Many patients have turned to dental implants to replace missing teeth, and with good reason. Implants outperform other methods aesthetically and structurally, and they require no more maintenance than any other tooth in the mouth.

Before placing dental implants, however, the implant dentist must be sure that the patient is an appropriate candidate and that all conditions necessary for the implant’s success are met.

When certain conditions are present in the mouth, additional treatment may be needed prior to implant placement. In particular, receding gums, which occur when the tissue moves toward the tooth’s root, may be cause for concern to your Plano implant dentist.

At a certain point, the gums will recede so much that the underlying bone begins to show through. In these cases, the titanium screw that is the dental implant may be visible, too, undermining the goal of a tooth replacement method that results in a re-creation of the natural tooth.

Additionally, gum recession can eventually lead to bone loss when left untreated. This could cause implant failure.

Fortunately, receding gums can be treated. A surgical procedure commonly known as a gum graft can correct this condition. In performing a gum graft, the oral surgeon removes a piece of soft tissue from the roof of the mouth and transplants it into the site of recession. Abnormally thin gums may also need to be grafted to ensure that the implant is not visible through the gum, even if the gum line is in the proper position.

If you’ve had an intervention to reverse gum recession, it’s important to take steps to prevent the condition from recurring after the implants have been placed. Maintain a good oral hygiene routine, keep your semiannual dentist appointments and quit smoking to increase your chances of implant success.

Patients who have noticed that their gums are receding should inform the implant dentist in advance of implant placement to determine the best course of action.

For more information and to schedule a consultation, please contact Plano Smile Studio at 972-398-2550.

Most patients want to replace a missing tooth because they’re concerned about an absent tooth’s aesthetic impact on the smile. However, it’s just as important to replace the missing tooth’s root as well. Always consult with an implant dentist when exploring tooth replacement options.

Dental implants can achieve this goal. The small screw-like structure that forms the base of the implant helps to stabilize the jaw in the same way that a biological tooth’s root does.

Because the jawbone wears away when no root is present to serve as an anchor, Dr. John M. Hucklebridge, an implant dentist in Plano, can help to prevent the erosion by placing implants. Other tooth replacement alternatives, such as bridges or dentures, don’t replicate the entire structure of the missing tooth. Therefore, those other methods allow the jawbone resorption to continue unabated, eventually changing the bone’s shape.

This erosion of the jawbone can have a wide variety of effects. Other teeth in the mouth can be compromised and lost as the bone continues to disappear. If all of the teeth are extracted, jawbone resorption can cause pinching of the mouth, resulting in an aged appearance. As the jawbone shrinks, it can affect the patient’s speech and require dietary adjustments, as well.

People who have already experienced significant bone loss resulting from missing teeth may think that they are not candidates for dental implants, but that is not the case. Certain techniques can help an implant dentist to maximize available bone for implant placement, or bone graft procedures can be used to supplement the jaw bone enough to support the implants.

Additionally, if your bone loss is due to advanced gum disease, you will need to address this issue before the dental implants can be placed. Untreated periodontal disease can still lead to bone loss, even if an implant has been placed, and continued bone loss can lead to implant failure.

Patients who need to replace missing teeth should seriously consider dental implants in Plano to stop jawbone atrophy in addition to improving the smile’s appearance.

Making the decision to replace missing teeth isn’t always easy. You must consider factors such as your health, your finances, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Fortunately, Dr. John M. Hucklebridge, a Plano implant dentist, can help to guide and advise you on the best available tooth replacement solution: dental implants.

Though dental implants have received much recognition for being the most natural and most conservative solution, the procedure still requires prior planning, open communication, and a highly motivated patient. Prior to beginning the implant procedure, your implant dentist will want to ensure that you are healthy enough to undergo surgery and motivated enough to see it to completion.

The dental implant procedure is generally a process which involves multiple phases as well as a predetermined amount of healing time between phases.

After an implant consultation and a review of your medical and dental histories, the implant procedure can begin. The initial phase of the process involves the placement of a titanium cylinder which is inserted into the bone at the site of the missing tooth. The titanium implant is specially coated to promote a strong bond between the implant and your bone. After placement, the implant is covered and protected with the surrounding gum tissue for a specified healing period.

After an average 4-6 month healing time, the implant is uncovered and a healing cap is placed. The healing cap is generally used to allow the gum tissue to heal properly around the newly exposed implant. Again, a short healing period is recommended to ensure that the gums are firm and healthy.

When your implant dentist has determined that the implant is well-accepted by the body and the gum tissue looks natural and healthy, the final phase of the process can begin. Your implant will be restored with a crown, bridge, or attached to a denture or partial. By anchoring the implant to your bone, your new restoration is more stable and more esthetically pleasing than any other tooth replacement alternative.

If you are considering your options for replacing a missing tooth, it’s time to schedule your dental implant consultation. Call 972-398-2550 for yours today.

Ask any implant dentist: the major appeal of the dental implant as a tooth replacement option is its versatility. Implants are used to replace single teeth, multiple teeth, or even an entire arch. Implants can be used to create a fixed bridge or to stabilize removable partials and dentures.

For denture wearers, your Plano implant dentist will tell you that implants are a perfect option for edentulous patients.  Implants can completely transform your denture experience by anchoring your denture to the jaw bone.

In any instance where a natural tooth is missing, there is the inevitable issue of bone loss. For patients who are missing all of the upper or lower teeth, the concern about bone loss multiplies exponentially. Typically, when a denture is created, it is designed to fit the shape and contour of the gums and bone. Over time, as the gums grow softer and bone loss occurs, the denture no longer fits. Although bone loss is a natural occurrence where there are missing teeth, living with an ill-fitting denture is anything but natural.

As the structures of the mouth begin to change shape and size, denture wearers are faced with slipping, sliding dentures that rub the soft tissue of the mouth. The resulting irritation can deter some patients from smiling, speaking and even eating comfortably.

Like natural teeth, implants are directly anchored to the jaw bone, effectively stopping bone loss. By preserving the bone, there is no risk that the implant will move or shift. Your implant dentist can then fabricate a denture that firmly attaches to the implant. According to your needs, the implants and denture can be designed in a variety of ways.

With the predictability, longevity, and versatility of dental implants, it’s no surprise that implant dentists have been able to use the procedure to improve the function and fit of ill-fitting dentures. It is unfortunate whenever a tooth is lost and devastating when all of the teeth are missing. By combining implants and dentures, edentulous patients can look forward to the comfort and security of a full set of teeth.

If you are a denture wearer who is curious about dental implants in Plano, call 972-398-2550 for your appointment today.