At our state-of-the-art practice in Carrollton, dental implants are one of our most popular treatments. In the past, the only options you had for replacing a missing tooth were with a fixed bridge or partial denture. Technology has advanced to where dental implants have become the go-to option for replacing one or more missing teeth. Dental Implants are made of medical grade titanium. The implant is a post that heals with your bone.
The first part is the implant body. The dental implant is placed in the jaw bone and allowed to heal for 4-6 months. The implant serves as an anchor to hold the porcelain crown which will be placed at a later date. The implant can be compared to the root of the tooth which holds the crown in place.
The second part is an abutment made of either porcelain, gold or titanium. The material will be selected by Dr. Bhandaru based on your esthetic needs and the location of the implant.
The third part is Porcelain crown which is attached to the abutment. At Carrollton Smiles, Dr. Bhandaru uses the most esthetic and durable porcelain to make your implant crown look natural and life like in appearance!
Implants are ideal for replacing one or more missing teeth, Dental implants are not necessary, but they a great option to replace missing teeth in addition to removable dentures and bridges.
Dental implants have numerous advantages. The following are a few of the advantages of dental implant procedure offered by Dr. Bhandaru at our state of the art facility at Carrollton Smiles.
Dental implants can be used to replace missing teeth for most people. Since the introduction of dental implants, there have been a lot of advances made in implantology and medicine making dental implants a solution to missing teeth.
If you lost a tooth due to extensive dental decay, dental implants can be used to replace the missing tooth.
Other situations that dental implants can be used to replace missing teeth are:
People with disabilities such as impaired vision, Parkinson’s disease, tremors and reduced motor function, Alzheimer’s disease have difficulty with oral hygiene and ability to brush and floss effectively. Some people with these conditions have difficulty locating their removable dentures and using them. They may also have difficulty flossing under a fixed bridge. Dental implants or implant supported dentures will be an optimal choice for them.
On average, dental implants take 4 to 6 months to heal. The expected recovery time for dental implants also depends on the position of the implant. The time required for implants to heal depends on your general health and the quality of bone. Depending on the technique and adjunctive procedures required, it may be approximately 4-6 months before you get the “new tooth.” However sometimes Dr. B may choose to place a “temporary new tooth” during the healing period. For example, the lower posterior implant may need less time to integrate with the bone compared to the upper posterior implants, but there are many steps prior to placing the final tooth/crown.
If the tooth has extensive infection with bone loss, Dr. Bhandaru may delay the placement of the implant and wait for the infection to resolve. If the implants are placed in soft bone, either due to osteoporosis, diabetes, or other health conditions, it may be prudent to wait for a longer healing period.
If you are having implants placed for complete dentures, the process may differ compared to getting a single implant and a crown.
The duration of healing period for the implant is directly related to:
Dr. Bhandaru prefers a multistage approach for implant placement. This increases the success and give you a better outcome.
There are steps 6 in the implant process:
Single stage or one step implant placement, is a process when the damaged tooth is removed and the implant is placed the same day, there may be a metal post visible through the gum and this prevents the need for another surgical procedure.
In the multi-step implant surgery process, the damaged tooth is first removed and the area is preserved and prepared with bone graft. Your dentist will evaluate the quality and quantity of bone at the healed site with the help of a 3D image at 3-6 months post tooth removal. The Implant is surgically placed after Dr. B confirms that the quality and quality of bone are acceptable. The Implant is completely covered by your gum. The implant heals for 4-6 months and a second surgery is performed to uncover the implant. A mold is made and a custom fabricated crown is manufactured to fit your mouth.
Implants have a very high success. Uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune disorders and poor general health may decrease the success rate of implants. It is not uncommon for the screw holding the crown to the implant to loosen and the dentist may need to tighten it. It is important to keep up with your dental check ups and take care if the implant like rest of your teeth. Failure to do so may cause bone loss and a condition called peri-implantitis. Very rarely, implants can get infected or rejected by the body as it is a foreign body.
Placement of dental implants is a type of surgery. As with any surgery, some pain and discomfort should be expected after the procedure.
Dr. Bhandaru will prescribe you pain medications to help with pain and swelling. Your pain should be manageable by day 2 after surgery. If you had multiple dental implants placed, the gum may be sore for up to 2 weeks. But if you are experiencing severe pain even after 2 weeks please contact Dr. Bhandaru right away.
The first step to getting dental implants in Carrollton, TX is to schedule a consultation.
Dental implants are usually placed as an outpatient procedure. The area of implant placement is numbed with local anesthetic and implant is placed. If you are anxious, Nitrous oxide commonly known as laughing gas can be used to make the surgery more comfortable to you. If multiple implants are being placed or a full mouth implant surgery is being done, general sedation is maybe an option.
It is very important to take care of your implants as you would take care of your natural teeth. Even though the implants are not prone to decay, they are prone to peri-implantitis which is comparable to gum/periodontal disease of natural teeth. Brushing, flossing and use of water-pik are necessary to take care of the implant. Your hygienist will clean your implants with implant specific tools and Dr. Bhandaru will take x-rays and evaluate the health of the implants.
The cost of dental implants in Carrollton will vary on a number of factors. To get the most accurate cost, please schedule a consultation. During your appointment, we’ll be able to answer questions and provide you with a full breakdown of the costs.
The Dental Implant placement surgery is a relatively painless procedure. At your consultation appointment, our team at Carrollton Smiles will answer all of your questions about the procedure and financial aspects of the surgery.
The anesthetic is administered by Dr. Bhandaru. A slight incision is made through the gums and the implant body is then placed in the bone. The gums will then be sutured and you will be provided with aftercare instructions important for your recovery. Over the course of several months, the implant’s post will fully fuse with the surrounding bone and you will come back in for a crown, bridge or denture to be made for that area.
If you would like to learn more about Dental Implants, contact us today and we can schedule an appointment for you to come in for a consultation. Carrollton Smiles services the Greater DFW Metro.
Dr. Bhandaru has a passion for dentistry and helping her patients achieve the smile of their dreams! She’s a proud member of the Texas Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the American Orthodontic Society. Dr. B prioritizes patient safety and prides herself on patient satisfaction.
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