Reclaim a More Youthful Appearance with Dental Implants

Many people associate tooth loss with aging, and indeed absent teeth can make patients look older than their years. For edentulous patients, or those who have lost all of their teeth, the effect is even more dramatic, as the jawbone shrinks too, creating a pinched appearance around the mouth.

Implant dentistry can help people overcome the prematurely aged appearance associated with tooth loss. Specialists in this field can offer patients a lifelike restoration while preventing atrophy and stabilizing the underlying jawbone.

Dental implants are titanium posts that are inserted into the jaw by an oral surgeon, and they can be used in combination with an artificial crown, bridge or denture. The implants then fuse with the bone over the course of several months. Implants are unique among tooth replacement techniques because they are the only devices that replace the absent tooth’s root in addition to the crown.

Patients with missing teeth are not as concerned about the root, which is hidden from view, but that part of the tooth’s structure plays an important role in the smile’s appearance. Dental implants anchor the jaw in place. As such, they minimize the bone loss that leads to a shrunken appearance around the mouth.

The prosthetics themselves are so realistic that an average observer is likely to have trouble distinguishing the implant from its biological neighbor.

Additionally, dental implants are remarkably stable. Other appliances, like fixed dental bridges or dentures, will need to be replaced periodically as the shape of the jaw changes, but dental implants can last for decades if you take good care of them. Not only do dental implants improve the appearance, but they are also more convenient and require fewer trips to the dentist for additional work.

Whether you’ve lost your teeth to oral disease or injury, don’t resign yourself to looking older before your time. Explore implant dentistry as a tooth replacement method that will help to restore your youthful appearance.

To find out how dental implants can benefit your smile, contact Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to schedule an informative consultation.

Preserve Natural Teeth with Dental Implants

The necessity of replacing missing teeth is not a new concept. Even before the modern age of dentistry, it seems that the cultures of the previous centuries have attempted to replace teeth. Though these attempts may have appeared to be rudimentary or crude in the early civilizations, it is clear that the need to replace teeth has been serious enough to warrant the ongoing effort. Still, these efforts fell short of complete success until very recently.

With the increasing success of implant dentistry, there is a greater probability that you can replace your missing teeth while overcoming just about all of the limitations of other available solutions. Aligning yourself with a talented and experienced oral surgeon is the best way to replace your missing teeth while preserving the integrity of the remaining natural teeth.

Traditionally, artificial teeth could only be stabilized by anchoring, attaching, or clasping one or more neighboring teeth. In return for the stable artificial tooth, the strength of the neighboring teeth had to be significantly compromised. In many cases, healthy tooth structure had to be removed, and in other cases the additional stress contributed to sensitivity and bone loss.

Though these types of restorations are still in use today, the more conservative alternative, dental implants have been proven to be the healthiest solution available.

Dental implants offer both direct and indirect advantages for preserving your natural teeth. By anchoring to the underlying bone rather than the neighboring teeth, the implants do not create any unnecessary stress or require the removal of any tooth structure. By preventing the neighboring teeth from drifting out of position, implants can also prevent bone loss, gum recession, and periodontal disease.

Implants are the only permanent tooth loss solution that does not rely on the adjacent teeth for support. If your goal is to protect your natural teeth and restore your smile with a high-quality solution, talk to our experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons, serving Dallas Texas, about the many advantages of dental implants.

Dental Implants: Is sedation an option?

Dental implants appeal to many patients because they are so convenient and durable. Indeed, the advances made possible by implant dentistry have revolutionized tooth replacement.

However, some patients may still be hesitant to move forward with the devices out of fear that the process will involve a lot of pain.

That’s not the case. The oral surgeon who places your dental implants can provide you with a variety of sedation options.

The first piece of sedation for dental implants involves local anesthesia. This step numbs the implant site, ensuring patient comfort during the surgical procedure.

The vast majority of patients will opt for additional sedation beyond the local anesthetic. With this sedation, the patient receives medications that encourage a state of deep relaxation. Patients remain conscious while under sedation, which makes this approach safer than the general anesthesia often used for such patients in the past.

Additionally, sedation allows patients to tolerate longer treatment sessions, which is particularly beneficial for patients receiving multiple dental implants.

Not only are patients deeply relaxed during the dental implant placement procedure, the sedative leaves them with little memory of the process afterword. This is another benefit that makes sedation attractive to many patients.

The sedatives can be delivered directly into the blood stream intravenously, achieving a nearly instantaneous effect.

IV sedation is highly effective and safe, and our team takes steps to ensure patient safety during sedation, as well. Patients are monitored for any concerning changes in their condition while under sedation.

Some patients will still prefer general anesthesia to sedation, and that method is an option for dental implant placement as well. Oral surgeons who have both medical and dental training are qualified to administer anesthesia, and our personnel is trained in various resuscitative and life support techniques for the rare instances in which they are needed.

In the process of planning for your dental implants, talk with your oral surgeon about the sedation options available to you. The oral surgeon can give you guidance in making the decision by reviewing aspects of your medical history as well as your personal preferences that will affect your choice.

To learn more about your options, contact our experienced team at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to schedule a professional consultation.

Multiple Tooth Replacement: What are my options?

Replacing more than one missing tooth is a decision which can bear quite a bit of weight. It’s a decision that requires much thought, and the options can be confusing. There are a number of tooth replacement alternatives, but which is best for you?

The choice will depend on a variety of factors, and an understanding of the various options will help to make the solution to become clear. Are the missing teeth localized to a single area of the mouth, or is there a missing tooth on each side? Are the teeth in question in the front or in the back? Are the teeth currently missing, or are you facing eventual tooth loss?

Of all of the tooth replacement options, implant dentistry offers the most versatile solutions available. Dental implants are a permanent alternative that can be customized to replace individual teeth or multiple teeth. Used individually, implants closely resemble natural teeth in function, design, and appearance. Multiple implants can effectively restore a broader chewing surface. In combination with other restorations, dental implants can even enhance the effectiveness of dental bridges, partials, and dentures.

Dental bridges can be used to permanently replace one or more missing teeth, but it is important to note their limitations. Bridges must be connected to at least two neighboring natural teeth, requiring the removal of natural tooth structure. Rather than anchor directly to the underlying bone like a dental implant, a bridge is suspended above the gumline. This can make chewing, brushing, and flossing a challenge.

Dentures and partials, removable tooth replacement alternatives, offer little in terms of stability and comfort, unless they are stabilized with dental implants. Alone, these options are not anchored to a stable foundation. Instead, they rest on the gum tissue or rely on metal hooks to clasp onto neighboring teeth. Without proper stimulation, the underlying jaw bone will begin to resorb, altering the fit and feel of the dentures. However, dentures can be an appropriate tooth replacement solution when used in combination with dental implants for added support and the prevention of bone loss.

Make an informed decision when considering tooth replacement. Contact Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today for more information.

Single Tooth Replacement: What are my options?

As a long-term replacement for one or more missing teeth, dental implants are generally the most highly regarded treatment option. Partially due to the implant’s exceptional comfort and appearance, and partially due to the implant’s permanent bond to the actual jaw bone, it is a popular choice for both dentists and patients.

Over the last three decades, implant dentistry has eliminated many of the shortcomings seen in other tooth replacement alternatives.

Removable dentures or partials, for example, are designed to rest on the gum tissue which can be irritating during speaking and eating. These restorations rely on metal clasps and wires for added support, and typically include a base made from a substantial amount of plastic or metal. Where only a single tooth is missing, a removable denture or partial can be bulky and excessive.

The fixed dental bridge, a popular choice twenty years ago, also includes a number of challenges. At least two healthy teeth adjacent to the missing tooth must be significantly altered in order to anchor the bridge. As a restoration that spans the width of at least three teeth, the bridge can make chewing and oral hygiene difficult. Many patients are likely to encounter tooth decay, bone loss, and food impaction at the location of the bridge.

When your oral surgeon places a dental implant at the location of a missing tooth, you can be assured that you have received the most conservative and effective treatment available. A dental implant is virtually the same size and shape as a natural tooth. An implant is designed to stand alone, as an individual tooth, rather than rely on neighboring teeth or delicate gum tissue for support. Dental implants help to preserve the surrounding bone structure, and can be cared for in the same manner as your natural teeth.

While dental implants have become increasingly popular for the replacement of missing teeth, the process can still seem mysterious and unfamiliar for many patients. To learn more about the dental implant procedure, schedule an appointment with our top oral surgeons at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today for an informative consultation.

Dental Implants: An investment worth smiling about

implant dentistry DallasAnyone who is looking at the prospect of having to replace one or more teeth for any reason can most certainly face the dilemma of which procedure to move forward with as there are many resolutions.  A possibility worth investigation is implant dentistry in Dallas.

A dental implant should be considered if one is seeking a more permanent and aesthetically pleasing result over a quick fix that may need to be redone one or more times.  Other considerations one should think about is the long term problems you face if you have one or more missing teeth.  The ability to eat and speak with ease are impacted by missing teeth.  Not to mention the complications faced as the remaining teeth shift out of their correct position, which is natural when teeth are missing over a period of time, resulting in the possible need of more intense facial surgery or bone grafting.

Whether you have one or several teeth missing, the result obtained with dental implants will make you wonder how you ever considered anything else.  A dental implant is a device much like a small screw that is surgically placed in the gum tissue.  As the implant heals, it grafts on to existing bone providing you a lifetime of stability much like the strong root structure of a natural tooth.  During the healing process of four to six months, a temporary restoration is made to cover and protect the dental implant.

Once the healing process is completed, a permanent restoration is made to match the shape and shade of surrounding teeth to give the feel and appearance of your natural teeth.  Compare this process to getting a partial, bridge or denture.  All of these dental appliances are acceptable, but not one of them can offer you the stability, appearance and feel of the dental implant and accompanying restoration.

A conversation with your dental provider will answer any questions about the procedures available, and the investment each will involve in time spent, possible needs to repeat procedures, financial investment and final result.

Even though the initial investment might make those other options appealing, over time the likelihood of having to replace a partial, bridge or denture is almost a certainty.  However a dental implant becomes a permanent part of your anatomy giving this choice long term stability and making dental implants an investment worth smiling about.

To learn more about the dental implant procedure and to schedule a consultation, please contact Dallas Oral Surgery Associates.