Dental Implants — Wylie, TX
The Long-Term Solution to Tooth Loss
While bridges and dentures solve many problems that arise from tooth loss, they don’t go as far as they could. That’s where dental implants come in. By replacing your entire tooth, you effectively restore many of the functions you were used to when you had all of your teeth, not just the aesthetic or surface-level functions. Once your implant(s) are placed, Dr. Morton can provide a restoration that looks and feels incredibly natural, so you can live your life without constant interruptions from overworked dentures and bridges.
Why Choose Wylie Family Dentistry for Dental Implants?
- Works with Top Dental Specialists for Placement
- Manageable Monthly Dental Payment Plans Available
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation for Nervous Dental Patients
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are designed to replace teeth to the fullest extent, meaning the root portion is also replaced. This is significantly different than replacing teeth solely with bridges and dentures, neither of which really get to the heart of tooth loss’s most common long-term side effects and complications. If you want to eat your favorite foods without worry, prevent changes to your bone structure (as well as your overall jaw shape), and restore your smile’s appearance to the fullest, all while making invaluable steps towards maintaining positive oral health, you’ll quickly learn why dentists recommend dental implants first when you’re eligible to receive them.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
You can expect your journey to a complete smile to take several weeks because of how dental implants work in Wylie. It takes multiple visits to replace both the root and the crown of a lost tooth. Each step of the process is essential to ensure the life expectancy of your dental implants. Although you won't have a complete smile overnight, it's time well spent to benefit from results that span for decades. Dr. Morton works with some of the best specialists in the area to ensure the success of your investment.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Your first step to replacing your lost teeth is a consultation with your implant dentist in Wylie, Dr. Morton. He will examine your mouth and review a CT scan to have a complete picture of your oral health. He will be able to spot issues that might be hiding beneath the surface that can compromise the success of your procedure, like bone loss or infection. Based on the results of your examination, you may need a little prep work before scheduling your dental implant surgery, such as gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, or bone grafting.
Dental Implant Surgery
After you've healed from any preliminary procedures, you'll visit a specialist for your placement surgery. Sedation or anesthesia will be used to ensure a pain-free procedure. Your oral surgeon will open your gum tissue to insert a titanium post into your jawbone. It will be placed with the utmost precision using the CT scan from your consultation and computer-guided technology.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Once your implant is in place, it can take several weeks for your bone to fuse to it through a process called osseointegration. With the post acting as a new root, it will stimulate bone growth, allowing your jaw to fuse to the implant. Your dentist will monitor your recovery to determine the best time to move forward with the next step in the process.
After adequate healing, you'll need a second minor surgery to place an abutment on the implant post. It is a special connector piece to secure your restoration to the implant. Your gums should be healed around the fixture in about 2 weeks.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
The final step to a beautiful smile is receiving your restoration from Dr. Morton. It will be crafted of high-quality materials and customized to match the color, size, and shape of your natural teeth. It will blend in seamlessly, so only a trained professional will know you have dental implants. Your new smile can last for 30 years or longer. Your dental implants in Wylie will serve you for many years with good oral hygiene at home and regular care from a dentist. You will never have to worry about gaps in your smile ever again after just a few short months.
Benefits of Dental Implants
If you have missing teeth, you’re probably researching the best tooth replacement option. During your search, you may be considering dental implants, one of the most popular solutions. But why are dental implants so amazing and are they worth the investment? At Wylie Family Dentistry, we want our patients to have access to the best treatments available, which is why we offer dental implants. Read on to learn about the top benefits you can enjoy with this amazing tooth replacement!
Durable and Long-Lasting
One of the most significant advantages of dental implants is that they’re the only tooth replacement option that is designed to last for a lifetime with proper care. Your restorations will eventually need to be replaced, however the implants are made of durable titanium, which allows them to become a permanent part of your body. This can even save you money in the long run from avoiding the need for replacement implants.
Enjoy a Better Diet
Have you been avoiding certain foods because you’re missing teeth? Maybe you have dentures that slip and slide around when you’re trying to chew? With dental implants, you can eat all your favorite foods without a second thought. Rooted firmly in the jawbone, dental implants feel and function just like your natural teeth, allowing you to chew a variety of foods. This not only increases your quality of life, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of flavors, but dental implants also let you get the nutrition you need to stay healthy.
Restore Your Appearance and Confidence
One of the unique benefits of dental implants is that they stimulate the jawbone to prevent it from deteriorating after tooth loss. This not only protects you from additional lost teeth, but it keeps your jawbone healthy, which maintains your full and youthful facial appearance. Dental implants help you look and feel better, giving you a serious confidence boost. If you hid your smile in public due to missing teeth, dental implants will give you the power to grin once more! Plus, dental implants allow your restoration to appear as if it was emerging from your gums just like your natural teeth.
Easy Oral Healthcare
One of the advantages of choosing a tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions just like your natural teeth is that your oral healthcare routine is stress-free! Simply brush and floss as you normally would and visit our office for routine checkups and cleanings. We may recommend the use of a water flosser, or another easy to use instrument, but maintenance is a breeze because you won’t have to worry about removing parts of your smile for cleaning.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants are ideal for patients with many types of tooth loss. It doesn’t matter if you’re missing one tooth or several, dental implants are capable of resolving both types of problems. Below, you’ll find three approaches you can take for addressing your tooth loss!
Missing One Tooth
Replacing one tooth, regardless of which arch or tooth you’re replacing, takes just one titanium implant post and one all-porcelain crown. Our dental office uses porcelain because of how well it mimics and reflects light like real tooth enamel.
Missing Multiple Teeth
As an alternative to the traditional method for dental bridges, dental implants can act as the anchors for your new restoration. Instead of modifying the existing tooth structure to hold the bridge, a pair of dental implants holds each side of the restoration. This makes it easy to fill the gap in your smile while still receiving the restorative benefits implants provide.
Missing All Teeth
Is your full or partial denture becoming more of a nuisance than you remember? If you aren’t interested in repairing or replacing your denture, it may be time to consider implant-related solutions instead. By placing four to six implants throughout the jaw, you can effectively anchor a fixed or removable denture.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Are you interested in getting dental implants in Wylie but want to learn more about the cost? This procedure is customized to fit each of our unique patient’s needs, which is why the first step towards figuring out whether implants are right for you is to schedule a consultation. There are a variety of factors that go into the price, and even though the up-front cost may be higher than traditional restorations, both patients and professionals will agree that the investment is well worth it.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
One great benefit of getting dental implants is that the procedure takes place over the course of several months and multiple stages. This means that you won’t have to pay for the entire treatment up-front and can make a financial plan that will fit your budget. However, it’s important to recognize that preparatory treatments may be needed before implants can be placed. This includes bone grafts, sinus lifts, and periodontal therapy.
Furthermore, implant surgery incurs its own unique cost just like the abutment and restoration do. This means the final price tag of your treatment can largely fluctuate depending on your specific needs.
The Parts & Type of Your Dental Implant
One of the primary factors that can alter the cost of your implant procedure is the type of restoration and number of dental implants that you need. For example, a patient requiring a complete implant restoration (such as a denture) will likely pay more for the procedure than a patient who needs to replace a single tooth with an implant crown. The best way to learn what type of dental implant you’ll need is to visit with our highly skilled dentist in Wylie. After examining your mouth, Dr. Morton can walk you through how your dental implant procedure will work and what types of restorations you require.
Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?
Other patients who have gotten dental implants will agree that they’re well worth the investment because of all the benefits they have to offer. Plus, because they have an average lifespan that’s about four times longer than traditional restorations, you’ll be able to save more money down the road. To learn more about how implants can benefit your everyday life and restore the function and health of your grin, be sure to schedule a consultation with us today!
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Dental implants are very strong and durable, but they aren’t completely indestructible. It’s crucial that you take all the proper steps to care for them and prevent dental implant failure. By investing your time and effort into your smile now, you can enjoy it for a lifetime! Here are some healthy habits to implement to keep your replacement teeth in good shape.
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
Your dental implants can’t get cavities, but your natural teeth are still at risk. It’s also still possible to develop gum disease. To keep your replacement teeth (and natural teeth) healthy, you should continue to maintain excellent oral hygiene. This means brushing twice, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash every day.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Dental implants don’t require any eating restrictions, so you can enjoy a full nutritious diet. Just be careful not to overindulge in hard, sticky, and sugary foods. You should enjoy plenty of foods that contain calcium and vitamin C. These nutrients help to keep your jawbone and gums in excellent health.
Break Bad Habits
Bad habits can cause a variety of issues for your dental implants and natural teeth. It is always best to refrain from smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products. These can slow healing and make it more challenging for your body to fight off infections. You should also avoid using your teeth as tools. Instead, look for scissors, a bottle opener, pliers, or another item that can help you complete your task without risking the integrity of your smile.
Protect Your Dental Implants
Dental implants are very strong, but they aren’t completely indestructible. You should always wear a mouthguard when participating in contact sports. If you have a tendency to grind your teeth at night, you should ask your dentist about getting a nightguard so you can protect your replacement teeth from additional wear and tear.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
You should continue to attend regular cleanings and checkups every six months. This way, we can monitor your dental implants, natural teeth, gum tissue, and more! By finding problems early, we can address them quickly and may even be able to prevent issues from arising in the future.
Dental Implant FAQs
Now that you know more about the process of getting dental implants in Wylie, you’re probably excited to move forward with treatment. However, since the procedure involves oral surgery and the placement of multiple dental implants, it’s completely normal to have some questions about it. For your convenience, we’ve decided to answer a few of the most common questions we receive from patients. If you’d like to speak directly with a member of our team at Wylie Family Dentistry, don’t hesitate to contact us and schedule an appointment today!
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are one of the most long-lasting solutions for missing teeth, designed to last over 30 years with proper care and maintenance. Sometimes, they can even last patients a lifetime! And the best part? They don’t require special care beyond what’s already recommended to keep your natural teeth in good condition. That means you can help your new smile lasts as long as possible by practicing good oral hygiene, visiting your dentist every six months, and kicking bad habits to the curb (i.e., smoking, chewing on ice, using your teeth as tools).
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
Before the procedure begins, your mouth will be completely numbed with a local anesthetic. Additionally, since the jawbone doesn’t have many nerve endings, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort during your surgery. Your mouth will feel slightly sore for the first few days following your procedure. Luckily, you can manage these symptoms by taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication and using cold compresses. If your pain persists or worsens after a few days, you should contact Dr. Morton for assistance.
How Successful Are Dental Implants?
If placed by a skilled dental professional, dental implants have an impressive success rate of over 95%. Of course, their success depends heavily on how well you take care of them after your procedure. Practicing good oral hygiene, visiting your dentist every six months, and following a healthy diet are just a few ways you can ensure your new smile lasts as long as possible. The success of your dental implants can also vary based on their location in the mouth. For instance, since molars receive more strain from chewing than front teeth, they’re a bit more likely to fail.
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
Dental implant failure is relatively uncommon. However, it can most likely occur for one of two reasons: peri-implantitis or failed osseointegration. Peri-implantitis is a type of gum disease that results from poor oral hygiene, damaging the bone and connective tissues supporting the implant. Failed osseointegration happens when the titanium post doesn’t integrate with the jawbone. A few other causes of dental implant failure include chronic teeth grinding, tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, and more. At your consultation, Dr. Morton will explain how you can minimize your risk of implant failure.