Are you missing one, some, or all of your pearly whites? At Summer Creek Dentistry, Dr. Jasmine King is proud to offer the ultimate choice for replacing missing teeth: dental implants! With this unique state-of-the-art treatment, we can dramatically improve how your smile looks, feels, and functions. Dental implants in Fort Worth even boost your oral health and prevent jawbone deterioration, which cannot be said of other tooth replacement options like dentures or dental bridges. Read on to learn more about this excellent tooth loss solution and give us a call today to schedule your dental implant consultation!
Dental implants are considered to be the gold standard of tooth replacement because they replace the entire structure of a missing tooth. Dentures and dental bridges only restore the visible portion above the gumline, giving them far less stability and leading to issues in the jawbone underneath. On the other hand, dental implants replace the missing roots with a small titanium post that is inserted directly into the jawbone. There, it fuses with the surrounding bone tissue (via a natural process called osseointegration) to create a strong, natural-feeling foundation for the custom crown, bridge, or denture it supports.
When you replace missing teeth from the roots up, the results offer unmatched comfort, functionality, and longevity. In fact, if you take good care of dental implants, they could even last for the rest of your life! For that reason and many more, Dr. King usually recommends dental implants for patients who are suffering from tooth loss.
Unlike traditional tooth replacement options, getting dental implants requires several steps and a multi-month process. After all, rebuilding your tooth from the root up is pretty complex! That said, the longevity of dental implants makes them undoubtedly worth the wait.
Many general dental practices have to refer their patients to outside oral surgeons or periodontists for surgical dental implant placement. However, Dr. King has undergone the advanced training required to handle the procedure right here in our Fort Worth dental office! You can rest easy knowing you’ll be with a dental team you already know and trust at every step of the dental implant process – the initial consultation, the surgery, osseointegration, and the delivery of your restorations.
If you're considering dental implants in Fort Worth, Dr. King will guide you through the process. First, she’ll check your oral health and overall well-being. Depending on what you need, this might involve strengthening your jawbone, removing problem teeth, and planning any other treatments you might need alongside implants. Dr. King will explain all your options clearly so you can choose what's best for you.
Because of Dr. King’s extensive education and years of experience, she’ll be able to handle the entire implant procedure in-house, from the surgery to the restoration. This means you don't have to deal with the hassle and expense of going to a separate specialist. Dr. King uses cutting-edge dental technology and offers advanced services, all under one roof.
During the surgery, small cuts are made in your gum tissue to place the titanium posts. Afterward, the gums are stitched up, allowing the implants to heal and fuse with the jawbone. Before you leave, Dr. King and her team will thoroughly explain your aftercare instructions.
Osseointegration is vital for your tooth replacement because it's what allows dental implants to be strong and long-lasting. Without this fusion of metal and bone, your implants won't stay in place. Once your implants are attached, you'll need to wait around four to six months for the bone to grow around them.
In the following months, you'll return to our office for regular checkups to ensure your implants are healing correctly. Eventually, you'll come in to have your abutments placed, providing a stable base for your permanent restoration. After placement, your gums will need a few weeks to heal around the abutments.
Lastly, you'll make a final visit to our office to have the permanent restoration attached. Whether it's an implant crown, bridge, or denture, Dr. King will ensure your tooth replacement blends seamlessly. The materials used for your restoration are crafted to match your natural enamel, guaranteeing a confident smile without any visible signs of dental implants.
Dental implants are often considered to be the best tooth replacement option out there, and for good reason! They offer a host of benefits, ranging from the purely cosmetic to improving your oral health and function. You can learn more about the benefits of dental implants below, and if the information we provide makes you think of any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team!
Since dental implants are anchored to your jawbone, they can provide superior strength and stability. You’ll have an easy time speaking clearly and holding smooth conversations, and won’t have trouble eating all of your favorite foods.
What’s more is that dental implants are simple to clean and maintain. Your daily oral hygiene routine will likely be very similar to what you’re already used to – brushing twice per day, flossing at least once daily, and visiting us for biannual checkups.
Where dental implants really stand out, though, is how they can benefit your oral health. Like other restorations, they’ll prevent any remaining teeth from shifting and will help you chew more efficiently for better digestion. Unlike other restorations, you won’t have to alter your other teeth, and dental implants will also help prevent jawbone loss. As a full root-to-crown replacement, they’re able to stimulate your jawbone to promote growth, and thanks to biocompatible materials, can provide structural support.
The structural support dental implants can give will help preserve your smile as well. Tooth loss can change the shape of your oral structure, gradually leading to sagging facial features and sunken lips. Not only do dental implants look incredibly life-like, but they’ll also fill the empty pockets in your mouth so you can continue to enjoy your youthful features.
Overall, you can reasonably expect the benefits of dental implants to last for a long time. Made out of durable and stain-resistant materials, their cosmetic shine doesn’t wear down easily. In fact, with proper care, these replacements have been known to last 30 years or more! That means your beautiful new smile could very well last you a lifetime.
Few restorative dentistry services have the versatility that dental implants do. In addition to using an implant to replace a single tooth, you can also use them to replace multiple teeth or even a full row of teeth. As a result, more patients can receive help with dental implants. However, your jaw must be strong enough to support the placement of one or more implant posts.
Are you missing a single tooth? It’s still important to replace it to keep your jawbone and remaining teeth healthy. Dr. King will use a custom-made crown on top of an implant post to replace your tooth, creating a seamlessly complete and functional smile.
If you’re missing multiple teeth consecutively, we can use an implant dental bridge to fill the gap. Using dental implants on either side of your missing teeth, Dr. King can anchor a custom prosthetic that literally bridges the gap. This creates a beautiful smile that is ready to chew, talk, and make positive impressions!
If you’re missing all of your teeth, your dentist in Fort Worth can use an implant denture to give you the most secure, full smile replacement. This option allows you to receive all of your teeth at once with the security and comfort of strategically placed dental implants.
At their very best, dental implants can keep your smile full and healthy for a lifetime. The only thing you need to do is to take good care of them! If you don’t protect your implant posts from damage and harm, they’ll suffer an early failure and require replacements. The good news is that you can avoid that outcome with our tips on dental implant care in Fort Worth. To learn them, just keep reading or call our office for the relevant details.
Dental implants don’t decay like natural teeth, but they require good oral health regardless. Placing them near decayed or infected areas makes them unstable over time. For example, gum disease can slowly loosen implant posts until they fail or fall out.
Due to the facts above, practice good oral hygiene to protect your implants. Twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing make certain threats to them less likely. To that extent, such habits will keep your implants strong and long-lasting.
Dental implants let you eat as you please, but they still don’t handle junk food well. Eating sugary and sticky meals can cause debris to wedge between your implant posts. Over time, these “leftovers” could trigger tooth decay or gum disease – issues that cause implant failure.
Thankfully, you’d avoid such hassles with a mouth-healthy diet. Just make sure your meals include foods with calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin C. When your intake features these nutrients, your jaw and gums will stay healthy and strong.
Since they’re made of titanium and porcelain, dental implants are quite sturdy. Still, even these replacement teeth can fail because of a person’s bad oral habits. That being the case, you should quickly give up these sorts of quirks.
Indeed, various oral habits can cause implants to fail. One big example is tobacco use – a practice that delays treatment recovery and keeps implant posts from working. Chewing hard objects is another, especially things like fingernails or ice cubes. Doing so could easily chip or break your implants’ surfaces.
Despite being durable, dental implants can break under excessive force. You should take steps to defend them from accidents and injuries to keep them safe.
In particular, look into getting a custom mouthguard. One used for sports would shield your dental implants from outside forces (tackles, collisions, etc.) Similarly, a nightguard should keep you from grinding your implant posts at night. Getting both kinds of mouthguards would be the best option, as they’d work together to reduce threats to your new teeth.
The simple truth is that you can’t care for dental implants alone. No matter how carefully you act, you’ll inevitably miss or overlook possible threats. You should thus attend regular dental checkups and cleanings for help.
You see, dental checkups are the ideal form of preventive oral care. Each one could diagnose and treat your smile and thus prevent implant threats. To ensure they keep your new teeth safe, attend them (at least) twice yearly or every six months.
The total cost of your dental implants will be based on various factors. The number of teeth you’re missing, where you’re missing them, and the condition of your oral health can influence the cost. The type of dental restoration that you need will also be added into the total price of your implants. Because of these many variables, the best way to get a precise estimate is to visit our office.
Contrary to common belief, there is more than one type of dental implant. The most popular options are standard titanium posts or mini implants. The type and material used influences the cost. In addition, the number of posts needed also affects the price.
If you are only replacing a single tooth, you only need one post. If you are replacing two or more teeth in a row, you will need an implant post at either end of the bridge to support it. An entire arch of missing teeth is replaced using an implant denture, which requires on average, four to eight implant posts.
The process to complete your smile will occur in multiple stages. Each stage has a different cost, which allows you to spread out the entire amount over the course of several months to one year depending on your individual treatment plan. On average, you can expect to pay for:
Dental implants are more cost-effective long-term because they can last for several decades with the right aftercare, like maintaining your oral hygiene. Not to mention, they improve your oral health by reducing your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and additional tooth loss to lower your overall dental costs.
Most dental insurances will not pay for the entire treatment, but it may cover certain aspects depending on your specific policy. We help you maximize the value of your coverage to reduce the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket. We accept several forms of payment to cover any remaining balance, including third-party financing with CareCredit.
Dental implants are considered the pinnacle of tooth-replacement options out there and typically boast a success rate of 95% or more. That said, there is still a rare chance that they can fail. Two of the main culprits that can cause this to occur are peri-implantitis and failed osseointegration.
Peri-implantitis is a kind of periodontal infection that attacks and destroys the connective tissues surrounding the implant, causing it to become loose. This complication can usually be avoided by practicing simple oral hygiene every day. Failed osseointegration occurs whenever the dental implant doesn’t properly fuse with the jawbone to create the stable foundation necessary for your restorations. This tends to happen because of inadequate bone density, which can typically be addressed with a bone graft. Our team will walk you through the steps for minimizing your risk of implant failure.
Right after undergoing the dental implant placement surgery, you’ll need to take plenty of time to heal. To avoid disturbing the surgical site, make sure you only eat soft foods that require minimal chewing. You should also avoid acidic, sugary, and alcoholic beverages, as these can increase the risk of delayed recovery and bacteria. After you’ve completely recovered, you can begin to expand your diet to include most of your favorite foods. Still, remember that the things you eat will directly affect your oral health. Sugary treats can often lead to problems like decay and cavities, which can negatively impact the tissues surrounding your implants. Munching on crunchy or hard foods, such as raw nuts and pretzels, can also raise the risk of chipping or damaging your new teeth, so be sure to use caution when enjoying your meals.
The longevity of your brand-new pearly whites will mostly depend on the level of care you give them. This means that by practicing great oral hygiene every day and visiting your dentist for checkups and cleanings twice a year, you should be able to expect your dental implants to last for several decades or longer. To make the most of your restorations, be sure to brush twice daily, floss after meals or at least before bed, and rinse with mouthwash regularly. You should also avoid harmful products, like tobacco, as these can increase the risk of your dental implants failing down the road.
While age isn’t the only determining factor for a patient’s eligibility for dental implants, this treatment is mostly reserved for those who have strong, healthy, and fully matured jawbones. This means that if you are under the age of 18, which is when the jaw should finish developing, then you might be too young for the procedure. In that case, you would need to consider other tooth-replacement options, such as dental bridges and dentures. Once your jawbone is fully matured, however, you can speak with our team about transitioning from your current restoration/prosthetic to dental implants.
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