Dallas Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Dental Implant Materials
Dental Implants are made of many different materials, the most common being titanium. Learning about the different materials involved in this oral surgery procedure is the first step in furthering patient understanding, and our surgeons operating in the Plano and Dallas area are proud to offer their expert knowledge.
If you have gaps between your teeth as a result of missing or lost teeth, your mouth may suffer. The effects of tooth loss include the remaining teeth shifting toward the gap. Another effect could be the development of a sunken-in face especially when there is a loss of a large number of teeth. If you have lost teeth, dental implants are an ideal option for replacing them.
At Dallas Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we will discuss your options for implants and perform the procedure diligently. Our implant procedure involves several steps. Read below for a better understanding surrounding those steps.
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A comprehensive exam works to determine if the jawbone is in good status to accommodate dental implants. The condition of the jaw can dictate the candidacy for implants. The evaluation also works to determine the ideal dental implant procedure to perform. During exams, our dentist uses x-rays and takes impressions. Also, the dentist gets the shade of the teeth to match it with the implants, for a natural look. Additionally, we discuss your medical conditions, including the medications you might be taking.
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You may have teeth that need extraction before having dental implants. This happens if the teeth are badly decayed or damaged. Our dentist removes them to set the stage for the dental implant work to be done. Our dentist can do this at the same time when the implant insertion is happening.
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We will drill the implant into the jawbone. If the existing jawbone is healthy, strong, and thick enough, then no extra bone is needed. If some extra bone is needed, then we will perform bone grafting surgery. We may have to allow the bone to heal after the grafting before we add the implant. Once we have added the implant to your jawbone, we let it grow around the bone. It may take anywhere between three and nine months.
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Our dentist will attach an abutment over the implants. It is a piece connecting the implant to the crown. We tighten the abutment, allowing it to remain in place while eating. Sometimes, you can have the abutment attached at the same time when the implants are being inserted because it goes past the gumline. Since the abutment is visible, a healing cap is placed to prevent the bone and tissue from growing over the abutment.
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Once the gums heal, the dentist makes the artificial tooth or crown. We then permanently screw the crown in the abutment making sure that it is sturdy. Alternatively, we may glue it down with dental cement.
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Dental implants are appealing to both patients and dentists because they provide a long-lasting, stable tooth replacement. When it comes to implants vs dentures, the answer is unmistakably implants. Dentures that do not fit properly move around in your mouth, making it difficult to speak clearly. If you have a dental implant, you can speak freely without fear of your teeth falling out. Dental implants also help to preserve bone mass and reduce resorption.
Call Dallas Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery today at 972-733-0414 to schedule an appointment and talk about the possibility of receiving dental implants.
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