Before implants, dentures were the main way to replace missing teeth. Now, dental implants offer a sturdier, more natural-looking option. At Henderson Family Dental in Dallas, TX, we provide implants to help bring back your smile and improve your oral health. We also offer other restorative dental services to keep your mouth healthy and complete.
Dental implants are small titanium posts our dentists can place in your jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. These posts create a strong base for replacement teeth like crowns, bridges, or even full dentures.
An implant has three main parts:
- The post, which fuses with your jawbone.
- The abutment, which connects the post to the replacement tooth.
- The crown, which is the visible part that looks like a natural tooth.
Why Choose Dental Implants?
Implants have a lot of benefits that make them a popular choice for replacing teeth. They look and feel natural because each replacement is custom-made to match your other teeth.
Implants also help your jawbone stay healthy by preventing bone loss when teeth are missing. This keeps your face shape intact and your smile youthful.
Unlike dentures, implants give you full bite strength, so you can eat whatever you want without worry. They’re a long-lasting solution, often lasting a lifetime with the right care. Plus, they boost your confidence since you can smile, talk, and eat knowing your teeth are secure.
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
Not everyone is ready for implants right away. To get implants, you need a healthy jawbone with enough density to support them. If your jawbone isn’t thick enough, you might need a bone graft to build it up first.
Good oral health is also important to have. Your gums need to be healthy, and you shouldn’t have issues like advanced gum disease that could affect the implant’s success.
We don’t recommend implants for patients under 18. They should wait until their jaw finishes growing. Keeping up with good brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups is also key to making implants work for the long haul.
The Implant Process
Getting dental implants takes a few steps and a few months to finish. It starts with a consultation, where we check your oral health, take X-rays, and build your treatment plan. Our dentists will make sure you understand every step and are comfortable with the cost before moving forward.
If everything looks good to you, the next step is placing the implant post into your jawbone. During this surgery, we’ll also attach a healing cap to protect the implant while your bone grows around it. This process, called osseointegration, usually takes three to six months.
Once the implant fully bonds with the bone, we’ll attach the abutment to the post. The abutment connects the implant to your new tooth. After that, we’ll take impressions of your mouth to make a custom crown, bridge, or denture that fits perfectly. Once your restoration is ready, we’ll secure it in place, and you’ll have a fully restored smile.
Taking Care of Your Implants is Easy
To keep your implants in good shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily, especially around the implant. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid scratching the implant or crown. Don’t forget regular dental checkups so we can make sure your gums and implants stay healthy.
Stay away from bad habits like chewing on ice or hard objects. Bad habits can damage your crown or implant. If you smoke, quitting is a smart move because it helps with healing and lowers the risk of implant issues. It also lowers the risk of getting gum disease and infections around the implant and healing area.
Risks to Keep in Mind
Dental implants are safe and work well for most patients, but problems can happen in rare cases. One issue is peri-implantitis, an infection of the gum and bone around the implant. Signs include pain, swelling, or redness. Keeping your mouth clean and visiting the dentist regularly can help prevent this.
Another is implant failure. The implant might not integrate properly with the jawbone. This can happen if the patient doesn’t follow post-operative care instructions or if there are underlying health issues that affect healing.
Making Implants Affordable
The cost of implants depends on how many teeth you’re replacing and whether you need extra steps like a bone graft. We work with most insurance providers and we also offer flexible payment plans, including CareCredit. We want to make implants more budget-friendly for everyone. Some insurance plans may cover part of the cost, so it’s a good idea to check with your provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dental implants a good cosmetic option for a broken or badly worn front tooth?
Yes, implants are a great choice for front teeth because they look and feel natural. The implant crown is carefully designed to match your other teeth perfectly, so it blends seamlessly into your smile. It also restores full chewing and speaking function, providing cosmetic and practical benefits.
Can dental implants help if I have trouble chewing certain foods?
Absolutely. Dental implants give you strong, stable teeth that allow you to comfortably eat foods you may have avoided with missing or damaged teeth. Implants anchor firmly in your jawbone, providing strength similar to natural teeth, making eating enjoyable again.
Will I need to take antibiotics after implant surgery?
You might, depending on your dentist’s recommendation and your medical history. If you’re prone to infection or have certain health conditions, antibiotics help prevent infection after surgery. We will review your individual needs and prescribe antibiotics only if necessary.
Is the dental implant procedure painful?
No, the implant procedure itself shouldn’t hurt because you’ll receive local anesthesia or sedation. After the procedure, mild soreness or swelling is normal but manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. Most patients say it’s much less uncomfortable than they expected.
How soon after tooth loss should I consider getting an implant?
The sooner, the better. Getting an implant soon after tooth loss helps prevent jawbone shrinkage and shifting of neighboring teeth. Sometimes, implants can be placed right after extraction, but typically, within a few months is ideal. Your dentist will suggest the best timing for your situation.
Do implants prevent surrounding teeth from shifting?
Yes, implants help prevent neighboring teeth from shifting into gaps left by missing teeth. Because implants act like natural tooth roots, they maintain proper spacing and alignment, protecting your overall bite and oral health.
Can I upgrade from a partial denture to implants later on?
Many patients definitely start with partial dentures and later switch to implants for improved comfort, stability, and aesthetics. We will evaluate your bone health to see if implants can be placed directly or if additional procedures like bone grafting might be needed first.
Restore Your Smile with Dental Implants
Missing teeth don’t just change how your smile looks. They can also affect how you eat, speak, and keep your mouth healthy. Dental implants are a great option to replace missing teeth because they look and feel natural, help support your jawbone, and bring back your confidence.
At Henderson Family Dental, we’re here to help you figure out if dental implants in Dallas are the right fit for you. Call us at 214-823-2182 to set up a consultation with Dr. Nguyen, or book your appointment online anytime! Whether you’re in South Dallas, Highland Park, or the surrounding areas, we’re ready to help you get the best smile in Dallas.