Dental Implants Austin Implant Dentist

Dental Implants in Austin, TX

Dental Implants are a permanent solution for tooth loss.   Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are placed in your jaw so that they fuse with the jawbone. Each one holds an artificial tooth to fill the gap where a natural tooth has been lost, or sometimes holds several such teeth, or a bridge.

Unlike removable dentures, they do not require support from surrounding teeth and once healed, are indistinguishable from your own teeth.

If you are missing all of your teeth, or require all of your teeth to be extracted earlier in your life, dental implants are the best option for you to retain your natural jaw bone structure. If you have lost all your teeth, dental implants can be placed to hold a complete set of artificial teeth.

A dental implant is the closest thing to a natural tooth, and has two main parts:

1. A replacement root form made from titanium that is surgically placed in your jaw (implant), and
2. The replacement tooth or teeth that are placed on the root form or forms (abutment and crown).

Advantages of a Dental Implants in Austin and Lakeway, TX from Dr. Patel:

• The adjacent teeth do not have to be reshaped for crowns
• A dental implant, once it heals, is very comfortable and feels and acts just like your own tooth and can be cleaned and flossed just like a natural tooth
• There is not extra hardware required in your mouth
• Other teeth aren’t subjected to the strain of having work attached to them. Bridges and removable appliances can weaken the teeth they are attached to
• Good chewing function

Am I a candidate?

Dr. Tejas Patel, of the Center of Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Austin, Texas can determine if dental implants are right for you. He'll look at:

• The position of the tooth or teeth to be replaced
• Your general oral health, which must be good
• The quality and quantity of bone in the area; there must be enough good quality bone tissue to hold the dental implant securely.   This requires dental molds to be taken of your mouth, xrays to evaluate the bone and vital structures and Imaging to be completed for a full assessment of the specific anatomical considerations.

Standard Implants

A typical implant consists of a titanium screw (resembling a tooth root) with a roughened or smooth surface.   Standard implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, several missing teeth, to support a fixed or permanent bridge, to help retain a removable prosthesis(dentures), or to support Hybrid Dentures.

The procedure

The dental implants are done in several appointments. The first step is to have the implant post surgically place into the jawbone.

• This surgery is generally performed under a local anesthetic and sedation
• This implant will become a stable foundation for the tooth that will be attached to it

Second stage

After the implant is placed, there'll be a wait of about 3 months, while the bone and implant gradually fuse   and integrate with each other.

Then Dr Patel will fit the artificial tooth on to the implant, or create the bridge if you have several missing or damaged teeth. The entire process, from initial surgery to complete healing, may take several months.

Implant supported Dentures in Austin / Lakeway

The technological advancements related to dental implants have significantly improved the treatment options available for patients missing one, a few, or all of their teeth, and for those with failing teeth or severe periodontal disease. Dental implants look, feel and function like natural teeth, and because they integrate with the bone and become a part of the jaw, they preserve bone structure and prevent the inevitable bone loss that results from missing teeth.

What exactly do we mean when we say "denture implants"? The term implant refers directly to a surgical procedure that is performed under anesthetic. One or more small titanium rods are literally screwed into the bone of the dental ridge under your gums, and the tops of the rods are left exposed above the gum line. The implants are then given time to heal, usually at least two months. If all looks good, then you are ready for the denture to attach and mount to the implants underneath.   This strongly increases the retention and stability of the denture.  

A dental treatment plan involving dental implants will depend on the area within the mouth and the number of missing teeth. For example, a space with one missing tooth and natural teeth on either side can be treated with a dental implant supported restoration to provide a long- term , low-maintenance treatment result while maintaining the integrity of the adjacent teeth.  In a situation where all of the lower teeth are missing, four dental implants can be strategically positioned to support a restoration with 10-12 teeth providing function similar to a full complement of natural teeth.

The advantages of using dental implants to replace missing teeth include the following:

• Dental implants help to maintain and retain the supporting jaw bone that would otherwise shrink away, thus maintaining the facial structure and preventing a sunken-in appearance to the face.
• Placing dental implants rather than placing a traditional bridge prevents having to remove healthy tooth structure on adjacent teeth used to support the bridge.
• Replacing missing teeth with dental implants helps to distribute the forces of chewing so that the remaining teeth are not taking the brunt of the chewing load.
• Using dental implants to support a denture prevents the denture from moving on the gum tissues and provides an extremely stable anchor for dentures allowing for improved chewing capacity and function. 

Are implant supported dentures more beneficial than standard dentures? Ask yourself these questions:

• Do your dentures slip when you speak?
• Does food get under your dentures when you eat?
• Do your old dentures seem to be losing their grip?
• Are you just plain tired of dealing with sore gums?

Mini Dental Implants in Austin

A mini implant is similar to a standard titanium tooth implant , but they are smaller (1.8 mm wide compared to the 6 mm with standard implants), less expensive and require less intensive dental implant surgery.

As a revolutionary departure from routine implant methods, mini implants are so narrow   that they are typically inserted directly through the overlying gum tissue and into the bone underneath. Consequently, the need to surgically cut and “flap” the gum tissue, routinely required for standard dental implants systems, is avoided in most MDI applications. As a result, post-insertion patient irritation and soreness is significantly reduced. While all dental implants require care during insertion to avoid irritating the nerves, sinuses or bony structures, the ultra small width of the IMTEC mini implant offers a comfortable margin of safety.

A single, minimally invasive surgery is needed for the insertion for the MDI mini implants. They are then put into immediate biting or “loading” function thanks to their “self-tapping” design, thereby anchoring a fixed bridge system. As a result, it is possible to complete mini implant service in a single-office visit.

The MDI System consists of a miniature titanium implant that acts like the root of your tooth and a retaining fixture that is incorporated into the base of your denture, The head of the implant is shaped like a ball and the retaining fixture acts like a socket that contains a rubber O-ring. The O-ring snaps over the ball when the denture is seated and holds the denture at a predetermined level of force. When seated, the denture gently rests on the gum tissue. The implant fixtures allow for micro-mobility while withstanding natural lifting forces.

The standard insertion protocol for mini dental implants calls for four of them to be gently screwed into the front of a patient's lower jaw. This is a relatively painless procedure, requiring only a mild anesthesia. The mini dental implants, which are approximately the size of wooden toothpicks, are placed about five millimeters apart in the patient's mandible. The patient's denture is then carefully adjusted by the dentist to allow it to snap onto the four mini implants. The result? A tight fitting, completely reliable system that allows a patient to speak and eat with confidence.

The Mini Dental Implants are placed in about an hour's time. Because of the unique, minimally invasive procedure, the minute size of the implants, and the characteristic placement area, the typical Mini Dental Implant patient can enjoy a light meal an hour or so after having the mini implants placed. Further ,a denture patient who has had his or her prosthesis stabilized with MDI can remove and replace the denture easily after a little practice, and can easily utilize good dental hygiene. All in all, the MDI is quite satisfying.

Whether you need complete dentures or only a partial, cosmetic dentist Dr. Patel can help you get back to the lifestyle you enjoy.    If you're interested in the world-class cosmetic & general dentistry performed in Dr. Patel's Austin dental office, please schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Patel, through our treatment coordinator.