Dental Implants Aren’t Scary But Life Without Them Is!

Sometimes we let secondhand stories from our friends and our imaginations get the best of us. There’s nothing frightening about dental implant placement with 1st In Smiles, and you could be letting your fear get in the way of a good thing. Here are a few things you should know if you’re considering dental implants in Plano, TX.

Who’s a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably here because you’re one of the 178 million Americans missing one or more teeth. If you’re suffering from tooth loss, you could also be suffering from problems chewing, difficulties speaking, and low self-esteem. This trifecta of hardships can make getting through each day more challenging than it needs to be. If you want a fully functional smile, dental implants could be for you.

A thorough dental exam at our office will tell us if your jaw is healthy enough for implants or if it’s possible to strengthen it for dental implants through an in-office bone graft. We can also do in-office gum grafts and sinus lifts, if necessary. If you’ve looked into dental implants before and went with dentures because you weren’t a good candidate or the cost was prohibitive, new mini dental implants could change things for you. 1st In Smiles really is the full-service choice for dental implants in Plano, TX.

What Are Dental Implants?

Take a look at a picture of a tooth. There’s the top part that you see every day when you brush your teeth — that’s called the crown. Then there are the stems on the bottom of the tooth; those are called the roots. The roots keep your tooth “rooted” in your jawbone.

A dental implant acts a titanium root for replacement teeth, whether dental crowns, dental bridges, or dentures. And like the roots of your natural teeth, dental implants fuse to your jawbone for a secure hold. This fusion will keep you from the bone loss in your jaw that accompanies tooth loss and changes the shape of your face. Your replacement teeth will look and function just like your natural teeth, so you’ll be able to get back to the chewing, speaking, and smiling you did before you began to lose your teeth.

What Kind of Dental Implants Can I Get At 1st in Smiles?

At 1st In Smiles, Dr. Barfield and the trusted periodontist he partners with, can place and restore your implants in the comfort of our office. We’ll discuss the benefits of and select one of three different types of implants for you.

All-on-4^®: All-on-4 dental implants is a technique of placing dental implants that allow four dental implants to hold all of your replacement teeth to your jaw, even if you’re missing an entire set of upper or lower teeth. This means less cost and faster healing times for you.
Mini dental implants: Mini dental implants can be nearly half the size of traditional dental implants. They need less bone to anchor them to your jaw, can secure dentures, and are ideal for the loss of smaller teeth. And the smaller size means they cost less, too.
Traditional dental implants: Traditional dental implants are the tried and true full-size implant. They are ideal for replacing large teeth that have been lost, like back molars.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

If you’re concerned about pain, 1st In Smiles is fully equipped to sedate you. You and Dr. Barfield will discuss your sedation options and find the one that’s right for you. We have three different types of sedation:

Oral sedation: You’ll take a pill before your treatment that will relieve your anxiety, and you’ll have few, if any, memories of your treatment.
Nitrous oxide: You’ll inhale a gas that will relax you; we offer nitrous oxide sedation complimentary with your treatment.
IV conscious sedation: You’ll be conscious, but you won’t remember the procedure.

Are Dental Implants Difficult to Care For?

Dental implants are not difficult to care for, and we’ll make sure you leave our dental office with everything you need to know to keep your new replacement teeth in top condition. You’ll care for your new teeth much like you did your old teeth, with regular visits to our office, brushing your teeth twice a day, and flossing at least once a day.

Just like the monster under your bed when you were a kid, dental implants aren’t anything to be afraid of. Put aside your fear and schedule your appointment for dental implants today! Call our Plano, TX dental office at 972-380-8105 or use our online form — it’s easy!