Dental Implants In Cibolo & Schertz
Dental implants are one of the most revolutionary advancements in dentistry. These dental prostheses make it possible for patients suffering from tooth loss to replace a missing tooth permanently, while preventing bone loss and other common issues. Dr. Patel of Cibolo Family Smiles is meticulous and he will work tirelessly to ensure that your implant restoration looks and feels completely natural.
.jpg)
Am I A Good Candidate For Dental Implants?
Since implants are surgically placed and require the proper healing of your gums and jaw bone, candidates for treatment must meet certain criteria:
- Your mouth must be relatively healthy and you must have adequate gum tissue and jaw bone to support a dental implant
- If your jaw bone has been weakened due to bone resorption, you may require a preparatory bone graft or a sinus lift to add more bone to the implant site
- Non-smokers are better candidates for implants because smoking dramatically increases the risk of complications during the healing process
- Implant treatment requires multiple appointments over a period of at least 3-6 months, so candidates must be patient and willing to invest time in their dental health
Understanding The Implant Process
Consult with Dr. Patel: During your consultation, Dr. Patel will examine your mouth, take x-rays, and ensure that you’re a good candidate for an implant. We’ll also take an impression of your mouth in our Cibolo dental office to prepare your future tooth.
Implant placement: Your placement appointment will involve surgically inserting the implant into your gums. This implant will eventually function as an artificial tooth root once your gums heal.
Restoration placement: A restoration is a dental prosthetic that is created to look just like a natural tooth. This can be a crown, bridge, or denture, depending on your specific needs. During this visit, Dr. Patel will attach your custom restoration to your implant and give you a beautiful, natural-looking replacement tooth.
.jpg)
Single Tooth And Full Arch Restorations
If you have chipped or damaged teeth, gaps, or severe stains, veneers can restore your smile quickly. Veneers are made of durable porcelain ceramic materials, and they are designed to fit perfectly over the front surfaces of teeth to enhance aesthetics and cover imperfections. The process of having veneers placed typically takes only two short appointments, so you can improve your smile quickly with this minimally invasive treatment.
What Are My Other Options?
Dental implants are a permanent replacement option that require invasive surgery. For patients in Cibolo or Schertz who are looking for less extensive treatment or removable options, dental bridges or partial dentures are a good alternative. During your consultation, Dr. Patel will go over all of your restorative options, your needs and preferences, and your budget to help you choose the treatment that works best for you and your smile.
How Long Do Implants Last?
The lifespan of dental implants is usually 30+ years, and if you take proper care of your mouth by brushing twice a day, flossing once per day, and seeing Dr. Patel for six-month oral exams and teeth cleanings at Cibolo Family Smiles, your implants can last even longer. Most people can keep their dental implants for the rest of their lives.
However, this does not mean that the dental implant restoration, such as a crown or bridge, won’t wear out before then. The dental implant itself is not exposed to any wear and tear, since it’s securely attached to your gum and jaw bone.
But the crown or another implant restoration is exposed to wear and tear from chewing, biting, and eating, and may loosen or fail eventually. Seeing your dentist regularly will ensure that your implant and implant restoration remain in good shape.
Does It Hurt To Get Dental Implants?
No. Dental implant surgery is minimally-invasive, especially compared to other surgeries like tooth extractions. Dr. Patel will also completely numb the treatment area before your surgery begins so that you won’t feel any discomfort.
Dr. Patel will provide you with a set of recovery instructions that you will need to follow to speed up the healing process and minimize your pain.
What Are Dental Implant Restorations?
The term “dental implant” is often used to refer to both the implant, and the dental prosthetic that replaces your natural tooth. However, this is not technically correct. The term “dental implant” refers to the small piece of metal that is placed in your gums and jaw, and then heals and becomes a natural part of your mouth.
The term “dental implant restoration” is what’s used by dentists to refer to the dental prosthetic that replaces your missing tooth. For simple, single-tooth dental implants, this is usually a porcelain dental crown.
However, a few other types of dental implant restorations exist. Implant-supported bridges, for example, attach to 2 dental implants and can restore a row of 2, 3 or more missing teeth, similarly to traditional, crown-supported bridges.
Implant-supported dentures are also a widely available type of dental implant restoration. This type of dentures uses a special design that snaps onto a series of 4-6 dental implants. The implants lock the dentures in place and keep them from moving, so implant-supported dentures look, feel, and function just like natural teeth, unlike traditional dentures.
To learn more and find out what type of dental implant restorations may be right for you, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Niraj Patel at Cibolo Family Smiles. Together, you can discuss your options, learn more about each type of restoration, and find out the best way to restore your smile and your bite with dental implants.