Millions of American suffer from tooth loss. While traditional dentures and dental bridges certainly look like natural teeth, they leave much to be desired in terms of how they feel. Fortunately, dental implants solve this problem because they’re firmly embedded in the jawbone. Their unique placement allows them to replace the entire structure of missing teeth, providing fully restored functionality. By choosing to get dental implants in Tyler, you may even forget your teeth were ever missing to begin with! If you’d like to find out if this solution is right for you, continue reading or give our office a call today to learn more.
Dental implants are small rods that are surgically inserted into the jawbone, serving as new tooth roots. Since they’re made from biocompatible titanium, they naturally fuse with the surrounding bone tissue over time via a process called osseointegration. Once that’s complete, we can attach any number of prosthetic teeth on top of the implants.
Rebuilding your smile from the roots up to the crown requires a multi-step process that can span several months. Although every patient’s journey is unique, the four main steps are the same for everyone. Here’s a general idea of what you can expect your treatment to look like.
The first step of getting dental implants is an initial consultation. This is because our team at Franklin Dental Center must evaluate your candidacy for implants and complete any necessary preparatory work, like gum disease treatment or bone grafting. We’ll work together with you to schedule these procedures if necessary. Once your gums and jawbone appear to be strong and healthy, we can move forward to planning the rest of your treatment. During this appointment, we will discuss the expected cost and the timeframe.
For this step, you’ll be referred to a specialist for the placement of your dental implants. This is because we want to ensure that you receive the highest quality of treatment possible. First, the area will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Then, an incision is made into the gum tissue, and the dental implants are placed. The gums are closed, and a protective cap is placed over the dental implant so it can heal over the following months.
After dental implant surgery, it can take up to six months for the posts to fuse with the surrounding bone tissue. This process is called “osseointegration,” and it is the reason why dental implants are so stable and long-lasting. Once healed, you will have your metal abutments put into place so that your restorations remain affixed to your implants.
Once you’re done healing, you’ll return for the placement of your customized crown, bridge, or denture. It will be attached to the abutments on your new dental implants, completing your smile. If everything looks and feels as it should, you’ll be free to leave the practice and show off your new grin to the world!
Regardless of how many teeth you’ve lost, having gaps in your grin is bound to impact your quality of life. Thankfully, your dentist has several ways to replace them! One increasingly popular method is dental implants.
Many dentists consider these restorations to be the ideal way to rebuild your smile because they’re the only ones that are directly inserted into your jawbone. As a result, they have some unique advantages over alternatives like dentures and dental bridges. Continue reading to learn about how you could benefit from dental implants, and feel free to contact us if you would like additional information!
Your teeth play a crucial role in your ability to eat, speak, and smile. If you have gaps in your grin, you might struggle with these basic tasks that were once so simple. Thankfully, dental implants can improve your daily quality of life by:
There are many everyday advantages to choosing dental implants, but other benefits are less immediately apparent. They can also improve your health because they:
On top of enhancing both your appearance and your oral condition, dental implants come with additional long-term benefits, such as:
One significant advantage of dental implants is that they’re an incredibly versatile method of tooth replacement. It doesn’t matter if you’re missing one tooth, multiple, or an entire arch – implants can address it all! They can repair and restore your smile in a way that no other solution can. At Franklin Dental Center, we will create a treatment plan that’s personalized to meet your needs, which may include preliminary procedures designed to increase your chances of implant success.
Dental implants are a great restorative solution for virtually every patient who suffers from tooth loss. Even if you don’t have sufficient bone in the necessary areas, there are procedures like bone grafting that can help. If you have dentures already and are unhappy with them, dental implants are also a great replacement option that could eliminate any shifting or slipping. It’s best to schedule a consultation with our team to determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure because there are certain situations that should be navigated with caution. During your visit, our team will create a personalized plan to put your oral health and wellbeing back into your own hands.
A dental implant post and crown can replace a single tooth seamlessly. It’s a much sturdier and longer-lasting solution than other options like dental bridges. Additionally, it doesn’t require the removal of enamel from the adjacent teeth, which can lead to sensitivity and weaken them. Our team will ensure that your dental restoration matches the size, shape, and color of the rest of your smile to produce seamless results. After some time, you may even forget which tooth was replaced!
If two or more teeth in a row are missing, you can use an implant bridge to seamlessly fill in the gap. Two implant posts can serve as anchors for the appliance instead of your natural teeth, helping you preserve your natural enamel. This solution can help you enjoy a lifelike smile that has unmatched stability and durability. For patients with several missing teeth throughout the mouth, multiple implants can be used to anchor a partial denture in place.
Are you missing all of your teeth? Our team can strategically place four to six dental implants to support a full denture and restore an entire row of missing teeth at once. This is also an excellent option for patients who are tired of their traditional dentures and are looking for more stability. Implant dentures are extremely stable and will not move around, allowing you to smile, eat, and speak with confidence once again. We’ll use the minimum number of dental implants to provide you with the maximum.
Dental implants are an investment because they can last forever with the right aftercare. We provide you with your custom estimate during your initial consultation and discuss your payment options, such as using your dental insurance and third-party financing with LendingClub. We will help you find the solution you need to keep your new smile affordable.
Ready to fill the gap in your smile? Contact our dental office today to schedule your consultation!
Perhaps dental implants in Tyler strike you as a good option. They could, after all, quickly restore your smile to full working order! That said, you may want more details about them. Having such facts would help you feel confident in treatment. Luckily, the Franklin Dental Center has your back: below are the answers to popular dental implant questions. Please read them over and learn how our prosthetics can help. Otherwise, call us for additional details.
Ultimately, dental implants are highly successful. It’s to the point that their long-term success rate is over 95%! As such, patients can usually trust them to work well over time.
Still, your own implants’ success will depend on certain factors. These include:
Recovery from implant surgery has two stages: the short-term and the long-term. Each one takes a different amount of time.
Generally, short-term recovery from implant surgery is quick. Most patients can even resume normal activities the day after placement. However, you should avoid intense exercise for the first week after surgery; you’ll delay healing otherwise. Similarly, take prescribed pain relievers as directed.
As you’d imagine, long-term recovery is more extensive. Implants, you see, need up to six months to fuse with your jawbone. During that period, then, watch yourself and see your dentist if problems arise.
Put simply, no – dental implants don’t decay. They’re artificial and not made of enamel, so they can’t develop cavities. Even so, you’ll still need to maintain proper oral hygiene.
You see, implants need a healthy mouth to work. Cavities in surrounding teeth and gum disease can easily cause problems for them. As such, you’ll want to keep your mouth clean so your smile stays functional. In particular, brush twice daily, floss once daily, and rinse with mouthwash.
To be specific, implant failure usually stems from peri-implantitis or failed osseointegration. The former is a kind of gum disease that damages the bone tissue supporting an implant. Meanwhile, the latter refers to when implants don’t properly fuse with the jawbone. It often occurs when a patient has already suffered from low jawbone density.
Of course, there are other, less-common causes of implant failure. They include the following:
After implant surgery, your dentist will offer tips on minimizing the risk of implant failure. Try to follow them as best you can, especially during recovery.
Franklin