Dental Implants – Midlothian, TX
Incomplete Smile? Rebuild It with a Lifelike Solution
A missing tooth here and there may not seem like a huge deal at first, but the long-term consequences of missing teeth are more serious than you’d initially believe. Thankfully, Dr. Johnson is prepared to place dental implants in Midlothian and restore your smile from the root to the crown, all in one dental office! It doesn’t matter if you’re missing one tooth or an entire arch, you can benefit from the versatility that dental implants have to offer. Contact the Dental Center of Midlothian today to start rebuilding your smile!
Why Choose the Dental Center of Midlothian for Dental Implants?
- Dental Implant Placement & Restoration Performed In-Office
- Multiple Dental Financing Options Available
- Nitrous Oxide & Oral Conscious Sedation Offered for Easier Treatment
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants stand out when it comes to tooth replacement because they are the only treatment that replaces the root of teeth and the crown, while other options only address the crown portion. The dental implant itself is a small titanium post that Dr. Johnson surgically places into your jaw. Once there, it mimics the function of your natural tooth root by merging with the surrounding jawbone and tissue in a process called osseointegration. Then, the implant can support a dental crown, bridge, or denture via a metal abutment fixture placed on top of it.
The end result is a tooth replacement that feels as natural as it looks, lets you chew all of your favorite foods, and has the potential to last for decades! That’s why, when it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are usually Dr. Johnson’s first recommendation.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
While replacing lost teeth with dentures or dental bridges might only take a couple of appointments, the dental implant process requires many more steps and can take several months or longer. That said, dental implants can last for 30+ years, so waiting a little longer for them is worth it!
Dr. Johnson is trained to place and restore dental implants, meaning you do not need to visit an oral surgeon offsite for the surgical placement of your new teeth. By choosing a dental office that provides start-to-finish implant treatment, you spend less time traveling between dental offices and speaking with multiple doctors. Instead, you’ll undergo every step of the dental implant process (initial consultation, implant surgery, osseointegration, and restoration delivery) all in the same place.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are quickly becoming one of the most popular methods of tooth replacement. Many patients are choosing them because they offer multiple advantages that you simply can’t get with other options, such as dentures and dental bridges. Thanks to their unique placement inside the jawbone, they’re able to significantly improve your quality of life. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of dental implants in Midlothian, continue reading or schedule a consultation with our team today!
Day-to-Day Benefits
We use our teeth every day to eat, speak, and smile. Because of that, it only makes sense that you’d want something that’ll allow you to do all of those things freely and confidently. Well, dental implants offer a range of daily benefits, including:
- Versatility – Implants can be used to replace one or more missing teeth. They can also bond and retain almost any restoration (i.e., crown, bridge, denture) on top.
- Lower Maintenance – Taking care of your dental implants is as easy as caring for natural teeth. All you have to do is brush, floss, and rinse as you normally would to keep your new smile happy and healthy!
- Increased Confidence – Since implants stay firmly in place, you don’t have to worry about them moving around in your mouth, allowing you to feel more confident in your day-to-day life.
Health Benefits
Although dental implants can certainly make you look good, they offer many health advantages as well, including:
- Unmatched Stability – Because dental implants are inserted into the jawbone, they can handle chewing almost any food.
- Improved Oral Health – You can more easily maintain a nutritious diet, which helps your smile stay healthy and functional.
- Jawbone Preservation – Implants are one of the only options that keep the jawbone healthy because they stimulate it, preventing its deterioration.
Long-Term Benefits
Dental implants in Midlothian can help you for years to come with the following advantages:
- High Success Rate – Dental implants have an impressive success rate of about 95 percent even 20 years after they’ve been placed!
- Youthful Appearance – Since implants stimulate the blood flow in the jaw, they help prevent the sunken, aged look that often comes with tooth loss.
- Long Lifespan – Unlike dentures and dental bridges, implants can last several decades without needing replacement.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
The many restorative benefits of dental implants aren’t the only promise you can expect. Their versatility is unmatched in the world of tooth replacement. Learn how you can restore your smile, regardless of the number of teeth you may be missing!
Missing One Tooth
A single tooth is replaced via one titanium post and one porcelain crown. An abutment attaches the restoration to the implant and provides long-term stability. Our dental office uses porcelain because of its incredibly natural characteristics.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If you have consecutive missing teeth, an implant-supported bridge can easily fill the gap in your smile. Instead of relying on natural teeth to anchor the restoration, two implants hold the bridge, one on either end with pontics sitting in between them. This option is ideal if you don’t want to remove existing tooth structure.
Missing All Teeth
Are you missing most or all of your teeth in a single arch? Full and partial dentures can not only be held in place via dental implants, but they can be customized to be removable or fixed depending on your preference. Even better, you don’t need an implant dedicated to each tooth you intend on replacing, helping you cut down on costs.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
While dental implants can be expensive, your treatment costs will likely differ from other patients. The planning and restoration stages of treatment are highly customizable; placing one implant is going to cost less than placing several throughout the jaw and a single implant-supported crown will cost less than a three-unit bridge or implant denture. Furthermore, those who do not need preparatory treatments like bone grafts, periodontal therapy, or sinus lifts save more money on treatment overall.
It’s important to acknowledge that dental implants are a long-term investment. Additionally, they are considered to be the most cost-effective because of their longevity, which does not exist in the same way as traditional bridges or dentures.
Types of Dental Implants
How many teeth you’re missing and where they’re located will determine what type of dental implant Dr. Johnson will recommend for you.
- Single Tooth: A single missing tooth can be replaced with one dental implant topped off with a customized dental crown.
- Consecutive Missing Teeth: For two or more missing teeth in a row, an implant bridge may be the best solution. Unlike a traditional bridge that’s secured to two healthy existing teeth, held in place by implants won’t alter your surrounding teeth. On either side of the gap in your smile will be a dental implant, which will hold the bridge in place.
- An Entire Arch of Teeth: An entire arch of missing teeth can be remedied by a denture retained by between four to eight implants.
- Full Mouth Replacement: If you’re missing all of your teeth, you can have two entire dentures retained by implants.
What are the Stages of Dental Implant Treatment?
There are three primary stages to dental implant treatment that can take place over the course of several months, depending on what timeline best fits your schedule.
The Initial Consultation: This primary appointment will help give you an idea of what you can expect throughout the entire process. Dr. Johnson will examine your mouth and let you know whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants. He’ll also develop an individualized treatment plan to give you an idea of how long the procedure will take.
Implant Placement Surgery: Johnson is professionally trained and experienced in both placing and restoring dental implants, which means that your entire procedure will take place under our roof, under his supervision and instruction. After your implants have been placed, you’ll undergo a healing process over the course of the next few months. A process of osseointegration will occur, where your dental implants will naturally fuse with your jawbone, creating a strong and stable foundation for your restorations.
Attaching the Restorations: After your abutments have been placed, it will be time for your customized restorations to be attached to them. Depending on your needs, they can be a crown, bridge, or denture.
Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?
Patients and professionals will agree that dental implants are definitely worth the investment of your time and money. This modern restorative procedure not only transforms your smile but also provides you with a set of strong new teeth that will make it easy to speak and eat again. While traditional restorations such as dentures and bridges only last an average of seven to 10 years, dental implants can last for up to 35 years, meaning you’ll spend less time at your dentist’s office and more time doing all of the activities that you love!
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
The best way to learn whether your dental insurance company will cover the cost of dental implants is to speak to them directly. Dr. Johnson’s team will be more than happy to get you in touch with them and help you navigate your benefits. At Dental Center of Midlothian, we also offer several conveniences, such as additional financing and online payments.
Dental Implant FAQs
From the benefits to the cost, reading through the above information is a great place to start if you are considering getting dental implants in Midlothian. However, if you still have a few questions on your mind, we’re here to help! If you’d like to speak with our implant dentist directly, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team so we can schedule your initial consultation. If you’d prefer to do your research online, then keep reading!
How Long Have Dental Implants Been Around?
Although the oldest evidence of dental implants dates back to around 600 A.D., it wasn’t until 1952 that a Swedish orthopedic surgeon stumbled upon osseointegration. He was studying the bone healing process when he discovered the small titanium cylinder he placed in a jawbone couldn’t be removed. Since then, advancements in dentistry and innovations in technology have made dental implants more and more precise, resulting in the state-of-the-art tooth replacement we know today!
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants can last for 30+ years with proper care! Fortunately, you can keep yours in pristine condition throughout the years with the same best practices you use to preserve your natural teeth. That starts with a solid at-home oral hygiene routine, which includes brushing for a full two minutes at least twice a day, flossing daily, and using mouthwash regularly. Next, avoid unhealthy dental habits, like smoking, chewing on ice, and using your teeth as tools. Lastly, prioritize your six-month dental checkups and cleanings.
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
Although dental implants hold an impressive 95% success rate, it is possible for them to fail. The two leading causes are peri-implantitis (a form of gum disease) and failed osseointegration (the unsuccessful integration of the implant post to the jawbone). Other common causes include chronic teeth grinding, use of tobacco products, and certain health conditions. That’s why our implant dentist in Midlothian will consider all of these factors when determining your candidacy. Furthermore, they will provide you with extensive guidelines both before and after your procedure to minimize your risk.
Will People Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?
Whether you are missing one tooth or an entire arch of teeth, you can have peace of mind knowing your dental implants will blend in seamlessly with your smile. There are a few reasons for this. The first is that dental implants are custom-made to match the size, shape, and shade of your natural teeth, ensuring they aren’t obtrusive in any way. Second, dental implants are inserted directly into your jawbone, which prevents embarrassing slippage when you chew, talk, or laugh. In short, dental implants will provide you with an absolutely beautiful, fully functional smile that will look and feel extremely natural.
Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat with Dental Implants?
One major benefit of dental implants is that they can restore your bite force. With that being said, you should still exercise caution with extremely hard or sticky foods that can break or pull on them. For that reason, avoid peanut brittle, nuts, beef jerky, and the like. Quitting unhealthy dental habits, like opening packages with your teeth and chewing on ice, is also essential.