Missing teeth can significantly impact a patient’s life. They lead to bone loss and other dental issues. Missing teeth can also make everyday activities like eating and speaking harder. Replacing missing teeth with dental implants in our Cedar Park, TX, dental office can restore tooth function. Dental implants are one of the most effective restorative dentistry treatments that can replace missing or damaged teeth.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants have various benefits you can’t get with any other tooth replacement solution. Our Cedar Park dentist office recommends dental implants over removable options for their strength and natural appearance. Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement because of these benefits:
Improve Bite Function
Unlike other options, the implant replaces the tooth root and the crown. Implants are more stable and long-lasting than other solutions. They integrate with your jawbone, giving you almost 100% of your bite function. You don’t have to eliminate any foods from your diet because you can process all of them.
Slipping dentures are also a common problem when eating. With implants, you don’t have to worry about your teeth falling out when eating.
Prevent Bone Loss
Dental implants support the jawbone beneath the gums to prevent further bone deterioration. Jawbone loss starts the moment you lose your tooth root. Implants can even help spur jawbone regeneration, keeping you from the sagging face that comes with missing teeth.
Easy Care
The only maintenance implants require are brushing and flossing like normal. Things like dentures need messy adhesive to stay in the mouth, and you must take special care to clean that off every night.
Dentures also need special soaks to stay hydrated and not get brittle. You don’t have to take your restoration in and out, either. Implants stay in your mouth at all times.
Create a Natural Look
Implants look and feel like natural teeth in your mouth. We top an implant with a custom dental crown made to match the size, shape, and shade of the rest of your smile. Since the crown replaces the tooth root, it feels the most natural.
Improve Speech
Like other restorations, adjusting to your new implant restoration will take time. However, adjusting to implants is simple because they feel like natural teeth.
Once you’re used to your implants, you can feel confident again when speaking and chewing in public. Implants help you pronounce “ch” and “th” sounds so others can better understand you. You can’t speak as clearly with removable restorations like dentures because they can impede tongue movement.
Offer a Long-Term Restoration
You may need to replace your restoration over time. However, implant-supported restorations last longer than removable options. While you need to replace your crown, bridge, or denture over time, the posts are permanent. Once you heal from the implant surgery, the implants will stay as new tooth roots.
Who is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
You may be a dental implant candidate if you have:
Healthy Jaw Bone
Patients considering dental implants should generally have good overall health and a healthy jawbone and gums. The implant needs strong, supportive bone and healthy tissue to stay secure and function properly.
If your jawbone does not have enough density to support an implant, it may need to be repaired before it can be placed. In these cases, we recommend procedures like a bone graft or sinus lift surgery.
A bone graft involves adding material to areas of your jaw where the bone has become too thin or weak. This helps rebuild the strength and structure of your jaw. A sinus lift is a specific bone graft that adds bone to the upper jaw near the back teeth. It raises the sinus floor to create enough space for the implant.
Good Overall Health
In addition, patients who smoke regularly or have autoimmune disorders will often need to have their unique situation assessed by our team. These factors can slow down the implant healing process. We will review your medical conditions and medications before treatment. Many patients with medical conditions complete successful implant treatment.
Healthy Gums
If you have gum disease, we will recommend deep cleanings to keep your symptoms in check. We may recommend a root canal, filling, or tooth removal to treat tooth decay. Once you are healthy and have enough bone to support your implants, we can schedule treatment.
Dental Implants in Cedar Park, TX: About the Process
Placing one or more tooth implants can take several weeks or months, depending on your oral health condition, treatment needs, and cosmetic goals. During your initial consultation, we will discuss what to expect from your treatment.
Pretreatments
Before implant treatment, you must be in good oral health. We may recommend a tooth extraction, root canal, or gum disease treatment to address damaged or infected teeth. Our office will also recommend bone grafting if you do not have enough jaw bone to support implants.
Implant Placement
The dental implant process begins with a small incision in the gums. Then, we make a hole in the jawbone and place the implant posts. We will provide a cap or temporary restoration so you will not be without teeth as your implants heal.
Once the gums heal, the titanium implants fuse with the jawbone in osseointegration. This fusion is what makes implants so stable, like natural teeth. It can take 3 to 6 months for the post to heal.
Abutment and Final Restoration
After several weeks of healing, we attach the abutment. This piece connects the implant post to your restoration. Your gums will need several more weeks to heal.
We will also take dental impressions to create the restoration. Our office sends these impressions to a lab to create your new teeth.
Once your final restoration is complete, you will return to our office. We will remove the temporary restoration and check the shade and shade of your final restoration before securing it. This bridge, denture, or crown is designed to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.
Implant Surgery Aftercare
We will provide you with complete aftercare instructions to ensure the best results. If you have any questions during healing, please contact us.
Take Medication and Use Ice Packs
After we place your implants in the jawbone, you’ll experience some bleeding, swelling, and soreness for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers should be all you need to handle the pain.
For swelling, use an ice pack on the affected area. We may prescribe antibiotics for some patients. If we do, ensure you take the entire course as directed. They help prevent implant failure.
Eat Soft Foods
For 2 to 3 days after the surgery, stick to soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, and smoothies. Avoid hot liquids or spicy foods during this period.
After this, you can slowly reintroduce more solid foods. Once you’re eating solid foods, avoid biting down directly on the implant site. Biting down is one of the biggest ways to cause problems with your healing process.
Clean Your Mouth
On the day of your surgery, delicately brush and floss, but don’t rinse. The following day, gently rinse with warm salt water, especially after eating. This will remove food particles and help the healing process.
Are Dental Implants Affordable?
Dental implants can be a significant investment, but they are often worth the cost because of their long-lasting benefits. While implants may cost more upfront than other options like dentures or bridges, they can save money over time. Dental implants are designed to last for decades with proper care. You do not need to rebase or replace implant restorations as often as removable dentures or traditional bridges.
The cost of dental implants depends on factors like the number of implants needed, the type of restoration, and pretreatments. Our restorative dental office provides payment and insurance options. We are in-network with Delta Dental, which provides plans for patients who need dental care.
Dental Implant FAQs
Dental implants are the ideal solution to replace missing teeth. Read the answers to these frequently asked questions to learn more.
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
A good candidate for dental implants has healthy gums and sufficient bone density to support the implant. People in good overall health, free of conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or gum disease, are typically ideal. If bone loss has occurred, bone grafting may be necessary before implant placement. A consultation with your dentist or oral surgeon will determine if implants are right for you.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants, with proper care and maintenance, can last for decades, often a lifetime. However, the crown or prosthetic attached to the implant may need replacement after 10–15 years due to normal wear and tear. Good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups, ensures longevity. Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption also contributes to their durability.
Are dental implants painful?
The procedure itself is usually not painful because it’s performed under local anesthesia, and sometimes sedation is available for added comfort. After the surgery, mild discomfort, swelling, or soreness may occur, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Most patients report that the recovery is manageable and worth the long-term benefits. Your dentist will provide post-operative care instructions for a smooth recovery.
Can dental implants fail?
While dental implants have a high success rate of around 95%, failure can occur in rare cases. Common causes include infection, poor oral hygiene, or insufficient bone to support the implant. Smoking and chronic conditions like diabetes can also increase the risk of failure. Regular dental check-ups and good oral care help ensure the success of your implants.
Are there any dietary restrictions with dental implants?
After the implant surgery, you may need to stick to a soft-food diet for a few weeks to allow healing. Once healed, dental implants function like natural teeth, allowing you to eat most foods. However, avoiding biting on extremely hard items, like ice or unpopped popcorn kernels, is wise to protect the crown or prosthetic.
Can smokers get dental implants?
Smokers can get dental implants, but smoking increases the risk of complications like implant failure and delayed healing. Smoking reduces blood flow, which can hinder the integration of the implant with the jawbone. Quitting smoking before and after the procedure greatly improves the chances of success.
Restore Missing Teeth
If you are interested in dental implants and want to see if you are a good candidate, please call 512-402-7811. You can also schedule an appointment with our team online.
We’re here to help you restore your smile. Our office serves Sweet Farms, White Stone, and Creekview community patients.