The latest advancements in dentistry have made it more possible than ever to replace teeth that both look and feel natural. However, when you’re going over your options, it’s important to note that dental implants truly stand out from the rest. If you’ve been thinking about replacing single, multiple, or all of the teeth in your smile for quite some time, it’s worth knowing why dental implants in Mesquite are truly the next level of tooth replacement. Below, you can learn from our dentists at Texas Dentistry precisely why that is. Feel free to give our office a call if you need more of your questions answered!
Your teeth actually have two parts: the crown that you normally see above the gums, and the root that is embedded in the jawbone. Traditional tooth replacement solutions, like dental bridges and dentures, only recreate the crowns of missing teeth, which leaves them a lot to be desired in terms of stability, reliability, and longevity.
Dental implants are unique in that they also bring back the root structure of a missing tooth. The implant is a biocompatible post (usually made of titanium) that is placed directly into the jaw. There, it fuses with the surrounding tissue and bone, creating a sturdy foundation for a dental crown, bridge, or denture. Not only can dental implants replace any number of missing teeth, but they can do so with a solution that lasts longer, looks lifelike, and functions exactly like your real teeth!
Dental implants have quickly become the premier tooth replacement solution because of their amazing health, strength, and lifestyle benefits. However, the dental implant process is more involved and takes more time compared to other options. While our team can walk you through the details of your treatment during your consultation, here’s a basic outline of the four steps you can expect.
No two smiles are the same, which is why your initial dental implant consultation is so important. During this visit, we will examine the condition of your oral health, the number of teeth that you’re missing, and the strength of your jawbone. From there, we will be able to develop a personalized treatment plan, including information like how many implants you’ll need and the estimated cost. From there, we will schedule your dental implant surgery.
Dental implant surgery will typically take one to two appointments, depending on the number of teeth you’re missing. While this is a more invasive treatment than other replacements, you’ll be numb and comfortable before the surgery begins. First, small incisions are made in the gums to access your jawbone. Then, tiny holes are created in the jaw for the placement of your dental implants. Once they’re in place, you’ll be provided with temporary restorations to maintain your appearance while you complete the healing process for implants.
After the dental implants are placed, you’ll begin a healing process called osseointegration. Dental implants are made of titanium, which is a biocompatible material. This allows your implants to permanently fuse to your jaw, becoming a sturdy support for your restorations. Osseointegration will typically take at least three to six months. Once this process is complete, you’ll receive abutments, which are small connectors laced on top of your implants. Next, we will take impressions of your smile with the implants and abutments to create your custom-made restorations.
The last stage of the dental implant process is to mount your final restorations. This is possible because of the abutments that were previously attached to your implants. You’ll come back into our office, where one of our experts will show you your restorations, ensuring that you’re happy with the results before permanently placing them. All that’s left to do is to walk out of our office with a lifelike, full, strong, and beautiful set of teeth!
If you have any questions or want to schedule a consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact our office!
Keep in mind that dental implants replace the root as well, not just the crown portion that makes up your smile. By replacing teeth in this way, you’re addressing the required steps to restore your smile’s basic functions, as well as its appearance. Chewing food is easy again and your jaw’s natural shape is maintained. It’s common for the face to sag prematurely after teeth are lost, mainly because those areas of the jawbone are not being stimulated. Dental implants improve and restore bone stimulation as well as allow proper blood flow, which prevents premature signs of aging.
Additionally, dental implants are proven to withstand the test of time. On average, they last between 25 years and a lifetime. With proper oral care, most dental implants last a lifetime without any issue. When dental implants are placed by a professional, success rates reach between 95 and 98 percent. Unlike traditional bridges, you won’t need to remove existing tooth enamel to have them placed! It’s the perfect way to retain as much of your natural tooth as possible.
While dentures and bridges can replace teeth for many years, their longevity pales in comparison to dental implants. On average, dentures and bridges need to be replaced or repaired after just three to seven years of use. In contrast, dental implants last for several decades and in many cases the rest of the patient’s life. This longevity means you pay significantly less overall compared to other tooth replacement options, despite the higher upfront cost.
Since dental implants are the only tooth replacement that fuses with bone tissue, they are also the only treatment that works to stimulate your jaw. This is because the root portion, which is made from biocompatible titanium, is constantly stimulating the jawbone and keeping it strong. The integration process also allows blood flow to occur, so your face no longer sags prematurely. This is a common side effect of tooth loss not resolvable with dentures or dental bridges.
Thanks to the improved jaw strength provided by dental implants, chewing your favorite foods is easy, no matter how tough, chewy, crunchy, or hard they might be. Want to enjoy a ribeye steak? Love a crisp and flavorful apple? Want to simply chew gum with confidence? Dental implants are able to keep up with your lifestyle and ensure your diet remains varied and nutritional.
While dental bridges can be difficult to complete and most dentures require you to remove them for proper sanitization, dental implants are maintained no differently than your natural teeth. That means brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and maintaining routine dental checkups at our office are all you really need to do to keep your dental implants healthy. As a bonus, you won’t have to worry about your restoration decaying since it’s made from inorganic material.
If you want your smile to look truly natural, you’re going to need to take your facial esthetics into account as well. Remember, tooth loss can cause dramatic changes to your overall appearance, not just your smile. When you’re replacing teeth with dental implants, you’re staying proactive against the long-term esthetic problems that can develop when you only replace teeth via dental bridges or dentures.
Texas Dentistry understands that dental implant treatment is a surgical procedure, which means that we take every step possible to ensure that it’s right for you. We’ll have you undergo a detailed examination, which includes x-rays and going over your oral and overall health history. During this evaluation, we’ll go over your exact needs in full as well as refer you to an oral surgeon. The dental implant consultation is essential because it allows us to ask questions and address concerns about the planning, placement, and restoration processes. We’ll always take the time to walk you through each stage of treatment and make sure you fully understand how the treatment works.
A titanium implant is placed inside of your jaw and allowed to heal over the next few months. This is the most common method for replacing single teeth and is possible thanks to the biocompatible nature of titanium. Once integrated with your bone tissue, an abutment is attached, and a restoration is fabricated for placement. All restorations are made from porcelain in order to ensure natural aesthetics and long-term durability.
A pair of dental implants can be placed inside the gap of your smile to replace multiple consecutive teeth. While traditional bridges remove existing tooth enamel to be placed, dental implants are strong enough to anchor an implant bridge without doing so. Through this method, you can easily restore three to four teeth at a time.
Missing several teeth on opposing sides of your mouth or in your entire bottom/top arch? No problem! Implant dentures are the most stable and restorative solution out there for extensive tooth loss. Full and partial dentures can be designed to fit with dental implants and look incredibly natural once placed. There’s no need for messy adhesives nor metal hooks either; implants do enough to ensure full stability.
There cannot be a flat cost for dental implant treatment because each patient is going to have their own unique needs. The price you pay is largely determined by what we find during the initial consultation. The number of teeth you need to replace, the number of implants being placed, and the need for preparatory treatments like bone grafts and periodontal therapy, all influence total cost. If your restoration is more complex, such as an implant bridge or denture, it will drastically influence your cost. Even with the higher upfront cost, dental implants are often considered more cost-effective in the long-term because of their low maintenance, restorative functions, and longevity.
There are multiple types of dental implants that can be customized to meet specific needs. Since every implant case is different, your costs will vary based on the number of teeth you need to replace and which type of teeth need replacing. For example, if you only need to replace a single missing tooth with one dental implant, your treatment will be considerably less compared to someone who needs to replace multiple consecutive teeth or an entire arch. We’ll confirm which treatment option is best for you depending on your specific dental concerns.
Dental implant treatment occurs in multiple phases. This includes the surgical placement of the implant, the potential abutment that would go into the implant, and the placement of a restoration. Each step incurs its own unique cost depending on what your needs might be. Furthermore, if you need to have bone grafting performed so that the implant can effectively integrate with your jaw or gum therapy completed so that your gum tissue is healthy enough to heal around your implants after they are placed, this will increase the overall cost of your care.
It’s no secret that dental implants cost a fair amount more than traditional tooth replacements like dentures and dental bridges, but they also come with a fair number of benefits worth considering. Not only do they last for several decades after placement, but they make chewing your favorite foods much easier and more natural-feeling. This is because of the detailed integration process they go through with bone and soft tissue. Because they last for a very long time, you won’t have to worry about replacing them nearly as often as you would with other solutions.
While most dental insurance plans do not cover dental implants, they are more likely to cover services related to the treatment. For example, you may be able to get coverage for the initial consultation about the dental implant process. Insurance may also cover periodontal therapy, which may be necessary if your gums are not healthy enough to receive dental implants. We’re happy to work with you to build a financing plan that’s within your budget, so you can make implant placement and restoration more affordable.
After reading all about dental implants, it’s understandable that you have some questions. They are a fairly complex treatment, after all. That’s why we have decided to take some of the questions we get asked the most often about dental implants and answer them below. If you have a question that didn’t get answered here, feel free to contact us by clicking here and asking away.
The amount of remaining jawbone mass is an important factor in determining whether your dental implants will be successful. If you have struggled with tooth loss for some time, there is a chance that your jawbone has already deteriorated enough to the point where it can’t support an implant. That’s why you need a bone graft – a procedure where artificial bone tissue is grafted onto your jawbone to strengthen it to allow it to support implants.
Yes, but smokers have a higher risk for implant failure. Tobacco slows down the oral healing processes, which is critical to implant success. Over several months after implant placement, your jawbone will actually grow around the implant post, so the healing process is crucial to the success of the implant. Smoking reduces blood flow to the area, slowing down the process and increasing the chance that your body might reject the implant. If you have been looking for a reason to quit smoking, getting dental implants would be it.
Yes, but like with smoking, there are risks involved. People with diabetes, especially those with poorly controlled diabetes, are particularly slow to heal, increasing the risk of implant failure. If you’re diabetic and considering dental implants, talk to your doctor about how to better manage your condition first to minimize the risks.
Your oral surgeon should use plenty of anesthetic and possibly sedation to make sure you feel minimal discomfort during your procedure. You can expect to feel some soreness for a few days afterwards, as you would with any type of surgery. Take over-the-counter painkillers as needed to alleviate your discomfort. Your oral surgeon may also prescribe some prescription pain relievers. Either way, be sure to take only the recommended dose.
That really depends on the complexity of your individual case, such as how many implants you’re receiving. After relatively small cases, like a single implant, you very well might be able to resume your day with no problems. If your case is more complex, however, it might be best for you to rest for two to three days before you return to your normal schedule.
Although one of the primary benefits of dental implants is their potential to last a lifetime, this is only achievable if you adhere to proper aftercare guidelines. Fortunately, maintaining your implants is not difficult at all. If you remember to brush and floss daily, wear a mouthguard or nightguard to protect your smile, and visit us for checkups at regular intervals, your implants should last for decades to come!
Oral infections are one of the most common reasons why implants fail in the long term, but you can help keep them at bay as long as you:
Taking proactive measures to prevent injury or other damage to your mouth can ensure your implants last as long as possible. Be sure to:
We typically recommend that patients with dental implants visit our Mesquite office for a dental checkup and cleaning at least three or four times a year, especially during the first year after implant placement, to make sure everything is proceeding as it should. Routine exams can alert us to any oral health problems while treatment is still relatively easy and cost-effective, and cleanings can help your pearly whites shine bright.
If you notice a problem with your implant in between appointments, it’s crucial that you contact us right away and schedule an emergency appointment. Some signs to watch out for include:
At Texas Dentistry, our goal is to help you keep your smile beautiful and healthy for as long as possible. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you feel like something is amiss with your dental implants.
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