Unexpected tooth loss can be an unwelcome adjustment to your smile and your life. When you are missing teeth, you may start to notice little problems that were not there before. Our dental implants in Trophy Club, TX, can help.
For instance, your bite force may be weakened, and it may be harder to eat your favorite foods. You may not be able to enunciate or communicate as clearly as you like, as well. Your remaining teeth may start to shift or drift into the opening, and this can lead to further tooth loss. Loss of bone may occur quickly, and your gums can start to shrink. Moreover, this is just the tip of the iceberg! When our team here at David Crumpton, DDS encounters patients without some (or all!) of their teeth, we like to share the facts about dental implants from our Trophy Club, TX dentist to help them determine if they are a worthwhile solution for their missing teeth. Read on to discover how dental implants in Trophy Club can give you new tooth roots that last a lifetime.
There are four major steps to the dental implant process. They aren’t exactly the same for every patient, as every smile has different needs, but the basic structure is typically the same. Dr. Crumpton is a member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and has been specially trained to place dental implants, meaning we’re able to complete every step in-house. Below is an outline of how dental implants work in Trophy Club and what you can typically expect.
Not just anyone can get a dental implant; we need to confirm that you’re a good candidate for the procedure, and to do that we’ll need to schedule a consultation. Dr. Crumpton will use the latest technology to examine your mouth to see how many teeth are missing and what kind of shape your jaw is in. Some people can have implant surgery done right away; others are still potential candidates, but they may need bone grafting or other procedures to prepare their mouths first. We can schedule your dental implant surgery once we’re sure that your jaw can safely receive and successfully support the posts.
Compared to other types of surgery, placing dental implants in Trophy Club, TX, is not an overly complex process. First, we make an incision in the gum tissue to reveal the jawbone. Then, after creating holes in pre-selected areas, dental implant posts are placed exactly where they’re needed at carefully chosen angles. The gums are then stitched shut, and a cap is placed on the implant posts to shield them; this also has the added benefit of making sure the gums retain their shape while they’re healing. Your mouth will be numbed the whole time while the implants are being placed.
Osseointegration – the fusion of the implant post and the jawbone – usually takes about three to six months. During that time, you should protect your implant by not directly using it to bite or chew. Once osseointegration is complete, you can receive abutments for your dental implant posts. The abutments are small pieces of metal that can anchor dental restorations in place, and they need to be attached via another surgery, although this one will be smaller and will require less recovery time.
“Restoration” is another name for replacement teeth. It can refer to a crown, a bridge, or a denture – all of which can be attached to a certain number of dental implant posts. To make your new restoration, we’ll create an impression of your natural smile and send it to a dental lab. Once the prosthetic arrives at our office, we’ll call you in for a last appointment. We may have to slightly adjust the fit and color of the teeth before we place them on the implant posts.
We recommend dental implants for almost any patient who has lost at least one natural tooth. This treatment is versatile enough to bring back any number of teeth, from a single gap to an entire arch. Of course, we’ll need to verify that you’re eligible for implants first, and then we’ll formulate a treatment plan that is tailor-made for your unique smile. Below, you’ll find some information that will be helpful if you’re considering dental implants.
A single implant post will be inserted into the gap where the missing tooth once was. Then, we’ll place a dental crown on top, which will have been customized to mimic your other teeth, ensuring seamless results. Compared to a traditional dental bridge, this option is much healthier and more conservative, as a dental implant can support itself without requiring any of your tooth structure to be filed down.
If you’ve lost three or more teeth in a row, then an implant can be placed on either side of the gap to hold up a lifelike dental bridge. Again, this solution doesn’t require us to make permanent alterations to any healthy remaining teeth. On the other hand, if you have multiple empty spaces throughout an arch, then a small number of strategically positioned implant posts can secure a partial denture into place.
We can even restore an entire arch of missing teeth by anchoring a full denture onto an average of four to six implants expertly placed along the jaw. Known as implant dentures or full-arch dental implants, this prosthetic will be much more reliable than a regular denture. You won’t need to worry about it slipping at inopportune moments. Depending on your preferences, we can make your implant denture either removable or fixed in place.
If you need full-arch implant dentures but don’t have a strong enough jawbone to support them, then we may recommend Hybridge dental implants. With the Hybridge procedure, we can place dentures that use the absolute minimum amount of implant posts possible for support. The posterior implants will be angled in a way that they join with the bone tissue near the front of the jaw, granting them better stability. Sometimes it’s possible to restore Hybridge implants on the same day as the surgery.
The short answer is yes, it is possible for patients who smoke to get dental implants. However, it’s highly recommended that you kick this bad habit before restoring your smile. After all, dental implants are quite the investment in time and money, and they have the potential to dramatically improve your life. So you’ll want to do everything you can to maximize your chances of successful dental implant treatment! Quitting smoking and other recreational drug use can make a significant difference in how likely your new smile will thrive.
Recovery after surgical placement of the implants is a critical step in the dental implant placement process. A good recovery can result in dental implants that last you a lifetime. Here are some general tips for dental implant aftercare from our Trophy Club, TX dentist. Following the placement procedure, you will also receive individual care instructions from our team.
Keeping your mouth clean is one of the most important parts of the recovery process. Avoiding infection is critical and can be greatly aided with the help of the mouthwash that we will send home with you. Other steps that you can take throughout your day to keep your mouth clean are:
If you must drink immediately following the surgery, make sure to limit it to cool drinks until anesthesia has worn off. Avoid hot food and drinks for 24 hours following the surgery and make sure not to pour large amounts of liquid over the area. The goal is to disturb the site as little as possible. Whenever something changes in the mouth, the first inclination of many people is to explore the area with their tongue. Many times, this is an unconscious thing that people do without realizing. It is important to fight these urges should you have them and actively avoid probing the site with your tongue.
It may be necessary to go on a soft food diet for a few days following the surgery. During this time, it is very important to avoid hard and crunchy foods that could bump or poke the implant site.
Following the placement of your dental implants, pain shouldn’t be a big issue. It is important to note that if you do experience significant pain, you should call us at 817-678-7395 and let us know. Pain can be easily managed with both over the counter and prescribed medications. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen do a great job of mitigating pain and discomfort. We may send you home with a prescription that you can fill at your local pharmacy. Make sure to carefully follow the dosage instructions of any medications that you are taking. Swelling will usually reach its peak on the second or third day after the surgery. Swelling can be reduced significantly with the application of ice packs. When applying a cold compress, only do so for a maximum of 10 minutes at a time with a rest period of 20 minutes after each application. To help mitigate swelling during the night, try propping your head up a bit with a pillow or two. If significant swelling continues after a few days of recovery, please let us know as this could be a sign of more serious issues.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
Are Dental Implants Safe?
Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
The lifespan of dental implants usually depends on the health and lifestyle choices of the patient. To ensure that implants last, it’s crucial that you brush twice and floss daily as well as attending regular dental cleanings and check-ups. It’s also a good idea to avoid chewing on anything particularly hard or sticky. With proper maintenance, dental implants can last upwards of 30 years. This is several times longer than traditional bridges or dentures.
The jawbone doesn’t have very many nerve endings, and your mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic before the procedure begins. You will also most likely be sedated, lowering your body’s ability to register pain. Even though the surgery shouldn’t hurt, your mouth may be sore for a few days afterward. Take recommended over-the-counter and prescribed pain relievers as directed. Cold compresses can also help. If discomfort worsens instead of improving after two to three days, give us a call.
For the majority of patients with good health, dental implants are very successful when placed by a qualified professional. If you have low jawbone density or gum disease, these issues will need to be addressed first to ensure that dental implant surgery is as safe and successful as possible. If you have diabetes, cancer, or another medical condition that could make the surgery process risky, this will be discussed during your consultation. Your health is our number one priority!
Most patients only need to take one or two days off to get dental implants. If your job is physically demanding, you should probably take at least three to four days off, as heavy exercise can divert blood from the implant site and delay healing. However, every case is different. During your consultation, Dr. Crumpton will be able to give you a more specific recommendation to meet your individual needs.
Implant candidates come from all ages. Anyone who has lost teeth due to damage, decay, and disease is eligible to receive an implant. Implants are a great choice if you are unable to wear dentures. Dr. Crumpton will work with you to determine if you can receive an implant, as well as which kind (there are many). Treatment time varies depending on the patient’s individual needs. We should also note that you must have enough bone in the jaw to support future implants. If you don’t, you may need a bone graft or another treatment before we can begin the implant procedure.
