all your favorite foods, maintain an active lifestyle, play sports, and more without fear of your tooth becoming loose or falling out. You will never have to worry about your tooth again.

Teeth restored with implants will not get cavities. A replacement tooth, or crown, does not decay like a natural tooth. However, you still need to brush, floss, and care for your replacement tooth and the surrounding natural teeth the same way as you would normally, by brushing and flossing daily. Regular professional cleanings and dental checkups are also essential.

The team at Gables Exceptional Dentistry provides dental implants in a way that is comfortable and functional. We take the time to make sure every aspect of the procedure is completed correctly the first time.

Caring for Dental Implants

A dental implant is extremely easy to care for. We advise brushing and flossing your teeth throughout the day like normal. Additionally, it is important to schedule dental exams and cleanings with Dr. Mirtha Amador at least twice a year. The staff at Gables Exceptional Dentistry will clean your teeth and ensure that they stay healthy.

While dental implants cannot become infected, the teeth around them can. If, in the future, you suffer from a severe case of gum disease or a dental abscess, the infection can spread into your jawbone. This puts your implants in jeopardy because, in order for an implant to stay secure, the jawbone must be in good health. If it becomes infected, your dental implants and all of your teeth will be at risk.

If you currently have implants and your teeth start to hurt, call (305) 614-2438 to schedule an appointment immediately. We will identify any infection and treat it before it can spread into the jawbone. As long as you follow these simple preventative care steps, your implants and natural teeth should remain in good health.

Consultation

To find out if implants are right for you, call (305) 614-2438. The team at Gables Exceptional Dentistry is friendly and welcoming and will take the time to inform you of all of your options. We will make a customized recommendation about the best choice for your oral health.

You can have a beautiful and natural-looking smile by working with a professional implant dentist. If you are suffering with missing teeth, we can transform your smile. Schedule an appointment and let us create a smile that is as beautiful as you are.

Dental implants have been traced back to around 600 AD, when tooth-like pieces of shell were hammered into the jaw of a Mayan woman. Thank goodness for modern dentistry!

Implant FAQ

I need to replace two missing teeth next to each other. Can I just have one implant placed and attach it to one of my natural teeth and make a bridge?

Generally, this is not a good idea. We find that it is much better not to attach implants to teeth. We frequently attach implants to each other, which improves strength and works well. In a case like this, although it may be more expensive in the short term to place two implants instead of one, the long-term success is likely to be much higher with the two implants.

I lost my upper back teeth on one side and have gone for years without doing anything about it. My sinuses always seem to bother me more on that side than on the side where I have back teeth. Could these problems be related?

In the majority of people who are missing their upper back teeth for a long period, there is increasing downward growth of the maxillary sinus. At birth, it is the size of a pea and grows larger as the skull matures. This growth is at the expense of the surrounding bone. If you are considering replacing those upper back teeth with fixed teeth that stay in all the time, it may be necessary to perform a sinus elevation procedure to allow room for the placement of dental implants into this area to support those teeth. This involves the placement of bone and/or bone substitutes into an area that was previously occupied by the lower part of the maxillary sinus. Most importantly, this procedure increases the available bone used to place implants and restore the missing back teeth.

I’ve had dentures for several years and have lost a lot of jawbone. My lower dentures are floaters, and I need help. Is there still hope for me?

With the new options available today, some form of treatment may be possible. We encourage patients to get help as soon as they can if they are already having problems with their current situation, including overuse of denture adhesives, chewing only soft food, not being able to taste some foods, constant mouth sores, and dissatisfaction with the appearance of their teeth and bite position (e.g., the nose and chin getting closer together). The sooner we correct the problems with dental implants, the more treatment options a patient has. If you have any or all of the above symptoms, implants may be the answer for you.

I am missing all of my teeth and am now wearing full upper and lower dentures. I can no longer tolerate my lower denture. Will I need an implant for every tooth I am replacing on the lower jaw?

It is not necessary to have an implant for every tooth you want to replace. The number of implants necessary to provide support depends on the type of implants and the type of teeth (removable vs. fixed) that will be attached to the implants. A thorough oral exam and panoramic X-ray are usually all we need to determine which type of implant we use and how many. For more complex cases, we may need additional X-rays or CT scans.

I consulted a dentist several years ago about getting implants to replace my lower denture, and they told me I did not have adequate bone to place implants without the danger of fracturing my fragile jawbone. Are there any alternatives?

Because of the advances in the field of implantology, there are now more choices and techniques. It is rare that a person can’t have an implant or a combination of implants. Today, we have many types of implants designed to accommodate multiple problems.

I had a root canal on a tooth that fractured, and now it has to be removed. Can it be replaced with an implant, or do I have to have a bridge or a partial?

Teeth that have root canals can fracture more easily than other teeth because they are weaker and somewhat dehydrated. They can sometimes be as brittle as glass. In the past, the best available treatment was to remove the tooth and file down the adjacent teeth to make a bridge. Sometimes this is still the only way. However, in many cases, an implant can replace the fractured tooth, preserving the surrounding teeth.

Questions Answered on This Page

Q. What is the process for dental implants?

Q. How do I take care of my dental implants?

Dental Implant Terminology

Abutment

A component that attaches to the dental implant so the dentist can place a dental crown on top.

Bridge

Multiple replacement teeth that are attached to dental implants, natural adjacent teeth, or a combination of the two.

Dental Crown

An artificial tooth, usually made of porcelain, that covers the top of the implant.

Dental Implant

An artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge.

Endosteal (endosseous)

A type of dental implant that we place in the alveolar and basal bone of the mandible that transcends only one cortical plate.

Eposteal (subperiosteal)

A type of dental implant that conforms to whichever edentulous surface of an alveolar bone is superior.

Implant-Supported Bridge

A dental bridge fixed in place with dental implants inserted in the jaw.

Osseointegration

The process in which a titanium dental implant fuses with the surrounding bone over several months.

Periodontal

Literally “around the tooth.”

Resorption

The process in which the body absorbs the calcium from the jaw, when there are no tooth roots to provide the necessary stimulation, and uses the calcium in other areas.

Transosteal (transosseous)

A type of dental implant that includes threaded posts that penetrate the superior and inferior cortical bone plates of the jaw.