Dental Implants

Living with missing teeth affects more than just your smile—it impacts how you eat, speak, and feel about yourself every day. At Smile Haven, we understand these challenges and offer dental implants as a permanent solution to restore your confidence and oral function. Our dental implants provide the look, feel, and strength of natural teeth without compromising surrounding healthy teeth.

Whether you’re missing a single tooth or need full-mouth restoration, Dr. Mark Zavala, DMD and Dr. Stefhany Duque, DMD deliver personalized implant services in a comfortable, caring environment. We’re committed to helping you achieve a complete, beautiful smile that lasts for years to come.

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Understanding Dental Implants

Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone beneath the gum line, acting as artificial tooth roots. Once in place, these biocompatible posts fuse with your natural bone through a process called osseointegration, creating a sturdy foundation for replacement teeth.

Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support, making them a standalone solution that preserves your overall oral health. This advanced tooth replacement option has transformed millions of lives worldwide, offering a permanent solution that can last a lifetime with proper care.

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Benefits of Dental Implants

Prevention of Teeth Shifting

When teeth are missing, adjacent teeth gradually drift into the empty spaces, disrupting your bite alignment and facial symmetry. Dental implants fill these gaps permanently, preventing neighboring teeth from moving out of position. This stability helps you avoid potential orthodontic issues and maintains the natural spacing of your remaining teeth, preserving your overall dental structure.

Reduced Risk of TMJ Disorders

Missing teeth force your jaw to adapt to an uneven bite, often placing excessive strain on your temporomandibular joints. Dental implants restore proper bite force distribution, helping prevent painful TMJ disorders that cause headaches, jaw pain, and difficulty chewing. The balanced occlusion created by implants allows your jaw to function naturally, reducing stress on these sensitive joint structures.

Clear Speech Patterns

Missing teeth or unstable dentures can significantly impact your ability to pronounce certain sounds clearly. Dental implants provide stable, permanent replacements that allow for precise tongue positioning and proper airflow during speech. You’ll communicate confidently without the whistling sounds, slurring, or mumbling that often accompany tooth loss or poorly fitting prosthetics.

Simplified Daily Care

Unlike removable prosthetics that require special cleaning solutions, adhesives, and overnight storage, dental implants integrate into your normal oral hygiene routine. You’ll care for your implants just as you would natural teeth—regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings are all that’s needed. This straightforward maintenance eliminates the inconvenience of removing prosthetics before bed and the embarrassment of denture cleaning products in your bathroom.

Preservation of Facial Muscle Tone

The loss of teeth and underlying bone structure can lead to a sunken appearance in your cheeks and lips. Dental implants provide crucial structural support for your facial muscles and soft tissues, helping maintain your natural facial contours. This support prevents the collapsed, aged appearance that often develops with long-term tooth loss, helping you maintain a natural-looking profile and smile regardless of age.

Our Dental Implant Process

Comprehensive Dental Assessment

We begin with a thorough examination of your oral health using advanced 3D imaging to evaluate your bone structure and dental anatomy. Our team takes time to understand your specific concerns and goals for tooth replacement. This detailed evaluation allows us to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for dental implants or if preliminary treatments might be needed.

Personalized Treatment Strategy

Based on your assessment results, we develop a detailed plan addressing your specific dental needs and anatomical considerations. We explain the number of implants recommended, their precise placement, and any preparatory procedures like bone grafting that might enhance your results. Our team discusses all financial aspects and coordinates with specialists when needed to ensure comprehensive care.

Expert Implant Placement

Using precise surgical techniques and appropriate anesthesia, we position your titanium implant posts at the optimal angle and depth in your jawbone. The procedure is carefully performed to minimize discomfort and maximize long-term stability. Depending on your case, we may place temporary restorations or allow the implant sites to heal beneath the gumline.

Essential Recovery Support

Following your procedure, we provide specific instructions for eating, oral hygiene, and symptom management to support optimal healing. Most patients return to normal activities within days, though complete bone integration takes several months. We remain available to address any concerns that arise during your recovery period.

Ongoing Success Monitoring

We schedule regular checkups to verify your implants are integrating properly with your jawbone and soft tissues are healing correctly. Once fully healed, we take detailed impressions for your permanent, custom-designed restorations. After placement, we provide guidance on maintaining your implants for maximum longevity and performance.

Why Choose Us for Dental Implants

Smile Haven stands apart through our combination of specialized training and individualized patient care. Drs. Zavala and Duque have completed extensive advanced education in implant dentistry beyond standard requirements, performing successful procedures with exceptional outcomes. Our office uses only premium-grade titanium implants and precision digital planning for accurate placement, eliminating guesswork and reducing recovery time.

We take time to thoroughly explain each step, respecting your questions and concerns rather than rushing through consultations. Patients consistently note our attentive follow-up care and commitment to comfort, with sedation options available for anxious individuals. Many local dentists refer their complex implant cases to us, recognizing our expertise in challenging situations that other practices decline.

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FAQs

How much are dental implants?

At Smile Haven, dental implant costs typically range from $3,000 to $5,000 per tooth, including the surgical procedure and custom restoration. We offer interest-free payment plans and work with your insurance to maximize available benefits. Unlike bridges or dentures that need replacement every 5-7 years, implants often provide decades of service, making them an excellent long-term value.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are titanium posts that function as artificial tooth roots by fusing with your jawbone to support a custom-crafted crown. Dr. Zavala and Dr. Duque place each implant using 3D surgical guides for optimal positioning and aesthetics. Unlike other tooth replacements that sit on your gums or attach to adjacent teeth, implants function independently just like your natural teeth.

How long do dental implants last?

At Smile Haven, we regularly see patients whose implants have served them beautifully for 20+ years with just basic care. The titanium used in modern implants forms such a strong bond with your bone that failure is rare after successful integration. Many of our patients’ implants have outlasted multiple sets of dentures they would have otherwise needed.

Does dental insurance cover implants?

Most dental insurance plans now recognize implants as a standard treatment option, with typical coverage ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 toward your procedure. Our insurance coordinator reviews your specific plan to identify often-overlooked benefits like coverage for the restoration itself or preliminary procedures. For patients without insurance, our in-office savings plan provides significant discounts on implant procedures.

Do dental implants hurt?

Our patients consistently express surprise at how comfortable the implant process actually is compared to their expectations. We offer several sedation options tailored to your anxiety level, ensuring you experience minimal discomfort during the procedure. Most people return to normal activities within 24-48 hours, managing any discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Why avoid dairy after dental implant?

We recommend avoiding dairy products for the first 48 hours after implant surgery because they can promote mucus production that interferes with clot formation at the surgical site. Dairy proteins may interact with antibiotics, reducing their effectiveness during critical early healing. Additionally, dairy foods often require more chewing, which can disturb surgical sites when they’re most vulnerable.

Restore Your Smile Today

Don’t postpone the complete, functional smile you deserve. Dr. Mark Zavala, DMD and Dr. Stefhany Duque, DMD offer implant consultations to discuss your specific situation and answer all your questions without obligation. Our team creates personalized financing plans making this life-changing treatment accessible regardless of budget.

Experience why patients throughout the region trust Smile Haven with their dental implant needs. Call 407-851-4588 today to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward a confident, healthy smile.