Are you missing one or more teeth? Dental implants are the best choice for replacing missing teeth. They work like natural teeth and can support a custom crown, bridge, or denture. No matter how many teeth you’re missing, dental implants can help. At Flower Mound Dental, we offer dental implants as part of our restorative services to bring back your smile.
Dental Implants in Flower Mound, TX
A dental implant consists of three parts, the post, an abutment, and the crown. First, we place a titanium post into your jawbone. This acts like the root of a tooth and holds your restoration in place. Next, an abutment connects the post to the final restoration.
For a single tooth, the restoration will be a custom-made crown. If you need to replace more teeth, we may use a bridge or denture. Each will match your natural smile.
There are two main types of dental implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. Endosteal implants are the most common and look like small screws placed directly in the jawbone. If your bone isn’t strong enough, we can use subperiosteal implants, which go under the gum but sit on top of the jawbone.
We can also perform a bone graft if you don’t have enough healthy bone for implants. This involves adding bone to the area where the implant will go. The graft helps new bone grow and make your jaw strong enough to support an implant.
The Dental Implant Process
The first step in getting dental implants is having a consultation to figure out if implants are right for you. We’ll check your mouth, take digital images, and discuss your health, dental needs, and budget. These images also help us see if your jawbone is strong enough for the implants. If it isn’t, you might need a bone graft first, which will need time to heal before we move forward.
A bone graft is for patients whose jawbone isn’t thick or strong enough to support an implant. The bone needs to be sturdy since implants anchor directly into your jaw, just like natural tooth roots. The implant could fail without a solid foundation.
During a bone graft, we add material to weak or thin areas of your jaw. This material might come from another part of your body, a donor, or a synthetic option that acts like natural bone. Over time, the graft helps your jawbone grow and become stronger. Once it heals, your jaw will have the strength to hold the implant securely.
Implant surgery is the next step. We place small titanium posts into your jawbone. It takes about 3 to 6 months for the posts to fuse with the bone. While you heal, we’ll provide a temporary restoration so you can still eat and smile.
After the healing process, we’ll take impressions of your teeth to design your permanent restoration. A dental lab will create a custom crown, bridge, or denture that fits perfectly with your smile. We’ll attach it to the implant posts once it’s ready, and your new smile will be complete!
Why Choose Dental Implants?
Dental implants are one of the best ways to replace missing teeth. They offer benefits that other options just can’t match. We always recommend implants whenever possible.
Restoring Function and Protecting Your Jaw
Implants are unique because they replace both the tooth root and the crown. Losing a tooth root weakens your jawbone over time because it no longer gets stimulation from chewing. Implants bond with your jawbone to keep it strong and healthy while preventing more bone loss.
Dentures or bridges can shift or need replacing as your jawbone shrinks. Implants provide a stable and long-term solution. They keep your restoration secure and in place without needing constant adjustments.
Implants also give you full chewing power. Removable dentures only restore about 30–40% of your bite strength. This means you can enjoy all your favorite foods, even crunchy ones like apples or carrots.
Improving Appearance and Confidence
Your face can look sunken or saggy and add years to your appearance when your jawbone shrinks. Dental implants keep your facial structure intact, so your face looks natural and youthful.
Missing teeth can also make you feel self-conscious about your smile. With dental implants, you get a natural-looking restoration that blends in perfectly with your other teeth. You can even choose the shade to match your smile. The result is a seamless and confident look that helps you feel great about showing off your teeth.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Our team of experienced dentists offer a comfortable, patient-centered experience with high-quality restorations. Dental implants could be the solution you’re looking for to replace missing teeth. Give us a call or schedule an appointment online.