Get a permanent, reliable solution to missing teeth with dental implants in Dallas from Dr. William Huckin. Dental implants replace a missing tooth or many lost teeth. Our affordable dental implants offer the most natural-looking option for replacing teeth and permanently securing a beautiful smile.
A dental implant is a custom-made tooth replacement prosthetic. Dental implants consist of three separate parts and mimic the natural structure of your real teeth. They look, feel, and function like natural teeth and require no special care beyond your usual dental hygiene habits.
Our dentist will surgically place the dental implant into your jawbone where a tooth is missing. We also recommend dental implants to our patients pursuing full or partial dentures. Dental implants can permanently secure dentures and dental bridges so you don’t have to worry about them slipping around.
Dallas dental implant specialist Dr. William Huckin is here to provide his professional advice. Our dental practice can replace a single tooth, a set of teeth, or a full arch with a number of implants.
We understand that some of our patients are curious about the benefits of surgically implanting a prosthetic tooth. Dental implants are worth considering for tooth replacement because of their benefits. Dental implants offer many advantages over other missing teeth treatment options. Often, patients find that dental implants meet their long-term dental needs and goals.
Some advantages of getting a single dental implant include the following:
- Permanent, reliable result
- Reduces bone loss in the jaw
- Natural aesthetic, tooth-like appearance
- No daily adhesives for dentures or partials
- Allows for comfortable speech and eating
- No lifestyle adjustments
The Dental Implant Process
The process begins with a thorough dental exam. Dr. Huckin will need to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants before recommending them. You will need to be healthy, have good oral health, and enough jaw bone for the implant post. We can provide additional procedures like bone grafting to prepare you for dental implants.
If you qualify, we will create a treatment plan and begin. Our dentist or oral surgeon will surgically place the implant post into your jawbone. The implant post consists of surgical-grade titanium that your body will not reject.
After oral surgery, we will let your jaw heal for 3 to 6 months. Dr. Huckin will make sure that it integrates into your bone before moving to the next phase. This post is what allows your dental implant to give you the durability that you desire. So it’s important to be patient during the healing process.
After the healing process is complete, we will attach an abutment to the post. This abutment will hold the dental crown in place. Once complete, your crown will function like a regular tooth and blend in seamlessly with your smile.
Most of our patients experience some form of dental anxiety over the surgical portion of dental implants. If this is the case for you, know that Dr. Huckin will help. Our team uses a local anesthetic and can provide sedation to ensure that we limit all pain and discomfort.
Dr. Huckin will discuss an after-care plan with you prior to the surgery as well. He may give you instructions on how to help your mouth heal. We will prepare and inform you about the entire process to put you at ease.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dentists consider dental implants as one of the most successful tooth replacement options for their numerous benefits. They offer cosmetic as well as dental health benefits that contribute to the health, function, and beauty of your smile. Some of the benefits include:
- Patients can enjoy their favorite foods and beverages without restriction. Dental implants are a more secure and stable solution because they replace the natural tooth root. This allows patients to enjoy their food without fear of slippage or uncomfortable chewing.
- Our dental implants will help stimulate jaw bone growth. Many patients experience bone density loss in their jaw when they lose a tooth. This can result in facial sagging, difficulty chewing, and other complications. However, dental implants can prevent all that.
- Implants look and function like your real teeth. You can enjoy a natural-looking smile once we place and attach the dental implants to complete the procedure.
- They don’t require a lot of extra maintenance either. Removable options like dentures require adhesive to stay in the mouth. Denture adhesive can be extremely messy and requires specific tools and soaks to clean properly. With dental implants, all you have to do is brush and floss your teeth like normal.
Maintaining Your New Dental Implants
On the day of your procedure, brush and floss gently around the implant site. Instead of rinsing, be extra gentle and let everything drip out of your mouth. Rinsing normally can harm the surgical site. Take care to avoid brushing or flossing directly on the implant site.
The day after the procedure, you can begin rinsing with warm salt water a few times each day. This will keep the implant site clean and promotes healing. You may also need to use a cotton swab to clean the abutment.
Care After Surgery
In the days after the implant surgery, you’ll experience some bleeding and discomfort. Red saliva a day or two after the surgery is normal. For swelling and soreness, use cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medications.
We may also prescribe prescription pain medications for your recovery. If we prescribe antibiotics, be sure to take them exactly as the directions state. These medicines lessen the chance of infection after the procedure.
Stick to a soft diet for 3 to 4 days after the surgery. Avoid any hard and tough foods, hot liquids, and spicy foods. They can compromise the healing process or cause you pain.
You should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as well, as these impact the healing time and make healing take longer. Even after these few days, try not to bite down or chew directly in the area of the implant site.
Care After Final Restoration Placement
One of the biggest perks of dental implants is that you can take care of them just like natural teeth. You simply brush and floss regularly and come into the office every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
Certain products are better than others for implant care. First, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure you’re also using non-abrasive toothpaste. Otherwise, you will scratch your healing mouth and you don’t want to do that.
Avoid any dental products that are hard or metal. Try not to bite down on your implants with anything extremely hard, like ice, as this can crack the dental crown. The better you take care of your teeth, the longer your restoration is going to last.
Dental Implant FAQs
What is the cost of dental implants?
The cost of a single dental implant can vary depending on many factors. Factors including the location of your missing tooth and type of dental implant you need. Your dental insurance coverage may help, but most providers will not cover the cost because it’s an elective procedure. However, we can help you find financing options and payment plans.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
The best thing about dental implants is that they can improve your biting and chewing ability. We craft them from durable material that will naturally reflect light like real tooth enamel can do. Some patients may even forget that they have dental implants after their treatment because they look and feel like real teeth.
Do dental implants hurt?
We use an anesthetic during the dental implant procedure to numb the area. The procedure will also require a healing period of 3 to 6 months, during which they fuse with bone tissue in the jaw. You may feel some temporary pain during the healing period and after treatment. You should call our office if your pain exceeds several days.
How long do dental implants last?
With the right dental care, they can last for a lifetime. Brushing and flossing regularly can help you maintain a healthy dental implant and attractive smile. Scheduling regular dental cleanings will help our dentist monitor the success of your dental implant procedure.
Can dental implants fail?
Dental implants have a high success rate. However, dental implants can fail to stay in place for a few reasons. Implants often fail to integrate with the jaw bone if patients smoke or use tobacco during healing.
Nicotine restricts the blood vessels, which lengthens healing time. Peri-implantitis, or an infection surrounding the implant, can also loosen the anchor. We will make sure our patients are healthy before implant treatment to ensure dental implants do not fail.
Do dental implants affect MRI scans?
No, dental implants will not affect medical scans, including MRI scans. We use a small amount of titanium during implant treatment, so it will not affect these scans. However, we advise that you inform your doctor about your dental implants prior to undergoing an MRI.
Request a Dental Implant Consultation Today
We understand that you may have more questions or concerns regarding implant dentistry. Our Dallas dental office is here to answer any of your questions. Request a dental exam with Dr. Huckin to have our team review your needs and help you find the best treatments for your smile.