Did you know that a plant’s root system can help control erosion? Plants have different types of roots that help them adapt to their environment, and Beautyberry—a native Florida shrub—does this especially well. Its well-branched root system spreads out underground like a natural web, gripping the soil and keeping it in place. This stabilizing function isn’t limited to plants. In the human body, tooth roots similarly provide structural support, holding each tooth firmly in place and maintaining the integrity of the jaw. But what happens when that disappears? When a tooth is lost, the root goes with it—and without that root, the surrounding bone can start to break down over time. At Designing Smiles Dentistry, we provide dental implants to patients in the Palm Bay area to restore that essential support.
Dental implants replace missing roots and help preserve your jawbone, giving you a stable, long-lasting solution that looks and functions like a natural tooth.
Dental Implants in Palm Bay, FL
Whether you choose a traditional denture, a dental bridge, or an implant-supported restoration, you’ll find a solution that fills the gap and recreates the look of natural teeth. Visually, all of these options can be made to blend in with your existing smile. But what about how they function?
Dentures and bridges can restore basic chewing function, but they don’t work like your natural teeth. Traditional dentures rely on suction or adhesives to stay in place. Bridges anchor to adjacent teeth for support. While custom-made to fit your mouth, they don’t address every part of the problem—specifically, what’s happening beneath the surface.
When you chew, the pressure from your bite travels down through each tooth and into the root, stimulating the jawbone. That stimulation tells your body to maintain healthy bone tissue. Without it, the bone begins to break down. Unfortunately, dentures and bridges don’t replace the root, so they can’t deliver this critical signal. Over time, this can lead to jawbone loss, changes in facial appearance, and even shifting of your restoration.
Dental implants are the only option that replaces the root of the tooth. Dr. Apel places a small titanium post directly into the jawbone. Through a process called osseointegration, the bone fuses to the implant, creating a stable foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture. This connection allows the implant to function like a natural tooth root, restoring the look and the strength of your bite while actively preserving bone health.
What’s Holding You Back From Dental Implants?
If you’ve considered dental implants but haven’t taken the next step, ask yourself: What’s holding you back? For many patients, hesitation comes from more than just uncertainty. It could be the thought of undergoing surgery, the length of the treatment process, or concerns about cost. For others, it’s the fear that they may not even qualify.
Tooth loss is rarely a matter of if but when. By the time many patients explore their options, they’ve already experienced some degree of bone loss. This presents a common obstacle, primarily when it comes to traditional implants.
Conventional implants typically measure around 5 millimeters in diameter and need a strong, healthy jawbone for long-term support. If there isn’t enough bone, the implant won’t stay secure. In those cases, patients often need bone grafting—a separate procedure that adds time, cost, and recovery to an already complex process.
But there’s more to consider than just the structure of the jaw. Surgical tolerance is another major factor, especially for older adults. Frailty is a clinical condition that affects many seniors and is diagnosed based on factors like low physical activity, weak grip strength, fatigue, slow movement, and unintended weight loss. When someone is frail, their body struggles to recover from stress—including the stress of oral surgery. Healing takes longer, and complications become more likely. In some cases, extensive procedures may not be medically advisable at all.
This is where treatment decisions have to shift—not away from implants entirely, but toward alternatives that account for both health and bone structure.
Mini Dental Implants in Palm Bay, FL
Mini dental implants are different by design. Measuring under 3 millimeters in diameter, they are significantly more slender than traditional implants. Because of this, Dr. Apel often places them using a minimally invasive technique—one that avoids cutting into the gums or disturbing surrounding tissue.
Minimally invasive dentistry aims to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible. By limiting surgical trauma, this approach shortens healing time, reduces discomfort, and lowers the risk of complications. For many patients, this means fewer hurdles and a faster return to normal routines.
Bone volume is another concern that mini implants help address. Thanks to their slim profile, Dr. Apel can often place them in narrower areas of the jaw. In many cases, Dr. Apel can place mini implants without the need for additional procedures, which makes the process simpler and more accessible.
By reducing surgical complexity and expanding eligibility, mini dental implants allow more patients to restore missing teeth with less downtime and fewer obstacles.
Ready To Explore Your Dental Implant Options?
If you’ve been told you’re not a candidate for dental implants—or if you’ve simply put off treatment because the process felt overwhelming—it may be time to reconsider your options. Mini dental implants offer a simpler, less invasive way to restore missing teeth while supporting long-term oral health.
At Designing Smiles Dentistry near Palm Bay, we’re here to help you find a solution that fits your needs, your timeline, and your comfort level. Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Apel to learn whether mini dental implants are right for you.
Join our community on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about how we make dental care more comfortable and accessible.
English 
Spanish