Author: sharon.boyd

learning how to talk with dental implants

Talking with Dental Implants: How Long Does it Take?

Posted on | by sharon.boyd

Some of the most common questions we hear at our DFW dental implant office is “Will dental implants change the way I talk?” And “How long will it take me to get used to talking with dental implants?”, “Is speaking with implants the same as talking with regular teeth?”

If you’ve already worn dentures in the past, you know that getting used to speaking with new “teeth” in your mouth can take some time. Remember the way children sound when they talk after losing a tooth? It’s fairly typical for there to be some slurring or changes in natural speech patterns when our teeth change. But is it the same if you’re getting dental implants? 

Adapting and Practice Talking

Over the past couple of years, a lot of us learned how to adapt our speech to talking with a mask over our mouths. At first, we thought it would be short-lived. Maybe we didn’t get out because we didn’t want to wear a mask, or it was just too cumbersome to try to understand what other people were saying. But with time, everyone—especially kids still in school—learned to talk with their new facial accessory. 

Just like getting used to wearing a mask, speaking with dental implants takes a while to adapt to. But the key is practice, practice, practice. The more you do it, the easier it becomes to form natural speech patterns against your new smile. 

We’ll Give You Special Talking Exercises

Have you ever had to adjust to something like braces, a new pair of shoes, or even being fitted for a bicycle? The fit and feel may not be perfect from the exact moment that you first use them. But when everything is adjusted and you know how to move your body in relation to those things, it starts to feel more natural. 

One of the ways we help our DFW dental implant clients get used to new speaking patterns is to give them special exercises to use once they get home. You could almost call it physical therapy for dental implants. These specific movements and exercises help you train your mouth to speak clearly with your new set of teeth. Even if your prosthesis is streamlined and only takes up a small amount of space, your tongue needs to adjust to the minuscule changes in the shape of your bite for your normal speech patterns to return. These exercises will help your tongue “learn” more quickly. The goal is to make speech patterns natural so that you can speak freely without worrying about how you sound. 

Our Implant Experts will Adjust Your New Smile

Once your dental implant restorations are first installed, we’ll watch and listen to you speak. As we carefully assess how your mouth is forming certain sounds, we can make adjustments to your prosthesis to improve your natural speaking patterns. 

A lot of people find that working with a dental implant specialist such as a prosthodontist allows them to speak more clearly. Since prosthodontists specialize in complex restoration designs and full mouth rehabilitation cases, it minimizes the impact on everyday activities like talking on the phone, laughing around friends, or sharing a meal with your family. 

Give it About 21 Days (Until Talking Normally)

It takes about an average of three weeks to adjust to talking with your new dental implants. For some people, it’s less, while others require a little more time. But otherwise, it’s typically about 21 days. 

Since dental implants are permanent, you’re not taking them in and out or tempted to leave them on your nightstand. When you’re basically forced into a situation where you’re wearing them every day, adapting to your new speech patterns comes naturally. Whereas someone who wears traditional removable dentures may take even longer to adjust because they aren’t wearing their prosthesis all day, every day. 

We saw the same thing with kids who had to start wearing a mask full-time to school. At first, wearing them was a little cumbersome. But after a few weeks of wearing them all day, every day, everyone adapted to the new normal. Speaking with a mask no longer sounds funny or hard to do. In fact, we do it all day here in our dental office!

Whenever a child loses their front tooth and starts to speak with a slight lisp, you generally tend to see their speech patterns level out after a few weeks. How? Because their body and tongue adapt to the change. After a couple of weeks, you have no trouble understanding what they’re saying. 

A New Normal for Your Mouth

Being patient, practicing, and giving yourself about 21 days to get used to your new speech patterns is the best advice we can give you. Talking in the mirror, practicing certain speech patterns, and doing your prescribed exercises will help to make the adjustment process more efficient. While it’s true that some people don’t take any extra time to learn to speak with dental implants, we don’t want to give you false hope. The true reality is that being patient and counting on about three weeks of practice is usually the “best bet” in your situation. 

Learning to talk with dental implants is typically quicker than dentures since:

  • They’re permanently set in place
  • They’re carefully designed and adjusted by our prosthodontist
  • Full mouth implants are more streamlined
  • You won’t be tempted to take them out

The Real Adjustment (Isn’t Talking)

Although most people are concerned with how long it takes to learn to talk with dental implants, the real challenge might come with smiling. So often, our patients have to compensate for not smiling because of missing teeth or feeling embarrassed about the way their smile looks. In turn, they tend to cover their mouths, not smile at all, avoid laughing, or other habits that take awareness to break. Re-training their level of consciousness and self-esteem to feel great about smiling and laughing in public may be even more of a challenge than learning to talk with dental implants. 

Learn to Love Your Smile Again

ARCHPOINT Implant Dentistry will get you smiling (and speaking clearly) again in no time. Contact us today to reserve your life-changing consultation.

frequently asked dental implant questions

Dental Implant FAQ

Posted on | by sharon.boyd

Dental implants are the gold standard for modern tooth replacement in the United States. Even though today’s designs have been around for more than a couple of decades, most people still have a lot of questions about what’s involved. Here are some of the most frequent FAQs that we get at our DFW dental implant office. 

Does it Hurt to Get Dental Implants?

No. Getting dental implants is a relatively minimally invasive procedure. Technically, straightforward cases only require a small amount of local anesthetic (numbing medication.) But if you require more advanced surgery, it’s normal to be sore for a couple of days afterward. 

How Many Dental Implants Will I Need?

If you’re only replacing one tooth, you’ll only need one implant. For 3-4 teeth in a row, we can use a pair of implants (two total) for a fixed bridge. As far as a full-mouth restoration, as few as 4-6 dental implants are more than adequate for your entire upper or lower arch.

Are There Different Types of Dental Implants?

Yes. There are traditional, ceramic, mini, and zygomatic dental implants. But when most people talk about the types of dental implants, they’re usually asking about the restoration on top of them, such as a bridge, snap-on overdenture, or All-on-4. It’s important to do your research ahead of time. 

Can I Get Sedation During Implant Treatment?

Absolutely. Dental treatment tends to make a lot of people uneasy anyway, so if you’re able to relax or essentially sleep through the process, it’s even better. Dental sedation allows you to tune everything out and basically wake up with your dental implants already placed. 

Is There Such a Thing as an Implant Specialist? 

Dental specialists are those experts who have an additional 2-3 years of specific training in a particular field of dentistry. When it comes to dental implants, oral surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontists should be your experts of choice. Working with a specialist ensures a higher level of care, especially for difficult cases. 

How Should I Choose an Implant Dentist? 

Consider asking friends if they’ve used an implant dentist. Or, book a consultation with an implant specialist in your area to get a professional opinion. While you’re at it, be sure to read online reviews and check out before-and-after photos of cases they’ve completed. Second opinions never hurt, either. 

What is the Recovery Time for Dental Implants Like?

Typically, your mouth needs at least a few months to “heal” as the dental implants integrate with your bone. That being said, you’ll probably only take a few days off from work at the most (or not at all.) Depending on your exact type of implant treatment, we can give you a good idea before the procedure is scheduled. 

Will I Ever Have to Go With Missing Teeth? 

No. There are safe ways to replace your teeth in a day, even if it means wearing a temporary healing prosthesis while your implants integrate. That way a few months later we can change your healing restoration out with a fixed one, and you never have to be seen with missing teeth. 

How Quickly Can I Get Dental Implants?

Dental implant treatment should never be rushed. Placing teeth in a day doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a fixed appliance; if it does, there is an extremely high risk of failure. Truth be told, it’s best to wear a healing overdenture and then get a fixed appliance once your implants fully integrate (about 3-6 months later.)

Are Implant Teeth Permanent or Removable?

Both. Some implant teeth are what we call fixed restorations and are permanently attached to the implant underneath. Crowns, bridges, and All-on-4 are perfect examples. And then there are snap-on removable dentures (overdentures) that you can take out at night. 

How Much do Dental Implants Cost? 

The cost of dental implants is dependent on how many teeth are missing, which type of implant restoration you’re getting, and if any adjunctive services are needed (such as bone grafts, sinus lifts, etc.) Read more about dental implant costs HERE.

How Long do Dental Implants Last? 

A well-maintained dental implant should theoretically last you the rest of your life. The key is to keep the gums and bone around them healthy. Good oral hygiene is essential. If anything needs to be updated at some point in the future, it would likely be the restoration that goes on top of your implant.

How Do I Clean My Dental Implants?

Dental implants need to be brushed and flossed each day. Investing in a water flosser and electric toothbrush can be quite helpful. Learn more about the specifics of how to clean dental implants HERE. 

Are Dental Implants Expensive? 

Some types of dental implants are more expensive than others. Thankfully there are also more middle-of-the-road implant options for people who need to work on a tighter budget. Being open with your implant provider will help you find a solution that fits your needs.

Can I Have All of My Teeth Pulled and Replaced with Dental Implants?

Typically, it’s best to try to preserve your natural teeth. But if your teeth are non-restorable or severely infected, it may be best to have them removed then replaced with something like implants or dentures. 

What are Dental Implants Made From?

Most dental implants are made from titanium, which is a hypoallergenic and biocompatible metal that’s frequently used in joint replacements (and similar surgeries.) Titanium triggers new bone integration around it, which is what makes implant treatment so successful. 

Can Dental Implants Get Infected?

Yes. Daily home care is essential to prevent the areas around your implant from getting infected. If redness or swelling develops, contact your implant dentist immediately. 

Your DFW Implant Specialists

ARCHPOINT offers quality dental implant treatments in Dallas and Ft. Worth. If you’re looking for a team of skilled specialists who can tailor your care to fit your lifestyle, you’ve come to the right place. Contact us today to schedule an exam with one of our experts to learn more about how we can help.

price of dental implants

How Much do Dental Implants Cost?

Posted on | by sharon.boyd

One of the biggest factors that a prospective implant patient needs to know is, “How much do dental implants cost?” Financial barriers are one of the most common concerns when it comes to whether someone can get dental implants. Understanding the various circumstances that impact total implant costs can help you be better prepared when it’s finally time to take the first steps of meeting with an implant specialist. 

Since there’s more to the price of dental implants (in DFW) than the specific fee on each physical implant, here are some things you’ll need to consider:

Does Dental Insurance Cover Implants?

Several years ago, it wasn’t uncommon for insurance to not pay for dental implants. Fortunately, that’s changed for the most part. Depending on the type of dental coverage that you have, your benefits may pay an average of about 50% or so on certain dental implant procedures. 

But keep in mind, just like medical insurance policies, dental insurance usually requires a deductible or a copay that you’ll need to meet before the benefits kick in. On top of that, dental policies tend to max out around $1,500 per year. So, it’s best to not dwell too much on whether most of your implants will be covered by insurance or not. Some of it might be, but it may not be as much as you wish it was. 

The good news is that if you do plan to get implants, you can tap into your Health Savings Account/Flex Spending Account (HSA/FSA) to pay for your treatment. Dental care is included under approved health expenses, the same way any other medical procedure is.

Is Financing Available for Dental Implants? 

Absolutely. Financing makes getting dental implants easier than most people expect. Depending on the type of payment plan you’re looking for, you can get anywhere from 0% to low-interest financing on the total price of your implant treatment. No matter how much implants cost, this option makes it way more affordable to fit implants into your monthly budget. 

With financing implants, you can apply the payment plan to the full balance, or just finance the portion that’s not covered by insurance if you want to. Maybe you’ve saved up some money for a down payment but want to make installments on the remaining portion. That’s completely fine and totally doable. Financing is one of the easiest ways to immediately enjoy the perks of implants without breaking the bank.

How Much do Dental Implants Cost Per Tooth?

One of the most important things you need to know about how much dental implants cost is that you’re not essentially paying for each tooth that’s missing. For example, it might be more cost-effective to use four implants and a hybrid All-on-4 appliance to replace up to 14 teeth in your upper jaw than it would be to install a single implant and crown for every tooth that’s missing. 

Since dental implants are so durable, we can use them in pairs to anchor multi-tooth restorations. That’s why you’re paying less per tooth for dental implants during full mouth reconstruction as opposed to an implant for each tooth that you need to replace. 

If you’re only replacing one tooth with a dental implant, you probably want to budget for a few thousand dollars. But when it comes to multiple teeth, the numbers tend to significantly fluctuate depending on the total number of implants and the type of restoration you want on top of them. 

The Type of Restoration You’ve Chosen

Dental implants are just part of your smile reconstruction. Since implants act as the “root” portion of your new tooth, you’ll also want to select a restoration to go on top of it. 

Depending on how many teeth you’re missing, this could be something like an implant crown, bridge, All-on-4, or a snap-on overdenture. Each of these different restorations can be crafted from a variety of materials, further impacting the cost differences when it comes to tooth replacement. Some are more economical than others, while premier designs feature optimal aesthetics and durability. 

Ultimately, it’s up to you and your implant specialist to decide on what’s practical or what you’re truly looking for with your smile reconstruction. One of the best ways to narrow down the price is to have an implant expert screen your mouth to see what’s appropriate, then work up a care plan that compares and contrasts the varying levels of services. That way you have all of the information you need to make an educated choice about your smile’s future. 

Adjunctive Services Related to Dental Implants

Finally, there are costs that may impact your smile treatment that are not related to a dental implant whatsoever. Such as dental extractions, sedation, bone grafting, sinus lifts, etc. Each of these may be necessary before an implant can be installed, but they are billed separately from the actual fee for an implant. 

How Much do Dental Implants Cost: Determining Final Cost of Treatment

The only way to know exactly how much dental implants will cost in your specific situation is to sit down with a specialist for a consultation. Your implant expert can rule out factors that may not be applicable in your situation, or bring up others that are. From there, you can go back and forth discussing what’s most important to you and identifying the best type of implant prosthesis for your budget. 

After you’ve narrowed everything down, the patient coordinators will draft a care plan—that also incorporates financing and/or insurance benefits, if applicable—that breaks down all of the fees and processes involved. You’ll see exactly how much dental implants cost for your circumstances; they’re going to be different for everyone. 

Honest Care at ARCHPOINT

ARCHPOINT provides quality, honest, budget-appropriate dental implant care to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for top-of-the-line All-on-4 implants or you want a hybrid snap-on appliance, we can find exactly what works for you and your budget. 

Contact us today to request a zero-fuss consultation. We’ll be thrilled to assist you with your smile transformation.

how to clean dental implants

How to Clean Your Dental Implants

Posted on | by sharon.boyd

Did you just replace all of your teeth with dental implants? Maybe you have a combination of both natural teeth and implants in your mouth? Knowing the right way how to clean your dental implants will help you enjoy healthier gums, fresher breath, and most importantly—get the most out of your investment. 

A Note About Implant-Related Gum Disease

First and foremost, the most important thing you need to know about keeping dental implants clean is that the gums around them need to stay healthy. The biggest risk to dental implants is peri-implantitis, which is the implant form of gum disease. When the gums and bone around an implant become infected, it destroys the attachment tissues that hold your implant in place. In other words, the implant can become loose or fall out. 

Bottom line, you want to keep your gums as healthy and clean as possible. 

How to Brush Your Dental Implants

Dental implants may not be able to develop cavities, but it’s still possible for tartar buildup and stain to accumulate on their surface. Plan to brush them for at least two minutes, twice a day. Make sure you’re using a non-abrasive toothpaste and soft or extra-soft toothbrush, as harsh products could be too rough on your gums and restorations. 

Gently brush your implant restorations the same way you do your other teeth and then brush along the gumlines where plaque tends to be heaviest. 

How to Clean Your Dental Implants with Floss

Flossing around a dental implant is nearly identical to flossing an anatomical tooth. You want to wrap the floss in a “C” shape against the side of the implant, then rub it up and down a few times to thoroughly clean the side. Lift the floss up and over your gums, then move to the next tooth or implant. 

Water flossing is a great alternative to traditional flossing. Water flossers use a steady stream of water that can reach around implants, between teeth, and under gumlines where flossing cannot reach. Simply trace the water flosser around each implant and tooth to clean the areas immediately next to the gums. Pause between each of your teeth to flush those spaces as well.

Adjusting to a water flosser can take a bit of time (it’s messy and can feel ticklish at first) but with practice, it’s preferred over traditional flossing. Especially for people with dental implants. Investing in a quality water flosser—one where you can adjust the pressure—is a great way to ensure your implants last as long as possible. 

The biggest key to having a water flosser or flossing around dental implants? Using it at least once a day. Your toothbrush won’t clean those areas, so you have to physically clean it with floss on a daily basis to keep your smile healthy. 

How to Clean Your Dental Implants (Underneath a Multi-Tooth Prosthesis)

Any time you’re getting an implant-supported bridge or a hybrid appliance like All-on-4 implants, there will be a space between your prosthesis and your gum tissues underneath. Knowing how to clean it effectively will prevent that space from becoming a food trap or getting infected. 

There are a few different ways you can clean this area and it’s really up to your personal preferences, as well as how wide that particular space is. 

First, you have what’s called “super floss”. It’s like regular floss but stiff on one end, then it tufts out into a thicker strand of yarn-like material. You simply glide the super floss underneath your bridge, then wipe back and forth underneath. Then, wrap the floss around the implant on each side of that space to clean more closely along the gumlines. 

Second, you have traditional floss and a floss threader. You use the floss threader to weave the strand underneath, then clean the area as you would with the super floss. Except in this case, the floss is much thinner. 

Third, there’s the option of using a tufted proxy brush. These tapered, miniature brushes come in different sizes and shapes, making it easy to brush underneath fixed prosthetics or other various spaces throughout your mouth. 

And finally, there are water flossers. Water flossing is preferred, as it’s both effective and capable of reaching practically anywhere in your mouth. 

Cleaning Removable Overdentures (Snap-on Dentures)

Snap-on dentures need to be cleaned after you eat and removed each night. Don’t sleep in them, because they can harbor bacteria or food debris up underneath your denture, leading to an infection. The same goes for not rinsing your prosthesis after meals, since it can turn into a food trap where particles seep up underneath your plate. 

Rinse your dentures regularly throughout the day, always after meals, then put them back in your mouth. But in the evenings make sure you’re also thoroughly brushing your dentures to remove any plaque that is trying to settle onto them. If you have time to brush them at additional times in the day, even better. 

At least a few times a week, make sure you’re soaking your denture in an effervescent cleanser to loosen additional buildup or stain. Then brush it thoroughly the next morning and rinse it well before you put it back into your mouth. 

And finally, make sure you’re cleaning the inside of your mouth after you take out your denture. You can use a soft washcloth to wipe your gums or an extra-soft toothbrush with tap water. If you like, you can also use a non-abrasive toothpaste to clean the implant abutments in your mouth.

Do You Still Need to Schedule Dental Cleanings? 

Yes! Your dentist and hygienist will have special tools designed precisely for cleaning around dental implants. Plan to keep your normal six-month checkup appointment. Aside from cleaning your teeth or implants, your dentist still needs to do things like screen for oral cancer and measure your bone levels. 

Need a Professional Opinion? 

ARCHPOINT offers comprehensive dental implant options in Fort Worth and Dallas. If you’re considering implants, All-on-4, or snap-on dentures, give our office a call today.

snap-on overdentures

Snap-on Dentures: The Perfect Middle Ground

Posted on | by sharon.boyd

[Snap-on Dentures DFW] Need to replace all your teeth? If you don’t want dentures or you’re worried about the price of hybrid dental implants, it’s time to check out snap-on dentures. Implant-supported overdentures are a great alternative for our implant clients who need a more budget-savvy option but don’t want to wear a loose “plate” in their mouth. 

Better Than Traditional Dentures

With a traditional denture, you have a prosthesis that rests directly on top of your gums and sort of cups over the gum tissues. It’s the exact same thing when you have a snap-on denture. 

The difference, however, is how the denture stays in place. Conventional plates rely on suction or your lip/cheek muscles to keep it where it’s supposed to stay. There’s still wiggle room for it to slip, slide, or rock when you’re moving your mouth. As you might guess, this can lead to some seriously embarrassing situations if you’re not careful.

On the other hand, a snap-on denture is like affordable dentures on steroids. The underside of the denture is specifically made to have special attachments that will clip directly onto dental implants in your mouth. Even though it can take a little time for the implants to integrate before they’re ready for the denture to clip in, you’ll never have to go around with missing teeth. 

More Affordable Than All-on-4

All-on-4 dentures are an amazing solution for people who want to restore their entire smile. They’re a hybrid prosthesis that’s permanently attached inside of your mouth and more streamlined than snap-on dentures. But the fact is that for a lot of people, All-on-4 may just not be in their budget. And that’s ok. With a snap-on denture, you get the added stability of implants but it’s more conservatively priced for our patients. 

When you have genuine concerns about the overall price of your treatment but still want to find a way to make dental implants work for you, snap-on overdentures are a perfect solution. 

Snap-on Dentures: Do Your Research First

Every dental implant or snap-on dentures client needs to do their research before signing a treatment plan or committing to a specific dentist. Especially if something seems really cheap, is half the cost of another office, or “too good to be true.” Since not all types of dental implants or snap-on dentures are the same, you really want to have a thorough understanding of what it is you’re getting and if it’s what you had in mind. 

For instance, some dentists might make you a snap-on denture that affixes to just a couple of mini dental implants. These are not going to be the same as an overdenture that clips onto four full-sized implants. The end results will be different and your prosthesis is going to fit accordingly depending on which one you’re getting. 

One of the things we do at ARCHPOINT is make sure we have example models available to look at and handle so that you can see exactly how they’ll work in your mouth. Sometimes being able to see it for yourself is all you need. When you have a model right in front of you, it’s just easier to understand how it’s going to work once it’s inside of your mouth. 

Some people find that it’s beneficial to visit with a couple of different dental implant offices and see which designs the dentist uses before they select a provider. Others like to look online at various before-and-after photos or example diagrams to understand how snap-on dentures work. Whatever your learning style is, just make sure you do your research so that you don’t wind up disappointed after everything is said and done. 

The snap-on dentures at ARCHPOINT typically use four full-sized traditional implants. These provide a solid, secure base for your overdenture to clip on and off without needing any messy glue or adhesive strips. 

Work with a Snap-on Dentures Specialist

Any time you’re getting dental implants—especially for something as dramatic as a full smile reconstruction—you want to make sure you’re working with a specialist. The particular type of dental expert you’ll want to work with will either be an oral surgeon, periodontist, prosthodontist, or a combined team of all of the above. 

Partnering with a dental implant expert will ensure that you get the type of treatment you’re looking for and in an efficient manner. Specialists do this day in and day out, so they’re skilled at a wide variety of implant techniques. This is just one extra step you can take to make sure you’re getting the type of treatment you want and that you’ll be happy with the results. 

Even though some general or family dental offices offer dental implants, they tend to be a bit more limited in the type of services they’re able to offer. So, if you’re going in and expecting snap-on dentures, you need to know ahead of time, by doing your research, the exact type of denture and implant system you need and want. Partnering with a team of specialists will help you take the guesswork out of your treatment so that you know exactly what you can expect. 

Plus, experts like periodontists and oral surgeons can adapt the way they install your implants when the situation calls for it. So even if your dentist told you that you don’t qualify for implants or implant-supported dentures, a specialist may still be able to use dental implants in your particular case. Their experience and wider access to skilled techniques (and technology) doesn’t mean the other dentist was being deceptive, it’s just that specialists have a wider variety of options that they’re able to offer for more difficult cases. This is especially important for people who are replacing all of their missing teeth with implants or dentures. 

Snap-on Dentures Consultation

ARCHPOINT offers comprehensive dental implant services in Fort Worth and Dallas. If you’re early on in the dental implant exploration phase or you’ve settled on the best solution for your needs, we’re happy to help. Contact one of our DFW locations today to reserve a consultation with our team of skilled specialists. 

side effects of missing teeth

Benefits of Restoring Your Missing Teeth

Posted on | by sharon.boyd

When you think about replacing your missing teeth, you may only have one for two factors that are your main motivators. But the effects of restoring your smile’s function are priceless. Here are just some of the advantages of what dental implants can do to improve your health and lifestyle. 

Better Diet and Nutrient Absorption

One of the biggest health impacts of tooth loss is changes to your diet. All too often, seniors with missing teeth are restricted to soft diets that typically consist of processed foods. These meals usually don’t have the same nutritional value as the type of foods they ate previously, especially since they cannot bite or chew things like fresh fruits, vegetables, firm proteins, or dense whole grains. 

Even with dentures, chewing abilities are significantly reduced to a fraction of what’s possible with natural teeth. 

When you cannot chew the foods you’re eating, or you’re limited to a soft diet, you’ll tend to see a deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals, as well as poor nutrient absorption (because your digestive tract cannot break down your food if you aren’t chewing well.) 

Dental implants allow you to eat and chew normally, essentially eliminating this major health concern. 

Improved Speech 

Changes in your bite can impact your natural speaking patterns. Remember how young children sound when they lose their two front teeth? Your tongue uses all of your oral anatomy to form speech sounds. Depending on which teeth are gone and how many are missing, your speech can also change as you get older. 

This concern is fairly significant for people who wear dentures. Transitioning to a removable “plate” that rests across the top of your mouth requires re-learning how to form many letter sounds with your tongue and lips. It can take several days, or even weeks before you feel fairly comfortable talking on the phone or with a friend. 

By replacing missing teeth with dental implants, you’re able to maintain natural tooth design and function as it relates to speaking, singing, whistling…you name it. Implants don’t interfere with other parts of your mouth since they’re modeled after anatomical teeth, so there’s no bulky plate getting in the way of things. 

Reduced Bone Loss (Resorption)

Resorption is a natural shrinkage process that occurs in areas of tooth loss, trauma, and periodontal disease. In the case of missing teeth, it’s natural to see bone height in your jaw gradually start to shorten. 

Fortunately, dental implants are made out of a material that’s naturally attractive to bone tissues. It’s called titanium, and it’s extremely biocompatible. Titanium is also used for a variety of surgical procedures in the field of medicine, because of its ability to promote healthy bone integration and being hypoallergenic. 

Setting a dental implant into your bone triggers a process known as osseointegration. This phenomenon is where your bone recognizes the titanium and is immediately drawn to it, creating a new layer of bony tissue against the surface of the implant. Full osseointegration permanently fuses your implant into place, making it a fixed part of your smile. Yet it also benefits your jaws, teeth, and facial profile, because it promotes higher quality bone in areas where resorption would otherwise take place. 

Delays Premature Aging

Any time you lose a tooth or have one extracted, the bone in that immediate area begins to resorb, or shrink.With extensive tooth and bone loss, you’ll start to see sunken-in, sullen facial features that make you look older than you really are. Tooth loss simply speeds up the physical aging process. 

By installing dental implants and strengthening the bone in those areas (see above) you can maintain the natural height of your jaws. Plus, the fixed implant restoration will also add fullness and support behind your cheeks and lips. With the added depth and support of your soft and hard tissues, you’re able to maintain your natural facial profile and the appearance you had before you lost your teeth.  

Retention of Your Remaining Teeth

Dental implants are the only tooth replacement treatment that is non-invasive to healthy teeth. Since they do not rely on adjacent teeth for support, an implant can sit right alongside of a natural tooth without altering its structure whatsoever. With partial dentures and bridges, that is not the case; both of these restorations can weaken the supporting teeth over time, causing gradual deterioration to your smile. 

And since implants help promote healthy bone through osseointegration, they will prevent bone loss next to the neighboring teeth. Otherwise, those teeth would experience loss of bone height on the side nearest the missing tooth. In time, the lack of bone could cause tooth mobility and loss in otherwise healthy teeth. 

Implants act like placeholders, preserving natural tooth spacing and alignment. The sooner you replace your missing tooth with an implant, the less likely you are to experience any shifting or changes in the way your teeth bite together. Similar to how bookends help prevent several books from tilting over whenever you take one off the shelf. 

Boosts Your Self Esteem

Missing teeth can cause you to feel self-conscious to the point that you avoid social interaction with friends, family, or colleagues. Something as simple as posing for a selfie may be completely out of the question. 

When you feel great about the way your teeth look, you’ll want to show your smile off more often. You’ll smile more frequently, laugh freely, and even find yourself chatting with more people. It’s subconscious, but it’s true; replacing your missing teeth can transform everything from your personal level of confidence to your social and professional life. It’s an investment in your quality of life just as much as it is in your oral health. 

Complimentary Implant Consultations

ARCHPOINT offers no-fuss, complimentary dental implant evaluations in DFW. If you’re still trying to decide whether implants are right for you, or you just want to find out if you qualify, then it’s time to talk to one of our smile reconstruction experts. Contact us today to reserve your free consultation. 

dentures and dental implants

Dentures vs. Implants: Which One is Right for You?

Posted on | by sharon.boyd

Do you need to replace all of your teeth? Dentures are one of the most traditional tooth replacements in dentistry and are still routinely used today. And although there are a lot of different denture designs on the market, they’re not right for everyone. Instead, a lot of people prefer to go with dental implants, because of their permanency and the ability to avoid a removable prosthesis. 

Advantages of Dentures

One of the things that make dentures so popular is how affordable they are. Since dentures come in multiple levels of quality and materials, you can select the one that fits your budget. From cheap tooth replacement to premier cosmetic dentures (and everything in-between) you’ll be sure to find one that accommodates your needs. 

The second major advantage of dentures is how quickly they replace all of your teeth. It’s a “once and done” approach, regardless of how many teeth you’re missing. You can elect to get a full denture to replace all of the teeth in one arch, or a partial denture to only restore the ones that are missing (and retain the healthy ones you still have.) Occasionally your dentist can add new teeth to your partial if another tooth needs to be extracted. 

Disadvantages of Dentures

Since dentures are removable, they tend to rub, rock, and slip out of place at the most inopportune times. Occasionally, the minor movement can even cause sores on your gum tissues or contribute to infections like thrush.  

The larger nature of a denture means it will also impact your speaking and eating habits. Since the “plate” covers the roof of your mouth, dentures make it more challenging to taste your food or form certain speech sounds. During meals, you’ll typically find yourself eating smaller bites and preferring much softer textures, as dentures offer only a portion of the biting strength of natural teeth. 

At night, you’ll have to take your dentures out of your mouth. Sleeping in a removable prosthesis can predispose you to infections and bone loss. It will also cause the fit of your denture to change, making it feel even looser than it’s supposed to. If you’re hesitant about the idea of having your teeth sitting on your nightstand, then dentures are probably not right for you. 

Advantages of Dental Implants

The benefits of dental implants far surpass any other mainstream tooth replacement. In fact, they’re now regarded as the gold standard in smile reconstruction for people with missing teeth. 

Dental implants are the only tooth replacement that is modeled after the anatomical shape of a tooth. This design provides a number of benefits, including support of bone and facial tissues (to prevent premature aging) and being non-invasive to adjacent teeth. No alteration or changes to healthy tooth structure is required. 

Plus, dental implants encourage healthy bone. The materials used to make implants are naturally attractive to bone tissue, allowing them to integrate with one another for permanent results. This added bone support also helps to maintain natural jaw height, stabilize any surrounding teeth, and restores fullness to your cheeks and lips.

Then there’s the fact that dental implants are stronger than natural teeth. Their integrity makes it possible to eat any food without dietary restrictions. Nothing is going to rock or lift out of place. You can eat a wider variety of textures with dental implants than you can with a pair of dentures. 

Today’s implants have the highest success rate of any tooth replacement treatment in DFW. Especially when you work with an implant expert and team of specialists like the ones at ARCHPOINT. You can use implants to replace any number of missing teeth. From single implants with crowns to multi-tooth dental bridges and even full-arch All-on-4 treatment, implants are far more flexible than other contemporary restorations. 

And finally, a dental implant can last the rest of your life. As long as they’re fully integrated and you care for them properly each day, you can expect your implants to outlast and outperform every other dental restoration you’ve had in the past. Including dentures. 

Disadvantages of Dental Implants (Are There Any?)

There aren’t many disadvantages of dental implants if you can even call them that. Although the treatment used to be quite restrictive to those who qualify, that’s not necessarily the case as often these days. Thanks to supportive therapies, digital imaging, and specialized grafting options, more people qualify for dental implants than ever. 

You might be saying, “but what about the cost?” Do dental implants cost more than dentures? Yes, at least up front. While the initial investment in implants is significantly more than a typical budget denture, only implants are capable of lasting a lifetime. Their return on investment far surpasses any other type of tooth replacement treatment on the market. 

Hybrid Implant Denture Options

What if it were possible to blend the economic advantages of removable dentures with the added security of dental implants? That’s exactly what implant-stabilized dentures are for. These unique prosthetics look and feel like traditional dentures except for one thing. They have 2-4 locators underneath the “plate” which snap or clip onto a corresponding dental implant. This design eliminates the need for messy adhesives or denture pastes and helps to secure your prosthesis throughout the day. But everyday wear and care are nearly identical to that of traditional dentures. In some cases, it’s even possible to retrofit your current denture to attach it onto new dental implants. 

“Which Tooth Replacement Option is Right for Me?”

ARCHPOINT offers complimentary consultations in Dallas/Ft. Worth for prospective implant clients. When you meet with one of our specialists for a private evaluation, we’ll be able to discuss everything related to your unique smile and personal circumstances. We’re here not just to provide amazing services, but also honest care. Together, we’ll work by your side to contrast the advantages of dentures and implants so that you feel confident about your smile’s future. 

Contact ARCHPOINT today to reserve your free evaluation.

Same day dental implants

The Truth About Same Day Implants

Posted on | by sharon.boyd

Are you looking for teeth in a day (in Fort Worth and Dallas)? If so, then you’ve probably been wondering how dental implants fit into the equation. Especially full mouth rejuvenation options like All-on-4 implant treatments. 

The fact is, there are a lot of misconceptions and untold truths about the “teeth in a day” process. Remember the old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”? That’s definitely something you want to keep in mind if you’re just starting to explore the options of DFW teeth in a day. 

What are Teeth in a Day?

In simplified terms, teeth in a day dental implant treatment replaces all of your missing teeth in just one appointment. You go to your dentist, have dental implants installed, and walk out with a brand new smile. 

Simple, right? 

Sort of. Except that’s not all there is to it.

Teeth in a Day and Temporary Teeth

Every dental implant needs at least 3-4 months to integrate with your bone. Integration is where the bone forms around the implant and permanently fuses with its textured surface. Once your implant is fully integrated, it’s not going anywhere. It becomes a permanent part of your new smile. 

That’s where special considerations come in regarding teeth in a day. Let’s say you’re having your dental implants installed and a same-day appliance attached to them. Yes, you will have brand new teeth in a day. But…

Yes, there’s a “but”…

Your same-day dental implant appliance is actually a healing prosthesis. You’ll wear it on your dental implants full time for 3-4 months or more as your implants fully integrate. During this period, it’s important that you stick to a soft diet so that you don’t put too much pressure on your implants underneath. 

The advantage of a temporary healing prosthesis is that you have a great-looking smile and get same day teeth while you’re waiting for your implants to completely integrate. Since your immediate appliance is only worn for a short amount of time, it’s made from much more affordable materials like acrylic, which don’t typically last as long as something like zirconia. 

Why a Final Hybrid Design is Required

Throughout the integration and healing process, the curves and contours of your gums and bone will slightly change. This can create fit issues with your same day implant appliance and is another reason why we replace it with a permanent one after integration is complete. So yes, you do receive an immediate implant appliance on the same date as your implant installation, but we’ll want to update it with the permanent version a few months later. Bottom line, you won’t have to leave the office with any missing teeth; you’ll always have something to smile and eat with, even if it’s not the long-term version. 

We prefer to use a more durable, high-quality material for your permanent All-on-4 appliance. In this case, zirconia. Zirconia is extremely hard and aesthetic, providing the best results when it comes to a permanent smile. But it shouldn’t be installed immediately after an implant procedure, which is why we wait until your mouth is fully ready. 

With zirconia, you have the flexibility to design the perfect smile. Everything from the exact color and size to shade and alignment of your teeth is adjustable. Yes, you can even purposely add minor discrepancies in your new “teeth” if you choose to do so!

Since zirconia is so strong, you’ll be able to eat practically anything that you want (other than rocks, of course! And never use your new teeth to open things like bottles, packages, etc.) Steak, crispy apples, carrots, and nuts are all just fine. It’s just like having healthy, natural teeth all over again. 

Why You Need an Experienced Implant Specialist

Not all dentists who offer teeth in a day use zirconia. Many of them only provide the temporary healing prosthesis that’s made out of acrylic, or don’t disclose that you’ll need to replace/update your restoration within the next few months. We like our implant clients to know exactly what to expect, before ever committing to something as life changing as All-on-4 implants. 

Zirconia is a unique material in that not every implant dentist works with it. You typically need a more experienced specialist who has their own lab and is familiar with using zirconia on an everyday basis. Because of its unique characteristics, the harder textures make it a bit more tedious to work with. Selecting an implant expert who knows how to craft the materials for your final All-on-4 appliance will ensure:

  • The most aesthetic results
  • High quality restorations
  • A better fit
  • Customized smile design

…and you’ll get to be involved in the entire design process from start to finish. 

“Can I Get Teeth in a Day?”

Yes…and no. You can get some type of dental appliance (healing prosthesis) on the same day that your All-on-4 dental implants are installed. But it will only be for temporary purposes. As such, it’s made out of a less durable material such as acrylic, like traditional dentures. You’ll also want to only eat soft foods for a few months.

After your implants are fully integrated, we’ll switch your healing prosthesis out with a permanent smile design made out of zirconia. Your zirconia appliance is expertly crafted for optimal cosmetics and integrity. It will be the closest thing you’ll ever have to natural teeth. Their durability means you’ll be able to eat anything you want. Plus, rebuilding your smile will help support a healthy, fuller, more youthful looking facial profile. 

Your DFW All-on-4 Experts

At ARCHPOINT, you can take a nap and wake up with an entirely new smile. We value the input of every patient, considering your preferences and goals for each smile design we complete. 

Reserve a complimentary consultation at our Dallas or Fort Worth dental implant clinic today to find out if All-on-4 implants are right for you! Flexible payment options are always available.

All-on-4 dental implants Fort Worth

All-on-4 Dental Implants in DFW

Posted on | by sharon.boyd

Dental implants have come a long way over the last few decades. Especially now that we have full-mouth restoration designs like All-on-4 treatments. Since the first implant was installed by a Swedish orthopedic surgeon in 1965, we’ve learned a lot about these biocompatible dental and surgical devices. In fact, the material that’s used to create dental implants is also used in everyday medical procedures like joint replacements and reconstructive surgeries. Why? Because your body is naturally attracted to it!

Today’s modern dental implant designs are the closest thing out there to having natural teeth all over again. If you’ve lost your smile and think that dentures are your only option, think again. All-on-4 dental implants offer you an opportunity to have a fixed device that you never take in and out of your mouth like you would with full dentures. 

What are All-on-4 Implants?

All-on-4 implants are a fixed set of teeth that eliminate the need to wear a removable denture. They’re a modern dental implant design that uses a limited number of implants (in this case, usually four) to permanently anchor and support a streamlined, hybrid prosthesis across your bite. The “teeth” in this instance, only follow the natural curvature of your bite; there aren’t any bulky plates that rest against the roof of your mouth. It affixes directly to the dental implants underneath, which act as artificial tooth roots. 

Depending on who you ask, you might hear some people call All-on-4 implants by other names, such as Arch on Four, Hybrid Implants, an implant-supported bridge, Arch on Six, or All-on-6. Since some people need more than four implants, an All-on-4 can sometimes become All-on-6, depending on your unique circumstances.

One of the biggest perks is that you don’t take All-on-4 implants out at night like dentures, so there are no embarrassing situations to worry about or the fear that something is going to slip out of your mouth when you’re eating dinner. All-on-4 is truly the next best thing to having all of your natural teeth again. 

The All-on-4 Process

Every All-on-4 implants case starts with a one-on-one consultation with one of our smile reconstruction specialists. During this visit, we’ll discuss what you want your smile design to look like. It might be that you’ve been dreaming about your teeth looking a certain way for your entire life. Or maybe you just want to restore the smile that you used to have, but lost because of a chronic medical condition that caused your teeth to deteriorate. Whatever the reason behind it, we’ll help to bring your smile back to what you want it to be. 

From there, we’ll design everything from scratch. The shape of every tooth, the contour of each one, and the color of your smile overall. Since All-on-4 implants replace all of your teeth in one arch, we can make them look however you want them to; they don’t have to be matched to any adjacent, existing teeth. You’ll have a hand in every decision that’s made until you’re thrilled with the proposed smile design. 

What’s next? Getting your new smile. You’ll come back to our office, take a nap, then wake up with completely brand new teeth. From the moment you’re able to smile in the mirror, you’ll experience a huge boost in confidence and your self-esteem. You’ll have brand new teeth in just one day. 

For the first few months, you’ll want to stick to a soft diet as your dental implants integrate. That means the bone is re-forming around the implant surfaces, gradually fusing to them and making them one with your mouth. After full integration occurs, we’ll replace your temporary healing teeth with the permanent zirconia version.

Materials Selected for All-on-4 Implants 

There are different types of materials that All-on-4 implants can be made out of. Most are either acrylic or zirconia. Acrylic is usually what we use for temporary healing teeth, which is what you go home with on the date of your All-on-4 installation. It’s the same type of material that you see with conventional dentures. 

And then there’s zirconia. Zirconia offers the highest level of quality and longevity when it comes to restoring missing teeth. It’s a hard, dense material that’s durable enough to eat just about any food, but also promises the highest level of aesthetics. 

The one downside about zirconia—if you want to call it that—is that you have to find an implant specialist and lab who offers it. Because it’s such a hard material, some dentists are unable to easily work with it or find a lab that will. So, you’ll want to partner with an All-on-4 specialist who has already gone through “all of the issues” and knows how to work with and adapt zirconia on an everyday basis for their patients. You don’t want someone who just quickly places a set of teeth on your implants at the cost of durability. After all, these are the permanent teeth you’re going to live, eat, and smile with in the years ahead.

ARCHPOINT uses zirconia on most of our All-on-4 implant treatments as the final set of teeth (after your temporary healing prosthesis.) We design everything in-house and work closely with our lab to provide high-quality denture alternatives that make it feel like you have a natural smile all over again. Zirconia provides the best investment and is going to last when you need it to. It’s a material we use each and every day. 

Implant Alternative to Dentures

Dentures have to be taken out at night so that your gums can breathe. They sit on the counter or your bedside table, or rock and slip whenever you eat. They’re also less durable than other types of restorations, which makes them difficult to eat with. 

On the other hand, All-on-4 implants provide you with a custom smile that starts with a blank canvas. You can choose natural characteristics and be in complete charge of the way your smile will look. Then you simply go to sleep and wake up to a completely transformed set of teeth that never have to come out of your mouth. To say the process is life changing is a bit of an understatement! 

Get a Brand New Smile

All-on-4 implants replace your teeth in one day as you wear a healing process for a few months, then have a new set of teeth crafted from durable, high-quality zirconia. You can eat whatever you want, smile wherever you want, and never have to take out a pair of dentures. 

Call ARCHPOINT today to find out if All-on-4 implants are right for you! Free consultations are available.

wine after implant treatment

Can I Drink Wine Right After a Dental Implant Procedure?

Posted on | by sharon.boyd

One of the things you have to keep in mind when you get dental implants is whether you need to change anything about your diet or lifestyle. In this case, drinking wine. Can you drink wine right after a dental implant procedure or similar treatment? Can wine or other types of beverages hurt your implants in any way?

Drinking Wine Immediately After Implant Installation

In the case of drinking wine right after your dental implants are installed, it’s best to pass. The reason being you may be on some pain medication (which could counteract with the alcohol) or your mouth might still be a little numb. You don’t want to accidentally dribble wine down your mouth and stain a shirt, or bite your lips since you can’t feel everything yet.

For the first couple of days, say no to the wine. And if you’re on pain medication longer than that for any reason, avoid all alcohol altogether. Once you’re off of any prescriptions and everything is nice and healed, you can think about enjoying an adult beverage. 

But there are still a few things you’ll want to consider. Like whether or not drinking wine is going to stain your new implants.

What Causes Tooth Stain?

Before we dig down much deeper, it’s important to understand tooth anatomy. Tooth enamel is porous and all of those microscopic pores will gradually absorb stain particles from the environment, drinks we like (coffee, tea, wine, etc.), and darken with age. While superficial staining can usually be polished off of your teeth during a professional dental cleaning, deeper stains can still exist inside of the pores. 

Even if you’ve had white, bright teeth in the past, time can make them grow darker. To the point that a dental cleaning and polish isn’t enough to make them look much brighter than they already are. 

On top of aging and tiny micropores, teeth can also develop small cracks that can take on stains. The only way to lift these deep stains is to have your teeth professionally whitened. Surface polishing can’t reach them. Fortunately, your dentist can administer a safe and effective bleaching solution that can help your teeth look white like they did before (if not even brighter!)

Keep in mind that any wine or other dark liquids will continue to put stains back into your teeth. So if you’ve whitened, you’ll have to keep whitening to keep your smile bright. 

Lastly, neither teeth nor dental implants are immune to plaque and tartar buildup. If you’re not as good about brushing and flossing as you need to be, all of that extra buildup can accumulate across your smile, harboring everything from bacteria and foul odors to unsightly stain particles. 

Will Wine Stain Dental Implants? 

Red wine can stain just about anything. And if you drank it regularly in the past, you’ve probably already seen what it can do to natural tooth enamel.  Can it do the same to your dental implants?

It depends on what your dental implants are made from! Some materials aren’t porous like tooth enamel, while others are. For simplicity’s sake, let’s compare two of the most common types of implant restoration materials: zirconia and acrylic. 

Zirconia is an extremely durable ceramic that is the strongest of all restorative materials. It’s also non-porous. But can it still develop stain? 

Let’s say you have zirconia implants and drink several glasses of red wine one evening. When you smile in the mirror, you might see just a tiny little bit of residue on your teeth. But if you rinse your mouth with some water and brush your teeth once you get back home, you shouldn’t have any more visible discoloration. 

But if you don’t brush your teeth, the plaque and other buildup that the red wine stain adheres to can harden into tartar. You can’t brush or floss tartar off of your teeth; it has to be professionally cleaned by your dentist or hygienist. If your oral hygiene isn’t very good, you can expect to see buildup (and stain inside of the buildup) regardless of what your implants are made out of. 

On the other hand, there are acrylic implant restorations. Acrylic is used on a frequent basis, but it’s also much more porous than zirconia is. Like teeth, those porous surfaces have more microscopic areas to absorb stain and for plaque to adhere. So if you were to drink the same amount of red wine as someone with zirconia “teeth”, you would likely see more stain on your smile. That doesn’t mean it would be severe stain, but there would be a noticeable difference. 

Fortunately, with good oral hygiene and routine professional dental cleanings, you can keep buildup at bay. But if you frequently drink wine or things like coffee and tea, acrylic restorations will likely darken with time. Since zirconia is non-porous, they’ll stay white as long as you clean them properly. 

Can You Bleach Dental Implants?

All of this information leads us to beg the question, “Is it possible to bleach dental implants?” Particularly acrylic restorations, since they can stain? Sadly, no. Restorative materials like acrylic or resin don’t lighten to a natural color when dental bleach is applied. The only way to rejuvenate the area is to have them updated with something else. 

Any stains that can’t be brushed away will soak into the acrylic. If you’re a fairly regular wine drinker or enjoy going to wine tastings, that could be a big problem. 

A Smart Advantage for Wine Drinkers

At ARCHPOINT, we typically recommend zirconia dental implants because of their durability and aesthetic advantages. And if you’re a wine drinker, you have even more of a reason to invest in these dazzling restorations! Still, we recommend rinsing your mouth out with water after drinking wine, brushing and flossing each day, and scheduling regular dental cleanings. That way any plaque or tartar buildup (which can absorb stain) is removed on a frequent basis. 

Learn more about the difference in zirconia dental implants and see examples of other cases we’ve completed. Contact us today to request a consultation.