Dental Implants – Buda, TX
New Teeth That Will Last a Lifetime
Dental implants are considered the modern gold standard for replacing missing teeth. While traditional dentures and fixed bridges still have their benefits and continue to be used to this day, dental implants stand apart thanks to their ability to replace both the root and crown portions of missing teeth. If you want new teeth that look, feel, and function like your natural ones, dental implants from our Buda, TX dentist are likely the best choice! Give Buda Dental Professionals a call today to set up a dental implant consultation to learn more.
Why Choose Buda Dental Professionals for Dental Implants?
- In-Office Implant Placement
- Lifelike, Long-Lasting Restorations
- Personalized Approach with Each Patient
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are root-shaped posts that are surgically inserted into the bone to help replace missing teeth. As the bone grows and attaches to the dental implant over an average of three months, these posts provide a sturdy, long-lasting foundation for crowns, bridges, or dentures.
Dental implants are typically made from titanium or titanium alloys, which allow for bone to grow to their surfaces. Dental implants can also be made from ceramic materials if someone is allergic to metal. Dental implants provide a predictable option for replacing missing teeth as they are not susceptible to decay and are able to withstand chewing and functioning forces that the natural teeth may not.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. They replace the roots of the missing teeth, allowing for a wide range of additional benefits, including stability, comfort, and longevity. To achieve this, getting dental implants requires a multi-step process that takes place over the course of several months. Everyone’s treatment looks a little bit different, but here are the main steps that everyone can expect.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The first step is to attend a consultation. At this time, we will examine your smile to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. We will also go over the timeline and financial aspects of your treatment. Some patients require preliminary procedures, like gum disease treatment and bone grafting, before they can get dental implants. If this applies to you, we will help you get them scheduled. Once your gums and jaw are in optimal shape, we will move on to planning the rest of your treatment.
Dental Implant Surgery
Getting dental implants requires a surgical procedure. We complete this right here at our practice, so you don’t need to work with an outside dentist at a separate location. After the area is numbed with a local anesthetic, an incision is made into the gum tissue so the dental implants can be placed at precise locations and angles in the jawbone. The gums are closed, and protective caps are placed over the ends of the implants to keep them safe while the area heals.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Over the next 3 to 6 months, the osseointegration process takes place. This is when the titanium dental implants and the jawbone fuse together, creating a stable foundation for your replacement teeth. After the area has healed, we will place small connector pieces called “abutments” on the ends of the implants. Impressions are taken and sent to the dental lab so your final restorations can be crafted.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
Once your final restorations are ready, you can return to our dental practice. Your dentist will secure your replacement teeth in place. If everything looks and feels great, you will be free to show of your new and improved smile to the world!
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Diet: Dental implants provide chewing power that’s almost on par with natural teeth, so you’ll be able to eat whatever you want again.
- Jawbone Preservation: The stimulation of dental implants helps prevent bone loss from occurring after you lose your natural teeth.
- Improved Appearance: In addition to giving you a complete smile again, dental implants also help prevent your cheeks from prematurely sagging or hollowing out.
- Longevity: The average dental implant can last over 25 years. Some even stay in place for an entire lifetime.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants can be used in many different tooth loss scenarios. Even if you’ve lost all of your teeth, implants remain a viable option so long as your mouth is free of gum disease, your body is healthy enough for surgery, and your jaw is strong enough to support the posts. If you don’t meet the criteria for dental implant candidacy at first, you can have preliminary work such as bone grafting done so that implants can be placed successfully.
Missing One Tooth
It takes just one dental implant post to replace a missing tooth. Once your mouth has fully healed around the implant, we can place a crown on top of it, much like how we might restore a natural tooth. We can make your crown out of tooth-colored materials that match the surrounding teeth so that your smile looks fully natural after your treatment.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If you’ve lost multiple teeth in one arch, we can help you replace them all at once with a minimal number of implants. For example, three or more consecutive teeth can be replaced by two dental implants and a fully customized dental bridge. Gaps in multiple areas can be filled with a partial denture and an appropriate number of implant posts.
Missing All of Your Teeth
If you’ve lost all of the teeth in a single arch, you can replace them at once with a full denture. You don’t need too many implants to support a denture; four to six are typically enough. And unlike traditional dentures, implant dentures can be removable or fixed depending on what you would prefer.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Dental implants normally cost more than other tooth replacement solutions. The exact amount you’ll pay will be determined by the number of implants needed, the type of restoration you get, the materials used, and other factors. Remember that when it comes to replacing teeth, you get what you pay for; the higher cost of dental implants is balanced out by the many benefits they offer as well as their longer lifespan compared to other options.
Dental Implant FAQs
Although we’ve covered everything from the process and benefits to an overview of the cost, you may still have a few questions on your mind about dental implants in Buda. For example, how long do they last? What can cause them to fail? Will they look natural? To learn the answers to these questions and other popular ones, read on or give our team a call!
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
With a 30+ year lifespan, there is a good chance your dental implants can last a lifetime! One of the biggest factors that affect their longevity is how well you care for them and your smile. Therefore, we recommend taking proactive measures like brushing twice a day, getting a dental checkup and cleaning every six months, and exercising caution with extremely hard and crunchy foods.
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
Dental implants have an extremely high success rate, but it is possible for them to “fail.” The two most common causes are peri-implantitis and failed osseointegration. Peri-implantitis is a form of gum disease that stems from poor oral hygiene, so make sure to implement a solid dental care regimen to prevent it from developing. As for failed osseointegration, this refers to the jawbone and the dental implant not fusing together successfully. Oftentimes, this is due to low jawbone density or unhealthy habits like chronic teeth grinding, which is one of the many reasons the initial exam and consultation are so important.
Am I Too Old to Get Dental Implants?
Good news: candidacy for dental implants isn’t determined by age. Rather, your jawbone density, commitment to good oral hygiene, and lack of unhealthy dental habits (like smoking) are considered. So, if you are struggling with tooth loss and are interested in this tooth-replacement solution, don’t let your age stop you from scheduling a consultation with our Buda implant dentist.
Can I Get Dental Implants If I Smoke?
While smoking won’t automatically disqualify you, it can result in numerous complications, from slowing down the healing process to preventing the implant from fusing to the jawbone correctly. That’s why patients are encouraged to quit for at least two weeks before and three months after the procedure. Of course, if you can kick the habit for good, that’s the ideal solution!
Will People Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?
The shape, size, and shade of each dental implant are customized to the patient’s dental needs and smile goals. Plus, the restoration is crafted from lifelike dental materials and the post is inserted directly into the jawbone, which makes them incredibly stable. In short, dental implants are natural in look and function, so there is a good chance even your closest loved ones won’t be able to spot the difference!
Do Dental Implants Decay?
Since dental implants are crafted from high-quality dental materials that do not decay, the answer is “no.” It’s important to keep in mind, however, that your natural teeth still can and your gums surrounding the dental implant can become infected if they aren’t cared for properly. So, make sure to implement a solid oral hygiene routine and visit us for a dental checkup and cleaning every six months!