Dental Implants
DENTAL IMPLANTS AT PINELLAS FAMILY DENTAL
Doctors Don and Amy Vespa place dental implants (artificial tooth roots) and restore missing teeth with custom prostheses (crowns, bridges and dentures). They use CAMLOG® dental implants made of pure titanium. This material is extremely stable and has a high level of biocompatibility. High precision and reliability are the hallmarks of all CAMLOG implants and components, providing predictable functional, esthetic and long-term stable results.
WHY CHOOSE DENTAL IMPLANTS TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH
Dental implants are today’s recommended standard of treatment for the replacement of missing teeth and also for the stabilization of lower overdentures, because the results are very strong, stable and durable. They are not more expensive than traditional crown and bridge restoration, and they can be used where crown and bridge cannot be used. Implant supported overdentures are not more expensive than traditional overdentures that need to be periodically relined and replaced. And, in both cases, you are given significantly improved chewing function, oral health, and the ability to smile, laugh, and speak with confidence, because your smile looks naturally beautiful.
Benefits Our Patients Appreciate:
- One or more missing teeth can be replaced without affecting adjacent teeth.
- Restoring missing teeth with dental implants resolves joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space.
- They provide the opportunity for having a “fixed” prosthetic tooth, bridge or denture that is immobile and does not have to be removed to be cleaned. This is more functionally stable and comfortable–so comfortable, in fact, that you may come to think of your prosthetic teeth as your own natural ones.
- Dental implants restore fully functioning chewing, digestion, and speech. There is no slipping or discomfort. You will be able to eat all the foods you enjoy.
- Dental implants restore a confident smile and can restore or enhance facial features.
- Overdentures can be retained on four or more small dental implants.
SNAP-ON OVERDENTURES
A relatively affordable and popular lower denture replacement treatment is to have four small implants placed in the lower jaw and the denture refabricated to snap on and off the mini implants. With this type of treatment, you no longer have concerns about the lower denture slipping, and you can enjoy all your favorite foods once again. Today’s implants and methods have greatly reduced the cost of having this type of treatment to the point that the American Dental Association now recommends this treatment as the standard of care for patients who traditionally would have been fitted for a removable lower complete denture.
Note: Many patients have more concerns than cost when it comes to upgrading their denture. There are implant options for almost every situation and for almost every mouth. If you are tired of your slipping lower denture, or you want to avoid this situation altogether, let us evaluate your mouth to determine which type of implant treatment would be best for you.
WHAT TO EXPECT IF YOU CHOOSE DENTAL IMPLANT THERAPY
X-rays and impressions are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for the implant(s). While the area is numb, the implant anchor(s) will be surgically placed into the bone and then time will be allowed for the bone to heal around the anchor(s). Depending on the type of implant, a second minor surgery may be required to place the post that will hold the artificial tooth on the anchor. With other implants, the post and anchor are already attached and placed at the same time. The prosthetic tooth, teeth, bridge or over-denture are custom fabricated and fitted to the post portion of the anchors after the healing period. Once these artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant, they provide excellent stability and function like real teeth.
In some cases, the area of bone to receive the implant needs augmentation via a bone grafting procedure and/or
sinus augmentation. In some cases, the soft gum tissue at the site of the implant may need augmentation. We’ll plan your treatment for best health, function and esthetics.
At Pinellas Family Dental in Largo, Florida, we offer a complimentary (no fee) initial consultation. You will be fully informed about the treatment, options and costs, so you can make an informed decision that brings you happiness for years to come.
READY TO COME IN FOR AN APPOINTMENT?
FOR A TEXTBOOK DEFINITION OF DENTAL IMPLANTS, READ THIS ARTICLE.
Our Services
Pediatric Dentistry
Our dentists enjoy children, teens and adults. Some of our patients are only three years old. We care about the health of all of your family members, and we will give you our total best care from preventive cleanings and fluoride treatments to checkups to treatment for dental disease to tooth alignment and cosmetic procedures.
Emax and Zirconia Crowns
Largo, Florida residents are very fortunate to have highly experienced restorative and cosmetic dentists in their neighborhood. Our dentists, Dr. Amy Vespa and Dr. Don Vespa, restore many teeth to strong function and natural appearance with two types of crowns—zirconia crowns and Emax dental crowns. Both of theses types have superior translucence and lifelike qualities, as well as extreme durability.
Teeth Whitening
Dentists Don Vespa and Amy Vespa of Pinellas Family Dental in Largo, FL are proud to offer both Philips Zoom in-office and take-home whitening. “A white, bright smile is the number one cosmetic change desired by Florida residents,” report Dr. Don and Amy Vespa. “Wine, coffee, tea, and smoking cause surface teeth staining. So do a number of other beverages and foods, and with time, these stains seep into the dentin, resulting in an overall darker (often yellowish) appearance.
Occlusal Therapy
Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TMD) is a common condition referred to frequently as “TMJ”. TMD is characterized by severe headaches, jaw pain of varying degrees, grinding teeth, and an intermittent ringing in the ears. TMD sufferers report that their symptoms generally worsen during periods of stress. Your occlusion is the way your teeth come together. The most common cause of TMD is the misalignment of the teeth, often called “a bad bite.”
Cosmetic & Restorative Treatment
At Pinellas Family Dental, we provide the full range of restorative and cosmetic procedures. Our goal is to provide you with the finest quality restorations that will meet your satisfaction for many years to come, in both their function and appearance.
Dental Implants
Doctors Don and Amy Vespa place dental implants (artificial tooth roots) and restore missing teeth with custom prostheses (crowns, bridges and dentures). They use CAMLOG® dental implants made of pure titanium. This material is extremely stable and has a high level of biocompatibility. High precision and reliability are the hallmarks of all CAMLOG implants and components, providing predictable functional, esthetic and long-term stable results.
Veneers
Many patients are good candidates for dental veneers. Our experts at Pinellas Family Dental—Dentists Don and Amy Vespa—ensure optimal, long-lasting results. Dental veneers are wafer-thin shells of porcelain, that when bonded to teeth, not only improve the appearance of your smile, but also strengthen the teeth. They are one of the most conservative and affordable smile makeover treatments.
Sleep Apnea
If you or your partner snores, this could be a source of conflict between the two of you. It’s not as if you can control snoring, but the lack of sleep is making you both irritable. Not only are you tired and cranky, your relationship is starting to suffer. Before you call a counselor, you may want to call your dentist. Loud, chronic snoring can be an indication of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
New Patient Exam
We care about each new patient who comes to us as a special person. When you come to us for the first time, we will spend time talking about your concerns, preferences and oral health objectives. We will review your dental and medical history before performing a thorough oral examination.
Invisalign
Dr. Don Vespa is a Certified Largo Invisalign dentist who offers Invisalign treatment to not only teens but also adults of all ages. After an initial no-charge consultation to determine your orthodontic needs, Dr. Vespa can develop an optimal treatment plan that is best for you, answer your questions, provide a fee quotation, and offer an immediate start to the Invisalign process if you would like to go forward on the path to a new, more beautiful smile.
Mouth Restoration
If you have multiple oral health problems to be solved, you owe it to yourself to learn what can be done to give you back a healthy, youthful smile that allows you to live a fully functional life and smile with confidence.
