Dental Implants
Missing teeth can be embarrassing, causing people to hide their smile reducing their self-esteem. The space that missing teeth create can easily become infected with bacteria, causing other teeth to shift out of place, and making it difficult for people to speak or eat correctly. Dr. Kim and the staff at Pecan Tree Family Dentistry are sensitive to the hardship a missing tooth can create. We provide dental implants so that our patients can regain their self-confidence, improve their health, and approach life boldly.
The Process of Placing Dental Implants
If one or more of your teeth fall out, you may qualify for dental implants as a way to permanently replace the missing teeth. First, Dr. Kim will examine your mouth and jawbone to determine if the procedure is right for you. Before we begin the procedure, your gums need to be healthy and your jawbone must be strong. If Dr. Kim identifies any cavities or signs of gum disease, we will need to treat it prior to the dental implant procedure.
Impressions
Once you are cleared for the dental implant procedure, the staff at Pecan Tree Family Dentistry will take an impression of your mouth to create a new tooth in a dental lab. Each synthetic tooth will match the size and shape of the surrounding teeth, along with having a perfect color match. This way your smile will appear completely natural.
Post
The next step in the procedure is to implant a metal post under the gum line. The metal post is secured to the jawbone in order to create a durable, synthetic root system similar to natural roots. Over the course of a couple of months, the metal post and jawbone will fuse together. This creates a level of durability that cannot be replicated in other types of procedures.
Synthetic Tooth
Afterward, Dr. Kim will secure the new synthetic tooth to the metal post at the surface of the gums. The new tooth is attached so securely, that patients can eat their favorite foods, maintain an active lifestyle, play sports, and more, without fear of their tooth becoming loose or falling out.
Caring for Dental Prosthetics and Implants
Once dental implants have been placed, they are extremely easy to care for. We hear patients throughout Mckinney ask questions that range from “Do dental implants come out?” to “How do I brush my teeth?”. Fortunately, the answers are not as complex as some people might believe. Since we place dental implants by creating a synthetic root system, they are durable and secure.
In order to care for your dental implants, we advise patients to brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes each time and floss once per day. Additionally, it is important to schedule dental exams and cleanings with Dr. Kim at least twice a year. While dental prosthetics cannot become infected themselves, the teeth around them can. If in the future, you suffer from a severe case of gum disease or a dental abscess, the infection can spread into your jawbone. This puts your dental implants in jeopardy because, in order to stay secure, the jawbone must be in good health. If it becomes infected, your dental prosthetics and all of your teeth will be in jeopardy.
Schedule a Consultation for Dental Implants
In order to find out if dental implants are right for you, call our office or go online to schedule a consultation. Dr. Kim and his staff are friendly, welcoming, and will take the time to inform you of all of your options. Dr. Kim will make a detailed recommendation about the best choice for your oral health by customizing it to your needs. Just remember that you can have a beautiful and natural looking smile by working with a professional implant dentist. If you are suffering from missing teeth, we can help you by transforming your smile. Schedule an appointment for dental implants and let us transform your smile into something as beautiful as you are.