Do you have one or more missing teeth? Are you suffering from a denture that slips or is uncomfortable? Longview Family Dental offers comprehensive treatment with dental implants in Longview, TX, to meet your tooth replacement needs with the best possible outcome.
Our dental care team can help you restore natural function and aesthetics with dental implants, giving you a new smile that feels like it has always been there. Longview Family Dental provides implants as a part of our restorative dental services in Longview, Texas. Restoring one or more missing teeth with dental implants
What is a Dental Implant?
A single implant has multiple components that work together to create a long-lasting restoration:
- Post: The implant post is made of titanium, a biocompatible material often used in the medical field. These materials are safe for the human body. Implant posts act as new, replacement tooth roots. The surgeon will place this post in the jaw bone.
- Abutment: Once the post fuses with the jaw bone, we place this metal piece to connect the post to your crown, bridge, or denture. Abutments may be standard or angled.
- Prosthetic: If you have a missing tooth, you can get a dental crown. We may use multiple implants to secure bridges and dentures. Our office works with dental labs that create tooth-colored restorations.
How many implants do I need?
The number of implants you need will depend on your number of missing teeth and the type of restoration. However, we do not need to replace every missing tooth with an implant. We can use as few as four implants to support a tooth arch called All-on-Four.
Why Choose Dental Implants in Longview, TX?
Today’s patients can enjoy options to meet their unique needs when replacing missing teeth. Our dentists will recommend using dental implants whenever possible because of the key benefits that they can offer for oral health and quality of life.
- Reducing bone loss in the jaw: Loss of bone in the jaw where a tooth has been lost is a common effect of tooth loss. Dental implants stabilize jaw bone and minimize the loss that can affect the appearance of your jawline.
- Normal speech: Without the fear of a slipping denture or appliance, dental implants can restore your ability to speak with clarity and confidence. Implants help your new teeth stay firmly in position, so you can speak clearly and confidently. You can talk, laugh, and express yourself with confidence.
- No diet restrictions: Your new, permanent tooth or teeth allow for normal biting and chewing, so you enjoy your favorite food again. You can eat without restrictions against hard or crunchy foods. Implants are designed to handle the normal forces of chewing, so you can enjoy a varied and healthy diet without limitations. This ability to eat freely helps you maintain good nutrition and enjoy mealtime to the fullest.
- Preserve natural teeth: We do not need to reshape existing teeth to secure your restoration in place. Instead, implants restore missing teeth at the root. Because the implant is anchored in the jawbone, it doesn’t rely on adjacent teeth for support. This approach preserves your natural teeth and ensures that the new tooth feels and functions naturally.
Placing Dental Implants: What to Expect
We can replace a single missing tooth, a row of teeth, or a full arch of teeth with dental implants. Our dentists will evaluate your tooth replacement needs, the condition of your smile, and the stability of your jawbone. Thorough diagnostics and treatment planning are essential for a healthy, comfortable, and lasting outcome.
Our dental care team will meet with you and create a personalized treatment plan for restoring your missing teeth. If your jawbone needs augmentation to support the implant, we will recommend a bone graft or sinus lift before placing dental implants.
Placing the Post
The first step in placing your new implant is surgically placing the titanium post into the jaw. The post is placed directly into a healthy jawbone and acts as a prosthetic tooth root. During treatment, we use local anesthetic for your comfort. We may also place a healing cap on the implant.
Healing
After this procedure, there is a healing period of several weeks to months. During this time, the process of osseointegration will incorporate the post into surrounding bone tissue, providing a secure and permanent result. We will provide instructions for at-home care. Our office will recommend keeping the area clean and eating soft foods directly after surgery.
Abutment Placement
Then, once the post and surrounding gum tissue have healed, we will place the abutment. This piece will connect the implant to your restoration. Your gums will need time to heal after placement. This healing can take multiple weeks.
Final Restoration
This can be a dental crown, bridge, or denture. We will take dental impressions of your smile and send them to a dental lab. Our dentist will also make measurements and color-match your teeth for a natural appearance.
Once your gums heal fully, you will return to our office so we can place your final prosthesis. We will double-check the fit and color of your false teeth before we place them on the implant abutments.
How to Care for Dental Implants
Just like your natural teeth, you need to care for your implants. Caring for your implants is essential to maintaining good oral hygiene and ensuring the long-term success of your implant treatment.
Brush and Floss
A good oral hygiene routine is essential following implant treatment. Peri-implantitis is an infection that can lead to implant failure. Infection in the teeth and gums surrounding implants can destabilize the implant post. The best way to prevent this issue is proper brushing and flossing.
When flossing, you can use a floss threader or water flosser. These types of floss help patients get under their restorations.
When you brush, avoid abrasive toothpaste. These toothpastes can scratch the surfaces of your dental implants. Instead, opt for a mild, fluoride toothpaste to protect your implants and natural teeth from decay.
Avoid Bad Habits
While implants and implant restorations are durable, bad habits can damage your restorations. After treatment, avoid biting your nails, chewing on ice, or using teeth as tools. You can damage your natural teeth and implants.
We also recommend that patients stop smoking before implant treatment. Smoking or using tobacco products during the implant process can lead to implant failure. The nicotine restricts the blood vessels, which slows healing. As a result, your implant posts may not heal properly. You can begin smoking again 2 months after implant placement.
Visit the Dentist
Please continue to schedule regular check-ups in our office. At these visits, we will thoroughly clean your implants, teeth, and gums. We will also examine your implant to ensure they stay stable. These visits also allow us to find any problems with your oral health or restorations early.
Ready to learn more about dental implants?
If you would like to explore your treatment options with dental implants in Longview, TX, or need a second opinion on tooth replacement, schedule a consultation with one of our dentists. You may also call 903-662-7811
We welcome new patients and can help you achieve your needs and goals with personalized dental care. If you have questions about implants, we can answer them at your next visit.