Thinking about a dental implant? This post will help you decide if a dental implant is right for you by laying out the benefits, risks, treatment steps, and practical next steps for a consult. You’ll learn what to expect, who makes a good candidate, and how to compare options like bridges, dentures, or full mouth dental implants. If you live near Abilene, this guide will help you prepare for a visit to discuss care in Abilene, TX.
What Is a dental imp?
A dental implant is a metal screw (the fixture) placed in the jaw to act like a tooth root. An abutment connects the implant to a crown, which looks and works like a natural tooth. Unlike a bridge that uses adjacent teeth or a removable denture that sits on the gums, an implant replaces the root and the tooth, giving better stability and bone support. For people considering full mouth dental implants, multiple implants can support a whole arch of teeth for a permanent solution.
Key Benefits of Choosing Implants
Implants offer several advantages over removable options:
- Improved chewing and clearer speech because the replacement is stable.
- A more natural look and feel compared with dentures.
- Long-term bone preservation—implants help prevent the jawbone from shrinking after tooth loss.
- Durability—well cared for implants can last many years or a lifetime.
Who Makes a Good Candidate?
Overall oral and general health
Good candidates have healthy gums and good overall health. Chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease can be managed to allow implants, but controlled health issues raise success rates. Your provider will review medical history and medications before recommending a plan.
Enough jawbone and timing
Enough jawbone is needed to hold the implant. If you lost a tooth long ago, some bone loss may have occurred. In many cases bone grafting can rebuild the site. For full mouth dental implants, planning often includes imaging to check bone volume and the timing of extractions and implant placement.
Lifestyle and habits
Smoking lowers implant success and slows healing. Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are important. Realistic expectations—understanding the process, healing time, and costs—also help patients succeed.
What to Expect: The Implant Process
Consultation and planning
The first visit includes an exam, X-rays or 3D imaging, and a talk about options and costs. Expect a discussion of single implants versus bridges, dentures, or full mouth dental implants, plus financing and timing.
Surgery and healing (osseointegration)
Implant placement is a minor surgery done with local or sedated anesthesia if needed. The implant integrates with bone during healing (osseointegration), which can take several months. Temporary teeth may be used while you heal.
Final restoration
After healing, the abutment and crown (or fixed bridge/arch) are attached. Your dentist will check fit, bite, and appearance. Follow-up care includes routine cleanings and home care to protect the implant long-term.
Risks, Downsides, and Alternatives
Common risks include infection, slow healing, or rare implant failure. Recovery time and cost are higher than for removable dentures or a bridge. Alternatives:
- Bridge: faster, less costly up front but may affect adjacent teeth and bone over time.
- Denture: lower cost and non-surgical, but less stable and can accelerate bone loss.
About Leedy Dental — Expertise Available to Help
Leedy Dental in Abilene, TX offers in-house implant placement and restoration, sedation options, and advanced imaging to plan care. Dr. Robert W. Leedy and the team have decades of experience with implants and full-mouth rehabilitation. They focus on predictable, long-term outcomes and provide clear information on pricing, financing, and in-network insurance to help patients make informed choices.
How to Decide and Next Steps
Use this quick checklist before scheduling a consult:
- Bring a list of medical conditions and medications.
- Note how long teeth have been missing and any denture use.
- Prepare questions about cost, timeline, and sedation options.
- Ask about options for single implants, bridges, or full mouth dental implants Abilene, TX.
If you think a dental implant Abilene, TX might be right for you, schedule a consultation at Leedy Dental to review your exam, imaging, and personalized treatment plan. A consult will clarify your best path to restore chewing, speech, and a confident smile.
