Dental Implants with Dr. Kathryn Ryan in Jacksonville, FL
Over the past three decades, dental implants have revolutionized the field of tooth replacement, becoming the most comprehensive and long-lasting solution available. Unlike traditional bridges and dentures that only replace the visible portion of a missing tooth, implants restore both the visible tooth and the critical root beneath the gum line. This restoration preserves the health of the jawbone and supports surrounding teeth, providing a foundation for a healthier, more confident smile.​​
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​If you’re ready to explore how dental implants can transform your life, Dr. Kathryn Ryan and the team at Parkway Prosthodontics are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a healthier, more confident you.
Why is a Prosthodontist the best doctor for the job?
A prosthodontist is a specialized dentist with advanced training in the restoration and replacement of teeth, including dental implants. They are experts in the planning and placement of dental implants, thanks to their deep understanding of the anatomy of the mouth.
Prosthodontists also have advanced training in prosthetic dentistry, which enables them to design and fit the dental implant restoration, including the implant itself and the crown or bridge attached to it. They can provide comprehensive treatment planning and customized solutions for complex cases, ensuring the best possible outcome for their patients. Overall, a prosthodontist like Dr. Kathryn Ryan is the best specialist for dental implants, providing the highest level of care and expertise for restoring damaged or missing teeth.
Using a prosthodontist for implants ensures that the procedure is performed with the highest level of expertise, safety, and precision, resulting in a successful and long-lasting implant restoration.
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Anatomy of a Dental Implant
A dental implant is a small, screw-like post meticulously designed to replace the root of a missing tooth. It offers a permanent and stable foundation for a natural-looking restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or denture. Crafted from highly durable and biocompatible materials like titanium or zirconia, the implant is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone in a process called osseointegration. This critical step mimics the function of a natural tooth root, promoting jawbone health and providing unmatched stability for the replacement tooth.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dr. Kathryn Ryan, a highly skilled prosthodontist, begins the dental implant process by surgically inserting the titanium or zirconia implant post directly into your jawbone. This post serves as an anchor, replicating the function of a natural tooth root. Over time, osseointegration occurs, creating a stable and permanent foundation for your dental restoration.
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Once the implant has integrated successfully with the jawbone, Dr. Ryan places an abutment—a small connector piece that joins the implant to the final restoration. Positioned below the gum line, the abutment remains invisible, ensuring a seamless and natural appearance. Whether the restoration is a single crown, a bridge, or a full set of dentures, Dr. Ryan’s expertise ensures that it blends perfectly with your natural teeth in both look and function.
Treatment Process at Parkway Prosthodontics
Dr. Ryan and her team are dedicated to making sure you feel informed and confident about your upcoming tooth replacement procedure. As a prosthodontist, Dr. Ryan offers a complete dental implant placement and restoration process in-house, allowing you to stay comfortable with a team you trust throughout your treatment.
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Step 1: Initial Consultation
Your journey begins with a consultation with your implant dentist in Jacksonville. During this visit, Dr. Ryan will evaluate your oral health and determine if any preliminary treatments are needed. If issues like tooth decay, gum disease, or jawbone loss are present, treatments such as periodontal therapy, bone grafting, sinus lifts, or tooth extractions may be recommended. These steps help create the best foundation for the success of your dental implants.
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Step 2: Dental Implant Surgery
On the day of your surgery, Dr. Ryan will use local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Small incisions will be made in your gums, and each implant will be carefully placed into the jawbone using advanced technology to ensure accuracy and reduce risks. After placing the implants, Dr. Ryan will close the gum tissue and cover the implants with protective healing caps.
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Step 3: Healing and Osseointegration
After surgery, you will go home to heal for 3-6 months. During this time, a process called osseointegration occurs, where the bone fuses with the implants to create a strong, stable foundation for your new teeth. Following your dentist’s guidelines during recovery is essential to ensure a successful outcome.
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Step 4: Abutment Placement
Once healing is complete and osseointegration is successful, you will return for a small follow-up procedure. Dr. Ryan will place metal abutments on top of the implants. These connectors will secure your custom restoration to the implants, preparing your smile for the final step.
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Step 5: Receiving Your New Teeth
The last step is to attach your custom dental restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or denture, to the abutments. These restorations are made from high-quality materials designed to look and feel natural, blending seamlessly with your smile. With proper care, your new teeth can last 30+ years, giving you a durable and confident smile.
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Solutions for Missing Teeth at Parkway Prosthodontics
At Parkway Prosthodontics, Dr. Kathryn Ryan specializes in crafting dental restorations that look and feel completely natural, providing a variety of dental implant solutions to meet the unique needs of patients with missing teeth. Each restoration is custom-designed to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless and authentic result. Whether you need a single crown, a bridge, or a full set of implant-supported dentures, Dr. Ryan’s expertise ensures that your new smile complements your facial features while restoring full functionality.
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Whether you are missing a single tooth or an entire arch, Dr. Ryan tailors implant treatments to deliver long-lasting, natural-feeling restorations that can restore both your smile and your confidence. With personalized care and attention to detail, she helps every patient achieve a smile that is not only beautiful but also fully functional.
Missing a Single Tooth
When you're missing a single tooth, the most effective and natural-looking solution is a dental implant. The process involves placing a single implant post into the jawbone, followed by attaching an abutment to support the final restoration. A custom-designed dental crown is then securely placed on the abutment to fill the space of the missing tooth. This method ensures that both the root and the visible part of the tooth are replaced, providing a stable, permanent solution without affecting the surrounding teeth. The result is a flawless, lifelike restoration that blends seamlessly with your natural teeth.
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Implant-Retained Crowns and Bridges
For patients with 2 to 3 consecutive missing teeth, an implant-retained bridge is an ideal solution. Instead of placing dental crowns on the adjacent teeth, Dr. Ryan anchors the bridge directly to your jawbone using 1 or 2 implant posts. This method preserves the integrity of your natural teeth while providing a secure and stable foundation for the bridge. Implant-retained bridges look and feel more natural than traditional bridges, and because they are anchored to the jawbone, they provide better chewing function and durability.
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Missing Multiple Teeth
If you are missing several teeth, dental implants can still offer a customized solution to restore your smile. Depending on the number of teeth missing, Dr. Ryan may recommend a combination of single-unit implants or an implant-retained bridge. Multiple implant posts can be strategically placed to support individual crowns or bridges, ensuring a complete and natural-looking smile. This approach avoids the need for removable dentures and helps preserve the health of your jawbone.
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For patients missing all or most of their teeth in one arch, the All-On-4 technique offers a revolutionary solution. This procedure involves anchoring a custom-made denture to your jawbone using an average of 4 strategically placed implant posts. The unique benefit of All-On-4 is that, in many cases, the denture can be attached the same day as your implant placement surgery, allowing you to leave the office with a full set of teeth immediately. This approach eliminates the discomfort and inconvenience of going without teeth during the healing process, making it a popular choice for full-arch restorations.
Life-Changing Benefits of Dental Implants
Replacing both the root and crown of the tooth allows you to enjoy a variety of benefits that are not possible using any other treatment. As the implant post stimulates bone growth to fuse with your jaw, you will experience various advantages, including:​​
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Restore Natural Functionality: Implants replicate the strength, stability, and functionality of natural teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with complete confidence.
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Prevent Bone Loss: By replacing the tooth root, implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone loss and maintaining the integrity of your facial structure.
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Durable and Long-Lasting: Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime with proper care, making them a more reliable and permanent solution than dentures or bridges, which may require frequent adjustments or replacements.
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Comprehensive Restoration: Unlike traditional tooth replacement methods that only address the visible crown, implants replace both the root and crown of the tooth, providing a complete and natural-feeling restoration.​
Learn More About Dental Implant Costs and Insurance Coverage
Understanding the cost of dental implants and how insurance can help is an important part of planning your smile restoration. From the materials used to additional treatments like bone grafting or extractions, several factors can influence the overall cost. At Parkway Prosthodontics, we’ll guide you through your options, help maximize your insurance benefits, and offer payment solutions to keep your new smile within reach. Click below to learn more about dental implant costs and insurance coverage!
Convert your Existing Denture
Do you already have removable dentures and find yourself constantly dealing with the frustration they can bring? If you're tired of the noises, slipping, glue, and awkward movements that removable dentures can cause, you're not alone. Many denture wearers experience embarrassment and discomfort when their dentures shift unexpectedly while speaking or eating. Fortunately, there is a better solution that not only looks more natural but also provides stability and comfort—Implant-Supported Dentures.
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Convert Your Current Dentures into Implant Dentures
If you are currently using traditional removable dentures, it is entirely possible to upgrade your system to implant-supported dentures, also known as implant-retained dentures. This conversion process involves placing dental implants—small, titanium posts—into your jawbone, which serve as a secure foundation for your denture. These implants act like tooth roots, providing a stable base that prevents your dentures from moving, eliminating the need for messy adhesives or constant adjustments.
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The great news is that in many cases, your existing dentures can be retrofitted to become implant dentures, meaning you won't necessarily need to invest in a completely new set of prosthetics. Dr. Kathryn Ryan at Parkway Prosthodontics can evaluate your current dentures and determine if they can be modified to attach securely to dental implants.
Implant Gallery
Are you among the 120 million Americans who are missing at least one tooth? You could choose a traditional solution to complete your smile, like a bridge, crown, or you could enjoy an option that closely looks and feels natural. Dental implants allow you to regain the next best thing to your real teeth. Dr. Kathryn Ryan will rebuild your smile using a customized treatment plan.