A dental implant is a titanium anchor that replaces missing tooth roots. The anchor connects to false teeth with an abutment or connector piece. Dental implants in Allen, TX, can help patients restore their missing teeth.
Implants are excellent replacements for teeth. Our office can provide complete care for replacing missing teeth under one roof, including comprehensive implant dentistry. Dental implants can benefit your dental health and overall quality of life.
We can place implants to replace a missing tooth or secure a bridge or denture for multiple missing teeth. Allen Dental Center is your resource in Allen, TX, for restoring your smile after trauma, advanced disease, or tooth loss. Our dental care team has the experience and expertise to place all types of dental implants.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
When choosing treatment options for tooth replacement, our dental care team will take the time to discuss all appropriate options. In most cases, we will recommend dental implants for missing teeth. Dental implants are considered the “gold standard” of tooth replacement. They provide patients with the most natural-looking and functioning outcomes.
Implant dentistry offers several significant benefits to consider when choosing a tooth replacement option:
- Reduced bone loss in the jaw: After you lose permanent teeth, you can also lose the jaw bone. Without the support from the tooth roots, the jaw bone can recede. Jaw recession changes the appearance of the lower face and leads to facial sagging. An implant post acts as a replacement tooth root. It supports the growth and stability of healthy bone tissue.
- Natural chewing ability: A dental implant is a secure new tooth that will let you bite and chew naturally. With implants, you don’t have to worry about damaging or losing a removable appliance. You can also eat with fewer dietary restrictions, improving your nutrition.
- Confident speech: Living with missing teeth or an ill-fitting denture can make speaking difficult. While dentures restore missing teeth, they often lay on the gums. Insufficient support from a restoration can make it hard to speak clearly. Restoring your smile with dental implants can help you to communicate clearly and confidently.
- Improved gum health: Traditional, removable bridges and dentures lay on the gums, which can irritate them over time. This often leads to discomfort and the potential for infection. Implants are stable and secure. They can stabilize gum health and minimize irritation or gum disease concerns.
Am I A Candidate for Dental Implants in Allen, TX?
Before you get dental implants, we will ensure you are healthy enough for treatment. To be a good candidate for implants, you should have healthy teeth, gums, and jaw. We will take dental X-rays to find your number of missing teeth, areas of jaw bone loss, and decay.
Our office may recommend pretreatments to restore your dental health. Problems like tooth decay and gum disease affect the stability of dental implants. Implants can’t heal properly if you have a dental infection. We will treat signs of infection first.
If you are missing teeth or have had bone loss in your jaw bone, we may recommend bone grafting or a sinus lift. Bone grafting is often the best solution to improve stability in the jaw for placing implants. Our dentists can provide oral surgical solutions when there are concerns about bone loss in the upper or lower jaw.
Bone grafting and sinus lifts can improve the supporting structure for implant placement. They ensure implants are stable and successful.
How Many Missing Teeth Can Dental Implants Replace?
You can restore one or more lost permanent teeth with the support of dental implants. There are multiple options we provide patients with missing teeth in our office:
Single Tooth Implants
We can replace a single missing tooth with a dental implant. Placing a single dental implant is typically a straightforward process that will restore natural function and aesthetics to your smile. Once in place, a dental implant supports your natural bite and jaw structure.
Our office can restore the appearance of your missing tooth with a dental crown. We will color-match this crown to ensure it matches your natural teeth.
Implant Bridges
A traditional dental bridge uses support from the teeth on either side of a missing tooth gap. Bridges can replace one or more consecutive missing teeth. When you receive a traditional bridge, a dentist covers adjacent natural teeth with dental crowns.
However, we prepare the natural teeth before we place the crowns. This involves removing a portion of the natural tooth enamel. If you already have healthy natural teeth, it may seem that this step is unnecessary.
Instead of preparing these natural teeth, we can replace the missing teeth at the root with implants. In addition, if you have a single missing tooth, you can get a single implant to replace it at the root without affecting other teeth.
Implant Dentures
If you want an upper or lower full-arch replacement, implant dentures provide a stable and natural-feeling solution. Allen Dental Center offers complete dental care for treatment planning and the placement of an implant-secured denture. We will work with you to determine the number of dental implants you need for a stable result.
The All On “X” process starts with 3-D imaging to evaluate your oral structure when planning the placement of implants. We can provide a same-day denture with advanced technology and thorough treatment planning. Our office can prepare the site(s), place implants, and secure a temporary hybrid denture in one visit.
Dental Implants FAQs
Read more about dental implants in Allen, TX, with answers to these commonly asked questions:
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime with proper care. The implant itself, which is a small metal post placed in the jawbone, can last 30 years or more. However, the crown, bridge, or denture attached to the implant may need to be replaced after 10 to 15 years because of normal wear and tear.
Do dental implants hurt?
Before you get the implant, the dentist will give you a local anesthetic. This means you will be numb in the area where the implant is being placed. You shouldn’t feel any pain during the surgery itself.
Once the anesthesia wears off, you might feel some discomfort in your jaw. This can feel like a dull ache or soreness, similar to when you have a tooth pulled. Most people only need over-the-counter pain relievers to feel better.
You can also apply ice to the outside of your cheek can help reduce swelling and numb the area. During the healing process, stick to soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, and smoothies to avoid irritating the implant area.
Can dental implants fail?
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement in Allen, TX that have a 90 to 95 percent success rate. However, implant failure can happen for multiple reasons:
- Infection: One of the most common problems is called peri-implantitis. This is an infection that affects the gums and bone around your dental implant. It starts when bacteria build up around the implant, just like they can around natural teeth. If not treated early, this infection can damage the bone that holds your implant in place.
- Tobacco Use: Smoking, vaping, or using other tobacco products can slow the healing process and lead to implant failure. Tobacco slows down your body’s natural healing process after the implant surgery. It also reduces blood flow to your gums, which they need to stay healthy.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Just like natural teeth, implants need good care to stay healthy. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, bacteria can build up and cause problems. This can lead to gum disease and bone loss around the implant.
Do you have no teeth when you wait for your implant restoration?
During the time between getting a dental implant and receiving your final restoration (the artificial tooth that goes on top), you usually don’t have to go without teeth. Our dentist will provide a temporary solution. You will get a temporary crown, bridge, or denture. In most cases, you need to wait 3-6 months between getting the implant and the final tooth.
Sometimes, if your bone is strong and the implant is stable when placed, we might be able to put a temporary crown on it right away. This is called “immediate loading”. Our dentist will let you know if this is an option for you.
Am I too old for dental implants?
You’re never too old for dental implants! Age itself isn’t what determines if you can get dental implants. What matters most is your overall health and the condition of your mouth.
We will determine if implants are right for you based on:
- How well you heal from injuries or surgeries
- Whether you have any medical conditions that affect bone healing
- If you’re healthy enough for minor surgery
- The strength of your jawbone
- The health of your gums
- How well you take care of your teeth
How long is dental implant treatment?
Dental implant treatment can take several months from start to finish. The exact time depends on your oral health and how your body heals. On average, implant surgery can take about 1-2 hours.
The implant needs time to fuse with the bone. This process can take 3 to 6 months. Dental implant treatment can take 4 to 9 months or longer, depending on healing time and any extra procedures you may need. While it takes time, the result is a strong, natural-looking tooth that can last a lifetime!
What should I do while my dental implants heal?
While your dental implants heal, you should take care of your mouth so they heal properly. First, stick to foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and smoothies for the first few days to avoid putting pressure on the implant. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods because they can damage the healing area or cause discomfort.
Brush gently around the implant site and rinse with warm salt water to help prevent infection. Don’t smoke or drink alcohol. These can slow healing and increase the risk of implant failure. You can also take pain medication if needed. Our dentist may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to help with discomfort.
How much do dental implants cost?
These services can add to the total cost of your implant treatment:
- Bone grafting
- Gum disease treatment
- Tooth extraction
- X-rays
- Sedation
- Number of implants
- Type of restoration
Allen Dental Center provides payment plans and financial options to keep treatment within your budget. We will create a detailed treatment plan and give an estimate of your implant cost before treatment.
Schedule An Implant Consultation
Are you ready to learn more about dental implants? Please schedule a consultation with one of our dentists in Allen, TX. We will evaluate your needs, discuss your goals, and provide treatment options for your consideration. If you have a poorly fitted denture or bridge, we can provide a permanent new smile with implants.
We welcome new patients and offer second opinions on treatment plans. Contact our office at 972.640.7564 or schedule an appointment online.
Learn More About Dental Implants: