Dental Implants in Reddick
A cracked molar that finally gave out, a bridge that's served its time, or a lower denture that slides at dinner — these are the moments that bring Reddick patients to our chairs asking about implants. Maybe you've been chewing on one side for years, or you've stopped smiling in photos because of a gap near the front. Whatever brought you here, tooth loss is solvable, and we've been helping people in Marion County rebuild their bites for more than 30 years.
A dental implant is a small titanium post placed into the jawbone where a tooth root used to be. Over several months, bone grows around that post and locks it in place — a process called osseointegration. Once it's stable, we attach an abutment and a custom crown on top. The result is a replacement tooth that stands on its own, without clasping to neighboring teeth or resting on the gums.
That independence is what sets implants apart from other options. A traditional bridge requires reshaping healthy teeth on either side of a gap. A partial denture comes in and out and relies on remaining teeth for support. An implant does neither. It also stimulates the jawbone when you chew, which helps slow the bone loss that typically follows an extraction and causes the sunken look many long-term denture wearers notice.
Implants aren't only for single teeth. We place full arch dental implants, implant-supported bridges, and implant-supported dentures, including All-on-4 and Teeth In A Day approaches for patients replacing an entire upper or lower arch. For Reddick patients who already wear dentures and are tired of adhesive, snap-in dentures anchored to implants are often a practical middle ground.
Most adults missing one or more teeth are candidates, but the honest answer depends on what we find. We start with a thorough exam, imaging, and a look at your gum health. Active gum disease has to be treated first, since implants need healthy tissue around them — we offer scaling and root planing, gum disease treatment, and periodontal surgery in-house, so this doesn't mean a referral somewhere else.
Bone volume is the other common question. If a tooth has been missing for years, the ridge may have thinned. That's not a dead end. We perform bone grafting and sinus lift surgery to rebuild the foundation before placement. We also handle simple and surgical extractions, so if a failing tooth still needs to come out, that step and the implant plan are coordinated under one roof.
Good candidates generally share a few things:
- Healthy gums or a willingness to treat gum disease first
- Enough jawbone, or openness to grafting to build it up
- Consistent home care — brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings
- A commitment to keeping follow-up appointments through healing
What Treatment Looks Like From Start to Finish
After your consultation and imaging, we map out exactly where the implant goes and what your timeline looks like. Placement is a surgical appointment, usually with local anesthesia. For patients who feel anxious about dental work, we offer nitrous oxide sedation and oral sedation dentistry — a frequent request, and a reasonable one.
Then comes healing. Expect a few months while the bone integrates with the post. You'll typically wear a temporary during this stretch so you're not going without a tooth. Once we confirm the implant is solid, we take impressions for your final crown, bridge, or denture. Our on-site dental lab matters here: fabricating restorations in the same building shortens turnaround and makes shade and fit adjustments far easier than shipping work out and waiting.
Aftercare is straightforward but not optional. Soft foods and gentle rinsing in the first days, then normal brushing and flossing around the restoration. We provide implant maintenance and periodontal maintenance visits to check the tissue around each implant and clean areas a toothbrush can't reach. Implants don't get cavities, but the gum and bone supporting them still need monitoring.
Scheduling, Insurance, and Getting Started
We see Reddick patients of all ages at our Ocala office, and you don't need a referral to be evaluated for implants. If something urgent comes up mid-treatment — a lost temporary, pain, or a dental injury — we offer emergency appointments rather than making you wait.
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and file claims as a general practice, and we welcome self-pay patients. Implant treatment often spans several visits, so we offer flexible payment plans to spread the cost over that timeline. At your consultation, Dr. Salifu or Dr. Geris will walk you through the plan and the numbers before anything begins. Call us to set up a visit.