Dental implants are the most popular tooth-replacement option for men and women who have loose or missing teeth. Our doctors at Fort Worth Oral Surgery see thousands of patients every year, many of whom are interested in having dental implants placed. They understand how stressful it can be to find out that you need to have teeth replaced, but with our caring team, we can help turn your situation into a positive experience. To learn more about what’s involved in the dental implant process, keep reading.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are small titanium rods that our doctors place into the jawbone where patients have missing teeth. These rods act as anchors and replace your original tooth roots. Dental implants need to heal after they’ve been placed in the jawbone so that they can fuse with the bone and develop a strong foundation for your new artificial teeth.
If you have loose or missing teeth, the lack of natural tooth roots can cause the jawbone to deteriorate. By having dental implants placed, your jawbone is stimulated and will remain strong. In addition, dental implants also work to preserve or restore your facial structure that can be lost when you have missing teeth for a long period of time.
What Happens When I Come In For Dental Implants?
When you come in for your dental implants consultation in our office, our doctors will examine your mouth, take x-rays, and discuss your entire medical history. It is important that you are open and honest about every aspect of your medical background so our doctors can develop the best and safest treatment plan to meet your needs.
In order to be considered for dental implants, patients must:
- Have a loose or missing tooth, or multiple teeth
- Be in good physical health
- Be in good psychological health
- Be a non-smoker or promise to quit smoking X weeks before and X weeks after your dental implant procedure
If our doctors decide you are a good candidate to receive dental implants, they will determine whether or not you will need any pre-surgeries before placing your implants. Possible pre-surgeries could include:
- Tooth extraction
- Gum graft
- Bone graft
- Sinus lift
When you’re ready to have your dental implants placed in our office, you will receive sedation dentistry to make your experience comfortable and pain-free. After you have been given the sedation option you and your doctor decided on prior to your surgery day; he will then get to work strategically placing your dental implants into your jawbone. Most often, each dental implant will hold one tooth, but sometimes two teeth could be supported by one implant. Our doctors will customize your procedure, including the number of implants needed, based on your jawbone health and mouth structure.
After our doctors at have placed your dental implants, you will be fitted with temporary teeth while your implants heal and fuse to your jawbone. After you have healed, you will return to our office to finish the dental implant process. Once our doctors verify your implants are secured into your jawbone, your restorative dentist will place your permanent teeth.
Fort Worth Oral Surgery Can Restore Your Smile
Our doctors are committed to excellence. They are each lifelong residents of the Fort Worth area and have been serving the local community for more than 40 years.
To schedule your initial consultation to discuss dental implants, call our office today at (817) 731-2789 or fill out the contact form!