Dental Implants
in Fort Worth, TX

This is perhaps one of the most common and obvious first questions to ask before dental implants.

A dental implant isn’t an actual tooth, but rather a prosthesis used for replacing missing teeth. Basically, it’s a small titanium fixture the dentist inserts into your jawbone, on top of which the dentist can attach a:

• Fixed bridge
• Single crown (cap)
• Full denture
• Partial denture

After the implant integrates to the bone, the dentist connects a structure known as an abutment to your implant and then attaches your artificial tooth or teeth. So, there are three parts to the process — the implant, the abutment and the artificial tooth.

The dentist surgically places dental implants in your jawbone. Implants serve as your missing teeth’s roots. Since the titanium in the dental implants fuses with your jawbone, the dental implants won’t make noise, slip or cause bone damage like dentures or fixed bridgework may. Plus, the materials don’t decay like your natural teeth supporting regular bridgework could.

Tooth loss is a prevalent issue. Because of this, dental implant use is also a common practice. There are various reasons why so many individuals are turning to implants to replace their missing teeth or those the dentist can’t save, including:

• To replace individual missing teeth: Many individuals find themselves with a broken or decayed tooth that restorative dental work, such as root canals, crowns and fillings, can’t save. They end up needing to have the tooth removed before infection begins spreading.
• To replace multiple teeth: Since dental implants are incredibly sturdy, they’re successfully used for stabilizing dental bridges.
• For their reliability: One dental implant that’s taken care of properly can last the patient’s lifetime. Dental implants typically last a lot longer than other dental restorations.

For their appearance: Implants are made to look like natural teeth, making them very aesthetically pleasing.

While discomfort can vary between people, most individuals report getting their dental implant was much less uncomfortable than they anticipated it to be. During the surgical dental implant procedure, the dentist will give you an anesthetic, so you should feel minimal discomfort if any.

They’ll use gentle techniques, and since the environment they’re working in is clean, there’s little risk of infection. If you follow the dentist’s post-operative instructions and take the prescribed antibiotics, you should experience minimal discomfort. Your dentist will likely prescribe you pain medication as well, but many individuals don’t use them.

A few factors determine the dental implant procedure timeline. They are:

• Your dental health
• Which teeth are replaced
• The number of teeth involved
• If you’ll require a tooth extraction before the implant placement

The dentist restores your mouth with an implant in two phases and the entire process can take around three to nine months. It could take even longer if you have an extraction that has to heal, or if you needed bone grafts before the dentist implanted the posts.

Similar to any oral surgical procedure, there is a chance of infection, pain and inflammation. However, negative effects are rare and usually minor if they do occur. Your dentist will talk with you about how they can manage these risks for your specific situation.

Also, if the dentist can’t place the implant because there’s no available bone, then you may require a bone and gum grafting procedure, which could increase your treatment cost.

Fortunately, humans get two sets of teeth. When you lose a single tooth or multiple teeth because of gum disease or dental decay, implants can now replace them and serve as your third set of fixed teeth. Implants have many upsides, including:

• They improve your appearance
• They improve your confidence
• They can last a lifetime
• They allow you to have an active lifestyle
• They improve your ability to eat the foods you like
• You no longer have to worry about your teeth
• They never decay because they’re made of titanium

Dental implants, in general, have an up to 98 percent success rate.

For two days following your surgery, drink liquids and consume soft foods only like:

• Eggnog
• Milkshakes
• Cooked cereals
• Yogurt
• Smooth soups
• Cottage cheese
• Ice cream
• Mashed potatoes
• Protein shakes
• Fruit smoothies
• Refried beans
• Pudding

On day three following your surgery, eat soft foods that don’t require much chewing like:

• Cooked noodles
• Macaroni and cheese
• Soft sandwiches
• Poached, soft-boiled or scrambled eggs

Avoid crunchy or tough foods like rice, pizza, hamburgers and popcorn. Avoid acidic and spicy foods. Most individuals resume their regular diet seven days after their surgery.

First, you shouldn’t smoke. Smoking causes gum disease and recession, which makes the dental implant structure weak over time. Therefore, you should not smoke or chew tobacco.

Also, don’t apply any heat to your face unless you’re instructed to by your dentist. Heat could increase swelling.

Don’t use straws. Doing so places pressure on your mouth that could dislodge the blood clot that’s keeping the wound closed, cause more bleeding and delay healing.

To be a good candidate for implants, you need to have good oral and general health. You also need to have adequate bone in your jaw to support the dental implant, be free of periodontal disease and have healthy gum tissues.

In general, you may be a good candidate for dental implants if you:

• Have one or more teeth missing
• Have enough bone for securing the dental implant or can have a bone graft
• Have a fully grown jawbone
• Have healthy oral tissues
• Are unwilling or unable to wear dentures
• Don’t have a medical condition that would affect bone healing
• Would like to improve your speech
• Can commit a few months to the process

Don’t smoke or are willing to quit

Dental implants can last a lifetime if you take care of them properly by regularly brushing, flossing and following your dentist’s recommendations. While your dentist can’t guarantee the lifetime success of an implant, they can provide you with suggestions and guidelines on how to take good care of your teeth. They’ll base these guidelines on:

• Your genetic history
• Proper hygiene procedures
• Your nutritional habits

Following the guidelines your dentist gives you will help ensure your implant has the best chance of lasting a lifetime.

This is a complicated question since the answer will depend on your specific situation. In obtaining this answer, you’ll learn more about your specific needs. We can give you a more accurate assessment of the costs of your procedure after prompt diagnosis of the situation.

The cost of dental implant treatment will depend on various individual factors, including:

• The amount, quality and location of bone
• The number of dental implants you’ll need to support the teeth
• The number of teeth that need replacing
• The type of artificial teeth the dentist will use
• The types of dental implants used

This is something you can discuss with your dentist during your initial consultation.