Dental Implants
overview
Dental Excellence in a Down-to-Earth Atmosphere
Many people have to replace their teeth after losing them in accidents or as a result of tooth decay. What you may not realize, however, is that the traditional methods of replacing teeth are actually incomplete; they fill in the gaps in your smile, but they don’t address the roots of the teeth that previously helped maintain the strength and overall health of the jawbone. If you schedule a consultation at River Bend Dental, Dr. Bonds can determine whether you’re a candidate for the most comprehensive tooth replacement solution: dental implants from our Plano, TX, dentist.
Why Choose River Bend Dental for Dental Implants?
- PARTNERED WITH LOCAL IMPLANT EXPERTS
- STATE-OF-THE-ART DIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGY
- LONG-LASTING, HIGH-QUALITY RESTORATIONS
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is made up of a post, an abutment, and a restoration. The post is shaped like a screw, made of titanium (or another biocompatible material), and is surgically inserted into the jawbone. A restoration is a crown or another prosthetic that’s attached to the implant post; the kind of restoration you get depends on how many teeth you need to replace. The abutment is the component that connects the restoration to the jawbone after the latter has joined with the jawbone.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
- Consultation: First, we need to examine your mouth, see how many teeth need to be replaced, and figure out whether you can viably get dental implants. Many patients need to have bone grafts and other treatments performed before they’re ready for implant surgery.
- Surgery: For this step, we’ll refer you to a local specialist. This team-based approach ensures that your smile is always in the hands of an expert.
- Osseointegration and Abutment: Osseointegration is a natural process where implants become part of your jawbone. Once it’s complete, the abutment is surgically attached to the implant post.
- Restoration: We’re able to place various types of implant restorations in-house, and we’ll make sure that your new teeth look and feel as natural as possible once in place.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- The dental implant replaces the root portion of the tooth, so the jawbone will continue to receive stimulation through biting and chewing, thus helping it maintain its strength and shape.
- You can eat whatever you want thanks to the chewing strength provided by the dental implant posts.
- Compared to other tooth replacements, dental implants are extremely sturdy and stable.
- The lifespan of a dental implant can be over 30 years if you give it the right kind of care.
Implants
Who Dental Implants Can Help
You may be a candidate for dental implants if you meet these criteria:
- You are missing at least one tooth or are planning on having a tooth extracted.
- You have a healthy jawbone that can support dental implants.
- You do not have cavities, gum disease, or other notable health issues.
- You’re in good enough health for minor surgery.
- You can commit to a dental implant process that will last months.
- You are willing and able to undergo preliminary procedures to correct any problems that might get in the way of implant placement.
Remember that the number of teeth missing is not an obstacle to getting implants. Implant posts with the proper restorations can be used to replace any number of teeth as follows:
missing Single tooth
The implant post will be placed in the gap left by the missing tooth and given about 3 to 6 months to join with the jawbone. Once the healing process is complete and the abutment is in place, we can create a dental crown made out of lifelike tooth-colored materials.
missing multiple teeth
How many dental implants will it take to replace multiple teeth? The answer is different for each patient. For example, if three or more teeth have been lost, only two dental implants are needed to support a bridge to fill in the entire gap. We’ll help you explore your options for replacing multiple teeth with the fewest number of implants.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
The final cost of dental implants depends on various factors, like how many implants you need and what treatments are needed before dental implant surgery. You’ll likely have to pay more than you would for other forms of tooth replacement, but on the other hand, your dental implants will last far longer, and they offer many health benefits that you simply wouldn’t see with your other options. As such, many dentists consider dental implants to be a wise long-term dental solution.
