Dental Implants

Dental implants carry several advantages. Here are a few reasons people opt to receive a single or multiple dental implants:

• Nearly identical in appearance to natural teeth
• Long-lasting if cared for correctly
• Can help prevent bone loss and stimulate new bone growth
• Function as a natural tooth
• Support your facial structure as you age
• Over their lifetime, a dental implant is a cost-effective solution
• Unlike dentures, will not limit your food choices
• Boosts your confidence
• Straightforward to care for
• High success rate, predictable outcomes

Your individual situation will determine if a dental implant is right for you. It is a good idea to speak with your dentist to discuss the best solutions for your individual needs and situation.

At Tulsa Dental Center, you’ll find a highly experienced team ready to help with your dental implant experience. Additionally, we offer a range of financial options to assist in ensuring your dental implant is both effective and affordable.

The success of your dental implant has to do with a few factors, including the location of the implant as well as the care and attention given to the implant following placement. 

Two major contributors to the failure or shortened lifetime of dental implants are smoking and poor oral hygiene. Generally speaking, though, dental implants are over 95% effective, and with the right care, last a lifetime!

Another solution to missing teeth is a dental bridge. But how do you decide if a dental implant or bridge is right for you? The dental team at Tulsa Dental Center would be happy to help you make this decision. 

An implant acts more like a natural tooth, by recreating the same hold of a root and being fixed into the jawbone. A dental bridge, on the other hand, literally bridges the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of at least two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap, and a false tooth/teeth in between.

• Durability 

Dental bridges are not secured into the jawbone like an implant, and therefore may cause greater strain on surrounding structures. While implants can withstand a similar level of pressure to a natural tooth, dental bridges may weaken over time and require replacement or restoration in the future.

• Price of Treatment

Dental bridges have a lower initial cost and are easier to place than implants. Additionally, dental bridges can be used to replace multiple teeth and require fewer visits to the dentist to complete. Dental implants, on the other hand, take a longer time to be fully installed, and every tooth you need replaced will need its own implant. This makes dental implants more costly up front.

• Length of Treatment

Dental bridges take 1-3 weeks to place completely. It takes anywhere from 3-6 months to complete the dental implant process.

• Maintenance 

Both dental bridges and dental implants require good oral care and hygiene, especially to ensure their longevity.

• Appearance 

Dental bridges are more noticeable than dental implants, which yield a more natural appearance.

This is because dental bridges are not embedded below the gums and can therefore be visible behind or between replacement teeth. 

Dental implants overall are more durable, stable, and supportive when compared to dental bridges. But dental bridges can be fitted more quickly and are available at a more affordable cost than implants. Whichever you choose, both require maintenance and proper oral hygiene.

If you’re considering which option could be best for you, speak with your dentist, who can offer guidance as well as explain Care Credit and all of our financial options.

Most everyone is a potential candidate for a dental implant, whether they’ve lost one tooth, a number of teeth, or all of their teeth. Before getting a dental implant, be sure you meet the following criteria:

• If you have existing dental problems, they must be resolved prior to implant placement
• You will need to have a healthy mouth and be in good general health
• If you suffer from periodontal disease, it needs to be minimal and under control prior to implant placement
• Medical conditions may rule out a dental implant. These conditions could include cancer, blood clotting disorders, diabetes, drug abuse, as well conditions that may impact the immune system
• You must be 18 years of age or older
• If you are pregnant, your implant placement may need to be postponed until after the birth of your baby

A major success factor of your dental implant includes keeping your teeth free from plaque Your dentist will check to ensure you have good oral hygiene practices.

If you are a smoker, this can reduce the overall chance of your dental implant’s success. Smoking won’t exclude you from getting an implant, but it can impact the healing process, which is bad for the long-term health of your gums and can decrease your implant’s lifetime. Cessation from smoking will increase the likelihood of your dental implant’s success.

If you are wondering if a dental implant might be right for your situation, contact Tulsa Dental Center and set up a consultation appointment with our friendly team.

To plan your specific implant treatment, including placement, timelines, and associated costs, your dentist will likely need to take photographs, x-rays, and models of your teeth. This data helps your dentist determine the best placement position for the implant, the number of implants necessary, as well as information regarding the quality and volume of existing bone in your jaw.