Dr. Ginger Unegbu’s expertise spans various dental domains, showcasing excellence in preventive care, restorative treatments, cosmetic enhancements, and advanced dental care.
One of the most common issues for adults in America is missing teeth. In fact, research indicates that 75% of Americans are missing one or more teeth. There are several options for replacing missing teeth. However, there is one that stands out above the rest: dental implants.
Glow Up Dentistry in Richmond, TX specializes in implant dentistry. Here’s what you need to know about dental implants with our clinic.
Dental implants are restorative dental devices designed to replace the entire structure of the missing tooth. Traditional implants are made up of three parts:
The process of getting dental implants requires a major time investment. You can expect it to take a minimum of several months and, depending on your situation may take a year or more.
The first step is the initial consultation. During this visit, the dentist will perform a comprehensive examination, which will include x-rays and other necessary imaging. This will determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants and if so, will be used to determine the placement of the implants. If you need additional procedures, such as extractions, gum disease treatment, bone grafting, or sinus lifting, those will be scheduled first.
After preliminary procedures are complete, the implants can be placed. An incision is made in the gums and a hole is drilled in the jawbone. The implant screw will be placed in the hole and the incision stitched up and you will be sent home to heal, which usually takes a few months. During this time, the jawbone will be healing around and fusing with the implant, called osseointegration.
There are several things that you can do to reduce your risk of implant failure.
Durability
Research indicates that dental implants have a 95% success rate and last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. The artificial teeth may need to be replaced after 15 to 20 years but may last longer depending on oral hygiene and lifestyle habits.
Preserves jawbone health
Comfortable
Dental restorations such as bridges and dentures sit on top of your gums. This can cause friction and pressure sores. Implants are inserted into the jawbone, securing the artificial tooth/teeth in place, more like natural teeth.
Maintains appearance
Preserves neighboring teeth
When you lose a tooth, your neighboring teeth begin to shift, which can cause your teeth and bite to become misaligned. In addition, when the jawbone deteriorates, your neighboring teeth may also fall out. Dental restores the missing tooth, which prevents these issues.
Restores chewing ability/bite force
Restores speaking ability
Improves quality of life
Dental implant placement requires invasive oral surgery. However, due to advancements in dental technology, this procedure is not as painful as it would have been in the past.
Local anesthesia will be administered to the area to numb it. You will be awake, and you may feel some pressure, but you should feel no pain. If you need it, we can provide you with a sedative to allow you to sleep through the procedure.
A single dental implant costs an average of $5,000 for the implant and the surgery to place it. If you need most or all of your teeth replaced, you may want to consider a hybrid solution, such as All-on-4, which usually costs around $12,000 per arch. This replaces the entire arch of teeth with only 4 dental implants.
If you are missing one or more teeth and are interested in learning more about your tooth replacement options, schedule a consultation with Glow Up Dentistry. We will perform a comprehensive exam, including x-rays, to determine your eligibility for dental implants.
We are located at 10310 Grand Parkway, Suite 202 in Richmond, TX. We look forward to working with you to restore your smile and confidence.
Dairy products contain vitamins and minerals that are good for your body. However, you should avoid them immediately following dental implant surgery. This is because dairy has been shown to trigger inflammation, which may impact the healing of the surgical sites. In addition, dairy may also trigger nausea and vomiting, which can also impact healing.
Yes, dental implants have been proven safe for most healthy patients.
For the first few days, you’ll want to stick to a liquid diet. Then, you can transition to a soft foods diet. However, it is important to note that full healing and osseointegration may take several months. If you try to eat anything that is hard or tough during this time, you may cause the implant to crack or shift. Therefore, it’s best to wait until you are fully healed to transition back to your normal diet.
No, dental implants are artificial and will therefore not develop cavities. However, it is possible for bacteria to settle along the gumline, which can cause gum disease. Therefore, its still important to practice proper oral hygiene habits.
In some cases, dental implants can be placed on the same day as a tooth extraction. This depends on the condition of your mouth.
Yes, dental implants should be cared for like natural teeth, including proper brushing and flossing.
