A dental implant consists of a piece of threaded pure titanium (the “root”) that is placed in the jawbone and allows us to replace a missing tooth with a restoration.

With an implant, you can replace a missing tooth without having to compromise the teeth next to the open space, as you would with a bridge or partial denture. Additionally, conventional bridges and dentures are not fixed to the bone, and can, therefore, be unstable. Implants not only look more natural but feel and act more like normal teeth, with a stronger biting force.

The Dr. works with a very skilled periodontist who specializes in placing implants. Once your implant is placed and the site has healed, the Dr. will create a crown to restore the implant and complete treatment. We typically use all-porcelain zirconia crowns for back teeth, as they are stronger and hold up well to heavy chewing. We use E-Max crowns for front teeth, as they have better aesthetic qualities.

IMPLANT CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Implants can’t get cavities, but they are susceptible to gum disease. You’ll need to care for your implant just as you would any tooth, by brushing and flossing it regularly and visiting our Plano dental office every six months for professional cleanings.

Implant Restoration 

If you’ve lost a tooth, your dentist may have recommended getting a dental implant to fill the empty space and allow for the optimal function of your teeth. The dental implant itself is only a replacement for the root of the lost tooth, so after the implant has been placed, you’ll still need to get a restoration or replacement tooth. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth.

To make the new tooth or teeth, your dentist will make an impression of your existing teeth, creating a model of your bite. The new restoration, most typically a crown, will be based on this model so it will blend in perfectly with the rest of your teeth. The crown is then attached to the connector point (abutment) on your implant.

Replacing a lost tooth is essential to a healthy mouth and a healthy body. It will provide you with increased aesthetics of course, but will also improve your speech, ease of eating, and oral hygiene.