With no promise of a tooth fairy and no new tooth growing in its place, losing a tooth as an adult can be a disheartening experience. In fact, adult tooth loss can impact your appearance, oral health, and emotional well-being. At Benage Dental Care in Cleburne, TX, we understand the pain of tooth loss and the importance of a complete and functional smile.
If you’re missing a single tooth or need extensive work done, dental implants from Benage Dental Care offer a revolutionary solution to restore both the aesthetic and functional aspects of your smile. Read below to see how dental implants can benefit a wide variety of dental concerns.
Do You Need Dental Implants?
Drs. Mark and AnneMarie Benage often use dental implants to help repair damaged teeth that have been affected by the issues below. This isn’t an exhaustive list, so if you are dealing with any other dental difficulties, feel free to give us a call and consult our professional dental staff.
Cavities
When cavities aren’t treated properly, they can cause severe damage to the rest of your teeth. If you have a cavity that has caused dental decay in your tooth root, dental implants can help by replacing dead roots with a metal root-like device.
Bruxism
Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, can damage the roots of your teeth. This bad habit breaks away at the enamel of your teeth, making them more vulnerable to infection and cavities. Dental implants help to repair root damage caused by bruxism and other unhealthy dental habits.
Gum Disease
Late-stage gum disease causes permanent damage to your oral health. This more severe form of gum disease, known as periodontitis, often results in severely broken and even missing teeth roots. Dental implants can replace missing roots to prevent bone loss and kickstart the healing process for your gums.
Dental Trauma
Sports accidents, sudden falls, and even eating certain foods often lead to damaged or missing teeth. Dental implants are a great resource to restore the functionality and durability of your smile. These tools give you added reassurance and confidence to go about your day.
Dental Implants and Prosthetics
Once the implants are placed, we will use a dental prosthetic to restore your smile’s functionality and look. A dental prosthetic is an artificial tooth that replaces or covers damaged teeth. Here are some prosthetics our dentists might recommend:
- Dental crowns to restore single missing or damaged teeth
- Fixed-implant dentures to help with more extensive dental treatment
Dental crowns only need one implant per tooth, while fixed-implant dentures will only require implants at anchor points to keep them in place. Depending on the scope of your needs and treatment, Drs. Mark and Anne Marie Benage will decide which prosthetic works best for you.
BioHorizon and NeoDent Implants
Benage Dental Care is happy to offer the BioHorizon and NeoDent implant systems to help our patients revitalize their smiles. These leading and established brands are known for their long-lasting and durable results.
Ready to rediscover the joy of a complete smile? Contact your dental family at Benage Dental Care and schedule your dental implant consultation today. Our experienced, compassionate team is eager to assess your unique needs and guide you through the transformative process of dental implants.
Why You’ll Love Dental Implants
Dental implants are not just a dental fix—they’re an investment in your well-being. Here are just a few of the many benefits of dental implants for our community in Cleburne, TX.
Natural Appearance
Dental implants act as an anchor to your replacement teeth, reinforcing your jaw and gum health. Once dental implants are blended into your smile, we will use dental prosthetics such as crowns and dentures. These seamless and personalized tooth replacements help you achieve a white, straight, and natural-looking smile.
Straightforward Procedure
Dental implants are a straightforward procedure for many of our patients. During your initial appointment, we will give you a step-by-step rundown of your procedure. Once your consultation is complete, your dentist will place the implants and allow them to heal before adding a crown or denture, often called a restoration.
Boosted Confidence
Missing or dead teeth can make it difficult to speak or function without pain or physical impediments. Dental implants allow you to articulate your thoughts precisely and painlessly, increasing your overall self-esteem and well-being.
Improved Functionality
Dental implants offer enhanced chewing and biting stability, allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods without restrictions. Dental implants also improve bone and gum health, restoring the full function of your smile. They work just like your natural teeth.
Dental Implants Go Beyond Looks
Dental implants can stop missing teeth from snowballing into more serious health issues. These modern dental devices are built to fortify your teeth and provide the following benefits:
- Bone Preservation: The dental implant post stimulates the jawbone, preventing bone loss and maintaining the natural structure of your facial features.
- Improved Oral Health: Dental implants are a great way to reduce the risk of cavities, infection, or gum disease.
- Improved Digestion: Implants make it easier to digest and break down large or small foods, improving the daily function of your digestive tract.
- Damage Prevention: Knocked-out or necrotic teeth can weaken the area’s surrounding roots, which leads to more damaged teeth. Implants prevent this further damage.
Utilize Dental Sedation with Benage Dental Care
At Benage Dental Care, we treat our patients like family from the front desk all the way to the treatment chair. We do everything we can to help each patient feel comfortable and cared for. That’s why we offer IV sedation or nitrous oxide sedation during the implant procedure.
Dental sedatives are used to make the patient feel at ease while more invasive dental procedures are completed. During the procedure, you might feel slightly drowsy or fall asleep as the sedative takes effect. We can then perform the procedure without causing any major pain or discomfort.
The Dental Implant Process at Benage Dental Care
If you’re looking to replace a missing tooth, Benage Dental Care is here to help! Dental implants are completely safe and require little to no additional care outside of routine oral care. Plus, with the use of our dental sedatives, you will hardly feel anything during the placement process.
Here’s how the process will look:
Initial Consultation
Your journey to a restored smile begins with a comprehensive consultation at Benage Dental Care. Our caring, skilled dental team will assess your oral health, discuss your concerns, and determine if dental implants are the right solution for you.
Treatment Planning
Following the initial consultation, a personalized treatment plan is created based on your specific needs and goals. This plan outlines the steps of the implant process and addresses any additional treatments, such as bone grafting, if necessary.
Implant Placement
The implant post is surgically placed into the jawbone This phase is crucial as it establishes a strong and stable foundation for the replacement tooth. This procedure is often handled in a separate appointment to allow your body time to heal before attaching a prosthetic.
Healing Period (Osseointegration)
Over the next few months, the implant post undergoes a process called osseointegration, during which it fuses with the surrounding bone. This integration allows an implant to function alongside the existing bone and gum tissue, helping the implants last as long as possible!
Abutment Placement
Once osseointegration is complete, the abutment is attached to the implant post. Depending on your situation, the abutments may be placed with the implants or during a separate visit. Implant abutments are shaped to perfectly fit your custom tooth crown or prosthetic.
Custom Crown Placement
The final touch involves placing a custom-designed crown onto the abutment. The crown is meticulously crafted to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless and aesthetically pleasing result.
Moving Forward with Dental Implants
The dental implant procedure often comes with a lot of questions. We’ve listed some common questions and concerns below to give you a better idea about whether dental implants are right for you. And don’t hesitate to call with further questions—our family-oriented clinic is ready to assist you and your loved ones in your dental implant journey!
Curious about the transformative benefits of single-tooth dental implants and fixed-implant dentures? Contact Benage Dental Care to learn more about the implant process, explore your options, and take the next step towards a complete and confident smile.
How Do I Care for Dental Implants?
Here at Benage Dental Care, we take dental education seriously. Once your dental implant procedure is complete, our team will be sure to give you all the knowledge you need about how to take care of your new smile.
Taking good care of your dental implants is like taking care of your normal teeth. Brushing, flossing, and biannual visits with Drs. Mark and Anne Marie Benage will do the trick.
More advanced dental prosthetics, such as dentures, may benefit from the use of floss pickers or water flossers to adequately clean certain areas of your teeth.
If any additional concerns come up with your implants, don’t hesitate to let us know!
What Is the Lifespan of Dental Implants?
Dental implants typically last up to 10 years with proper care and maintenance. However, they can last even longer depending on the condition of your smile.
To help your dental implants last longer, we recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush, going easy on abrasive foods, and limiting the consumption of stain-causing substances that may damage your implants. Proper moderation can go a long way when it comes to dental implant care.
Are Dental Implants Painful?
The dental implant procedure can cause discomfort and sensitivity at times. This discomfort may last a few or more days, particularly during the osseointegration and healing process.
Some patients may deal with some swelling or slight pain as their teeth are getting used to the implant. The use of ice packs and painkillers often helps alleviate any unnecessary pain.
Can I Receive Dental Implants with Dentures?
Several patients opt for our fixed-implant dentures. As the name states, fixed-implant dentures—as opposed to removable dentures—securely place the dentures in your mouth for a more permanent smile restoration.
If you elect to receive fixed-implant dentures, Benage Dental Care will use our modern dental technology to pinpoint the specific areas that need dental implants. Once these implants are placed and healed, they will serve as an anchor for your new dentures.
Can I Get Dental Implants if I Have Dental Issues?
We want to make sure that your dental implants require as little intervention as possible. To ensure this, we evaluate the condition of your smile.
Dental infections, age, or low bone density may require additional procedures such as dental cleaning or grafting prior to implant placement. If you require prerequisite care, your dental family at Benage Dental Care is ready to help you become eligible for dental implants. Many patients will only need a couple of extra visits to accomplish this prep, so schedule your consultation today!
Contact Benage Dental Care Today for a Smile Transformation
Ready to take the first step towards a complete and confident smile? Benage Dental Care is here to provide you with personalized and comprehensive dental care. Contact us now and embark on your journey to a restored and radiant smile!
