Implants in place of dentures

People have been living with missing teeth for generations. Even George Washington lost most of his, and wore wooden ones to help him get by. But in this day and age, people have many options.

The most common is the removable prosthetic, know as a denture. This needs to be taken out every day and cleaned, and they only last a few years, so people who learn about other ways to go usually opt for something else. The 2^nd most popular replacement is a bridge, a fixed tooth that is attached to the surrounding teeth to be held in place permanently. These 2 are the most popular, and the one’s used most often for the past several years. However, there is a relatively new technique called a dental implant. Dental Implants have taken their place as the #1 preferred way to replace missing teeth.

Plano dental implants are replacement teeth that are anchored into the jaw bone that provide all the natural use of a real tooth, and none of the decay that can go along with them.  Over the years, the patients gums will grow around the implants, and make it look as natural as all the other teeth, such that nobody will be able to tell the difference.

Having one tooth replaced with a dental implant is a procedure that can be taken care of in the Dallas dentist’s chair, and takes about an hour on the first visit. Sedation varies among patients, but can consist of at least a local atheistic, and maybe some nitrous oxide to help patients relax a little more.

Once a tooth is extracted, the dentist will insert the implants, and allow it to heal a few weeks before he moves onto step #2 – inserting a post, also known as an abutment. 

This waiting period only lasts a few weeks, and a temporary replacement tooth is put in place to make the patient feel more comfortable in the mean time.

When the patient is ready, the doctor will insert an abutment, or post, that will provide something for the permanent tooth something to grasp on to. Impressions will be taken; so the permanent tooth will be an exact fit. Teeth are as unique as a finger print, and must be precisely made if they are going to fell and work like the real thing.

This whole procedure will take approximately 3-6 months, depending on the individual. It is not uncommon to have an implant put in place on the same visit as an extraction, limiting the trips back to the dentist. This is known as ‘immediate implant placement’. The Dentist of Allen, TX will discuss all your options with you before any work is started because he understand what you are going through, and will do all they can to return you to normalcy; as fast as possible.