Dental Implants

Consider getting dental implants if you’ve lost some or all of your permanent teeth to dental extractions, trauma, or other oral health problems. At SolidSMILES Dental in Lewisville, Texas, general dentist Hiral Patel, DDS, specializes in dental implant placement. Dental implants promote good oral health and provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable dental restorations. Call SolidSMILES Dental to schedule a dental implant consultation, or book your appointment online today. 

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are small metal posts that replace your natural tooth roots. During a quick outpatient procedure, Dr. Patel places them into your empty tooth sockets. The implants integrate with your bone and provide a base for restorations, like crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Because dental implants integrate with your jaw, they’re more comfortable and longer-lasting than traditional dental restorations. They also preserve oral health and reduce the risk of common dental issues, including gum recession and bone loss.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Dental implants provide various benefits, including:

• Improved oral health
• Easier biting and chewing
• Clearer speech
• Enhanced comfort
• Confidence

Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. They also require no special maintenance. Simply brush and floss them daily to keep them in good shape.

Who qualifies for dental implants?

You need healthy gums and plenty of bone to support the metal tooth roots to receive dental implants. If you have periodontal disease or poor bone volume, Dr. Patel treats those problems first. For example, she might recommend periodontal treatment or a bone graft before moving forward.

During your initial consultation, tell Dr. Patel if you have underlying health problems, like high blood pressure or diabetes. These conditions won’t prevent you from getting dental implants, but they can increase your risk of complications, so Dr. Patel must be aware. 

What does getting dental implants involve?

Getting dental implants takes several visits spaced over several months.

If Dr. Patel determines you’re a candidate for treatment, she numbs your mouth with a local anesthetic and inserts the dental implants into your empty tooth sockets. The number of implants you get depends on how many permanent teeth are missing and the type of restoration you want. 

After implant placement, Dr. Patel prescribes antibiotics and pain medication. She covers your dental implants with temporary restorations and provides recovery instructions.

Once the dental implants finish integrating with your bone, you return to SolidSMILES Dental. Dr. Patel takes 3D scans of your mouth and sends them to a dental lab that manufactures custom implant restorations, like dental bridges, implant-retained dentures, and crowns.

When the lab finishes your custom implant restorations, you visit SolidSMILES Dental one last time. Dr. Patel removes your temporary restorations, replaces them with permanent ones, and polishes your teeth. 

Call SolidSMILES Dental to schedule a dental implant consultation, or book your appointment online today.