Dental Implants
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If you are missing one or more of your teeth, you have plenty of options to restore your smile. However, dental implants are the only one that truly look and feel just like your natural teeth. At Murphy Dental Home, we take pride in providing start-to-finish dental implant treatment thanks to our in-house Board-Certified periodontist, Dr. Fallah. We look forward to helping you enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come with dental implants in Murphy, TX. Feel free to call us so that can start the process!
A dental implant is a screw-like titanium post that we surgically place directly into your jawbone to recreate the root structure of your missing tooth. By attaching a metal abutment on top of your implant, it can support a variety of restorations such as crowns, bridges, or even full dentures.
Dental implants have a 95% success rate and can last for a lifetime with proper care. This is due to the natural process of osseointegration – after the implants are placed, they encourage the jawbone to grow around it until the two have essentially become one and the same. As a result, dental implants are more lifelike, durable, and reliable than any other tooth replacement option.
From start to finish, the process of getting dental implants in Murphy can span several months or maybe even a year or longer. Don’t let this deter you, though! Our patients with dental implants have overwhelmingly stated that their new teeth were worth the wait.
Before anything else, you’ll need to meet with our team for an initial consultation. This visit will give us the chance to perform visual examinations of your mouth and capture detailed images of your jaw, evaluating your candidacy for dental implants. Some patients aren’t able to schedule their dental implant surgery right away, as they might have a weakened jawbone, gum disease, or some other preliminary issue that could compromise the success of their implants. We’ll factor any necessary treatments for such concerns into your overall tooth replacement plan. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about how dental implants work in Murphy.
Unlike many other dental practices, we can perform dental implant surgery right here in our office thanks to the expertise of our in-house periodontist, Dr. Fallah. As a board-certified periodontist, he’s a true expert in various procedures involving the gums, including dental implant placement.
The surgery itself is relatively straightforward, usually requiring only local anesthetic and maybe a small amount of sedation. After we’ve ensured your mouth is numb, Dr. Fallah will create tiny incisions in your gum tissue. Through them, he’ll access your jawbone and insert the implant posts at predetermined positions. Then, he’ll place protective caps over the posts, close up your gums, and send you home to heal.
Because the implant functions as a new tooth root, it will stimulate new bone growth in the jaw. Over the next four to six months, the implant will actually fuse with your jawbone in a natural process called osseointegration. As a result, it forms the crucial bond that is the key to the long-term success of your new teeth.
When osseointegration is complete, we’ll perform a second, minor surgery to attach metal connectors, called abutments, to the tops of the implant posts. This procedure involves opening your gums to access the posts, fixing the abutments into place, and waiting a few weeks for the gum tissue to heal around the abutments. After the tissue has healed, we can capture impressions of your mouth, which are sent to a dental lab in order to fabricate your prosthetic tooth or teeth.
Your restoration(s) – which may be dental crowns, bridges, or dentures, depending on how many teeth we’re replacing – should arrive at our office within a few weeks. At that point, your implant dentist in Murphy will secure them to your abutments, flawlessly recreating the visual portions of your pearly whites.
Dental implants are chosen by over 500,000 people each year because of their unique advantages. We proudly offer this amazing tooth replacement option because it improves our patients’ smiles and lives. Unlike traditional solutions, implants look and feel just like natural teeth. Read on to learn more about the amazing benefits of dental implants in Murphy.
Dental implants are the best restorations for patients missing one or more of their teeth, or for those missing a full upper or lower set of teeth. Candidates for implants will need to be in good overall and oral health, along with having enough bone mass to support an implant. If, however, you have bone loss, you can still receive dental implants with the help of bone grafting.
A traditional bridge requires removing part of the enamel on the two healthy teeth that surround the missing one, but a single dental implant can be placed into the socket and jawbone to replace the root structure. Then, we can attach a dental crown on top, allowing you to preserve more of your healthy smile.
Whether you are missing teeth are right next to each other or across the arch, an implant-supported partial denture or bridge can be held firmly in place using just a couple of dental implants. With a stronger foundation, your replacement teeth are far more likely to stay in position and keep the jawbone strong and healthy.
Even if you have lost every single tooth, dental implants can provide exactly what you need to feel confident in your smile again. Instead of only relying on gravity or suction to keep your dentures in place, we can use four to six implants that are placed throughout the arch to stabilize your full dentures.
Learn More about Implant Dentures
Some dental implants don’t really need to be as robust as traditional implants can be. If you qualify for mini dental implants, we can use these specialized implants to give you faster results. To insert mini dental implants, the hole in the jawbone can be significantly smaller, allowing for faster healing and lasting results that look and feel natural.
If you need a full implant denture, we may be able to place the implants and the restorations all in one day. By strategically inserting the posts at an angle with All-on-4/Teeth-in-a-Day, we can anchor the implants to the strongest part of the jawbone and attach the full denture one the same day, enabling you to use your new smile right away.
Our team is not able to give you an estimate for dental implants before you have a consultation with Dr. Gandhi. Why not? Even if two patients require the same number of implants, their cost can differ because of the location of the implants and the type of restoration that will be attached. Also, if your specific case requires any preliminary procedures, such as a bone graft, these will affect the cost. During your initial consultation, we will be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll owe for treatment.
Dental implants usually come at a higher price than traditional bridges and dentures. However, these other options need to be replaced every 10 years at most. When you calculate the cost of these replacements, you often find that dental implants are the most cost-effective solution in the long run. Plus, keep in mind that dental implants offer many benefits that can give you a higher quality of life, making it a smart investment in your smile.
The main factors affecting dental implant cost are how many teeth you’re missing and what kind of restoration you’ll need. If you’ve only lost one tooth, then a single implant and dental crown is all you need to restore your smile and oral health. However, if you’re missing several teeth in a row, you might require an implant-supported bridge, in which implants are placed at either end of the gap in your smile with a dental bridge connecting the space between them. For patients missing all of their teeth, we can place anywhere from four to eight implants per arch to secure an implant denture in place. Each of these restorations comes with a different cost.
Getting dental implants takes several appointments over the course of a few months; since the treatment is split up, your total payment can be broken up into more manageable chunks. Before the implants can be placed, you might require preliminary procedures, such as bone grafting or periodontal therapy. Once these are squared away, the implants are surgically placed into your jaw. Over the next few months, they’ll integrate with the jawbone and basically become part of your anatomy. After this process is complete, you’ll undergo another minor surgery to install the abutments, which are small metal connectors. A few weeks later, we can finally place your implant-supported crown, bridge, or denture. During your consultation, your dentist in Murphy can develop a personalized timeline to give you an idea of how long your total treatment will take.
It’s important to ensure that your implants are affordable, but you should also remember why you’re investing in them in the first place. Implants provide the strongest, sturdiest base possible for your new teeth, giving you more biting and chewing power. Additionally, since they can last for decades (or even a lifetime with proper maintenance), they typically end up costing less than traditional bridges or dentures that need to be replaced every five to 10 years or so.
Although many dental insurance plans don’t cover the cost of the implants themselves, they might pay for other parts of the treatment, such as periodontal therapy or your crown. Check your individual policy to see what benefits are offered; we gladly accept most major PPO plans. We also partner with CareCredit to help you finance your new smile with incredibly low interest rates. You could also receive a 20% discount as well as two free checkups, cleanings, and x-rays by paying an annual fee for our in-house discount plan.
Not all patients are immediately ready to get dental implants. You must meet certain criteria before you can be deemed a good candidate. This is because dental implants rely on a strong jawbone and healthy surrounding tissues. Here are some of the advanced procedures that are often used to prepare a patient for dental implants.
In order to have successful dental implants, having sufficient jawbone density is very important. This is why your dentist may recommend bone grafting before you can get implants. This is more common for patients who have been missing teeth for a long time. This procedure works by placing bone minerals from another part of your body or a donor into the appropriate areas of your jawbone. This usually takes several months to heal, but it will make a huge difference in the longevity of your dental implants.
Sometimes, dental implants are placed in the back of the mouth. For these implants on the upper arch, it is sometimes necessary to perform a sinus lift. This is because when you’re missing teeth, it can create a significant gap. Without enough bone present to hold the implant in place, it could protrude into the sinus cavity, leading to a variety of other issues. To prevent this from occurring, the sinus can be vertically lifted and grafting material can be placed around the implant. This helps to cut down on recovery time and increases the success rate.
Proper healing is essential after dental implant surgery. PRP/PRF treatment involves using your blood to speed up the healing process during recovery. The extraction of your blood will occur beforehand and will be placed in a centrifuge. When ready, we will apply it around the surgical sites to encourage faster healing. Since your own blood is being used for this, there is a reduced risk of infection.
If your jawbone isn’t wide enough to support dental implants, we might need to perform a ridge expansion. First, the bone is divided. Then, the space can be filled with grafting material to widen the space and create a denser area. Once healed, you can move forward in the dental implant process. This is one step closer to a complete smile!
Dental implants have a success rate of 95% and can last for decades at a time. However, sometimes they can fail due to injury, infection, or other issues. If for any reason you’re concerned about your dental implants, please call our office immediately. Once we have examined your mouth and discovered the source of the problem, we can take the necessary steps to restore your oral health. We will do whatever we can to keep your new smile intact.
Learn More About Dental Implant Failure & Salvage
Once you’ve finished your dental implant placement procedure, it’ll be time for you to focus on recovering. This healing period will be essential for the success of your tooth replacements, so it’s important to follow the guidelines that your dentist provides you with. Our team will review what you can expect, common symptoms, and the best way to help your mouth heal. Make sure to notify us of any unusual conditions that occur so we can help you.
Firstly, the most crucial part of your recovery is the formation of the blood clot around the surgical site(s). The last thing you want is to accidentally disturb the area, as this can set you back or even risk dental implant failure. During your recovery period, make sure that you:
Many side effects will be typical for patients after implant placement surgery, especially within the first several days of the appointment. Fortunately, they’re usually short-lived and should fade after some time. The most common ones to expect are:
At least for the first few days or the first week, you’ll want to stick with soft foods for your diet. This is so you don’t accidentally disturb the blood clot from settling as well as to reduce discomfort. During your recovery, try food options such as:
Over time, you can start incorporating other kinds of foods into your diet. Just be safe about particularly crunchy or tougher meals, which can disturb the blood clot. Also, avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where your implants are.
You’ll need to be extra careful while brushing your teeth the day after your procedure. Gently rinse your mouth with salt water to clean and disinfect the area, but DO NOT spit it out. Let it pour from your mouth to the sink instead. Avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol, as this can cause discomfort at the surgical site.
After you’ve healed properly, you’ll return to us to receive your new pearly whites. Once your crown, bridge, or denture has been placed, you’ll simply need to recover from mild, temporary sensitivity in your gums. You shouldn’t expect any bleeding or swelling during this time. If you do, let us know so we can address the situation so that you can resume enjoying your new smile.
As the gold standard of tooth replacements, you can be sure to enjoy various benefits to your oral health with dental implants. However, to make the most of your new pearly whites, you’ll need to implement certain precautions to preserve them for the long term. By practicing proper care, you can even expect them to last decades to a lifetime! Keep reading to learn several effective ways to take care of your dental implants.
Did you know the most common reason for implant failure involves an infection in the gum tissue surrounding the metal post? This is called peri-implantitis and it can be caused simply by poor oral hygiene. For this reason, you’ll want to maintain a strict cleaning routine that includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash frequently to preserve your results.
Now that you have dental implants, you’ll be free to expand your dietary choices and enjoy your favorite meals. Since they improve your bite and ability to chew by 80% or more, you can eat a wider range of foods that promote healthier teeth and gums. This can help you maintain better oral and overall health, increasing your chance of treatment success. Be sure to also limit your intake of sugary, starchy, and acidic foods, as these can raise the risk of bacteria and implant failure.
If you tend to smoke, chew on ice, use your teeth as tools, or practice any other bad oral habit, you’ll want to consider quitting them to protect your dental implants. If not, you can end up risking damage to your restorations, gums, and/or connective tissues, which can require costly treatment. Our team is more than happy to help you drop these habits by providing you with the necessary support and resources to make the process easier.
Do you typically play sports or grind your teeth at night? If so, our team can offer you custom-made athletic mouthguards and nightguards for bruxism. These can help prevent your dental implants from getting damaged, knocked out, or worn down, allowing you to keep them safe and healthy for much longer.
Other than practicing these at-home precautions, be sure to also visit your dentist routinely for checkups and cleanings. They can help monitor your situation, address any underlying/developing problems, and thoroughly polish your pearly whites to improve their health. With these appointments, you can be sure to prolong the lifespan of your dental implants and preserve your beautiful smile for many years to come.
If you’re ready for a permanent solution to your tooth loss, look no further than dental implants in Murphy. No other tooth replacement method compares to the longevity and sturdiness of implants. Still, you might have some questions about some of the details of the process. That’s why we’ve collected some of the questions we get asked the most frequently and answered them down below for your benefit. If you have a dental implant question that isn’t answered here, just give us a call and ask!
Implants are generally designed to last 30 years, or even longer if you take proper care of them. Luckily, maintaining your dental implants is as easy as keeping up with your daily brushing and flossing routine, as well as seeing your dentist in Murphy every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
Getting a titanium post placed into your jawbone might sound like it would hurt, but most patients actually report minimal discomfort during their procedure. This is because we use plenty of local anesthetic, and sedation if needed, to make sure you don’t feel a thing during implant placement. Because it is a type of oral surgery, you can expect to experience some degree of soreness and/or swelling for a few days after your procedure, but this can be managed by taking your prescribed pain medication.
When you’ve been suffering through tooth loss for some time, your jawbone no longer receives stimulation from the roots of your teeth. As a result, it begins to shrink from disuse. Unfortunately, this means your jawbone is often not strong enough to support dental implants without first undergoing a bone graft. We can graft artificial bone tissue onto the site to strengthen your jawbone so that it can support as many implants as you need to restore your smile.
This depends on the complexity of your surgery. If you’re only receiving one implant with only nitrous oxide or no sedation at all, you should be good to resume your day as normal after your implant placement. On the other hand, if you’re getting multiple implants and/or you’re undergoing a more serious form of sedation, we highly recommend taking the rest of the day to recover at home. We’ll discuss whether you should take time off work at your implant consultation.
Yes, but not without an increased risk of implant failure. Tobacco use severely slows down the oral healing processes, including osseointegration, the process by which your implant becomes one with your jawbone. Because of this, if you smoke, your body is more likely to reject the implant, meaning the whole placement surgery was all for nothing. If you are considering getting dental implants, we strongly suggest that you quit smoking beforehand.
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