Dental Implant Process in Dallas, TX

Your Guide to Getting Dental Implants

The most modern way to replace missing teeth, a dental implant, offers a patient the opportunity for a permanent restoration that closely resembles their natural teeth that also offers the added benefit of aesthetic enhancement. Implants are designed to replace a tooth both above and below the gum line, helping them recreate real teeth in every way. Better yet, thanks to the high-quality materials used, they can easily be trusted to last for 30 years or more.

Phase 1

Dental implants are very versatile and can be used with a number of different restorations in order to bring back any number of missing teeth. At a consultation with Dr. La Mastra, he can help you figure out which of the following options best suits your needs:

Placement

Consultation: During an initial visit, you and Dr. La Mastra will discuss your smile goals and they will examine your mouth to determine whether dental implants are a good option for you. If the answer is yes, you will proceed to the next stages.
Treatment planning: Often in a separate appointment, the treatment planning phase can begin. X-rays and impressions (or molds) of your mouth and any remaining natural teeth will be taken. Your dentist will plan for exactly where the implants will go.
Bone grafting: Many patients need to have a bone graft or sinus lift procedure to strengthen weak bone tissue and increase the chances of dental implant success.
Placement: Implant placement is an oral procedure that is completed under local anesthesia and sedation as needed for additional relaxation. Using the details of your treatment plan, Dr. La Mastra will open the gums and place each post with extreme precision. Then, the gums are closed, and healing begins.

Phase 2

The recovery phase of a dental implant procedure may last up to 6 months, depending on the location of the teeth and how healthy the jaw was, to begin with. Once the implants are secure, the restoration process can begin.

Restoration

Placement of abutments: Traditional dental implants require abutments or connecting pieces that allow a prosthetic tooth to be affixed on top of the implant post. The gums are opened, and an abutment is placed on each post. One more brief healing period will be required.
Restoration: After the gums have healed yet again, the implant posts are ready for restoration. The crown, bridge, or denture can be placed on top of the connecting abutments — and that’s it!
Follow-up: We will schedule a follow-up appointment some weeks following the final restoration of the implants to ensure everything is working just like it should.

Dental implant procedures involve many steps and take a while to complete — but they are totally worth it in the end. After all, nothing else gives you a complete, healthy, confident smile after tooth loss like dental implants.