Providing dental implants and dental implant restorations is a specialty of my practice. Dental implants offer a permanent, comfortable, and beautiful solution for patients missing one, several, or all of their teeth.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a titanium root substitute. Titanium is a unique, inert metal; the only metal fully accepted by the human body.

The typical implant is made of three separate parts that, when combined, perfectly blend in with your existing teeth. These parts include the actual implant, which simulates the root structure, the abutment, or coping designed to anchor the crown to the implant, and the crown itself, which is the new tooth that will replace the missing tooth.

Because it is designed to replicate a tooth’s natural root structure, the dental implant will fuse to the bone becoming a part of the jaw in a process called osseointegration. This allows the implant to become as sturdy as a normal, healthy tooth. Dental implants can also stimulate bone regeneration in the jawbone by filling in the hole left by a missing root. This prevents additional bone decay, known as resorption, and maintains a patient’s facial features.

A dental implant is the best solution for replacing a single tooth because it doesn’t typically rely on the support of surrounding teeth like in a bridge or partial. If you are unsure about what solution is right for you, or would like more information on how dental implants can improve your oral health, we have an excellent booklet I would like to give you; The Consumer’s Guide to Dental Implants, just call 817-380-3593 for your free copy and consultation.

So you have missing teeth?

Teeth are lost in many ways. Decay, root canal failure, trauma from a sudden impact, excessive wear, gum disease such as gingivitis, and congenital defects are all leading causes of tooth loss. If you have lost a tooth and would like a personal evaluation to determine your best solution, I invite you to call my practice, Marty Cloin, DDS, at 817-380-3593.

What are the advantages to dental implants over other tooth replacement methods?

When compared against a bridge or dentures, dental implants are often the best option for most patients in need of one tooth, a few teeth, or a complete arch replacement; this is because dental implants offer key advantages that these other methods can’t provide.

One of these advantages is an enhanced esthetic; because dental implants look and perform like real teeth. It is virtually impossible to detect a patient with implants. Also, because a dental implant integrates with the jawbone, worries about gum and jaw deterioration around the implant are wholly eliminated.

Another advantage is the confidence you will feel when speaking and eating. Patients with dental implants can feel confident that their implants will be free from embarrassing clicks and wobbles that may be experienced by denture patients. Also, because of their permanence, there is no fuss or mess with pastes and solutions that are used to secure dentures.

Lastly, dental implants provide patients with an overall improved level of oral health. Unlike bridges, a dental implant requires no reshaping of surrounding teeth. This leaves a patient’s healthy teeth intact with little worry about further deterioration.

What kind of Dental implants are available?

For today’s patients there are dental implant solutions to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or a complete arch. There are solutions to replace all of your teeth top and bottom.

One implant will be used for patients missing a single tooth. For patients missing a few teeth on the same side, two implants supporting a bridge will be used. For patients missing a complete arch, a minimum of four implants can be used but six implants are preferable.

Implants are placed directly in the bone tissue in a single visit.  An initial CAT scan of your jaw is taken to create a digital model of your jawbone. From that computer model the treatment plan is produced.

Augmentation, or a bone graft, is sometimes required in patients with very advanced bone resorption. A graft is used to rebuild damaged and diminished portions of the jawbone to allow for a more successful dental implantation. This is an advanced procedure and with today’s technique, patients can expect successful regeneration of bone and a healthy, stable implant.

Will I experience discomfort with a dental implant?

Patients with dental implants typically report very little if any discomfort during the procedure itself and in the subsequent healing time.

The placing of dental implants is an in-patient procedure performed under anesthesia. During a follow-up visit the single tooth restoration is performed; restorations for a full arch may require two or three follow-up visits to fine tune the fit.

After the surgery it is important to follow the post-surgery instructions while your body heals from surgery and your bone and the implant integrate with one another.

An added advantage of dental implants over a bridge or partial is the infrequency of procedures. Often a bridge needs to be replaced after eight to ten years meaning more expense.

Once I have implants, how do I take care of them?

Although not susceptible to cavities like natural teeth or a bridge, a patient should practice proper oral hygiene with routine brushing, flossing and regular check-ups. Patients who have lost teeth due to poor oral hygiene or use of tobacco products should consider a change in lifestyle to ensure the health and longevity of their gum and bone tissues.

What is my next step?

Dental implants can change your life. They are the best solution for patients missing one tooth, a few teeth, or all of their teeth. If you have been considering dental implants please don’t go another day without learning your options for a better, brighter smile. If you are in the Arlington or Mansfield area, please make a quick phone call to set up an appointment to learn more about your options.