Frisco Dental Implants

Partial dentures and dental bridges are not the only restorative dentistry option available for replacing missing teeth. At Parklane Family Dentistry, our Frisco dentist also offers dental implants. When you have one missing tooth, a dental implant makes a very sensible solution for replacement.

Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. They have grown in popularity due to the benefits they provide. While bridgework and partial dentures offer suitable replacement value, there are often small tell-tale signs that you are wearing them. A dental implant, by contrast, is not as readily noticeable as a replacement tooth. The dental implant stands alone and looks and functions in the same way as the natural tooth it replaces.

Certain conditions must be met in order to complete a successful implant. Those considering implants should be non-smokers and have good oral hygiene. These conditions support a healthy oral environment for the implant procedure.

The process for placing an implant calls for a minor surgical procedure to place a screw-like post at the implant site. This post is allowed to meld with the bone. Once the post is sufficiently grafted into the jawbone, the area is prepared for the seating of a crown. When the prepped area is ready, a crown is placed on the post and the implant is complete. Your replacement tooth has the appearance and feel of a natural tooth.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a secure tooth restoration used to replace a missing tooth. Dental implants are unique from other tooth restorations because they restore the entire structure of the tooth, including the tooth’s root, by implanting a titanium screw into the jaw bone where it becomes fused through osseointegration over 3-6 months. 

When you chew, the jaw bone will become stimulated which causes new cells in the jaw bone to regenerate. While dentures accelerate bone loss due to the wearing away of the bone that it sits on, dental implants preserve the jaw bone and prevent future bone loss.

An abutment and dental crown are attached to the titanium post, forming a fully restored tooth. This artificial tooth acts just like a natural tooth and is held securely in place by the implant so it will not shift around. 

Why Would I Need a Dental Implant?

A dental implant may be needed if you have lost a tooth due to:

• Severe decay
• Dental trauma
• Gum disease
• To make room for orthodontic treatment
• Impaction
• Overcrowding

When a tooth is knocked out or extracted, it is important to have it replaced. Failing to replace a missing tooth will result in the surrounding teeth shifting and causing orthodontic problems such as changes in your bite or crooked teeth. 

The biggest issue, however, is irreversible bone loss which can only be prevented with dental implants. Your mouth will also lose facial support and begin to sag. It will be more difficult to chew your food, pronounce words clearly, and you may have a noticeable gap in your smile

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are superior to other tooth restorations because they are a long-term, stable tooth replacement that preserves the jaw bone. Dental implants can last for 25 years to a lifetime, while dental bridges and dentures must be replaced every few years.

Dentures and dental bridges also cause problems due to being ill-fitting, loose, or moving around when speaking or chewing. Dental implants are securely held in place just like a natural tooth and will never move when you speak or eat. 

This enables patients to speak clearly and eat whatever they want. The dental crown attached to the implant is made out of tooth-colored materials that blend in with your natural teeth and restore the appearance of your smile. 

Dental implants are also incredibly low maintenance. While dentures and bridges are notorious for requiring extra care and thorough cleaning, dental implants are cared for just like your natural teeth. All you need to do is brush and floss your teeth like you normally would. 

Implants are also comfortable and feel like a natural tooth, unlike dentures and bridges which often cause sore gums and don’t fit properly. The success rate of dental implants is about 98%.

The Implant Process

The dental implant process is carried out in 3 separate appointments spread out over months. After being approved as a good candidate for dental implants, we will make an incision into your gums and drill into the jaw bone to place the titanium post. 

You will then have a 3-6 month waiting period for the bone to grow around the implant (osseointegration). After the implant has fused with the jaw bone, we will perform another minor oral surgery by reopening the gums to attach an abutment to the implant. 

It will take up to 2 weeks to heal from this procedure, but in the meantime, impressions will be taken of your teeth and sent to a dental lab to construct your dental crown. The crown will be ready in about 6 weeks. Once we receive your dental crown, we will attach it to the dental implants and you will have a fully restored tooth.

Excellence in Implant Dentistry

Placement of the implant requires precise measurement. Dr. Vashisht has the training and expertise to perform successful dental implants. As a dental procedure, implants have a very high success rate, making the process very desirable over bridgework for replacing a missing tooth.

If you are seeking avenues for replacing a missing tooth, we suggest you contact Parklane Family Dentistry today. Come in and consult with Dr. Vashisht to find out if a dental implant is the right solution for replacement.