Dental Implant Restorations
in Austin, TX
If you’re missing one or more teeth, you may want to consider dental implants. The dental implant process is a two-part procedure to fill in the gaps from your missing teeth. Implants are a popular tooth replacement method among patients and doctors alike. Contact us to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants!
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What Are Dental Implants?
The dental implant itself is a tiny titanium post surgically placed into your jawbone, acting as a stable and solid foundation for a tooth restoration. At Southwest Smiles, we work closely with your oral surgeon to finish the dental implant process by placing the natural-looking tooth restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) after your oral surgeon places the implants.
The Dental Implant Process
The first step of the implant procedure is the placement process performed by your oral surgeon. They put the dental implant(s) into your jaw and once your jawbone heals, we’ll take over from there. We create custom dental crowns, bridges, or snap-on dentures to snap onto the implants. Once the restoration is secured, you’ll be able to eat, laugh, and talk with ease again!
Types of Dental Implant Restorations
Crown restorations are a common way to complete a dental implant. After taking a mold of your tooth, we design a dental crown that matches your other teeth and attaches to your dental implant. While we make your dental crown, we’ll provide you with a temporary restoration until it’s done.
Bridges
Bridges have crowns on each end with replacement teeth in the middle to fill in the space. For patients missing multiple teeth in a row, we can design a custom, implant-supported bridge that attaches to two implants placed on either side of the gap.
Dentures
For patients missing some or all of their teeth, we may recommend implant-supported dentures. Our denture restorations securely snap onto your dental implants, so you won’t have to worry about them moving or shifting around. They are a comfortable way to get a smile you’ll love without dealing with loose, ill-fitting dentures.
Fill in the GapsFrequently Asked Questions
Are dental implants permanent?
Dental implants are considered a permanent tooth-replacement method. Once an implant successfully fuses with the jawbone, it is typically never removed unless it needs to be repaired or replaced, which is quite rare. Implant crowns have a similar lifespan to traditional dental crowns, and may need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear. In those cases, our team can design a new custom implant crown to attach to the implant.
Do dental implants hurt?
At Southwest Smiles, we always want our patients to feel as comfortable as possible. During your dental implant placement, local anesthetic will be used to numb the area before any incisions are made. However, you may still feel some pressure during the procedure. We will also provide you with post-op instructions to help you have a quick and pleasant recovery once your treatment is complete.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Patients who want to receive one or more dental implants should be generally healthy in terms of oral and overall health. Certain autoimmune disorders, medications, and lifestyle habits like smoking also need to be taken into consideration before a patient can be approved for a dental implant placement. If you are interested in learning more about dental implants and whether or not you would be a good candidate, we recommend scheduling a consultation with our team.