Having missing teeth can hurt how a person views themselves or how they believe someone else sees them. When considering how to replace these missing teeth, dental implants are fast becoming the most popular option in San Antonio. Not only because they are widely available, but most patients can be come quality candidates even if it takes a little longer to do so. San Antonio TX dental implants can really help you shape your oral goals much better.

What are dental implants?

The purpose of dental implants is to replace one or more missing teeth. What helps implants function like a normal tooth is how they are designed. In short, a dental implant is a small titanium screw that gets inserted into the jaw bone. The visible part is called the crown. Dental implants are an attractive option for a variety of reasons. Implant procedures can replace one or more teeth. What to expect The process to determine if a person is eligible for implants starts with a simple x-ray. While several other factors ensure if a person can get an implant, x-rays are the first step. X-rays tell whoever is evaluating the patient if there is anything they should be aware of beforehand. From there, the surgeon will go over the proposed treatment plan. This step answers questions such as: 1. How many teeth are being replaced 2. What size implant(s) is needed 3. Is there any additional procedures needed 4. How long will the process take The evaluation is an important first step and the procedure will not take place without it. Same-day implants While having the complete procedure done in one day, depends on the patient. Every patient has different needs, and a San Antonio oral surgeon can best determine how to meet them. Receiving same-day implants is an important question and something that most patients are likely to ask. Typically those who answer the question fall into two camps: a. Wait and see This logic is about making sure the patient qualifies before going through with the procedure in the first place. There are several reasons why a person may not be a candidate, and waiting a few weeks can mean the difference between a failed implant and a successful one. b. One and done Having everything done at one time is more common in a full-service practice. There everything from the extraction to the implant and crown is completed in the same facility. For a qualified person, this is a great option. Going this route will drastically reduce the amount of time spent in the office. Moreover, it should be noted that having same-day implants will also depend on what the patient needs. A single implant or a bridge is easy enough, but a full or partial denture may require additional visits to complete. Who Qualifies Both schools of thought want to minimize any risk of failure of the implant. In this vein, they will insist on having several follow-up visits over a few months in San Antonio. Having these ensures that any issue is identified and taken care of quickly. With so much that can happen with any dental procedure, you may wonder who qualifies to receive an implant. The easy answer would be almost anyone. Each patient will undergo an evaluation to determine what kind of candidate they are. The surgeon will determine what needs to be performed to make a patient as successful as possible. Regardless if the procedure takes place in a small private practice or large multi-practice facility each provider involved will coordinate treatment with the other practice. Implants are also a highly favorable option for those who are looking to replace removable dentures. Fixed or implant-retained dentures are more secure and completely restore chewing ability to normal. Conclusion Dental implants have drastically improved the quality of life of people with missing teeth can experience. No longer do they have to suffer in silence and discomfort. As implants have become more common the procedures have become easier and less expensive. Making them more accessible to people at all income levels. The flexibility of implants had made it possible to provide more than just a missing tooth. Not to mention with a fixed partial or full denture the worry of losing a piece or breaking it becomes nonexistent. Dental implants are for practically anyone who would like to have it done. All they need is to ask.