Dental Implant Surgery/Prosthetics

In Addison, Frisco, Dallas, McKinney and Plano, Texas

A dental implant is simply an artificial root placed in the jaw to hold a replacement (prosthetic) tooth or bridge. This is generally a good option for those who are in good oral health who have lost teeth due to an injury or periodontal disease. The dental implant looks and feels natural. Because of this, patients need not feel self-conscious about their replacement when they smile. Dental implants are also a perfect solution for those who have had difficulty chewing and speaking due to tooth loss in the past. Implants are an alternative to bridges or dentures and can last a lifetime if well maintained.

Most dental implants are for one or two missing teeth. There are many people missing several teeth or more. Dr. Ragnell is able to replace as many as 12-14 teeth in the upper or lower jaw due to his advanced dental training. Dr. Ragnell can replace these missing teeth using as few as five implants. The insertion of several implants is an advanced procedure. The prosthesis is bolted in and is not removable, however Dr. Ragnell can remove it if necessary. Patients feel like they are chewing with their own teeth.

Why Implants?

Dental implants can achieve the following:

• One or more teeth can be replaced without affecting the adjacent teeth
• Eliminates the need for a removable partial denture or support a bridge
• If dentures are still used, implants can provide support by making it more comfortable and secure

The type of implant Dr. Ragnell uses is the endosteal implant. This is the most common type of implant used and can potentially replace more than one prosthetic tooth. Patients with bridges or dentures may find this the best implant for use.

Advantages

• Because the quality of adjacent teeth is not sacrificed, as they are with a bridge, more of the natural teeth are left untouched. This tooth-saving technique is a benefit to overall oral health
• Dental implants feel and look like natural teeth. Bone loss and gum recession may be part of bridgework or dentures, but dental implants and prosthetics can end this, and no one may know that you have implants.
• The high success rate of dental implants makes them an excellent option for tooth replacement, even if you are missing several teeth.

Implant Options

• One implant and the subsequent crown can replace a single missing tooth. Both the tooth and the root are replaced.
• As few as five implants can replace several missing teeth and support up to a dozen or more.
• Implant supported bridges can replace all your teeth.
• Augmenting the sinus with bone grafting has been an important part of implant success when the upper back teeth need replacement due to the insufficient quantity of bone in the area. This can be corrected by raising the floor of the sinus and developing bone for dental implant placement.
• Deformities in the upper and lower jaw may leave inadequate bone in which to place implants. By modifying the ridge of the bone through lifting the gum and building up the deformity with bone or bone substitute, the chances of successful implant surgery increase.

If you are missing one or more teeth or have ill fitting dentures that hurt when you chew or you just can’t seem to used, call Dr. Ragnell. If you feel that you may be a candidate for dental implants, please contact us at our Plano, Texas office to schedule a consultation.