Replace Missing Teeth from the Roots Up

You might think that people only lose their teeth due to aging or poor oral hygiene, but it could also be due to injury or illness. And it’s not a smart idea to let this situation linger. Missing teeth can cause issues in your daily life, as well as long-term repercussions.

It gets much harder to eat and talk without a full mouth of teeth.

If it hurts to eat certain foods, you might not get the nutrition your body needs. It’s been proven that people with sensitive teeth and dental problems tend to eat more soft and/or processed foods, which usually aren’t a strong foundation for overall health. A poor diet leads to additional health issues, such as obesity and malnutrition.

Your jawbone is more likely to degenerate without all of your teeth.

When you don’t have all of your teeth, your jawbone won’t get the stimulation it needs to stay strong. Strong bones are healthy bones. If they’re not as healthy, the bone tissue can be reabsorbed into the body. With less bone in your jaw, you can look forward to an altered smile and face shape. And that doesn’t even take into account how hard it will be to conduct restoration procedures down the road!

Our PA Dental Arts team uses the latest computer-guided technology to ensure the perfect fit. While many dentists and oral surgeons insert dental implants manually, our dentists rely on i-CAT, a dental imaging machine that provides for computer-guided surgery. This procedure is exceptionally accurate, meaning that you can count on the best results. The implant screw must be positioned into the jaw for maximum support and comfort. This means making sure the screw is positioned within a fraction of a millimeter. If it’s too near to the edge of the jaw bone, there won’t be enough support for a strong foundation. If the screw is misaligned, there may be undue stress on the entire tooth and/or discomfort as you chew. For a dental surgeon to perform this task manually, it is extremely difficult, which is why our dentists rely on cutting-edge technology to perfect this procedure.

Since the procedure to embed implant roots can be tricky and precise, a 3D x-ray is often recommended for increased safety and accuracy during surgery. Often referred to as a CT scan or a cone beam 3D scan, these types of x-rays allow the dentist to perform virtual surgery on your mouth before the procedure. This allows for maximum planning of the approach we will take for your procedure.

Compared to original teeth, dental implants are surprisingly strong. In 1952, Swedish Dr. Branemark realized that titanium placed next to bone would result in bone growing around the metal alloy, making its position permanent. Once the implant is settled into the jawbone, it is as strong as—if not stronger than—natural teeth.

There are people who, understandably, have apprehension about dental procedures. Dental implants usually require surgery followed by a longer healing period. The procedure itself is no more painful that having a tooth extracted. Most patients are administered a local anesthesia before the surgery takes place, and for any gum soreness following, over-the-counter pain medications are usually sufficient.

While most dentists are general practitioners, some specialize in oral surgery procedures, including dental implants. In our dental office, we focus a large portion of our dental office on fixing bridges, placing veneers, tooth extractions, and dental implants. Other dental offices, by comparison, may not have the extensive training our team does, so it’s important to ask when choosing your dental surgeon.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, in the US, 450,000 dental implants are conducted annually. At the practice of P.A. Dental Arts, we use state-of-the-art technology to ensure a positive outcome. But, as with any surgical procedure, there are always risks. Overall, doctors enjoy a 95% success rate, and the procedure is as safe as getting a tooth removed under local anesthesia.

A cosmetic dentist specializes in giving you a great smile. A restorative dentist specializes in correcting issues that detract from the appearance of your smile. Both are excellent choices for your dental implant procedure since both focus on the overall look of your smile. An oral surgeon is another option, although they focus more on surgeries than how your smile looks. Periodontists fall into the same category as an oral surgeon. For dental implants, it is best to choose a cosmetic or restorative dentist.

While uncommon, dental implant failure usually occurs for one of two reasons:
• Peri-implantitis – a form of gum disease that develops from poor oral hygiene and can damage the bone and gums supporting the implant.
• Failed osseointegration – an implant may fail to integrate with the jawbone, particularly if the patient had low jawbone density.
Other causes of dental implant failure may include chronic teeth grinding, tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, certain medications, radiation to the head and neck, and certain health conditions (diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, etc).
Our dentists will utilize cutting-edge technology to guide your dental implant surgery to ensure the perfect fit. In addition, they will provide you with guidelines for minimizing your risk of implant failure.

Your dental implant should not wiggle or shift at all. If you notice a loose implant, contact our office right away. Our dentists are experienced implant dentists in Allen and may be able to save your implant and prevent implant failure. However, it’s important to take action as soon as possible.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Dental Implant Surgery?
In general, it may take up to six months for your implants to completely fuse with your jawbone. While every patient is different, you should be able to resume your normal activities the day after implant surgery. However, you should avoid strenuous exercise for the first week or so, as it could delay healing. You can expect some slight bleeding and swelling immediately after the surgery, but this should go away after a few days. Take over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers as directed to ease any mild discomfort.

While it’s possible for smokers to get dental implants, they do have a higher rate of implant failure. Smoking, chewing, or even vaping tobacco causes dry mouth, slows down healing, and can interfere with an implant’s ability to fuse with the jawbone. In addition, smoking can also cause dry socket, a painful condition in which the protective blood clot is dislodged from the implant site. If you are a smoker, we recommend quitting at least two weeks before your implant surgery and waiting to resume the habit for at least two or three months afterward. Of course, getting dental implants in Allen is a great opportunity to kick the habit for good!

In many cases, a dentist will recommend waiting three to six months after an extraction for the mouth to heal. However, if your jawbone is healthy enough, it may be possible to place a dental implant immediately after removing your tooth. Ultimately, the answer to this question will depend on the unique specifics of your case, which our team will discuss with you.