When can I return to work following a dental implants procedure?

implant dentistry DFWImplant dentistry has changed the way that dental professionals approach tooth loss. Dental implants make for durable and lifelike replacement teeth. Receiving dental implants is an outpatient surgical procedure. Most people return to work two or three days after their initial surgery while others may need a day or two longer to rest.

Recovery times can vary by a day or two due to the facts that everyone heals at different rates, some areas of implantation are more complex, and the amount of dental implants used to restore oral function. When it comes to recovery from receiving dental implants, it is important to follow the instructions provided by our oral surgeon so that you can manage discomfort and care for surgical sites properly.

Why do I need to return for follow up appointments?

After your dental implants are embedded and you’ve recovered from the initial procedure, you will need to return to our practice periodically for follow up appointments. The reason these appointments are necessary is because our team will need to evaluate the stabilization process of the dental implant.

Dental implants become stable once bone integrates to their titanium structure. When bone fuses to a dental implant, it holds it in place the same way that bone holds the roots of biological teeth in place. Bone stabilizing to dental implants is called osseointegration and this process is monitored by taking diagnostic images and performing quick checkups periodically.

Once our team determines that a dental implant is stable, frequent follow up appointments are no longer necessary.

Why choose an oral surgeon?

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) is a board-certified specialist who can perform a variety of procedures and treatments in the oral cavity and along the face. Choosing an OMS for your dental implant needs is wise since these specialists have advanced training and experience working with dental implants.

Patients visiting an OMS receive highly focused care from an attentive professional. If you have questions about implant dentistry, call Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today to reserve a consultation.

How do I know if I am a suitable candidate for dental implants?

dental implants DallasDental implants offer candidates a host of benefits, but in order to maximize those benefits, patients must be good candidates for initial dental implant placement. To learn whether dental implants are feasible in your case, you should schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon who can review your circumstances.

Dental Implant Consultation

At this consultation, the oral surgeon will evaluate the quality of bone at the proposed dental implant site. Bone loss is the most common barrier to dental implant placement because adequate bone tissue is essential to the osseointegration process that makes the dental implant a fixture in the patient’s jaw.

Unfortunately, bone loss is a consequence of tooth loss, so patients who postpone getting their dental implants for too long may find that this becomes an obstacle for them. Additionally, patients who have congenital bone defects that limit the amount of available bone tissue may face similar challenges in getting dental implants.

Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

Fortunately, bone loss or other deficits do not meant that a patient can never access this treatment option. Preliminary bone grafts can help to supplement the tissue at the proposed implant site. The surgeon can obtain donor tissue from elsewhere in the patient’s body, such as the chin or hip, or from an external source and insert it at the implant site. Over the course of several months, the native bone integrates the donor bone tissue into the jaw.

A bone graft will extend the overall dental implant treatment timeline, but this is a worthy investment of your time. Dental implants that are placed without enough supporting bone tissue are at high risk for premature failure. When bone grafting is indicated, patients who receive this treatment greatly improve their chances of long-term dental implant retention.

If you are considering dental implants to replace missing teeth, call Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to schedule an evaluation. We will determine whether you are an immediate candidate for dental implant placement or whether bone grafting is needed first to help you make the right treatment decision for you.

How much do dental implants cost?

cost of dental implants DallasWhen exploring treatment options for tooth loss, patients are likely to consider a variety of concerns, including cost and longevity of the restoration. Unfortunately, because each patient’s case is unique, it’s impossible for an oral surgeon to give a one-size-fits-all estimate for the expenses connected to this treatment.

A number of factors can affect the cost of dental implants. For example, if a preliminary bone graft is needed before the dental implants can be placed, it will involve additional expenses. The number of and type of dental implants placed, along with auxiliary services, such as x-rays, anesthesia or sedation and follow-up care also contribute to the cost of dental implants.

Therefore, patients should consult with an oral surgeon in order to get a cost estimate informed by the specifics of their case. Patients who are considering a variety of treatment options should get cost estimates for their other options as well.

After getting that estimate, patients should take into account the long-term costs expected with each of the treatment options. While the initial price tag of a conventional appliance, such as a fixed dental bridge or a denture, might seem like a bargain when compared to the upfront cost of dental implants, that doesn’t reflect the lifetime costs of each method.

Implant-supported appliances are far more durable than conventional prosthetics. The dental implants help to anchor the jawbone so that its shape remains constant. However, with a standard bridge or denture, the bone tissue will gradually wear away. As this happens, the jaw’s shape changes and eventually the appliance gets loose. It may need to be refitted or even replaced.

Furthermore, failing to replace a tooth can create costly consequences for your remaining teeth, which may lead to greater out-of-pocket expenses for you. So, don’t assume that forgoing treatment is a cheaper option, either.

If you want to get more information about costs associated with dental implants, schedule an initial consultation at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates. One of our providers will be able to give you a more accurate estimate of the costs after assessing the specifics of your case.

Will I still need denture adhesives with All-on-4?

All-on-4 PlanoOne of the many benefits that patients get from an implant-supported denture, such as All-on-4, is freedom from messy denture adhesives that leave a bad taste in a patient’s mouth. The four dental implants used in this treatment technique secure the prosthetic to the jaw, eliminating the need for adhesives.

With All-on-4, the oral surgeon will need only four dental implants to secure the denture. This approach streamlines the treatment process and makes it accessible to a broader group of patients than older techniques for implant-supported dentures. Those four dental implants can be placed in a single appointment lasting just a few hours. Many patients can even be fitted with a temporary appliance at the end of that session, which is why some providers refer to All-on-4 as “smile in a day.”

The oral surgeon places the four dental implants at the front of the jaw. This is important because the bone is relatively thick in that location and slower to erode. Therefore, even long-term denture wearers who want to make the switch to dental implants can often do so with All-on-4. They may have experienced bone loss toward the rear of the jaw but still have adequate bone tissue to support osseointegration in the front of the mouth.

Not only are All-on-4 patients able to go adhesive-free, they gain other benefits as well. For example, the bond between the bone and the dental implants can tolerate fairly strong forces, so an implant-supported denture tends to be more effective at chewing than a conventional appliance. Foods that are off-limits for patients with standard dentures can be enjoyed if you choose All-on-4.

All-on-4 dental implants also are more comfortable because they are structurally complete and feel more like biological teeth. The dental implants are more reliable in holding the appliance in place, as well, preventing any untimely slip-ups.

If you want to ditch your denture adhesives, consider upgrading to All-on-4. Schedule an initial evaluation at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to learn more about the many benefits of this treatment.

Smile Confidently with Dental Implants

implant dentistry PlanoPatients who choose conventional tooth replacements, such as fixed dental bridges or traditional dentures, following tooth loss may find that their appliances lose their fit over time. This can cause patients to lose confidence when smiling because of how they look. Implant dentistry is a good solution for overcoming this challenge.

Dental implants, which are small titanium cylinders that an oral surgeon inserts in a patient’s jaw, replace the absent tooth’s root. That structure plays an important role in the tooth’s – and the smile’s – stability. When it is not replaced, as is true of conventional prosthetics, the jawbone slowly erodes and its shape changes.

This phenomenon of jawbone atrophy causes a bridge or denture to lose its fit. A gap may develop between the appliance and the gumline, or, in the case of dentures, the appliance may repeatedly slip out of place. Patients can become reluctant to speak or smile when this occurs.

Eventually, conventional appliances will need to be replaced due to jawbone atrophy. However, when a patient gets dental implants from an oral surgeon, the appliance can remain in place for decades with proper maintenance.

Another advantage of implant dentistry is the enhanced functionality of the prosthetic. A fixed dental bridge or denture may not be as effective at chewing as natural teeth are, but an implant-supported appliance can tolerate stronger chewing forces. Patients who choose implant dentistry can typically enjoy a wider variety of healthy, nutritious foods in their diet.

Over time, many patients find that the costs of dental implants and traditional tooth replacement methods end up being comparable. Traditional prosthetics have a lower cost upfront but result in additional expenses as they need to be refitted and replaced. Your oral surgeon can give you more detailed information on this aspect of the treatment, as well.

Are you considering how to proceed with replacing a missing tooth? Are you fed up with a previous treatment that no longer meets your needs? Consider dental implants as an alternative, and schedule a consultation at our office to get back your confident smile.

Will dentures make me look different?

dentures DallasYes, actually. Dentures will make you look different. Fortunately, today’s dentures can provide an instant lift to the face, especially when anchored to dental implants. All-on-4 is a great way to upgrade the functionality of conventional dentures for optimal oral function.

Ill-fitting prosthetics or edentulous patients not wearing prosthetics can attest to how their appearance can look substantially older than they should. Without properly fitting dentures, one’s face can appear sunken in – especially in the cheek and mouth area. New, custom made dentures can fill in the cheeks and mouth in a way that complements one’s face shape. Moreover, a set of white, beautiful new teeth is a great way to make a person appear youthful and full of life.

Will dentures feel comfortable?

Dentures make for excellent replacement teeth – especially among edentulous patients. Once people become accustomed to the weight and feel of their prosthetics, wearing them is not uncomfortable. However, when a person first receives dentures, he or she will need to adjust to them. This adjustment period typically only takes a couple weeks.

Why are dentures custom made?

Everyone has unique oral anatomy. The shape and size of a person’s mouth varies. Even the shape and size of the jawbones differs from person to person. For this reason, the only way dentures will look and feel comfortable is to be specifically made for a person. The process of making dentures begins with a person having molds of their jaws (and gingiva) taken. Photographs and diagnostic images are helpful for determining the specifications of prosthetics, too. Dentures are then made by technicians in dental laboratories to very precise dimensions.

What are the benefits of All-on-4?

All-on-4 presents unique advantages to patients. First, attaching an arch of dentures to dental implants will greatly increase their stability. With dental implants, prosthetic teeth will not move during eating and speaking. Secondly, dental implants help bone stay active so that bone deterioration after tooth loss is less likely.

There are numerous reasons to choose All-on-4. This tooth loss solution effectively increases oral function and improves appearance. Call us today at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to reserve an All-on-4 consultation.

Tooth Loss Due to Injury: What is the best tooth replacement solution?

implant dentistry PlanoUnfortunately, a tooth that has been severely damaged by injury may not be able to be salvaged. If a patient loses a tooth to some sort of facial trauma, it’s important to consider a number of characteristics in choosing a tooth replacement. Dental implants are the only structurally complete prosthetic device, and having both a root-like portion and a crown gives patients a number of benefits.

These positive attributes of dental implants are due to the osseointegration process. That is, the surrounding bone affixes to the implant’s titanium surface in the months after the oral surgeon places the dental implant. Because the surrounding bone bonds firmly with the titanium dental implant, it becomes a fixture in the jaw and functions as an artificial tooth root.

One of the advantages of implant dentistry is the stability of the tooth replacement. The implant secures the surrounding jaw bone, much in the same way a biological tooth’s root does. When the root is completely absent, as is the case with conventional prosthetic restorations, the jaw will slowly wear away. Its shape changes, and the appliance loses its fit as a result. In contrast, dental implants will last for decades, as long as you take good care of them.

Implant dentistry is also beneficial because it gives patients more functional replacement teeth. Again, the connection between the bone and the implant provides the foundation for this quality. For example, implant-supported prosthetics are more effective at chewing because they can tolerate stronger forces needed to process rather tough foods.

Patients who are considering dental implants for tooth replacement following an injury or want more information about the intervention should schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon, who will evaluate the patient’s case to make sure that enough bone is present to support osseointegration and improve the patient’s chances of long-term dental implant success.

Make sure you thoroughly research all of your tooth replacement options before making a decision. Dental implants outperform conventional appliances, so visit our office for a consultation to learn more about this treatment.

How All-on-4 Dental Implants Can Overcome Many Obstacles

All-on-4 PlanoPatients often complain that conventional dentures are disappointing in many ways, falling far short of the functionality and comfort of their missing biological teeth. A technique for implant-supported dentures known as All-on-4 can help address many of the deficits of conventional dentures while overcoming potential roadblocks to treatment with dental implants.

With All-on-4, an oral surgeon will place four dental implants into the patient’s jaw in order to secure the denture. These dental implants essentially function like biological roots of missing teeth. They stabilize the underlying jawbone and help the appliance to withstand rather strong chewing forces. These characteristics help All-on-4 dental implants to outperform conventional dentures.

Additionally, because the oral surgeon needs to place only four dental implants to support the prosthetic denture and those four dental implants are placed in the thick bone at the front of the jaw, All-on-4 is accessible to most patients, even those who have already experienced some bone loss at the rear of the jaw.

Although All-on-4 does require surgery, the procedure is typically completed in a matter of hours. Often, the patient can be fitted with a temporary appliance at the end of the appointment in which the dental implants are placed. As such, this treatment may also be referred to as Smile in a Day. After healing fully from dental implant placement, the patient will return to the office to be fitted with the permanent appliance.

This procedure causes minimal disruption to patients’ routines, as well. In most cases, patients are able to resume typical activities within a matter of days, although it may take a little longer to get back to vigorous exercise or jobs that require significant physical effort. Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions will reduce your risk of complications that could extend the recovery timeline.

All-on-4 dental implants are accessible to a variety of patients with different scenarios of tooth loss. Explore this treatment if you would like to restore a fully functional smile that feels similar to biological teeth. Contact our team at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today to schedule a consultation.

How long is the dental implant process?

cost of dental implants PlanoDo you have questions about dental implants? Perhaps you want to learn more about the implantation process or the cost of dental implants. Since dental implants are a newer tooth replacement option, many people looking into their tooth replacement choices tend to have questions.

The process for receiving dental implants is one factor that many inquire about because it is different from the process of receiving other prosthetics like dentures or bridges. There is a recovery phase of treatment that occurs after the initial oral surgery where dental implants are embedded into the jawbone. The recovery phase of treatment is imperative for stabilizing the implant because bone needs to fuse to its titanium structure. The duration of this phase varies because everyone’s bone responds at different rates.

Once the recovery phase of treatment is over, patients will receive their permanent restoration that is attached to the implant. At this point, the dental implant and its restoration is ready for normal use. Our oral surgeons offer dental implantation services to patients throughout our community.

Why does bone need to fuse to the dental implant?

Dental implants are unique when compared to other prosthetics because they replace the roots of teeth. Conventional dentures and bridges are only capable of replacing the visible structures of teeth. The reason bone is necessary to stabilize an implant is because it will hold it in place so that the implant does not move, just as bone holds the roots of teeth in place. The process of bone fusing to dental implants is called osseointegration. This process is what enables a dental implant to have a very long lifespan.

Why are dental implants made from titanium?

Titanium is used to replace hard tissue throughout the body. For instance, titanium can be used to replace joints, bone, and the roots of teeth. The reason titanium is ideal for replacing hard tissue is because its composition is biocompatible with the body – meaning it will not be rejected as a foreign object.

For questions about the cost of dental implants or the implantation process, call Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today to reserve a consultation with one of our oral surgeons.

How do I care for my dentures?

dentures PlanoIn order to keep your gums and jaws as healthy as possible after you start wearing dentures, it’s important to maintain your dentures and keep your gums clean. Oral bacteria can still cause gum disease even after tooth loss.

Dentures must be cleaned routinely. This typically involves leaving the appliances in some type of solution overnight and rinsing them before putting them back in your mouth. The dentures also must be removed from the mouth to be brushed each day, as denture cleansing agents should not be used while the appliances are in your mouth.

Additionally, conventional dentures will lose their fit over time, causing patients to visit the dentist to have their appliances re-lined or replaced. This is another important consideration in denture maintenance.

Patients who want a simpler, more familiar denture maintenance routine might consider All-on-4 as an alternative. This treatment method uses four dental implants to secure the appliance. Those four dental implants become permanent fixtures in the jaw after completion of the osseointegration process in which the bone bonds with the titanium implants.

After the bone has fused with the dental implants, which takes a few months after the oral surgeon places them, the implants are able to function as artificial tooth roots.

Because All-on-4 dental implants are more structurally complete than conventional dentures, the process for keeping them clean is simplified. They do not need to be removed from your mouth for cleaning. In fact, they are designed to remain in place indefinitely. Being diligent about your home oral hygiene is essential, though, as tartar buildup can complicate your efforts to care for the implant-supported denture.

Additionally, dental implants stabilize the jaw, which means that the appliance retains its fit. As a result, the need to replace the appliance is less likely.

Would you like to learn more about how All-on-4 dental implants can make it easier to care for your dentures? Come to our office for a consultation, and one of our specialists will be happy to answer any questions he may have. Call our team at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today to schedule your visit.