Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, so missing one or more teeth can be awkward and embarrassing. Because there are now several ways to replace missing teeth, you shouldn’t have to worry about being self-conscious or covering your mouth when you smile. Our expert team at CS Family Dentistry wants to help you achieve the best smile possible. One option to help with that may be a dental implant.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are designed to replace one or more missing teeth. Your dentist will perform this minor surgical procedure by placing a titanium dental implant into your jawbone; eventually, the three parts of the dental implant will replace your entire tooth. The three parts of a dental implant include:
- The implant itself, which is attached to your jawbone.
- The abutment that is attached to the dental implant.
- The dental crown that is attached to the abutment. This crown will look, feel, and perform just like a natural tooth.
The entire dental implant process may take several months to complete because it’s important to let your gums and jawbone heal after the dental implant is placed in your mouth. While you are waiting for your mouth to heal, your dentist will attach a temporary crown to maintain the aesthetics of your smile.
Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
If you are considering dental implants, your dental professional can conduct an evaluation to see if you are a good candidate. To decide, we will:
- Assess whether your overall health is good — Your overall health must be good to be a candidate for dental implants.
- Assess whether you have enough jawbone to support dental implants — If we determine you lack bone structure, you may be a candidate for bone grafting before the dental implant procedure.
- Take x-rays of your mouth and administer a complete oral examination — We want a full picture of your dental health to determine what is best for you.
- Customize a treatment plan just for you — If you are a good candidate for dental implants, we will discuss the best way to move forward with your treatment.
- Discuss the different facets of the plan with you — It will be necessary at this point for you to understand the various aspects of the process, including costs, number of appointments, and how long each step of the procedure will take.
Why Are Dental Implants a Viable Option in Bastrop?
No one wants to worry about having one or more missing teeth, so it’s good to know you have options. There are many different reasons that dental implants are a good option for you to consider:
- Dental implants will give you back your smile and your confidence. Imagine smiling without feeling self-conscious or worrying that others are looking at the gaps in your teeth.
- Dental implants can last a lifetime! With proper care, your dental implant is a permanent solution to missing teeth.
- Dental implants won’t slip or move around in your mouth. Because the implant is attached to your jawbone, you won’t have to worry about movement.
- Dental implants are not susceptible to tooth decay or yellowing. Your dental implants are artificial, so you can’t get a cavity where you have an implant, and your implant won’t discolor like natural teeth.
- Dental implant surgery can be performed for one or multiple missing teeth. If you are missing one tooth, a single implant will fill the gap, keep your other teeth from shifting, and prevent bone loss. If you are missing multiple teeth, you can replace all of them at once with either an implant-supported bridge or an All-on-4 implant for the teeth on your upper or lower jaw.
Are There Risks to Dental Implants?
Your dentist in Bastrop, TX, will talk to you about the entire dental implant process and make sure all your questions are answered, including the risks. It’s important to know that dental implants are highly successful, and most patients experience little or no side effects from the procedure. Potential risks include:
- The implant comes loose – If your dental implant doesn’t completely attach to the jawbone, it could come loose.
- Infection at the implant site – If the location of the dental implant becomes red and swollen, you could get an infection in that area.
- Bleeding at the implant site – If the dental implant area doesn’t heal completely, you could experience some bleeding.
- Allergic reaction to the dental implant – If you are allergic to the titanium in the dental implant, you could experience swelling or tingling in the implant area.
- Nerve damage at the implant site – If the dental implant is placed too close to a nerve, it could cause numbness or tingling in your mouth.
- Sinus issues – If your implant goes into your sinus cavity, your chance of implant failure increases.
How Do You Care for Dental Implants?
Thankfully, your dental implants are easy to take care of and will last a lifetime if you follow these tips:
- Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Avoid abrasive toothpaste.
- Floss once a day.
- Avoid hard and sticky foods.
- Visit your dentist regularly.
Are You Interested in Learning More about Dental Implants in Bastrop, TX?
If you search “dental implants Bastrop” and can’t find the information you are looking for, or if you have additional questions, please get in touch with CS Family Dentistry at (512) 321-2188, and our team will be happy to help.