Did you know roughly 27.5% of Satellite Beach residents are age 65 or older, placing a significant portion of the local population in an age group where tooth loss becomes more common? Nationally, approximately 13% of adults aged 65 and older have lost all their natural teeth. That rate increases with age, with approximately 17% of people aged 65 to 74 being edentulous. So what should we take away from these numbers? If you’re considering tooth replacement options, understanding how tooth loss progresses with age is crucial. It puts into perspective why long-term function and reliability should be central to your decision. Not all treatment options perform equally over time, and the right choice can maintain comfort, stability, and confidence for years to come. At Designing Smiles Dentistry near Satellite Beach, we offer dental implants to help patients replace missing teeth with a stable, long-term solution.
Dental Implants Benefit Your Overall Health
A dental implant is a small titanium post that Dr. Apel surgically places into your jawbone. Once in place, the implant undergoes a process called osseointegration, in which the surrounding bone fuses to the titanium surface. This creates a stable foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture.
That detail matters more than you might think. Tooth roots play an important role in maintaining the health of your jawbone. When a tooth is lost, the bone beneath it stops receiving pressure from chewing. Without that stimulation, the body begins to break down the bone in that area, a process known as bone resorption.
When bone is lost in the jaw, your remaining teeth can start to shift, loosen, or even fall out, since they lose the support that keeps them stable. This can alter the way your teeth fit together, leading to bite problems and making it more difficult to chew or speak clearly.
Dentures and dental bridges replace missing teeth at the surface, but they do not address what is happening beneath the gumline. Dentures rest on top of the gums, and dental bridges anchor to adjacent teeth. Neither option replaces the tooth root, so they cannot prevent the gradual bone loss that follows tooth loss.
Since Dr. Apel places dental implants directly into the jaw, they mimic the function of a natural root. They stimulate the bone and help preserve your facial structure, making them one of the most reliable and health-focused tooth replacement options available today.
Not All Dental Implants Are the Same
Dental implants are not all the same, and understanding the differences can help you make a more informed decision. The most familiar type is the conventional dental implant. These implants are typically about 5 millimeters in diameter and are placed in stages. Each component is added over multiple appointments. Due to their size and complexity, they require more extensive bone support and involve a more invasive surgical process. In many cases, patients may need bone grafting before placement can begin.
Mini dental implants provide a more streamlined alternative. They are much smaller, usually under 3 millimeters in diameter, and are designed as a single-piece unit. Instead of assembling multiple parts, the essential components are integrated into a single structure.
This design benefits both the process and the patient. Fewer steps mean shorter chair time and fewer appointments. The smaller size allows for a less invasive procedure, which often eliminates the need for bone grafting. Healing is typically faster, and most patients experience less discomfort.
In many cases, Dr. Apel can place and restore a mini implant in the same visit! You leave with a secure, functional tooth replacement without waiting through a long recovery or extended treatment plan. For patients seeking a reliable and efficient solution, mini implants offer clear advantages.
Not All Providers in Satellite Beach Offer Mini Dental Implants
Not every dental practice offers mini dental implants. While many offices focus solely on traditional implant systems, some may not include mini implants in their services at all. At Designing Smiles Dentistry, we’ve made a clear commitment to advancing this specialized form of care. Our practice is a certified Mini Dental Implant Center of America, a designation that reflects our focused training, hands-on experience, and dedication to clinical excellence in this area of implant dentistry.
As part of the MDICA network, we have completed advanced education in mini implant techniques and have been recognized as a top provider in Melbourne, Satellite Beach, and across Florida’s Space Coast. It also provides us with access to the latest advancements, case strategies, and shared expertise from leading professionals nationwide. For our patients, this translates into better planning, more predictable outcomes, and treatment options that are supported by both innovation and real-world results.
Explore Your Options for Dental Implants in Satellite Beach
Choosing how to replace a missing tooth is about finding a solution that supports your long-term health, fits your lifestyle, and aligns with your goals. At Designing Smiles Dentistry, we offer guidance rooted in clinical experience and modern techniques, including the advanced use of mini dental implants. If you’re interested in learning what this option could mean for you, we invite you to book a free consultation with Dr. Apel.
For more insights into implant care and patient success, follow Designing Smiles Dentistry on Facebook and Instagram.
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