Missing teeth is an ongoing problem, particularly for seniors. As you age, you’re more likely to experience missing teeth. While many options exist to replace missing teeth, dental implants are the most modern and permanent option. Our dental implants can replace lost teeth, recently removed teeth, and more.
Tyler Family Dental offers affordable dental implants and many other restorative dentistry services in Smith County. We create dental implant treatment plans that will support your long-term oral health and overall health.
Dental Implants: The Gold Standard of Tooth Replacement
Three components create the complete dental implant. The implant post is the screw-like part that our dentist or oral surgeon places in your jawbone. The post is titanium and will mimic the natural tooth root. No other tooth replacement option replaces the tooth root.
Next, an abutment attaches to the top of the implant post. The abutment piece secures the final restoration or dental prosthetic to the implant post.
The final restoration can be many things. If we are replacing a single lost tooth, it will be a custom dental crown. Dental implants can also support bridges and dentures by taking the place of natural anchor teeth. We can even place as few as four dental implants to replace an entire arch of teeth.
Getting Dental Implants in Tyler, TX
Getting dental implants requires multiple steps. First, you will visit us for a restorative dentistry consultation to see if you’re a candidate for dental implants. We want to ensure the dental implant procedure is the right choice for your mouth.
During the appointment, we’ll perform a thorough dental exam. Our dentist will discuss your medical and dental history with you, and use digital diagnostics. Implants require a certain amount of healthy bone tissue to ensure success. So, you will need to have a healthy bone density in your jaw.
Our oral surgeon can conduct a bone grafting procedure on your jaw so you have enough support for the implant post. He can also conduct a tooth extraction and gum disease treatments to help you qualify.
The procedure also includes a surgical component, which is the next step. When your mouth is ready for oral surgery, we will place the implant posts in your jawbone. Your mouth will need around 3 to 6 months to fully fuse with the posts. This osseointegration process is what gives dental implants strength and permanence
We may provide a temporary restoration while your mouth is healing so you won’t have to go without teeth. Next comes taking dental impressions. We’ll take impressions to create a custom restoration to complete the implant process.
Our dentists will precisely match the restoration’s size, shape, and shade to your liking. The restoration or dental prosthetic will look natural and fit the way it should. Lastly, our team will ensure that you’re happy with the restoration before you leave the final fitting appointment.
What is a Bone Graft, and Why Do I Need It?
A bone graft is an oral surgical procedure that involves repairing or rebuilding damaged or deficient bone. To qualify for dental implants, having the necessary bone density is vital. A bone graft will ensure there is enough bone volume and quality to hold the implant securely in place. The added bone will improve the chances of a successful dental implant placement.
Bone loss in the jaw occurs for many reasons, such as gum disease, tooth loss, and trauma. Most people with missing teeth are in poor oral health and will require grafting before we can place their implant posts. The first step in the dental implant process is to ensure your jawbone is healthy enough to receive implants. We will analyze your bone density. If it is lacking, you will need to get a bone graft.
The bone grafting process involves taking bone from a different body part (autograft), using donor bone (allograft), or using synthetic materials (alloplast). The dentist will place this material in the deficient area of the jawbone. Then, the site will be left to heal so the bone can integrate with the jawbone and regenerate new bone tissue.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
The biggest benefit of dental implants is that they replace the tooth root, unlike any other dental restoration. When you lose the tooth root, the jawbone in the area immediately starts deteriorating. This ages your face, causing the skin and facial muscles to sag. A dental implant acts a tooth root to prevent the jawbone from deteriorating further and encourages jawbone growth.
With other restorations, the jawbone deterioration continues, even though you’ve replaced the main part of the tooth. Your jawbone continues to change, so the fit of your restoration changes, too. You usually need to readjust or replace your restoration multiple times throughout its lifetime. Without adjustment, your restoration won’t work properly.
Replacing the tooth root provides unmatched stability because the restoration permanently sit in your jawbone. You don’t have to worry about the restoration slipping or falling out when you eat or speak. You don’t need to remove certain foods from your diet either. Teeth implants give you back a functioning bite force so you can eat things like apples confidently.
Dental implants don’t need intense upkeep, so you won’t have to worry about adding anything extra to your oral care routine. Simply brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. Continue to visit our Tyler dental office for regular checkups so we can ensure that your restoration is working properly.
When you replace your tooth or teeth with implants, it does put extra stress on any remaining teeth. Furthermore, we will not have damage or reduce the size of healthy teeth to support the restoration. Dental implants are a stand-alone treatment that only replaces missing teeth and leaves your healthy, remaining teeth intact.
What are the Downsides to Choosing Dental Implants?
As the popular and natural solution to tooth loss, it is also vital for patients to know and understand the downsides of choosing this option. Even though they provide patients with a permanent and natural-looking solution, we want our patients to consider the negatives.
The primary concern when choosing dental implants is the cost. A dental restoration anchored in place by teeth implants will be significantly more expensive than other tooth replacement options. We use high-quality materials, multi-stage procedures, and many appointments that are all part of the in-depth process. These factors contribute to substantial financial investment.
Another downside is the time commitment required for dental implants. Your implant journey from start to finish will take several months up to a year to complete. This timeline includes a long healing period that is necessary to replace teeth with implants. During this time, you will need to visit our office many times for checkups.
Additionally, dental implants require surgery. Certain risks come with oral surgery, such as infection, nerve damage, and anesthesia complications. After the oral surgery, you will need to follow all care guidelines to prevent problems. Patients with certain medical conditions may not qualify for surgery or will have a higher chance of implant failure.
Lastly, the implants will only thrive in a healthy body. You must take good care of your oral hygiene and overall health to ensure they last a lifetime.
Schedule a dental implant consultation today. If you’re missing teeth, dental implants may be the best tooth replacement solution for you. Schedule an appointment online or call our office today at 903-623-8317.