Common Questions — Sarasota, FL

A dental implant is a small titanium post placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. Once it integrates with the bone, an abutment and a custom restoration — a crown, bridge or full arch of teeth — are attached to it. The result functions and feels remarkably like a natural tooth.

Implants are the only tooth replacement that restores the root as well as the crown. That means they stimulate and preserve the jawbone, do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, and deliver chewing force comparable to natural teeth. No other option does all three.

Published success rates for dental implants exceed 95% over ten years when they are properly planned, placed and maintained. Careful diagnostics, guided surgery and consistent hygiene are the biggest predictors of long-term success.

Most adults with one or more missing or failing teeth are candidates. We evaluate bone volume with a 3D CBCT scan, review your medical history, and address any gum disease first. Patients who have been told elsewhere that they lack bone are often still treatable with grafting or zygomatic approaches.

Cost depends on how many teeth are being replaced, whether extractions or grafting are needed, and the materials chosen for your final restoration. We provide a written treatment fee at your consultation and offer third-party financing so treatment can be spread over time.

Surgery is performed in our office using a surgical guide generated from your digital plan. Any remaining failing teeth are removed, implants are placed, and in most full-arch cases a fixed provisional bridge is attached the same day. Most patients are with us for roughly two and a half hours.

The procedure itself is comfortable and virtually painless with customized sedation. Afterward, patients typically experience mild swelling and soreness for a few days, which is easily managed with medication and cold compresses.

Most patients return to normal daily activity within two to three days. Swelling peaks around day three and resolves within a week. You will follow a soft-food protocol while the implants integrate with the bone over the following months.

From consultation to final restoration, most full-arch cases take three to six months — with fixed temporary teeth in place throughout. Single implants often follow a similar integration period before the final crown is delivered.

Brush twice daily, clean beneath a fixed bridge with a water flosser or interdental brushes, and keep your professional maintenance appointments. Implant-supported teeth cannot decay, but the surrounding tissue still requires the same care as natural gums.

Yes. We recommend professional maintenance every three to six months so we can monitor tissue health, verify the fit of your prosthesis and clean areas you cannot reach at home.

The implant itself is designed to last decades and frequently a lifetime. The restoration attached to it may need refurbishment or replacement after ten to fifteen years, much like any other dental restoration.