Dental Implants Richardson
A Superior Solution for Addressing Tooth Loss
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are often considered the gold standard and are in a class of their own. It’s the only treatment option capable of restoring an entire tooth from root to crown, helping patients enjoy unmatched aesthetics, strength, function, and longevity all at the same time. To learn more about implants and what they could mean for the future of your smile, contact our Richardson office today.
Why Choose Dentistry By Canyon Creek for Dental Implants?
- Dental Implants Placed & Restored Under One Roof
- Advanced Dental Technology Ensures Lasting Results
- Several Flexible Financing Options Available
What Are Dental Implants?
Unlike traditional dentures and bridges that just sit atop the gums, dental implants take it a step further by recreating the entire structure of one or more missing teeth. The implant itself is a titanium post that we surgically insert into your jaw, replicating the root of your tooth. After placement, the post becomes one with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. Then, a metal attachment called an abutment is placed, allowing us to secure your replacement tooth or teeth into place.
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement solution that can do this, and it’s what helps them to feel, function, and look just as natural as your original pearly whites. For these reasons and many more, our dentists tend to recommend dental implants for all qualified patients.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
You only need three things to be a candidate for implants: good dental health, stable overall health, and a healthy jawbone to safely support the new roots. Our team will carefully examine your smile during your consultation and confirm these things. Once you have been approved for the treatment, the kind of restoration we place on top of your implant(s) will be based on your particular situation:
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Missing One Tooth
Instead of altering two healthy teeth to support a bridge, like we would have in the past, we can now position a single implant root and crown in the gap between two teeth without disturbing them at all. -
Missing Multiple Teeth
Multiple dental implant crowns and even an implant partial denture can replace nonconsecutive missing teeth throughout the mouth, but for patients with more than one missing tooth in a row, just two implants can be used to support a bridge. -
Missing All Teeth
Four to six strategically-placed implants can be used to bring back an entire row of teeth at the same time. Because implant prosthetics are secured directly to the jawbone, they don’t slip and slide around the mouth like traditional removable dentures, plus they bring back much of a patient’s original bite force.
Benefits of Dental Implants
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One-of-a-Kind Solution:
Dental implants bring back the whole tooth, both above and below the gumline. A small titanium post is placed directly into the jawbone to support a new tooth. Thanks to this new root, patients can trust their implant to always stay in place and never shift around unexpectedly. -
Natural-Looking:
Dental implants are always topped with custom-made porcelain restorations designed to look, feel, and function like your original teeth, and they also don’t have any extra attachments needed to keep them stable. -
Better for the Entire Smile:
Implants not only replace the teeth, but they also help preserve the jawbone. They stimulate renewed blood flow to the area to keep it strong, maintaining the foundation for the remaining teeth while also protecting the overall shape of a patient’s face. -
Built to Last:
With just regular oral hygiene and routine dental visits, an implant can be trusted to last for multiple decades or even a lifetime.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Since dental implants can be paired with so many kinds of restorations to help with different degrees of tooth loss, the overall cost can vary from person to person. However, since they last so much longer compared to traditional bridges and dentures (30 or more years vs 5 to 7 years), they tend to be the better financial choice overall despite their larger upfront price. This means that despite a higher initial cost, dental implants end up being a far more cost-effective option if you’re committed to your oral hygiene!
Dental Implant FAQs
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
One reason that dental implants are a step above the rest is that they can last for 30 years or more with the proper maintenance. That starts with daily habits, like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. It’s also crucial to schedule an appointment at our office every six months so we can catch any issues that do arise in the early stages, including oral cancer and peri-implantitis.
How Successful Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants have an impressive success rate of over 95% for non-smoking patients. So, if you are ready to face tooth loss head-on and are looking for a long-lasting solution, you should schedule an appointment at our office! The sooner you do, the sooner we can determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, and, if you are, share what steps you can take to make them last.
Am I Too Old to Get Dental Implants?
If you’re in your 70s or 80s, you might assume that you’re “too old” to rebuild your smile with dental implants in Richardson. In reality, there isn’t an upper age limit! Instead, candidacy is determined by factors like the density of your jawbone and the health of your gums.
Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?
Patients are encouraged to dedicate at least a day or two to recovering. With that said, there are some cases where we recommend taking more time off, including if you have a physically demanding job. Conversely, you may not need to take any time off if you have an office job and schedule the procedure on a Friday afternoon.
Do Dental Implants Decay?
No, dental implants cannot decay. However, that doesn’t mean you can let your oral hygiene regimen slip. After all, any natural teeth you have can still decay, and the gums supporting your dental implants can develop an infection. For that reason, it’s extremely important that you prioritize healthy habits, like scheduling an appointment with our implant dentist in Richardson every six months.
Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat with Dental Implants?
Immediately following the procedure, you will need to stick to a liquid and soft foods diet. Once you’ve healed and your restoration is securely in place, you’ll be able to resume your usual diet. Just keep in mind that, like your natural teeth, your dental implant can break with enough pressure. So, it’s best to exercise caution with extremely crunchy foods, like raw almonds, hard pretzels, and peanut brittle.
How Can I Make Dental Implants More Affordable?
Sometimes, patients are deterred by the price of dental implants. However, as we touched on above, they can last for several decades with the proper care and maintenance. As a result, they often end up being the most cost-effective option in the long run. Plus, our team at Dentistry By Canyon Creek welcomes several dental insurance providers as well as flexible payment plans with CareCredit.