Modern technology makes dental implants a strong, beautiful, and natural-looking treatment for missing teeth. We can restore your smile and self-confidence in as little as two office visits.
Dr. Sara Chen and Dr. Mark Sowell provide affordable dental implants in Plano, Texas. They use the most advanced techniques to give you a smile that you will feel confident with. Fill in the gaps and permanently replace your missing teeth with dental implants today.
Dental Implants in Plano, TX
For many people, missing teeth affects their self-confidence because of an unattractive smile. They may also feel awkward talking, have trouble eating, and have a less active social life. The most important reason to replace your missing teeth is to protect your oral health.
Missing teeth can cause bone deterioration, jaw recession, gum disease, and more tooth loss without treatment. Missing teeth can be embarrassing and painful, making it hard to chew and speak properly.
Traditional ways to replace missing teeth include dentures, bridges, and crowns. However, these solutions can be hard to maintain and may not last as long.
Dr. Chen is a certified specialist in prosthodontics, providing complex cosmetic, implant, and full-mouth reconstructive dentistry. She completed a 3-year prosthodontics specialty residency program at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Dr. Chen has the education and experience to restore your smile.
Dr. Sowell is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). He has training in both the surgical and restorative phases of implant dentistry. This means that we provide complete dental implant treatments in our Plano, Texas, dental office. So there is no need for you to go anywhere else to see a specialist for implant surgery.
Our dental implants give you the same comfort, appearance, and function as your natural teeth. The implant process usually takes four to six months and involves three or more appointments with Dr. Chen or Dr. Sowell. But the results you get are well-worth the time and investment.
Dr. Chen and Dr. Sowell use advanced dental implant technology, making dental implants possible for nearly anyone. Let Aesthetic Dentistry Centre restore your oral health, stop your pain and discomfort, and boost your confidence and well-being.
Dental Implants Provide Structure & Foundation
Modern dental implants are precise devices made in different designs to suit your needs. The most common type uses a titanium screw anchored in the jawbone.
This screw acts like a tooth root and supports a custom-made artificial tooth or dental prosthetic. Once the artificial teeth are in place, you won’t be able to distinguish the dental implant from your natural teeth. The whole system functions just like a real tooth replacement.
Moreover, dental implants are the only proven method to prevent bone loss after losing natural teeth. Studies show that implant-supported prostheses improve how comfortably you can bite. They’re also easy to care for and are the best alternative to real teeth.
Our implant specialist offers patients who are missing one, several, or all their teeth an alternative to partial or complete dentures. Implants remove worries about denture mishaps and make eating, smiling, and talking stress-free. Talk to Dr. Chen and Dr. Sowell about the benefits of affordable dental implants from our dental office can give you.
Some of the advantages include the following:
- Implants permanently replace missing teeth
- A single implant can replace one tooth
- They will not impact your oral hygiene routine
- Multiple dental implants can support dentures
- Teeth-in-a-day are dental implants
- There are full arch implant options that replace all teeth
- They are strong and natural-looking restorations
- Tooth implants are functional and comfortable
What to Expect from Our Dental Implant Process
We can handle every step of the dental implant process right in our office. Like any procedure, we start with a consultation. We’ll talk to you about your medical history, goals, and budget. We’ll also perform a thorough oral exam.
If there are leftover tooth fragments or gum disease, we’ll need to treat these issues first before moving forward. You will also need to have enough healthy bone structure to support the implants. In some cases, we may require a bone graft before we can move on through the process.
When you’re fully prepared for implants, we’ll schedule the implant placement surgery. We use advanced dental tools and software to precisely plan the best location and angle in the mouth for the implants. We will ensure the best possible results so that you will never have to worry about them.
During the dental implant surgery, our dentist surgically places the implant posts into your jawbone. The posts will need time to heal and fuse with the jawbone after the surgery. It can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months for this process of osseointegration to complete. We may place a temporary restoration in your mouth until we can place your permanent one.
After surgery, we’ll check to make sure your mouth is healing properly. Once it heals, we can place your final tooth replacements using connectors called abutments on each implant. Abutments connect the implant posts to your new teeth.
Implants can support different types of tooth replacements, like a fixed dental crown, a bridge, or a denture. The type of replacement you get depends on how many teeth you’re replacing with implants.
The best part is that Dr. Sowell and Dr. Chen create each replacement specifically for your mouth. We make sure the replacement matches the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth. Your new teeth will look just right in your smile.
Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges
Dental implants are the only thing that helps maintain the health of your jawbone after tooth loss. This is something bridges don’t offer since they rely on neighboring teeth for support.
Because of this, we will need to grind down healthy adjacent teeth to secure traditional bridges. The adjacent healthy teeth can later have problems of their own, requiring new and costly dental work. For example, bridges can detach without the patient noticing the issue.
Some patients also find that implants feel more natural and comfortable in their mouths. They don’t rely on any external factors like bridges do. However, the process of getting implants can take a bit longer, involve many visits, healing time, and surgery.
On the flip side, getting a dental bridge is a quicker process and a speedier tooth replacement option. Dr. Chen and Dr. Sowell can place a bridge in just a few appointments. They also provide implant-supported bridges.
Also, a bridge can provide a two-for-one deal by fixing many issues at once. For example, if you have adjacent teeth that could benefit from dental crowns. Let’s not forget that some patients prefer conventional bridges because of the straightforward nature of the procedure.
Dental Implants vs. Dentures
Dentures can be uncomfortable and hard to care for. They might slip out while eating or doing other things, which can be embarrassing. They can also cause mouth sores that hurt. Taking them out every night to clean them and using adhesives to keep them in place can be a hassle too.
You might need to avoid certain foods with dentures because they don’t work as well as real teeth. Talking can also be harder and not as natural. Since dentures are removable, there’s a risk of misplacing them. Dental implants are different because they’re permanent.
Unlike bridges or dentures, dental implants keep your jawbone healthy. Without this stimulation, bone loss can happen over time, making you look older.
Learn more about dental implants versus dentures here.
Taking Care of Dental Implants
Post-Surgery
Dental implants have one of the highest success rates in dentistry. But it’s important that you care for them properly to get the best results.
After the implant surgery, you will have some soreness and discomfort for a few days. Only eat soft foods and try to avoid chewing anything directly on the area where the posts are. Avoid hot liquids and spicy foods for a while.
Having bleeding and red saliva for the first day or two after the procedure is normal. If bleeding or severe pain occurs and is prolonged, contact us immediately. You can use over-the-counter pain medications and cold compresses to combat pain and swelling.
We may prescribe prescription painkillers as well. If we prescribe you antibiotics, be sure to take them exactly as directed. They mitigate the risk of infection.
On the day of the surgery, you can gently brush and floss around the surgical site but don’t rinse. After a day, you can begin rinsing your mouth out with warm salt water a few times a day. Particularly, do this each time after you eat. You may also need to clean the abutment with a cotton swab after a few days.
Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking while your implants are healing. They take around 3 to 6 months to heal, and these habits can prevent them from healing properly. These habits can increase the chances of your implant failing. Lastly, remember to schedule regular dental care checkups to make sure your implants are working properly.
After the Final Restoration
Implants don’t require extra maintenance when you continue to take care of them. You just have to brush and floss your teeth like you normally would. Don’t forget to visit our dental office regularly for checkups and cleanings.
Use a soft-bristle toothbrush when you brush. Avoid using any metal or harder materials at all in your mouth once the implants are in place. Be sure to use non-abrasive toothpaste too. Other materials can scratch up your implants.
To learn more about our dental implant services, visit:
- Benefits of Dental Implants
- Cost of Dental Implants
- All On Four Dental Implants
- Multiple Implants
- Teeth In a Day
- Bone Grafting
- Dental Implants FAQ
Are you ready to replace your missing teeth with dental implants near you? Request a dental implant treatment consultation today. We will work with your dental insurance and provide financing options.
Call one of the top implant dentists in Plano, Dr. Sara Chen or Dr. Mark Sowell, or schedule an appointment online. Visit our Plano dental office for effective treatments today.