Dental Implants
Restore Your Smile with Dental Implants
Do you have missing, damaged teeth? Many of our Cedar Park patients at Town Center Dental prefer to use dental implants to restore their smiles. Manufactured to last a lifetime with the proper care, dental implants are surgical-grade root devices that support permanent tooth prosthetics. These artificial roots are anchored in the bone beneath your gums where they become fused into your jaw. A crown is then mounted atop the implant for a long-lasting, natural-looking smile. Many dentists and patients prefer dental implants because they offer the same function as natural teeth, while also helping to prevent bone atrophy in the jaw.
Over 3 Million People Have Dental Implants
Did you know that approximately 30 million people live with no natural teeth in one or both jaws? More and more dental patients are opting for dental implants as a means of tooth replacement, and not just at Town Center Dental. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry reports that as many as 3 million people currently have dental implants – a number that’s rapidly growing by about 500,000 per year. Modern titanium implants were first developed in the 1950s, but archeologists have determined that ancient Egyptians and Mayans were the first cultures to implant artificial teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
Q. What should I expect if my dentist and I decide dental implants are right for me?
A. The placement of dental implants is a multi-step process that typically takes between 6 and 9 months to complete. It begins with a surgical procedure during which a titanium rod is placed where a previous natural tooth root once was. The gums are sutured shut over the implant, where it will stay for several months while it heals and begins fusing with the surrounding bone. Due to the nature of implant placement and its average procedure time of between one and two hours, you’ll be sedated and/or anesthetized for the duration of the treatment. After healing period, you’ll return to be fitted for permanent crowns and have them placed.
Q. Are dental implants right for me?
A. You may qualify for dental implants if you have missing, broken or severely decayed teeth and are in relatively good overall health. The only way of determining your eligibility for implants is to consult with an oral care provider to identify whether you have adequate bone support and healthy gums to support the new tooth structure.
Q. What type of post-treatment care will I require?
A. It’s normal to have some discomfort, including bruising and swelling after a dental implant procedure. Inflammation and pain may be managed with over-the-counter medications, hydrocodone or codeine. You may be asked to eat only soft foods for two weeks until the surgical site heals.
Request a Consultation with Our Cedar Park Dentist
Interested in learning more about dental implants in our Cedar Park dental office? Contact Town Center Dental via phone or email to schedule a consultation with our dentist to see if dental implants are right for you. We’d be more than happy to go over the procedure with you in greater detail, so you can make a well-informed decision about your dental care!