The Journey to a Fully Restored Smile
Dr. Simran Bhalla is a highly trained implant dentist in Plano who takes great pride in helping her patients replace their lost teeth. If dental implants are right for you, she will be by your side for your entire journey to obtaining a complete, strong set of teeth. But what exactly is involved in that journey? Below, learn about the steps you’ll need to go through on your way to enjoying the benefits of an implant-supported smile.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
When you’re ready to find out whether dental implants in Plano are right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bhalla. During this initial appointment, she will thoroughly examine your mouth and evaluate your candidacy for the procedure. She will also answer any questions you have about dental implants, alternative treatments, and financing.
If, due to oral health problems or a lack of adequate bone density in your jaw, you are not able to receive implants right away, Dr. Bhalla can help you plan to get them in the future. After a bone graft or other preparatory treatments, it is possible that you will be able to undergo the implant placement surgery.
Dental Implant Surgery
During the placement surgery, Dr. Bhalla inserts the implants at strategic locations throughout the jaw. Thanks to anesthesia and sedation, you should feel practically nothing while she puts your new substitute tooth roots into place.
You can expect some soreness and swelling after your procedure, but you shouldn’t experience any extreme pain. Most patients are able to resume their normal routines fairly quickly after the surgery. Our team will give you detailed post-op instructions so you can be as comfortable as possible during your recovery period.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Following the implant placement surgery, something remarkable happen beneath the gum line. Over a period of several months, osseointegration takes place; essentially, this means that the implants fuse to the bone around them. It is this marvelous biological process that allows implants to provide such strong and sturdy tooth replacement.
After adequate osseointegration has taken place, Dr. Bhalla will perform another minor surgery, wherein she exposes the implants and places caps on them that will encourage the gum tissue to heal. Then, when the gums are ready (a few weeks after the healing caps are placed), she’ll attach abutments to the implants. The abutments are small pieces that connect the implants to your new artificial teeth.
Placement of Dental Implant Restorations
The last stage of your implant journey is the restoration phase. Dr. Bhalla will carefully design a crown, bridge, or denture to attach to your implants. These artificial teeth look and function almost as well as the real thing, so you’ll soon be able to enjoy a life that is full of confident smiles, delicious foods, and improved oral health. Our team will provide you with detailed coaching so you can care well for your new smile and help it last for decades.