Dental Implants – Plano, TX
Replace Missing Teeth Seamlessly
In recent years, more and more dental care providers have started to promote dental implants as the ideal tooth replacement option. If you need to replace one or more missing teeth, dental implants allow your dentistry team to replace the entire lost tooth – from the root up through the crown. Whether you need to replace a single tooth or a full row of teeth, it’s time to call Legacy Trails Dental of Plano to schedule a tooth replacement consultation to discuss dental implants in Plano, TX. We’ll carefully examine your smile, explain your treatment options, and create a personalized plan to fully renew your smile.
Why Choose Legacy Trails Dental of Plano for Dental Implants?
- Dental Implants Placed & Restored in One Location
- 3D Cone-Beam Imaging Technology for Personalized Implant Placement
- In-Network with All PPO Dental Insurance Plans
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants consist of three parts: the implant post itself, the abutment, and the restoration. Each part is essential to maintaining the fullest function and most natural-looking aesthetics possible. The titanium implant is biocompatible, which means that it can integrate with your body without worry of rejection. The restoration (which could be a dental crown, bridge, or even a full denture) is made with porcelain because of its long-term durability and lifelike characteristics. The abutment, a metal attachment, connects the two components together and is crucial for maintaining the restoration’s foundation. Over time, your oral structures will heal around the abutment and help your new teeth maintain a stable foundation for many years to come.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
The process of getting dental implants takes longer than those of other tooth replacements. However, since dental implants can last a lifetime with the right care, they’re well worth the wait! There are four major steps in the dental implant process, and luckily, our dentists can perform each one right here in our office.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Dental implants require extensive planning before treatment can begin. During your consultation, our dentists will go over your current oral health, the state of your jawbone, and your current tooth replacement needs. Before any implants can be placed, it’s crucial that you have healthy gum tissue, substantial jawbone density for effective placement, and the willingness to discontinue the use of all tobacco products. Without meeting these minimum standards, your jaw’s ability to receive dental implants could be jeopardized.
Dental Implant Surgery
After examination, our dentists will schedule your surgery date. They’ll go over everything you need to plan for the date and explain what the surgery entails. When you arrive, we’ll numb the treatment area and create a small incision inside your gum tissue. After opening the tissue, we’ll carefully place the implant inside your jaw, then seal the tissue to allow for proper healing. A temporary restoration may also be placed for appearance while the bone and tissue heal.
Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment
Once the implant is placed deep inside your jawbone, the osseointegration process can begin. Since titanium is biocompatible with the body, the bone will naturally begin to heal around the implant and integrate. This means the implant will effectively replace the form and function of your tooth root. The healing process can take several months to complete depending on the location, so it’s important that you take note of our dentist’s aftercare steps. When the healing stage is complete, you’ll come back to have the abutment placed. This requires reopening your gum tissue, attaching the abutment to the implant, then closing the tissue around the abutment.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
After several more weeks of healing, you’ll finally be ready to have your permanent restoration placed. This could be a single crown, bridge, or denture, depending on the number of teeth you intend on replacing. If you only intend on replacing a single tooth, you’ll likely use a fixed implant-retained crown or bridge. However, there are options that allow for a removable denture as well. Prior to surgery, you’ll have the chance to determine the restoration that fits your needs.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are the preferred choice to replace one or more missing teeth because they provide a variety of advantages that are not possible using any other treatment. They replace both the root and crown of the tooth, so you can enjoy the next best thing to your natural teeth. Here are a few of the major benefits of dental implants in Plano:
Day-to-Day Benefits
According to one survey, 34% of denture wearers believe their prosthetic limits their ability to live life to the fullest. If that statistic hits close to home, dental implants may be the perfect solution for you. They offer some remarkable lifestyle benefits, including:
- The freedom to eat what you want. Dental implants closely mimic every aspect of your natural teeth. They act as new tooth roots to anchor your restorations in place. This allows you to enjoy a strong bite force that can stand up to practically any food.
- Easy maintenance. In many ways, caring for dental implants is similar to caring for natural teeth. Oral hygiene and regular visits to your implant dentist in Plano are both important.
- Beautiful appearance. We carefully design implant restorations so their appearance is as natural and lifelike as possible. Their size, shape, and color are tailor-made for each individual patient. Onlookers may have no idea that you have had some dental work done.
- Clear speech. Because dental implants are so sturdy, you will be able to speak with confidence whether you are chatting with friends or giving a big presentation at work.
Health Benefits
Tooth loss is associated with an increased risk of several serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease and shortened longevity. Because dental implants are the next best thing to natural teeth, they may help to mitigate some of that risk.
They also offer significant advantages for oral health:
- Jawbone preservation. When you lose even a single tooth, the density in your jawbone slowly decreases because it is no longer stimulated by the root. Dental implants are the only treatment to encourage new bone growth to preserve and even improve your jaw’s density. This protects your facial structures to maintain a youthful appearance by preventing premature wrinkles and sagging of the skin.
- Prevent dental drift. Your teeth have a natural capacity for movement. When one goes missing, the nearby teeth may drift out of place, leading to a misaligned bite and an increased risk of TMJ dysfunction. Dental implants serve as placeholders to keep your teeth where they belong.
- Preserve the natural teeth. A traditional bridge requires that the abutment teeth be filed down in order to fit beneath their crowns. Because dental implants are self-supporting, they allow the nearby teeth to remain as healthy and whole as possible.
Long-Term Benefits
One of the most remarkable benefits of dental implants is their longevity. They are the most reliable treatment for tooth loss. In fact, they offer over a 90% 10-year success rate when you care for them properly. You will enjoy a solution that can last for several decades, so you never need to worry about having them replaced down the road.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Not every dental restoration option is right for every patient, but dental implants are a great solution for many. As long as you are in relatively good health and have adequate gum tissue volume and jawbone density, you should be able to successfully receive one or more dental implants. However, since every case is unique, we’ll need to review several components to determine if this treatment is your best option. Read on to learn what can make you a good candidate for dental implants.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Generally speaking, any adult who is missing at least one of their teeth can be eligible for dental implants. That said, here are the three main factors our team will consider when determining if this treatment is right for you:
- Good Oral Health: If you have issues like cavities or gum disease, we’ll need to address them before moving forward with your procedure, otherwise you could risk implant failure.
- Great Overall Health: Dental implants involve minor surgery, so you’ll have to be healthy enough to undergo the process and recovery efficiently.
- Sufficient Jawbone: Not having enough jawbone density can make it difficult or impossible to support dental implants.
Even if you aren’t initially eligible for the procedure, this doesn’t mean that you automatically can’t get dental implants. Our team will develop a treatment plan to help prepare you for the procedure depending on your situation. This could involve performing preliminary services like bone grafting, gum disease treatment, or even tooth extractions to ensure a successful solution for restoring your smile.
Missing One Tooth
To replace a single tooth, an implant-supported dental crown is usually the recommended solution. A single implant can be used to support one dental crown, replacing a missing tooth.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Two fused-together dental crowns can often be supported by a single implant to replace two consecutive teeth. For patients with three or more consecutive missing teeth, at least two dental implants, one on each end, will be needed to support the fixed bridge.
Missing All Teeth
A full denture can be crafted and placed onto an average of four to eight implant posts per jaw, eliminating the slipping and irritation for which traditional dentures are notorious.
Also, All-on-4 offers a unique solution that utilizes the naturally denser parts of the jawbone in the front of the mouth to support an entire denture. Rather than placing four or more dental implants along the jaw line, the All-on-4 method uses two vertical implants to support the front of the denture and two diagonally placed implants positioned to support the back of the denture and implant into the front of the jaw. Then, the denture can be attached to the implants, recreating the lost tooth structure.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
It’s impossible to know the exact cost of your dental implant treatment without first scheduling a consultation with your dentist. Each person’s implant treatment is different because many patients require specific accommodations before they can receive implants. However, the main factors that determine cost include:
- Current overall health, particularly of the gum tissue
- The number of implants needed for placement (therefore increasing the number of abutments)
- The type of restoration fabricated (i.e., a single implant crown vs. an implant-retained denture)
- Preparatory treatments to increase bone volume or provide additional space (i.e., bone grafts and sinus lifts)
Keep in mind that dental implants are considered a long-term investment. While it’s true that they carry a higher upfront cost compared to other tooth replacement options, they’re often noted for being the most cost-effective treatment to date. This is because they don’t require replacing like dentures or bridges after a certain period of time.
Paying for Dental Implants
Do not let the cost of dental implants prevent you from rebuilding your smile. There are several ways to keep your treatment affordable, such as using your dental insurance. Although your policy will not cover all of it, it may pay for certain aspects, such as the CT scans, anesthesia, and restorations. Depending on your specific policy, you can use your insurance until you reach your annual limit.
We offer a variety of payment options to cover any remaining balance, such as cash, check, and credit cards. You can also use CareCredit for any out-of-pocket expense. Based on your credit’s approval, you are given the funds you need. You repay the balance using a payment plan that accommodates your budget.
Dental Implant Post-Op Instructions
If you’ve never had oral surgery before, after your dental implant placement you can expect to undergo a recovery period where you’ll likely feel sore and experience some side-effects of healing. Our team at Legacy Trails Dental of Plano will be with you throughout every step of the way to make sure you make a speedy recovery. If you have any questions after your implant placement, don’t hesitate to contact our team directly.
Taking Care of Your Mouth After Implant Surgery
With the right maintenance after your implant surgery, the rest of your treatment will be a breeze. It’s important to follow our post-operative instructions that we’ll provide you or your caretaker with to make sure your surgical sites heal correctly. These directions typically include:
- Avoid spitting
- Don’t drink anything with a straw
- Stop using tobacco products
- Never touch the surgical site with your fingers
What to Expect While Recovering from Dental Implant Placement
As with any treatment you’ve never had, you may notice your anxiety is higher because you aren’t sure what effects to expect the surgery to have on you and what’s uncommon. Knowing these details can help make your recovery less stressful and alarming. In any case, if you notice that your symptoms worsen or discomfort is heightened, don’t hesitate to contact us. Here are some of the side-effects that you can expect after your surgery and how you can handle them:
- Intermittent bleeding, which can be stopped by applying a gentle amount of pressure to the area using a clean piece of gauze.
- Swelling that can be reduced by pressing a cold compress on your face for 10 minutes at a time.
- Pain that can be controlled by either taking the medication we prescribe you or the over-the-counter medication we recommend.
Diet After Dental Implant Surgery
Before your surgery, you’ll want to stock your pantry with soft foods, as you won’t be able to chew solids until your surgical sites have healed. Here are some foods we recommend getting:
- Soups and broth, being sure not to heat them up too much
- Mashed potatoes
- Smoothies
- Scrambled eggs
- Yogurt
- Pudding
- Pasta
- Ice cream
- Protein shakes
Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene
Keeping your mouth and surgical sites clean after your procedure is crucial, as this helps prevent infections from developing. Here are some tips we recommend to prevent harmful bacteria from accumulating in your mouth as you’re healing:
- Gently brush your teeth beginning the day after your surgery, being sure to avoid brushing the surgical site directly.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water two to three times daily, avoiding spitting the water out (instead, let it fall out of your mouth over the sink to avoid dislodging any blood clots). We may prescribe a special mouthwash for you to use.
- Avoid bad oral habits, including smoking, and avoid using any mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
Care for Your Mouth After Your Permanent Prosthetics are Attached
After you’ve healed from your surgery and your implants have successfully fused with your jawbone, we’ll attach your permanent prosthetics. From here, you may experience some mild sensitivity and new sensations since you have a complete set of teeth again, but the most difficult part is over! You can take care of your teeth as you normally would, being sure to visit your dentist in Plano every six months for routine checkups and cleanings, brushing twice a day, and flossing daily.
Dental Implant FAQs
When it comes to tooth replacement, the dental implant procedure is in a class of its own. That’s because no other option addresses the problem of missing teeth directly at the root level. Although this is an irrefutable fact, there are still some questions that need to be answered before you can feel comfortable with Dr. Azmoodeh placing a dental implant at Legacy Trails Dental of Plano. Read on to get the answers you need so you can move forward with having your smile fully restored!
Is the Dental Implant Process Painful?
With the advances in modern dentistry, which includes new technology and insertion techniques, we can place your dental implant in a painless manner. Before the procedure begins, Dr. Azmoodeh will apply anesthesia to ensure the treatment site is completely numb.
However, after your dental implant is placed, you should expect to feel some discomfort that will usually dissipate within 10 days of the completion of your surgery. Dr. Azmoodeh typically recommends that patients take ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). If your implant placement procedure is more complex, we’ll make sure you have the right medication to make your recovery painless and stress-free.
Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?
A dental implant is for any adult who has suffered tooth loss, based on the fact that no matter what your age is, you need to have a full and healthy set of teeth. Thus, there are no age restrictions once you have finished growing (dental implants are not recommended for children whose jaws are still developing). When you visit us at Legacy Trails Dental of Plano, Dr. Azmoodeh will be more concerned with the amount of healthy jawbone material you have than the age demographic you fall into. Therefore, whether you’re 21 or 80, a brand-new restoration will leave you happier and more functional.
Do Dental Implants Look Natural?
While regaining your functionality is of the utmost importance, you’re still human; thus, you would like to look the very best you can. By dental implants being placed beneath the gum line and into the jawbone, you can achieve a smile that looks so natural people will think you were born with it. This can partly be attributed to the fact that an amazing process takes happens after your new implant is placed, called osseointegration, which is the fusing of new bone cells with the dental implant. Therefore, your dentist in Plano provides more than just greater chewing capacity and the prevention of bone loss when he places dental implants. Instead, it’s a new lease on life!
How Long Will My Dental Implants Last?
When you’re considering investing in dental implants, it’s logical and prudent that you ask what type of longevity you can expect from the procedure. After all, you don’t want to have work done only to soon need reparation. You can silence these worries with the dental implant process because with proper care, your new fixtures can last up to a lifetime.
The question, then, is what does proper care entail? For starters, it should include brushing and flossing your teeth consistently and effectively. For example, when you use a manual toothbrush, you should dedicate at least two minutes to thoroughly cleaning your teeth. This will help to protect your gums, which will translate into a long-lasting and healthy dental implant.
With over 20 years of experience practicing dentistry, Dr. Azmoodeh places dental implants with a level of precision and expertise that is unmatched. Contact our Plano dental office today to schedule a consultation so you can get on the road to a healthier and happier version of yourself!
Maintaining & Caring For Your Dental Implants
Dental implants are durable, long-lasting, and designed to mimic teeth incredibly well, but they are not indestructible. Not only will you need to practice regular oral care (just like with natural teeth), but you’ll need to complete routine checkups and practice other steps to keep them healthy. Thankfully, these steps are relatively simple and easy to complete, so you can start thinking about showing off your smile, eating the foods you enjoy, living your life to the fullest and having a positive oral health outlook! Consider them below for reference or give our office a call for additional guidance.
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
Dental implants are unique in that the restoration that sits on top cannot develop decay. Unfortunately, the implant can still fail if the gum tissue surrounding it becomes infected by oral bacteria. This is why you should always brush twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and floss at least once daily to keep harmful plaque and tartar at bay. To perfect your routine, make sure you brush for at least two minutes and use a fluoridated, non-alcohol based oral mouth rinse as mouthwashes make disinfecting the area around your implant easier.
Eat a Healthy Diet
While you’re encouraged to eat the foods you enjoy after receiving dental implants, whether they are tough, chewy, or crunchy, your diet should still be balanced and healthy. For example, eating more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and dairy products ensures you get the proper daily amount of vitamins and minerals your mouth and body needs. Calcium and vitamin C in particular are great for your teeth and gums, but they are far from the only nutrients you should be getting every day.
Break Bad Habits
There are many bad habits that can damage teeth, but did you know they can also harm your dental implants? When you’ve made such a large investment already into your oral health, the last thing you want is for a bad habit to ruin it! Smoking or using tobacco should be out of the question entirely, but it’s also important to avoid using your teeth as a tool or chew on inanimate objects (like pens and pencils). Do your best to break your fingernail biting habit as well and never chew on ice cubes, which can easily crack teeth and implant restorations.
Protect Your Dental Implants
Whether you have a chronic teeth grinding habit or you enjoy playing contact sports, you should have the right equipment to protect your smile day-to-day. For example, customized nightguards and mouthguards ensure your dental implants don’t get cracked, chipped, or knocked out entirely as a result of grinding, clenching, a bad fall, or blunt force trauma.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
Dental implants deserve the same level of professional care and attention as natural teeth, which is why you should complete routine dental checkups at least twice a year. Exams allow our team to confirm the current condition of your dental implant, the restoration that sits on top, and any remaining teeth and their current status. It’s the most effective way (outside of at-home oral hygiene) to ensure the longevity of your tooth replacements, and our dentists are prepared to catch problems before they turn into expensive dental emergencies.