Losing teeth can happen as a part of life. But that doesn’t mean that you have to keep it that way and sacrifice your quality of life. Today, it is simpler than ever to get replacement teeth. High-quality and affordable dental implants that look and work as well as your original natural teeth. At Austin Dental Care, we can restore your smile to its former shine with a dental implants treatment plan.
Dr. Glen Wainwright provides dental implants in Austin, TX to patients with missing teeth, lost teeth, bad dentures, and more. Patients who have lost one or more teeth from tooth decay or an accident will benefit from a dental implants procedure. This restorative dentistry solution offers a permanent and high-quality result after oral surgery and placement. Dr. Wainwright and his professional dental care team aim to give patients high-quality, modern dental care in a friendly office environment.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Patients who do not have periodontal disease, are non-smokers or are willing to stop smoking, and have good oral hygiene are good candidates. We prefer having a fair amount of jawbone to make it easier for dental implants to fuse to the bone, and provide a higher success rate. Although, we can provide a dental graft and bone grafting for patients with little jawbone support.
Dental Implant Procedure at Austin Dental Care
The placement of the dental implant is a simple procedure that we perform in our Austin dentist office under local anesthesia. It takes several weeks to many months to get dental implants from start to finish. Your treatment length will depend on the type of dental implant you need. First, we prepare your mouth and surgically place a strong metal post directly into your jawbone. We will allow the post to heal in place, which can take up to three or more months.
Afterwards, your dentist will attach a replacement tooth or dental crown to the post. He uses your mouth measurements to craft the crown. It should stay in place for many decades or more. It typically takes three to six months for your mouth to heal and fully accept with the dental implant.
After healing, he will uncover the dental implant and attach the crown, dental bridge or denture. Your restoration will look and function the same as your real teeth. You can brush and floss normally after dental implant surgery. Routine visits to Austin Dental Care will ensure long term health and function of the dental implant.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Even one missing tooth can disrupt the function of your mouth. Over time, this can lead to oral health problems like bite issues, TMJ, gum disease, and even bone loss. Your best way forward is to fill that gap, which is why dental implants are an effective strategy for maintaining oral health.
Unlike bridges, dental implants are capable of completely replacing a lost tooth. Our dentist surgically places dental implants in the area of a missing tooth or teeth. A crown is Then we construct a custom crown for the dental implant – and that’s it. They will remain there permanently and not require extra care. Because they do not anchor to other teeth like a bridge, dental implants treatment can benefit your overall oral health.
We make it our mission at Austin Dental Care to provide you with permanent, functional and natural looking dental implants. After a procedure with us, you will not feel the need to hide your smile anymore. Your teeth will be healthier for it! Each dental implant will fit, feel, and work just like your natural teeth; ensuring that we restore your mouth to normal function.
What Are the Advantages of a Dental Implants?
Thousands of people in Westlake find dental implants to be the ideal choice for the health of their mouth. Below are some of the biggest benefits of getting dental implants.
- Built to last. Dental implants can last a lifetime if taken care of properly.
- Reduce self-consciousness. Dental implants look just like real teeth, no one will know your secret but you.
- Retain your natural face shape and smile. Gaps from missing teeth can make your mouth look sunken, but an implant will help you maintain its shape.
- Protect bone health. Empty spaces in your gums leads to breeding grounds for dangerous bacteria, which can compromise the health of your jaw in the long run.
- No dentures. Keeping your missing teeth in a cup can grow old; but with an implant, you will never need to worry about misplacing your smile again.
Who Should Consider a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are one of the most natural dental options for anyone who has completely lost a tooth. Each implant offers a permanent solution to tooth loss because the artificial tooth directly fuses into your jawbone.
However, you need to have healthy gums and enough jawbone to be a candidate for a dental implant. Without enough jawbone, the implant might not last. For this reason, good oral hygiene is key for giving your dental implant the best chance of success.
A dental bridge, crown, or even implant-supported dentures may be an alternative choice for you if you are missing many teeth in a row or have broken teeth. Dental implants can be tricky to cover through insurance as most patients pay for them out-of-pocket. We will recommend an alternative dental procedure for your case if your dental insurance does not cover part of the cost of dental implants.
How to Maintain Your Dental Implants
Unlike traditional dental prosthetics, you do not need special products to keep your teeth implants healthy. You can maintain your dental implants just like real teeth! Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth with gentle strokes. You can also occasionally rinse your mouth with mouthwash to remove bacteria and help combat tooth decay. You should also avoid hard or sticky foods for the first few days following your dental implant procedure.
Dental Implant FAQs
Learn the answers to frequent questions about dental implants here.
What are the uses of dental implants?
Dental implants can replace a missing tooth or multiple lost teeth. Dentists can also use them to secure other restorative treatments like implant-supported bridges and dentures. If you are considering removing a natural tooth and replace it with a dental implant, make sure your dentist can save your tooth first. Real teeth are the best barrier of protection for your mouth.
Do dental implants hurt?
We use local anesthetic to numb the area before the dental implant procedure. They require a healing period of 3 to 6 months after dental implant surgery. During this period, they will fuse with the bone tissue in the jaw. You may feel some pain after the dental implant treatment, but it won’t last long. You should call our office if your pain exceeds 5 days.
How long do dental implants last?
With the right dental care, dental implants can last patients for up to 20 years or longer. Scheduling regular dental cleanings in our office, as well as brushing and flossing regularly, can help you maintain a healthy smile. Furthermore, it will not stain or need teeth whitening because we use a porcelain crown to cap the implant.
Do dentists replace wisdom teeth with dental implants?
No, we don’t replace wisdom teeth with fake teeth. They are not necessary to have, and will not affect your bite. Oral surgeons remove wisdom teeth to make space for your permanent teeth to grow.
Call our Restorative Dentist in Austin, TX for an Implant Dentistry Consultation Today
Contact Austin Dental Care at 512-518-6392 for more information about your affordable dental implants options near you. You can also request a dental exam online with Dr. Wainwright and his dental staff, and we will get back to you shortly. Do you have any remaining questions about implant dentistry? Our dental care team in Lost Creek will be happy to answer them for you. We serve communities in West Austin, Lost Creek, West Lake Hills, Barton Creek, and all of Travis County, Texas.