Dental Implants

Dental implants might be the most important advances in dental technology over the past few decades. This option for a structurally complete tooth replacement is a significant upgrade over traditional restorations like fixed dental bridges and dentures.

Because they consist of a root-like structure and a crown, dental implants are associated with several benefits for patients. They are the closest option for preserving a biological tooth.

Dental implants can be suitable in a variety of circumstances of tooth loss. To learn more about whether you might be eligible for dental implants, schedule a consultation with our team at Mid Cities OMS.

How Dental Implants Work

Dental implants are small cylinders made of titanium, which is a biocompatible material. This means that after Dr. King places the dental implant in the patient’s jaw, the surrounding bone tissue forms a permanent bond with the implant, leaving it as a fixture in the jaw.

The process of bone tissue fusing with the dental implant is known as osseointegration, and it allows the implant to function similarly to the root of a biological tooth. This characteristic of dental implants is valuable to patients in many ways.

Benefits Of Dental Implant Technology

A tooth replacement consisting of a prosthetic root and crown outperforms one that consists of the crown alone. Here is an overview of the advantages of implant-supported appliances:

• Durability: Dental implants preserve jawbone integrity, so the shape of the jaw is constant and the appliance retains its fit for decades.
• Enhanced chewing function: Dental implants can absorb strong chewing forces, thanks to the physical connection between the bone and the implant.
• Comfort: Dental implants feel more like biological teeth as a result of the implant’s root-like structure.
• Convenience: Maintaining dental implants is quite similar to the routine oral hygiene needed to care for biological teeth.
• Minimal impact on surrounding teeth: Dental implants stand alone, so they don’t need to be supported by crowns placed on adjacent teeth, as fixed dental bridges do.

There are compelling reasons for patients who want to get the optimal benefits from replacing missing teeth to explore dental implants as a solution for tooth loss.

dental implants Mid-Cities OMS | Colleyville, TX

Use Of Dental Implants In Different Tooth Loss Scenarios

Dental Implant Consultation | Mid-Cities OMS | Colleyville, TX

In addition to the multiple functional benefits associated with dental implants, this treatment approach is suitable in a variety of tooth loss scenarios. Dental implants can be used to secure a single crown, a dental bridge or a full denture.

The nature of the available bone at the implant site is an important consideration for implant placement. When a patient has already experienced significant bone loss, it can present a barrier to successful osseointegration. However, bone grafting can help such patients overcome this obstacle.

Common Questions about Dental Implants

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small metal cylinder that is surgically inserted into a patient’s jaw to replace the root of a missing tooth. Dental implants are made of titanium, and bone tissue is capable of fusing with titanium through osseointegration. That process unfolds over several months after dental implant placement.

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

The most important factor that determines whether a patient is a candidate for dental implants is the quality of available bone at the dental implant site. If there is adequate bone tissue to support osseointegration, then the patient is likely to be a good candidate for dental implants. If not, then a preliminary bone graft may be needed to provide supplemental bone tissue at the implant site.

How do implants prevent bone loss?

Dental implants prevent bone loss because they anchor the jawbone in the same way that the roots of biological teeth do. When those roots are lost and not replaced – as is true of most conventional tooth replacement appliances – the jawbone will gradually erode. That process changes the shape of the jaw, and the appliance will become loose. Eventually, it may need to be refitted or replaced.

How many teeth can be replaced with dental implants?

Any number of missing teeth, from one to an entire arch, can be replaced by dental implants. However, the quality of bone at the implant site can rule out patients as candidates for dental implants if they’ve already lost a large amount of bone. In such cases, bone grafting will help to provide enough bone tissue at the site to support osseointegration, which is the foundation of dental implant longevity and success.

How much do implants cost?

The cost of dental implants will vary from patient to patient and will reflect various factors, such as the number of implants being placed and the need for any supplemental procedures, such as bone grafting. We can give you an estimate of your anticipated costs after evaluating your case. Your dental or medical insurance may cover a portion of the costs, and our experienced billing staff will work to maximize any insurance benefits that you may have.