Dental Implants

What is a dental implant, and how does it work?

A dental implant is a small "anchor" made of titanium. It is inserted into the jawbone to take the place of your missing tooth root. After osseointegration, or when the surrounding bone has attached to the implant, a replacement tooth is secured to the top of the implant. The new tooth looks, feels, and performs just like your natural teeth.

Dental implants can be used in a variety of situations, whether you need to replace a single missing tooth or many teeth. They can even be used to replace a full denture. As anchor points, implants can also securely attach a partial denture or bridge.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

More healthful and beautiful: When teeth are missing, the surrounding bone begins to shrink. This unhealthy bone loss can make your jaw line recede. Dental implants can help prevent deterioration of the jawbone caused by loss of teeth, so your face retains its natural shape. As an alternative to bridgework, dental implants eliminate the need to grind down healthy teeth when replacing one or more adjacent teeth.

More comfortable: Because dental implants are securely anchored, there is no slipping or movement as there is with dentures. This eliminates some of the key worries of dentures, including poor fit, gum irritation, and pain from exposed nerves.

More confident: With dental implants, you'll never need to cover your mouth when laughing, smiling, or speaking. You can eat your favorite foods without pain or fear of embarrassment - and taste every bite. You'll look better, feel better, and live more confidently.

Are you a candidate for dental implants?

If you're healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you're probably healthy enough to have an implant - whether your missing teeth are the result of injury, disease, or decay. General good health and adequate bone in the jaw are the key requirements. Your doctor can tell you if implants are right for you.

What is involved in the implant procedure?

The following videos will help you understand the process:

Watch more videos »  Single tooth implant | Multiple tooth implant | Overdenture implant

Ask about our One Stage Immediate Protocol which allows your implant to be set and the crown placed over your implant all within your one week visit to Costa Rica.

Are All Implants Successful?

Many variables must be considered to obtain successful implants.

First, the patient must be healthy and possess adequate healing powers. An uncontrolled diabetic, for example, has less potential for healing, which could be quite a problem.

Second, accurate diagnosis must be made, and the proper implant selected and installed correctly.

Third, it must be treated with care by the patient and the dentist. If either forgets diligent care, a problem may arise. Sometimes, in spite of the Implantologist and the patients best efforts, an implant may fail. If this happens the implant will be replaced by another one.

When an implant is functioning successfully, you should not be aware of its presence. You should experience no pain and be able to eat all kinds of food without any difficulty. Once we have determined you are a suitable candidate for implants your chances of success will be excellent.

Will Implants Last A Lifetime?

Every implant is placed with the expectation it will endure for the patient's life. With today's implant technology a lifetime result is achievable. Dr. Garita uses the Zimmer and BioNobel System which come with a life time warranty. Should you ever run into a problem they will be replaced at no cost.

What Dental Care Should I Provide At Home?

The dental care you provide yourself at home must be excellent. You must keep your teeth and implants clean with the aid of a toothbrush, dental floss, or other devices we will recommend to keep plaque off your teeth and implants.

Is Age A Problem?

No! Health is our primary concern. Many people 70 and 80 years of age are a better candidate than someone years younger in poor health. Older people are more likely to need implants because they have lost more teeth and ridge. As long as you live, you owe it to yourself, family and friends to take the best care of yourself as you possibly can. Incidentally, no reports in dental literature indicate dental implants have ever been the cause of cancer.