Dental Implants and Dentures in Irving & Plano, TX
Dr. Pavithra Soundarapandian and Dr. Naren Mikkilineni are the board-certified dental implant dentist serving the residents of Irving, Texas. The staff at Signature Smiles Dentistry specialize in dental implants and implant dentures, as well as many other cosmetic procedures.
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Dental Implants
Dental implants are procedures that are used when it is necessary to replace a missing tooth, and the implant itself serves as a fixture that is planted into the jawbone so that it can fuse with the bone over a period of time. This implant actually replaces the root of the tooth which is missing, and this artificial tooth root will support a replacement tooth or a dental bridge.
When a dental implant is installed into the jawbone, it’s the closest possible thing to a natural tooth that you can have, because it becomes a standalone structure that does not affect any of the surrounding teeth, and is perfectly stable on its own. The process whereby a dental implant fuses with the jawbone is known as osseointegration, and the implant actually becomes part of the jawbone structure once this happens.
For the most part, dental implants are constructed of titanium, because this substance integrates very nicely with jawbone structure without being considered a foreign object by the body. This being the case, the body does not reject the titanium, and actually fuses with it to become part of the oral structure. Dental implant procedures are extremely successful, with the overall success rate being right about 98%.
When should you consult an implant dentist at Plano and Irving?
There are three possibilities when it becomes necessary to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or even all the teeth in your mouth. Whenever any of these scenarios is necessary, the objective of a dentist will be to restore the functionality of the teeth as well as to maintain your aesthetic appearance. The three options for tooth replacement consist of a dental implant, a fixed dental bridge, or a removable denture appliance which consists of either a partial or a complete denture.
The most affordable option of these three is either a partial or complete denture, but they’re also probably the least desirable because they require that you put them into your mouth and take them out of your mouth at various times. They can also slip during chewing and can affect your eating experience negatively.
Up until dental implants were invented a few decades ago, the only other option was dental bridgework, and this procedure relied on the support of your natural teeth so that an artificial tooth could be supported by teeth on either side. Now that dental implants have been invented, this is a much better option all around, because they require no support from any of the surrounding teeth, and because they can be fixed in place very securely, to provide a very realistic eating experience.
When choosing one of the three methods for tooth replacement, you’ll need to consider the location of the missing tooth, the quality of the remaining jawbone where the implant might be placed, the patient’s general health, the cost of the procedure, and the preference of the patient. After a dentist examines a patient, he/she will know whether or not the patient is a good candidate for a dental implant, and that will factor into the eventual choice made. In the majority of cases, the best possible choice is a dental implant, because it’s so stable, and because it also has the look and feels of a person’s actual teeth.
What are the different types of Dental Implants near me?
The types of dental implants fall into two broad categories, being endosteal and subperiosteal. An endosteal implant is one that is actually fixed into the jawbone, and a subperiosteal implant is one that rests on top of the jawbone, below the tissue of the gum. For the most part, subperiosteal implants have been discontinued, because their long-term performance is relatively poor compared to endosteal implants.
Generally speaking, dental implants are used for tooth replacement, but they can be used for other dental procedures as well. Because they’re so stable, implants can support a removable denture, offering a more comfortable and secure fit. Many implants can also be used as temporary anchorage devices when it’s necessary to help move teeth into their proper position, and this happens fairly often in orthodontic procedures.
These are temporary implants fixed to the bone which help to anchor teeth movement, and after they’ve accomplished their task, they will be removed, since the teeth are then in the desired position. Some specialized dental implants are used to completely replace all teeth in the mouth after a patient has suffered severe gum disease or tooth decay.
All-on-4 dental implants
It is possible to install just for implants using the All-on-4 technique, so as to accomplish a complete tooth replacement. All that’s required is that the implants be positioned in an area where there is a strong jawbone, and then the natural teeth can be replaced to provide the patient with a very natural look and feel for all teeth.
The All-on-4 dental implants technique provides teeth replacement that is stable (not removable) and feels like natural teeth compared to the traditional (removable) complete dentures. These days, dental implants are undoubtedly the very best solution to replacing either a single tooth or all teeth in a patient’s mouth.
How will the Implant Dentist in Plano and Irving conduct the procedure?
The first step in any dental implant procedure calls for the dental surgeon to examine the location of the mouth where an implant is being considered, and then evaluate dental imaging x-rays or scans to determine the quality of jawbone in the area. If it is determined that the jawbone is healthy enough to sustain an implant, the patient will then be required to make several visits to the dentist’s office, and in each case will be given an anesthetic for comfort reasons.
The first step involves extracting the tooth which is decayed or damaged in some way. If necessary, the synthetic bone would be grafted onto the jawbone so that a solid base can be established for the implant. If this is necessary, a waiting period of between two and six months will be necessary, so that the grafting can take place and so healing will occur.
At the next dental implant appointment, the titanium implant will be installed, using various tools and a special drill. Then a healing cap will be placed over the implant, and the gum will be sewn up, allowing the healing process to begin. While the area is healing, a temporary device might be put in place to replace the missing tooth and to fulfill aesthetic requirements.
It will generally be necessary for between two and six months to elapse in order for the implant to completely heal and integrate into the bone. While this is occurring, no stress or pressure must be placed on the dental implant, and follow-up visits to your dentist will ensure that this is the case. After the healing process has been accomplished, the implant will be examined to see if it has successfully integrated with the jawbone.
If this is the case, a prosthetic component will be screwed into the implant, which is known as the abutment. After the dentist takes a mold of this abutment in your mouth, the implant crown will be customized to fit it. Once the implant crown has been prepared, it will be either secured with a screw to the abutment or cemented to it for a permanent solution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
A regular denture rests securely on the gums, while an implant denture snaps into place, attaching to several small, metal posts. The metal posts are implanted into the jaw bone to create a firm, stabilized support so the denture can be held in place.
Denture implants are normally used when two or more teeth are missing from one particular area. A surgical procedure is used to secure the metal posts into the jaw bone. The bone will eventually grow around the posts creating a solid foundation. The wounds from the surgery must heal before attaching the denture implant.
Dental implants are designed to be permanent. Once the posts have been inserted into the jawbone surgically, the bone heals around them, holding them firmly in place. The denture implant created to snap onto the posts is also intended to be permanent. How long it actually lasts depends on the quality of the workmanship when it was created and the type of materials used in its construction. Over time, certain types of material may begin to show signs of wear and tear. If this occurs, another dental implant will have to be manufactured that is comparable to the first.
In order for a dental implant or denture implant to be put in place, the original teeth need to be extracted. If a doctor is planning on using an implant, it may be surgically inserted during the same procedure as the one that involves the extraction of the teeth. Small holes are drilled into the jawbone and the posts are screwed into place. The tissues are allowed to heal and the bone to grow around the base of the metal post. While the patient is healing, the dentist will begin to make crowns or denture implants that will be attached to the top of the posts. While a single implant will be attached directly to the post, a denture implant will be removed.
If you have any questions about dental implants, contact Signature Smiles of Irving: 214-307-4715 and Plano: 214-307-4755.
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