Dental implants can be the right option if you’re missing a single tooth or all your permanent teeth. Implants are durable dental restorations. A single implant comprises a small titanium anchor, an attaching abutment, and a crown. Dental implants can secure a single dental crown, and multiple implants can secure dental bridges or dentures.
At Mill Creek Dental, we work with patients to find the right number of implants and the correct placement to fully restore the function and appearance of their teeth.
Dental Implants in Canton, TX
Before implant treatment, we ensure patients are healthy enough to undergo treatment. If patients have decayed teeth or gums, we may recommend periodontal therapy, root canals, or extractions. Our office may also recommend ridge augmentation or bone grafting services to ensure patients have sufficient jawbones for their dental implants in Canton, TX.
Once patients are healthy, we will take dental X-rays and digital images of the teeth, gums, and jaw to determine the best implant placement. Then, an oral surgeon will place the dental implants in the jaw bone beneath the gums. The surgeon will also place a healing cap over the implants. Over a healing period of 3 to 6 months, the implant anchors or posts will fuse with the jaw bone. This process, called osseointegration, ensures the implants stay stable.
We will place the final restoration once the dental implants have fully healed. We take impressions to create custom-made restorations that feel natural. These restorations also use durable, tooth-colored materials to blend in with the shape and shade of natural teeth.
After you receive your implant-supported restoration, you can eat and speak naturally. Implants support teeth at the root, making your implants feel like natural teeth. Additionally, you can eat a wider variety of foods with implant-supported restorations because they restore full bite function and comfort.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are the best form of tooth replacement. Learn more about their many benefits.
Improving Your Oral Health and Preventing Jawbone Loss
Dental implants are considered the gold standard of tooth replacement. While most tooth replacement options replace the crown, a dental implant is the only one that replaces the tooth root. The instant you lose your tooth root, the jawbone in that area starts to deteriorate.
The teeth around the missing one start to shift out of alignment to try and fill the hole left by it. Jawbone deterioration causes your face to sag, prematurely aging you. The skin and muscles depend on bone structure to keep them in the proper placement. When they don’t have that structure propping them up, you get the muscle and skin sag.
Since implants replace the tooth root, they prevent the jawbone from deteriorating any further than it currently has. It even spurs jawbone regeneration because it fuses with your jawbone to create a stable foundation. Since that space in your smile is filled, the teeth around it no longer move to make up for that gap.
When one tooth is missing, its surrounding teeth are more likely to develop issues. Tooth decay and gum disease are more common, leading to the possibility of losing more teeth. A missing tooth also makes your bite uneven, increasing the risk of TMJ disorders. The remaining teeth experience more pressure than they should, making them more likely to break and crack under pressure.
Looking and Feeling Natural
No other tooth replacement option looks and feels more natural in your smile. Because they replace that tooth root, they function like your normal teeth. You get back almost 100% of your bite function. With other restorations, they can slip or fall out of your mouth, depending on what you’re doing. This isn’t an issue with dental implants or implant-secured restorations, such as fixed dentures.
There’s no need to remove anything from your diet because you can’t break it down. You can bite into an apple with dental implants and don’t have to worry. They ensure you can consume a balanced diet since you don’t need to change your eating habits.
Implants don’t require any additional maintenance steps. You brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. Traditional dentures require adhesive to stay in the mouth, making for a messy cleanup at the end of the day. Removable bridges also need to be taken out and cleaned in a specific way. Dental implants stay fixed in the mouth all of the time.
When we create dental implants, we use a dental crown, bridge, or denture to complete the restoration. We base the restoration’s size, shape, and shade to match your smile perfectly. Our goal at the end of this is to give you a restoration that people can’t even notice isn’t your natural teeth.
Durable and Long-Lasting
Dental implants are designed to be a lifetime restoration if you care for them properly. Restorations like traditional bridges or dentures often have to be repaired or replaced multiple times throughout your life. When your jawbone continues to deteriorate, the fit of your restoration changes. This isn’t a problem with a dental implant.
Most of the time, dental implants are made with titanium. This biocompatible material is incredibly strong and reliable. It fuses with the jawbone to give you the unmatched stability that implants are known for.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have answers to some of the most frequently asked questions dental implant candidates have.
What is the success rate of tooth implants?
Dental implants boast a success rate of about 95%. Factors like your overall health and where the implant is placed can influence this rate. With good oral care and regular exams, implants can last a very long time.
Can you get teeth extracted and implants at the same time?
Yes, you can often have a tooth extracted and an implant placed in the same visit. This process is called immediate implant placement. Only some people are good candidates, though. We’ll assess your situation to see if this is the right option for you.
Do dental implants stain?
Dental implants are made from zirconia or porcelain that resists staining. However, they can still pick up slight discoloration over time from foods like coffee or red wine. Good oral hygiene helps keep your implants looking their best.
Can you get tooth implants after having dentures?
Absolutely, you can transition from dentures to dental implants. Many patients have made the transition. Implants can offer more stability and comfort compared to traditional dentures. Many patients find that implants improve their ability to chew and speak.
How many teeth can you replace with implants?
You can replace one tooth or a full set of teeth with dental implants. For several missing teeth, implants can support bridges or dentures. We can create a personalized plan based on your needs.
Are dental implants removable?
The implant itself isn’t removable since it’s surgically placed into your jawbone. However, some implant-supported dentures are designed to be taken out for cleaning. Fixed implant solutions stay in place and act just like natural teeth.
Restore Missing Teeth Today
Get your smile back with dental implant treatment. Contact our Canton, TX office for implant dentistry today at 903-600-9237 or schedule a dental consultation online. Please let us know if you have questions about dental implants or your candidacy for treatment.