Dental Implants San Antonio
The Ultimate Tooth Replacement
All of our tooth replacement options can restore your smile and boost your oral health. Regardless, dental implants stand a cut above the rest. It’s to the point that they’re called the “ultimate tooth replacement.” They provide the same beauty and function as natural teeth. Our team at Bianca Sanchez, DDS will gladly explain more if you’d like, and for details, just keep reading or book a consultation today for dental implants in San Antonio.
Why Choose Bianca Sanchez, DDS for Dental Implants?
- Dental Implant Treatment Done Entirely In-House
- CT Scanner for Advanced Treatment Planning
- Woman-Owned & Woman-Led Dental Practice
What Are Dental Implants?
In essence, dental implants are small titanium posts. They serve as alternate tooth roots that replace lost teeth.
Dental implants are quite different from dentures or dental bridges. Unlike the latter two options, they’re set in your jaw. Their titanium material then lets them fuse with nearby bone tissue. That way, the implants become secure parts of your jaw. They’ll be able to support a final restoration – a crown, bridge, or denture – after the fusion.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. Because of their unique way of replacing the roots of the missing teeth, dental implants offer various benefits you can’t find with other tooth replacement options, including additional stability, comfort, and longevity. To achieve this, getting dental implants requires a multi-step process that takes place over the course over the course of several months. Everyone’s treatment looks a little bit different, but here are the steps that you can expect.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
First, you’ll discuss the implant treatment with Dr. Sanchez before surgery. This brief conversation allows her to know your smile goals, oral health, and other important information. These details help her understand if implants will be a good fit for you. Some patients require preliminary procedures, like gum disease treatment and bone grafting, before they can get implants. If this applies to you, we will help you get them scheduled. Once your gums and jawbone are in good shape, we can move onto planning the rest of your treatment.
Dental Implant Surgery
With approval from Dr. Sanchez, you’ll have the dental implant surgery performed right in our office. After numbing the area with a local anesthetic, an incision is made into the gum tissue so the dental implants can be surgically placed into the jawbone at strategic angles. Then, the gums are closed and protective caps are placed on the ends of the implants to keep them safe over the next few months as they heal.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
After the surgery, your implants will slowly fuse with your jaw over 3-6 months. This process is called “osseointegration,” and it sets a foundation that keeps your new teeth strong. Once it’s done, Dr. Sanchez will place your abutments (i.e., a metal connector that is placed in your implant and holds the restoration). Impressions are taken and sent to the dental lab so your final restoration can be custom-crafted for you.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration
When you’ve recovered from the placement and abutment surgeries, you’ll visit us for your final restoration. This item will be a crown, bridge, or denture. (Which one you receive will depend on your oral health needs.) Then, you can show off your complete smile to the world!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer many great benefits. These include:
- High Success – When placed by an expert like Dr. Sanchez, implants tend to be very reliable. Their ten-year success rate exceeds 95%!
- A Lifelike Smile – By using porcelain restorations, implants can blend seamlessly with your smile.
- Youthful Looks – Implants stimulate and maintain your jaw’s bone tissue. Thus, they keep your face looking full, firm, and youthful.
- Easier Eating– Implants restore much of your bite force, helping you chew tough foods.
- Long-Lasting Results – The average dental implant can last for 30+ years.
Dental Implant FAQs
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
The lifespan of dental implants in San Antonio can vary from case to case. Often, they last for 30 years or longer. In fact, for some people, they last for an entire lifetime!
Of course, whether or not your dental implants reach their potential for longevity depends on several factors. Our team can coach you to help you take good care of your new teeth. For example, we may advise you to eat a healthful diet, keep up with an excellent oral hygiene routine, and attend regular dental checkups.
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
You should feel little to nothing during the surgery itself. Our team offers multiple forms of sedation, which can help you to stay calm, relaxed, and comfortable while we are placing your dental implants.
Once any anesthesia and sedation wear off, you can expect to experience some soreness and swelling. Most people are feeling fairly normal within a week or two. In the meantime, taking pain medications, getting plenty of rest, and eating a soft diet can help to minimize any discomfort.
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
Dental implant failure is relatively rare, but when it does occur, it may be due to:
- When harmful bacteria attack the tissue around an implant, they can cause so much damage that the implant loses its base of support. Poor oral hygiene is often a contributor to this problem.
- Failed osseointegration. Due to underlying medical conditions or other factors, the implants may not successfully bond with the surrounding tissue.
- Severe teeth grinding and clenching can place pressure on the implants and damage the surrounding tissue. An accident could also cause facial injuries that affect dental implants.
Our team can provide tips to help you keep your risk of implant failure to a bare minimum.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Dental Implant Surgery?
Most people are able to return to work within a day or two of their surgery. The soft tissue at your implant sites may feel normal within just a couple of weeks. However, it can take several months for the jawbone to fully heal and integrate with your implants.
During the initial part of your recovery, you may need to adjust your habits by getting extra rest and eating a no-chew diet. Later, though, you may be able to resume a fairly normal routine, even while your bone is still healing. You will just need to be careful to avoid activities that might interfere with the osseointegration process. For example, you should prioritize your oral hygiene. You may also have to eat a soft diet with foods that are easy to chew with your remaining natural teeth.
Can I Get Dental Implants If I Smoke?
As your implant dentist in San Antonio, Dr. Sanchez and our team will consider a range of factors before determining whether you are a good candidate for dental implants. Smoking is not an absolute contraindication for treatment. However, smoking is a threat to dental implants and can greatly increase the risk of them failing. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you kick the habit. At the very least, you should avoid smoking during the weeks before and after your implant surgery.