Dental Implants in Oklahoma City

Dental implants, designed to be a long-term, often lifetime, replacement for missing or severely damaged teeth, closely resemble natural teeth. They provide the same bite force and chewing ability as your natural teeth. If you have multiple missing teeth and do not like the look, feel, or function of dentures, dental implants are an option that can restore your oral health and provide you with a beautiful, natural-looking smile.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium or zirconia (a type of biocompatible ceramic) that are placed in the jawbone to replace the roots of missing teeth and provide a stable foundation for dental restorations such as crowns or an arch of replacement teeth. The implant fuses with the surrounding bone, creating a strong base for restorations. The visible portion of the replacement tooth, typically a crown or arch of replacement teeth, is attached to the implant with an abutment. The abutment is a slender pin or clasp that permanently fastens the restoration to the implant.

Why Should I Consider Dental Implants?

Living with missing or decayed teeth can leave you self-conscious about your smile, but there are also serious health issues when teeth are missing. Your ability to eat a balanced diet and speak clearly are impacted. When multiple teeth are missing, the alignment of your teeth and jaw may shift, leading to jaw pain and headaches. Infection from broken or missing teeth can even spread through your bloodstream, creating havoc in other parts of your body.

Although other restoration options are available, including dentures and dental bridges, implants are the only option that replace both the visible portion of the tooth and the tooth’s root. If the root of a tooth is not replaced, the surrounding bone deteriorates, leading to jawbone loss. Over time, the lower part of the face develops a sunken appearance that gives you a prematurely aged look. Dental implants preserve your facial contours by preventing bone loss in the jaw.

The Dental Implant Process

Before getting dental implants, you will have a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Wooten, which includes an oral exam, X-rays, and a discussion of your options. If dental implants are appropriate, you’ll review anesthesia options and receive detailed information about the procedure before scheduling surgery.

On the day of surgery, a local anesthetic will be administered along with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or IV sedation to help you relax. The implant placement may take one to three hours, depending on the number of implants and the complexity of the procedure. Dr. Wooten employs precision 3D surgical guides to ensure optimal implant placement. You will go home with a temporary prosthetic, so you won’t be without teeth during the healing phase.

After the implants are placed, they undergo a process called osseointegration, where they fuse with the jawbone. Following this, abutments will be used to permanently attach the dental restorations. This healing period typically lasts three to six months.

Dental Implants Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get dental implants?

A serious time investment is required to get dental implants. Following implant placement, it takes 3-6 months for the implants to fuse with the jawbone fully. If you need bone grafting to build up the jawbone before implants are placed, it will add at least three more months to your treatment plan. Although times vary, you can expect the time from your initial consultation to final healing to complete restoration to take at least six months for conventional dental implants.

How long will I be off work to get dental implants?

We recommend taking 2-4 days off work following implant surgery, depending on the number of implants placed and the complexity of the surgery. You will have some pain and swelling in the first few days. Rest, hydration, and minimal activity are essential for the first days after implant placement. If you need a note for your employer, please ask our office staff, and one will be provided.

Is it difficult to care for dental implants?

No. You care for your restored teeth like natural teeth. Floss and brush twice daily and see your dentist for a checkup and professional cleaning twice yearly. Although you cannot develop cavities in dental restorations, gum disease remains a concern.

How Successful Are Dental Implants?

According to the American Board of Oral Implantology, dental implant success rates are well over 95%. To ensure the success of your implants, be sure to follow the post-op instructions we provide on the day of surgery.

Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Most adults in good health with one or more missing teeth are candidates for dental implants. If they have any form of gum disease, it must be treated before implant surgery. Some patients may need bone grafting to augment the jawbone ridge if their teeth have been missing for a long time.

Conditions that may rule you out as a candidate for dental implants include bleeding disorders, autoimmune diseases, uncontrolled diabetes, and undergoing active cancer treatment. If you are a heavy smoker, you may not qualify.

To learn more about dental implants and how they can improve your oral health and restore a vibrant smile, schedule a consultation with Dr. Wooten. Our office staff is waiting to assist you at Oral & Facial Surgery of Oklahoma Office Phone Number 405-751-7600.