What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a restoration made of a biocompatible material, commonly titanium. The titanium fuses with the jawbone over time naturally. This process, known as osseointegration, creates a strong foundation for the custom prosthetic. It also allows patients to achieve a natural-looking smile that can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene care.
Anatomy of a Dental Implant
Dental implants are made of:
- The Implant Body: Think of this as the root of your new tooth. Usually crafted from titanium, this biocompatible marvel is surgically placed into your jawbone, laying the groundwork for your new smile.
- The Abutment: This is the unsung hero of the dental implant world. The connector bridges the gap between the dental implant body and your new tooth, ensuring a perfect fit and alignment.
- The Restoration: The restoration, usually a dental crown, is the visible part of your dental implant that everyone sees. Crafted from durable materials like porcelain or ceramic, the artificial tooth or teeth are custom-designed to perfectly blend into your smile.
The Plano Smile Revolution: Benefits of Dental Implants
When you choose dental implants from My Dentist In Plano, you’re not just getting a new tooth – you’re investing in a comprehensive oral health solution that can dramatically improve your quality of life. Our state-of-the-art implant procedures offer a range of benefits that extend far beyond mere aesthetics. Here’s what you can look forward to after your dental implant procedure:
- A Million-Dollar Smile: Dental implants are custom-designed to match your natural teeth perfectly. They blend seamlessly with your existing teeth, creating a smile that’s sure to boost your self-esteem and leave a lasting impression.
- Confidence That Radiates from Within: With a full set of functional, natural-looking teeth, you’ll feel more self-assured in social and professional settings.
- Can Outlast Many Natural Teeth: Dental implants are made from durable, biocompatible materials like titanium. With proper care, they can last for decades – often outliving natural teeth and other dental restorations.
- Crystal-Clear Speech: Missing teeth or ill-fitting full or partial dentures can affect your speech patterns. Dental implants restore your ability to articulate clearly, eliminating embarrassing speech impediments.
- The Joy of Biting Without Fear: Dental implants restore up to 90 percent of your natural biting force. Enjoy your favorite foods again without worrying about discomfort or dislodging a denture.
- A Healthier Mouth Overall: Dental implants help prevent bone loss and gum recession associated with missing teeth. They also eliminate gaps where bacteria can accumulate, reducing the risk of gum disease and decay in adjacent teeth.
- Preservation of Your Facial Structure and Jawbone: The titanium post of the dental implant acts like a natural tooth root, stimulating bone growth and maintaining facial structure. This prevents the sunken appearance often associated with long-term tooth loss.
- Easy Maintenance (Just Brush and Floss!): Unlike dentures that require special cleaning routines, dental implants can be cared for just like your natural teeth. No need for adhesives or soaking solutions – simply brush, floss, and maintain regular dental check-ups.
- A Cost-Effective Solution in the Long Run: While the initial investment may be higher than other tooth replacement options, the longevity and low maintenance of implants make them a smart financial choice over time.
- No More Shifting Teeth: Implants keep adjacent teeth in place, maintaining proper alignment and preventing issues with your bite or temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
- Improved Digestion and Nutrition: With a full set of functional teeth, you can chew your food more thoroughly, aiding digestion and allowing for better nutrient absorption.
- Enhanced Overall Health: By restoring your ability to eat a varied, nutritious diet and improving your oral health, dental implants can contribute to better overall health and well-being.
Dental Implant Varieties: Your Smile, Your Choice
At My Dentist In Plano, we understand that every smile is unique. That’s why Dr. Dickson offers a wide range of dental implant options to suit your needs:
- Endosteal Implants: The tried-and-true classic, endosteal dental implants are perfect for those with a strong jawbone.
- Single-Tooth Implants: The solo artists of the dental world, single-tooth dental implants replace one tooth at a time with precision.
- All-on-Four: The overachievers – All-on-Four is just what it sounds like; four dental implants supporting an entire arch of teeth. It’s like a smile makeover in a day!
- Implant-Supported Bridges: The team players, implant-supported bridges fill in for multiple missing teeth with style and stability.
- Implant-Supported Dentures: Say goodbye to slipping dentures and hello to rock-solid smiles with implant-supported dentures.
- Mini Dental Implants: The nimble athletes, mini dental implants are perfect for tight spaces or when you need a quicker recovery.
- Immediate-Load “Same Day” Implants: For those who want instant gratification, same-day dental implants allow patients to walk in with gaps and leave with a full smile!
- Zygomatic Dental Implants: Zygomatic dental implants can restore lost teeth for patients who don’t have enough jawbone density to support a traditional endosteal implant.
- Subperiosteal Dental Implants: Subperiosteal dental implants sit on top of the jawbone but under the gum tissue. Subperiosteal implants are rarely used because of modern technological advancements in implant dentistry.
While we don’t offer zygomatic or subperiosteal dental implants at our Plano office, Dr. Dickson can discuss alternative mental implant options if these were recommended to you elsewhere.
Why Choose Dr. Dickson For Your Dental Implants?
Unlike some dentists, Dr. Dickson can both place and restore your new dental implants. This is due in part to his advanced training in implant dentistry, which has helped him earn fellowship status with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a teaching faculty position with the Center for Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry.
With our in-house lab, you could even get your dental implants and replacement teeth in a single visit! To ensure precise and accurate treatment, we use a 3-D CT scanner to plan and perform all of our dental implant surgery.
The Dental Implant Procedure with Dr. Dickson
Embarking on your dental implant journey at My Dentist In Plano is like setting off on a well-planned adventure. Here’s what you can expect during the dental implant procedure:
- Your Smile Consultation: Dr. Dickson will assess your oral health, discuss your smile goals, and create a personalized dental implant treatment plan.
- The Implant Placement: Using state-of-the-art technology, Dr. Dickson will carefully place the titanium dental implant into your jawbone. Don’t worry – with our advanced techniques, it’s more comfortable than you might think!
- Manufacturing: Over the next few months, your dental implant will bond with your jawbone.
- Final Placement: Once your dental implant is firmly integrated, Dr. Dickson will attach the abutment and crown, completing your smile transformation.
Finding Your Perfect Dental Implant Match
Choosing the right dental implant option is like finding the perfect pair of shoes – it needs to fit just right. Before your dental implant surgery, Dr. Dickson will help you consider factors for choosing the right implant. These factors include:
- The number of teeth you’re replacing
- The condition of your jawbone
- Your budget and insurance coverage
- Your overall oral health
- Your lifestyle and preferences
Remember, the best dental implant provider listens to your needs and has the expertise to match. That’s exactly what you’ll find at My Dentist In Plano.
