What Does a Dental Implant Procedure Involve?

Nov 12

Are you interesting in learning more about dental implants? If you have lost a tooth or will require an extraction for a damaged or diseased tooth, a dental implant is a great way to permanently restore your smile without negatively affecting your appearance. Using the latest surgical advancements and possessing a wealth of experience placing these life-like prosthetic teeth, our oral surgeon is proud to help people throughout our community restore their oral function.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a replacement tooth that is biocompatible with the body’s structures. This means that the implant will restore tooth loss above and below the gums and the jawbone will fuse to the implant, securing it in place. An implant is a small cylinder with a screw-like texture that is made of titanium. It is inserted into the jawbone where the missing tooth once existed. Once the jawbone has fused around the titanium cylinder, the implant will function as a tooth’s root. To replace missing tooth structure above the gums, a prosthetic crown, which is a tooth-shaped restoration, will be attached to the titanium cylinder.

What is the process like for receiving an implant?

The first step in receiving a dental implant is to schedule a consultation with our oral surgeon. During your appointment, our team will assess the health of your teeth, gums, and facial bones to determine if this procedure is best for you. If you are a determined to be a good candidate for implants, our team will schedule the initial surgery, which will involve placing the titanium cylinder into the jawbone. Most patients only require local anesthesia for this procedure.

After the implant cylinder is placed, patients will undergo a healing and recovery period. The time it takes to recover can vary but this period is important for ensuring that the implant has stabilized as the surrounding bone has fused to it. Once this process is complete, patients will return to our office for the placement of their permanent crown.

To schedule a dental implant consultation with our oral surgeons, call one of our convenient locations today.

Improve Your Quality of Life with Dental Implants

Oct 14

Implant dentistry is quickly becoming the most beneficial way to restore oral function and renew appearance among patients suffering with tooth loss. Dental implants support the entire oral health system and provide distinctive benefits that are unavailable with conventional prosthetics such as bridges or dentures. Using the latest surgical techniques and technology, our oral surgeon proudly offers dental implants to patients in our area.

The Unique Features of Dental Implants

One of the primary reasons why dental implants are so unique is the fact that an implant replaces the entire structure of a tooth, including the roots below the gum line. The roots of a tooth are replaced with a titanium post that our oral surgeon inserts into the jawbone. Over time, the post will stabilize because the surrounding bone mass will fuse to the implant. Once the implant has stabilized, it is sturdy enough to support a prosthetic crown. Multiple implants can also be used to support a bridge or a full arch of teeth.

When compared to partial or full dentures, implants are more life-like because they are not removed for cleanings or taken out at night to allow the gums to breathe. Instead, implants are cleaned the same way that biological teeth are cleaned (by brushing and flossing.)

Unlike dentures, implants will not slip or move in the mouth, thus giving patients more confidence.

Since implants are incredibly durable and sturdy, patients can eat all types of food, including tough-to-chew foods such as steak. Unlike dentures, implants will not slip or move in the mouth, thus giving patients more confidence.

If patients choose prosthetics made from ceramics or porcelain fused to metal, they will enjoy a very natural and life-like appearance and their new teeth will be virtually undetectable to others.

Candidacy for Dental Implants

Patients who have lost one or more teeth may be candidates for implant dentistry. Those who have lost bone mass or gum tissue may require preliminary treatments such as bone or soft tissue grafts. To determine if implants are right for you, we invite you to visit with our oral surgeon for a consultation.

Call one of our two convenient locations of Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today to reserve your appointment.

Are All-on-4 Dentures a Permanent Tooth Replacement Solution?

Sep 24

Do you wish your dentures were more stable? Perhaps they move about your mouth when chewing food or speaking. Over time, as the mouth changes shape from bone atrophy, dentures tend to become ill fitting and uncomfortable. Fortunately, our oral surgeon offers a solution that helps preserve bone mass and anchors dentures in place. By using dental implants to support dentures, patients can enjoy a beautiful new smile that is durable and permanent.

What are All-on-4 dentures?

The term All-on-4 dentures refers to a method by which a set of prosthetic teeth are fixed to dental implants. This method of stabilizing dentures increases oral function and self-confidence. Unique to traditional dentures, the All-on-4 method replaces lost tooth structure below the gums. Our oral surgeon will surgically embed four dental implants in strategic locations throughout one of the jaws to anchor a full arch of prosthetic teeth. Dental implants are small screw-like posts that are made from the durable metal alloy, titanium. With time, the jawbone will fuse around the titanium posts to secure them in the jaw. This allows the dental implants to function like the roots of teeth and support dentures.

What are the benefits of implant supported dentures?

The most obvious benefit of the All-on-4 method is that patients enjoy a comfortable set of replacement teeth that will not slip or move during speaking or eating. Implant supported dentures tend to look very natural, which helps patients feel confident to smile. Dental implants also support bone health and prevent bone atrophy. This allows patients to retain the natural shape of their face and prolongs the longevity of dentures.

How do I go about receiving All-on-4 dentures?

To determine if implant supported dentures are best for you, you should schedule a consultation with our skilled oral surgeons. At your appointment, your doctor will perform a thorough oral health evaluation and determine if you are healthy enough to undergo oral surgery. Our team will also answer any concerns or questions you have.

Call us today to book your consultation.

3D Imaging Technology Can Enhance Patient Care

Sep 15

Chances are you have probably seen diagnostic technology in the medical and dental fields drastically improve over the years. One state-of-the-art technology that is becoming more widely used in all types of medical specialty is 3D imaging. From sonograms to X-rays, three-dimensional images greatly enhance patient care. Our doctor, one of the best oral surgeons in our area, is proud to offer this amazing technology for our patients to improve diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of conditions.

How 3D Images Improve Patient Care

When diagnosing or developing treatment plans, three-dimensional images provide very detailed views of the craniofacial region. For diagnoses, this type of imaging can reveal the health of mineralized tissues including the roots of teeth and the density of facial bones. The images are displayed on high-definition monitors so that our oral surgeon can zoom in on certain areas of the image to take a close look if needed. The ability to zoom on images also helps provide visual references when educating patients on oral health conditions.

For developing treatment plans, 3D images allow our team to precisely plan procedures, which can reduce operating times and increase the success rate of particular surgeries such as the placement of dental implants. When preparing to place implants or perform a surgical graft, our oral surgeon uses these images to develop surgical guides so that treatment is as precise as possible.

This technology is also used for practicing virtual surgery prior to treating a patient. The images along with computer programs allow for very precise pre-surgical planning.

How 3D Imaging Works

Three-dimensional imaging does not take much longer than receiving an X-ray, and for the patient, the process is quite simple. Patients will sit in an upright position while a scanner pans around the head and neck to capture the images. Taking just a few seconds, the images are then sent in digital format to a computer. This device also allows for easy transfer of diagnostic imaging to other health professionals.

To learn more about our technology or to schedule an appointment with our oral surgeons, call Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today.

How Will Dental Implants Affect My Life?

Sep 5

Losing teeth in adulthood will impact nearly every facet of your daily life. From experiencing difficulty eating food to feeling embarrassed by the gaps in your smile, tooth loss is devastating to many patients. When reviewing replacement tooth options, our oral surgeon strongly encourages patients to consider dental implants. These durable and permanent replacement teeth provide numerous benefits to patients. In fact, our patients who have received implants report that their quality of life has drastically improved. They feel confident to smile and interact with others and enjoy eating many types of food without difficulty.

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants are revolutionary in replacing lost teeth because they address more than just the loss of visible tooth structure. Implants replace tooth structures below the gums. With a post made of titanium, implants are embedded into the jawbone so that they can replace a tooth’s biological root. Over time, bone will fuse around the post to anchor it in place. Once this process is complete, an artificial, custom crown is attached to the implant to restore the entire lost tooth.

Losing teeth in adulthood will impact nearly every facet of your daily life.

Are dental implants comfortable?

Once the implantation process is complete, the dental implant will feel and function like a natural tooth. This is because the custom crown is made to precisely fit a patient’s mouth and will not move like removable prosthetics do. Unlike dentures, which are removed for cleaning, implants are treated just like biological teeth. Patients will brush and floss their teeth as normal, too.

How do I know if implants are right for me?

The best candidates for dental implants need to be healthy enough to undergo oral surgery and should possess enough jawbone to support the titanium post of the implant. However, patients with inadequate bone mass may be eligible for grafting procedures to help improve the implant’s success. The only way to know for sure if implants are right for you is to schedule an appointment with our oral surgeons for a consultation and examination.

Contact our friendly team today to book an appointment.

Upgrade Denture Stability with Dental Implants

Aug 25

Many denture wearers have an unfortunate story of a time when their appliances unexpectedly came loose, causing a great deal of embarrassment.

Patients who feel that their conventional dentures are not secure enough can explore dental implants as an upgrade to their appliance. Implant supported dentures can help patients avoid an untimely slip-up and gain many more benefits beyond that.

When an oral surgeon places dental implants in the jaw, the surrounding bone forms a bond with those implants, creating a stronger attachment than any dental adhesive can possibly achieve.

As such, implant supported dentures will always stay in place, giving patients peace of mind when speaking or eating.

While we’re on the subject of eating, implant supported dentures are also more effective at chewing because of their physical link to the jaw. If you thought that getting dentures meant giving up many of your favorite foods, implant supported dentures can help you to continue to enjoy those meals.

Long-term stability is another advantage of implant supported dentures. The implants replace the structure of the absent roots of the teeth. In this way, they help to anchor the jawbone, which erodes when there is no available structure to hold it in place.

That is why the jaw changes shape and conventional dentures lose their fit over time. This effect is reduced in dental implant patients, so implant supported dentures remain more secure.

Patients who would like to get implant supported dentures should be evaluated by an oral surgeon, especially those who have worn dentures for a number of years. Bone loss can present an obstacle to dental implant placement, as insufficient bone material at the implant site can lead to premature dental implant failure. However, there are a number of techniques and procedures that an oral surgeon can use to place dental implants in patients who have experienced some bone loss.

If you have been dissatisfied with your conventional dentures, consider upgrading to dental implants. Talk to our oral surgeons, Drs. Sherry and Wallace, to learn whether this treatment is possible in your case.

What factors contribute to the long-term success of dental implants?

Aug 13

Dental implants involve a significant investment on the patient’s part, but in return, the patient can benefit from a tooth replacement that can last for decades with proper care.

Certain aspects of a patient’s oral health can compromise dental implants in the long-term, so it’s important to know what can threaten the stability of your implants in order to reduce your risk of implant failure.

The first key to success in dental implants is ensuring that the patient has enough bone to support the implant. During the treatment planning process, the oral surgeon will evaluate the patient thoroughly to determine if there is sufficient bone at the implant site.

The key to the longevity of dental implants is the bone’s ability to form a bond with the titanium. However, if there is not enough bone material present, the implant can eventually fail.

The key to the longevity of dental implants is the bone’s ability to form a bond with the titanium.

This is why it’s recommended that patients purse dental implants as soon as possible after extraction or tooth loss. After the tooth’s roots are removed, there is no structure to anchor the jawbone in place and it wears away. If a person waits for a number of years to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant and has already experienced extensive bone loss at the site, that patient may need to have a bone graft prior to implant placement.

Even when a patient does have enough bone to support osseointegration, there are post-operative factors that can influce a dental implant’s lifespan. For example, if a patient has a history of gum disease, it is essential to take steps to prevent a relapse. Patients should follow closely with a dentist or periodontist to catch any signs of periodontal disease in the earliest stages, before it progresses and attacks the underlying bone.

Good oral hygiene habits also are important for dental implant patients. Brushing and flossing as recommended by your dentist will help to minimize the oral bacteria that can attack the bone and weaken the bond with the implant.

Dental implants can last for a lifetime in many cases, but patients must be suitable initially for implant placement and do their part to maintain their oral health after they get the implants. Ask our oral surgeons what you can do to maximize the lifespan of your dental implants.

Wisdom teeth removal: What are pre-extraction considerations?

Aug 4

Many patients choose to have their wisdom teeth extracted to prevent the issues that can arise from impacted wisdom teeth. A successful experience with wisdom teeth removal begins well before the extraction procedure itself. The process must be carefully planned to maximize the likelihood of positive outcomes.

Therefore, patients and their oral surgeons must consider a number of factors prior to wisdom teeth removal. These issues can all be reviewed or discussed during the treatment planning process.

The first aspect that can influence the treatment plan is any uncontrolled gum disease at the extraction site. If the oral surgeon removes a wisdom tooth when gum disease is present, the patient may have an increased risk of post-operative infection. Patients should have their gum disease treated before moving forward with wisdom teeth removal.

The patient also must be in good enough health overall to tolerate the surgical procedure. There may be special considerations for patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Your oral surgeon will review your medical history prior to wisdom teeth removal, as well.

Prior to the procedure, you also will need to decide on the method of sedation for the procedure. The oral surgeon will review the various options with you. If you choose intravenous sedation, your oral surgeon likely will instruct you to avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight before your scheduled appointment.

Because it is more challenging to remove the wisdom teeth in patients in their late twenties and beyond, a patient’s age may also be an important consideration. Older patients may still be able to have their wisdom teeth extracted, but the oral surgeon may take a different approach.

Wisdom teeth removal is a common oral surgery procedure, but it still involves certain risks as any surgery does. Your oral surgeon will thoroughly review your case to minimize those risks and reduce the chance of complications following the surgery. Be sure to follow our oral surgeon’s instructions for pre-operative and post-operative care.

Contact either of our convenient locations of Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to reserve your appointment today.

All-on-4: How strong will my replacement teeth be?

Jul 25

Are you tired of struggling with messy adhesives or ill-fitting dentures? If you are, you shouldn’t feel alone. Many patients with dentures feel that their prosthetic teeth are not stable enough to chew food and speak. Fortunately, using dental implants to anchor and support prosthetic teeth affords patients with dentures the opportunity to eat all of their favorite foods with ease and speak without obstruction. Our experienced oral surgeon utilizes the revolutionary All-on-4 method to help you reclaim optimal oral function and your confidence.

How the All-on-4 Method Works

The All-on-4 method anchors dentures below the surface of the gums. This is done by surgically embedding four dental implants into the jawbone. Placed in strategic locations, these titanium implants will hold prosthetic teeth firmly in place, much like a tooth’s roots stabilize a tooth. With this method, only four implants are required for each set of teeth, and many patients enjoy a complete smile in a same-day procedure.

The All-on-4 method anchors dentures below the surface of the gums.

Dental implants have been used to replace teeth for quite some time. In addition to anchoring a set of teeth, they are also used to replace a single tooth. The reason that implants are so effective at improving oral function is because of their composition. Bones in the body integrate and fuse to titanium through a process called osseintegration. This biological process allows the jawbone to hold the implant in place permanently.

All-on-4 vs. Traditional Dentures

When compared to traditional dentures, the All-on-4 method provides unique advantages to our patients. Dental implants help prevent the body from resorbing bone mass, thus preventing the need for new sets of dentures every few years. Implant supported dentures also do not require messy adhesives to stay in place. Because prosthetic teeth are held in place, patients do not have to worry about their dentures moving in their mouths—especially when chewing tough foods.

Our oral surgeons welcome you to schedule a consultation at our practice where our team can help you evaluate your tooth replacement options. To set up an appointment, contact us today.

Dental Implants: Enjoy the health benefits of a complete smile

Jul 12

Have you lost one or more teeth? If you have, you are likely feeling self-conscious about your smile and you may have noticed changes in your gums and shape of your mouth. Not only is losing teeth a traumatic and distressing experience, it will also negatively affect your oral health. Fortunately, you can enjoy a complete smile and a number of oral health benefits by receiving dental implants from our oral surgeon.

How Dental Implants Benefit Oral Health

Beyond filling in the gaps of a smile missing teeth, dental implants support the entire oral health system. Your gums, teeth, and facial bones work together to support the structures in your mouth. When a part of this system is damaged or missing, it will affect the entire mouth. An example of this is the fact that when a tooth is lost, a patient holds a higher risk for losing even more teeth because teeth near empty sockets will shift and move because they lack proper support. Dental implants are permanent and sturdy and provide the support teeth require to stay in place. An additional benefit to receiving implants is that they support bone health and prevent the body from resorbing bone mass, which is very common after tooth loss.

The Components of a Dental Implant

Compared to other types of tooth replacement methods like dentures, dental implants are very unique. A dental implant consists of two major components. The first part is a titanium post or rod that is inserted surgically into the jawbone where it will replace a biological tooth’s structure below the surface of the gums, much like a tooth’s root. After a patient has healed appropriately after the initial procedure, a dental crown will be attached to the titanium rod. A crown is a tooth-shaped prosthetic that is created in a dental laboratory to the exact needs of the patient. The crown provides a biting surface for chewing or tearing food and fills in the gap of a lost tooth.

To learn more about your tooth replacement options, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with our skilled team of oral surgeons.

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