Dental Implants Midlothian

What Are Dental Implants?

The reason dental implants are so special is because they are the only treatment that restores a tooth both above and below the gum line. A small titanium post is placed into the jawbone where a tooth has gone missing; said post can be used to support a variety of dental restorations that show in the smile, thus filling any gaps from the roots up.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

• Initial Consultation: Our team will need to examine your jaw to confirm that you are able to have dental implants placed. Note that you might need bone grafting or other preliminary procedures before you can receive your implant posts.
• Dental Implant Surgery: Having dental implants placed is a minor surgical procedure. The gums will need to be opened so that the implant posts can be inserted into your jawbone.
• Osseointegration/Abutment: It will take a few months for the implant posts to bond with the bone around them. After that, abutments can be attached.
• Delivery of the Final Restoration: A beautiful crown, bridge, or denture will be created and customized to meet your needs. Then it will be attached to your dental implants via the abutments, thus completing your new smile.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants come with all sorts of advantages over more traditional forms of tooth replacement:

• They stimulate the jaw in order to prevent bone loss.
• They have chewing power comparable to natural teeth, allowing you to eat virtually anything you want.
• They are highly stable and help you avoid the slipping that often occurs with traditional dentures.
• They are very easy to take care of, and they can last for 30 years or more with the right maintenance.

Who Dental Implants Can Help

As long as you’re a candidate for dental implants, you can potentially use them to replace any number of teeth. Are you missing a single tooth? Are there multiple consecutive teeth that must be replaced? Or have you lost an entire arch? Dental implants can be a viable option in all sorts of situations.

Missing One Tooth

The empty space left by a missing tooth can be filled with a single dental implant post, which will support a crown. By using a dental implant instead of a traditional bridge, we can re-complete your grin without needing to remove any enamel from your remaining teeth.

Missing Multiple Teeth

We can replace three or more teeth in a row with a pair of dental implants and a lifelike dental bridge. If there’s more than one gap in your smile that needs to be filled in, you may want to consider getting a partial denture supported by implant posts inserted in strategic parts of the jaw.

Missing All Teeth

Replacing all of your teeth with dental implants can be simpler than you might think. Only about four to six implant posts are typically needed; once they’re in place, they can be used to support a full denture.

Implant Dentures

If you have a denture that you can’t trust to stay in place or is always causing sore spots in your mouth, then dental implants can easily make both of these problems a thing of the past. With implant dentures, the prosthetic teeth are anchored to the jawbone using multiple implant posts placed within the mouth. This not only gives them a much more secure fit, but the implants themselves will stimulate the jawbone to keep it healthy and full, which will ensure the dentures maintain their day-one fit for years to come.

Also, implant dentures have been shown to restore much more of a patient’s natural bite force compared to traditional dentures, making it easier for someone to enjoy a more varied diet, which can quickly improve overall health.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

There is no easy answer to explain how much you will pay for dental implants because the cost is determined by the details of your individual treatment plan, like the number of teeth you are replacing. The process occurs in multiple phases, which each have separate fees. This helps spread the cost of the treatment out across several months.

We will explain the cost of your treatment during your initial consultation and discuss your payment options, such as using your dental insurance. Our office works on your behalf with the insurance company to minimize how much you need to pay. We also accept CareCredit to keep your new smile within your budget.

Dental Implant FAQs

Even after hearing about the benefits of dental implants in Midlothian, it is normal to still have several questions about the treatment. After all, it is a big decision. We want you to feel confident in the choices you make for your smile. We will take the time to address your concerns about dental implants during your consultation. Here are the answers to a few of the most common questions about the treatment.

Am I Too Old for Dental Implants?

You are never too old for dental implants. Age is not a determining factor for your candidacy as long as you have finished growing. Instead, it relies on your oral and overall health. Your dentist in Midlothian will also discuss your lifestyle habits to ensure there are no issues that may complicate the procedure, like smoking.

Can I Get Dental Implants If I Have Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. Unfortunately, you cannot use dental implants to fill the empty spaces if the infection is still active. The long-term success of dental implants relies on your jawbone’s ability to support the posts, and an infection could compromise that. As a result, you will need to treat the infection before replacing your missing teeth. You may also need additional procedures to repair any issues caused by the infection, like bone grafting.

Can I Prevent Dental Implant Failure?

Dental implants are the most predictable and reliable option to replace missing teeth. They are proven to last for several decades with the right aftercare, but they can fail. Generally, your risk of implant failure is less than 5%. Although it is rare, it is best to be proactive about caring for your new smile to ensure it lasts. You can help reduce your risk of implant failure by:

• Brushing your natural teeth, your restorations, the abutments, and the implant posts at least twice a day.
•  Flossing in between any natural teeth and around your dental implants daily.
•  Using an antimicrobial mouth rinse to kill any harmful bacteria left behind by your toothbrush.
•  Visiting your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.
•  Not smoking.
•  Not drinking alcohol in excess.