At my office here in Bastrop, I have a very specific philosophy when it comes to dental implants. Many patients do not realize that getting an implant often requires visiting multiple offices. You might see an oral surgeon for the placement and then return to a general dentist months later for the final crown.
I handle the entire process from start to finish.
An implant replaces the root of the tooth, not just the part you can see. That is what keeps the jawbone working and holds the neighboring teeth in place. I plan every case in 3D before surgery and place it with a guide printed here in the office, so the position is settled before your appointment starts.
When a single tooth is missing, the teeth on either side start to drift into the space and the bone that held the root begins to shrink. An implant replaces the root itself, so the neighboring teeth stay where they belong and the bone keeps its shape. Start to finish it usually takes around six to eight months. Most of that is the implant fusing with the bone, not time you spend in the chair.
When several teeth in a row are missing, they do not each need their own implant. A few well placed implants can carry a bridge across the whole span. I will look at your 3D scan and tell you which approach fits your case.
If you already wear a denture or a partial and it moves when you eat or talk, implants can hold it in place. I place implants in the jaw and fit your denture or partial with attachments that snap onto them. You still take it out yourself to clean it, exactly as you do now. It simply stays put while you are wearing it.
Because I do all the 3D planning on a computer before you even sit in the chair for surgery, the actual placement appointment is incredibly efficient. We use a custom 3D printed surgical guide, so the physical placement is quick and precise. After that, your body needs time to do its job. The titanium implant needs to naturally fuse with your jawbone, which typically takes a few months. Once you are fully healed and the foundation is solid, you come right back to my office and I will attach your final custom crown. Start to finish, it usually takes around six to eight months, but your actual time spent in the dental chair is surprisingly short.
This is usually the biggest fear people have, but recovery is much easier than most patients expect. Since I plan the entire procedure digitally and use a surgical guide, the actual surgery is very smooth and exact. A highly efficient, well planned procedure means less trauma to your mouth, which directly leads to a much faster and more comfortable recovery. You might have some mild soreness for a few days, which can usually be managed with over the counter pain relievers. Plus, since I handle your case from start to finish, you have total accountability. You know exactly who to call if you ever have a question during your healing process.
If you are missing one or more teeth, there is a very good chance you are a candidate. The first step is taking precise 3D records of your mouth right here in the office. This allows me to look at your bone structure and make sure you have a solid foundation to support an implant. Even if you have been missing a tooth for a long time, we often have options to help build that bone back up if needed. Just give the office a call so we can sit down, look at your 3D scan, and talk about what is possible.
No, you do not. I handle the entire process from start to finish right here in our Bastrop office. Many people are surprised to learn that getting an implant usually involves bouncing between an oral surgeon for the surgery and a general dentist months later for the final crown. Because I do both the surgical placement and the restorative work, you only ever have to see me.
It also keeps the business side simple. One office, one treatment plan, and one place to ask a question about it, instead of coordinating between two practices and two billing departments.
Because I perform both the surgery and the final restoration, I have a unique perspective on how the two phases rely on each other. Getting to see my implant cases all the way to their final destination provides invaluable insight. I know exactly how the surgical positioning of the titanium root will directly impact the look and function of the final crown. Likewise, I understand exactly how the design of that crown will support the health of the implant underneath. Every step is done with the final result in mind.
A successful implant procedure actually starts long before you sit in my chair. We take precise 3D records of your mouth so I can do all the digital planning and positioning on a computer beforehand. To bring that digital plan perfectly into the real world, I use a custom surgical guide.
We print this guide right here using our own dental 3D printer. During your surgery, this printed guide fits securely over your teeth to direct the implant into the exact position, angle, and depth we mapped out on the computer. By the time your appointment arrives, the guesswork is completely removed.
This level of preparation makes the actual placement a highly efficient procedure. More importantly, this efficiency directly benefits your recovery. A smooth and carefully planned surgery means less time in the dental chair, which promotes much better healing and higher success rates.
Dr. Smith is an experienced dentist with a passion for doing beautiful, high-quality dentistry and taking excellent care of his patients in a personable and conservative manner. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Detroit Mercy, School of Dentistry. Then, after a year of private practice, he came to Texas for a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program and has been in private practice since 2013.
Dr. Smith is a strong believer in expanding his clinical knowledge by learning the latest dental ...
Handling your treatment from the initial scan to the final smile also means total accountability. You have one doctor overseeing your care. You will never have to worry about miscommunication between different specialists or offices. If a question or concern arises, there is no pointing fingers. I take full responsibility for your care and your final results.
If you are missing teeth and want to learn more about how we can restore your smile efficiently and predictably, just give the office a call or send us a text. We can set up a consultation to review your 3D records and talk about your options.
Talk soon,
Dr. Cole Smith
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Besides impacting your smile's appearance and your ability to chew and eat comfortably, losing a tooth can also be an additional expense consideration. Many people may be concerned about the expense of replacing a missing tooth, which is why we want to discuss dental implants in Bastrop.
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What I handle here. Single implants, implant bridges, snap-in dentures and partials, and full-mouth crown and bridge work, on natural teeth or on implants.
What I refer out. All-on-4, All-on-X, and hybrid full-arch cases. These need a surgeon, a restorative dentist, and a lab working as a single unit from the first scan to the last appointment. That is the same standard I hold my own implant work to, and it is exactly why I send these cases to a team built around it rather than taking them on halfway.
