Dental Implants

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Are missing teeth making you feel self-conscious and taking the joy out of eating, talking, and smiling? Dental implants can help! Implants can replace missing teeth, preserve your jaw, and restore your smile in a natural-looking way that lasts. 

Stop suffering through awkward smiles in photos and missing out on enjoying your favorite meals. Contact our friendly team in Arlington and get customized, natural-looking dental implants from Dr. Gundarpi and Dr. Kumareddy to make your smile whole again.

Dental implants are made up of three parts: a post, an abutment, and a crown.

The post is made from biocompatible titanium, so your body will accept it as part of you and won't try to reject it. This post is fixed in place in your jawbone, just like the root of a natural tooth. 

And, similar to a normal tooth root, it forms a solid foundation for the visible part of your new tooth. This visible part is the porcelain crown. It's attached to the post with a connector, which is called the abutment.

Here at Arlington Dental Clinic, our crowns are custom-made and designed to match your natural teeth so that your new smile looks and feels natural.

• Fixed In Place: So you can talk, eat, and laugh confidently without worrying about them shifting or falling out
• Natural-Looking: Our implants are carefully designed and color-matched to look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth
• Durable: Dental implants are the longest-lasting tooth replacements and, with the proper care and maintenance, can last decades
• Preserve Bone Density: Implants are the only tooth replacements that stimulate your jaw and prevent bone loss, which stops your other teeth from shifting or loosening
• Reliable: Dental implants have a success rate of 95% to 98%, provided you follow the care instructions

• Has good oral and overall health
• Has a smile free of gum disease or decay
• Has enough bone mass in their jaw to support an implant
• Does not smoke or consume tobacco products

If you don’t have adequate bone mass in your jaw, you can still qualify for implants, but you will need a bone graft before you can start the process. 

If you have suffered too much bone loss for a successful bone graft, you might not qualify for single-tooth dental implants. Don't lose hope though - you might still have enough bone mass for all-on-4 dental implants, or you can qualify for one of our other dental restoration solutions. The best way to find out for your specific case is to come in for a consultation.

The dental implant process involves multiple steps and can take anywhere between three and nine months. This might seem daunting, but in less time than it takes to get braces, you will have a natural-looking, fully functional smile that you can enjoy for decades to come. 

Here's What To Expect:

1. Initial Consultation: An oral evaluation with Dr. Ummareddy or Dr. Gundharpi, who will then create and walk you through your treatment plan
2. The Post Placement: This is the stage where, provided you didn't need bone grafting, we will place the titanium post into position in your jaw.
3. Healing Period: This might take a few months, where your new "tooth root" (the post) fuses with the tissue in your jaw. It's called osseointegration in medical terms. While this happens, you'll be given a customized temporary replacement so you can still go about your daily life.
4. The Abutment Placement: This involves slightly reopening your gum to attach the abutment to your post. Then you'll have another, much shorter, healing period where your gum tissue then heals around, but not over, the abutment.
5. The Crown Seating: This is a quick visit where the crown (the visible part your new tooth) is fixed in place. 
6. Enjoy Your New Smile!

Ideal for those who are missing one or just a few teeth, single-tooth implants involve placing a titanium post into the jawbone, which acts as a new tooth root. This is topped with an abutment and a custom-made crown that resembles a natural tooth. This option is perfect for individuals seeking a durable solution for single tooth replacement that doesn't compromise the health of adjacent teeth.

For individuals facing the loss of most or all teeth in an arch, or those considering the removal of an entire arch, All-on-4 presents a comprehensive solution. By anchoring a full set of prosthetic teeth on just four implants, this method offers a robust alternative to traditional dentures. It's especially beneficial for those with decreased bone density, as it may eliminate the need for bone grafting due to the strategic placement of implants.

• Degree of Tooth Loss: Single-tooth implants cater to those with minimal tooth loss, while All-on-4 is designed for individuals with significant or complete tooth loss in one or both arches.
• Impact on Surrounding Teeth: Single-tooth implants preserve the integrity of adjacent teeth and overall oral health, whereas All-on-4 involves replacing an entire arch, without affecting neighboring teeth because there are none.
• Bone Density Requirements: All-on-4 can accommodate lower bone density levels, often without the need for grafting, thanks to the specific angling of implant placement. Single-tooth implants generally require good jawbone health, potentially necessitating bone grafts for those with diminished bone density.
• Investment and Time: All-on-4 may offer a more cost-effective and quicker solution for full arch replacement compared to the cumulative cost and time involved in replacing multiple individual teeth with single implants.

If you would like to learn more about our high-quality, affordable dental implants, schedule a consultation online today! Our friendly staff will happily assist you.