Dental Implants College Station
The Gold Standard in Tooth Replacement
Root-to-crown tooth replacement is only possible with dental implants, which are considered the gold standard among dental experts and researchers. Their permanent placement within the jawbone and lifelike restorations make them the closest thing to natural teeth in appearance and function. As a result, our dentists at Wright Naeger Dentistry are pleased to provide dental implants in College Station if you are one of the millions of individuals in the U.S. experiencing tooth loss. Want a smile that can last a lifetime? Reach out to our team to schedule a consultation with one of our qualified dentists today.
Why Choose Wright Naeger Dentistry for Dental Implants?
- Three Dentists with Advanced Dental Implant Training
- CareCredit Flexible Financing to Help Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs
- High-Resolution Dental Imaging with CT/Cone Beam Scanner
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are long-lasting prosthetics that support natural-looking teeth, making it easier to embrace daily life with renewed confidence. Made of titanium and positioned within the jawbone, the posts integrate with your bone over time and mimic the function of natural tooth roots, while a custom restoration (i.e., crown, bridge, or denture) restores the visual component of your smile.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
The dental implant process requires four steps: the initial consultation, dental implant surgery, osseointegration and abutment placement, and the retrieval of your dental restoration. Each phase of treatment must be completed successfully before moving on, which is why you can expect the process to take up to a year to complete.
- Initial Dental Implant Consultation: Dr. Wright, Dr. Teafatiller, or Dr. Naeger will meet with you for a scheduled consultation to discuss whether dental implants are a good option. It may be necessary for you to undergo additional services if your mouth is not ready to receive permanent prosthetics.
- Dental Implant Surgery: Dr. Wright, Dr. Teafatiller, and Dr. Naeger have completed advanced dental implant training that allows our team to place and restore dental implants in-house. Dr. Wright is a Fellow of the Misch Implant Institute and International College of Oral Implantologists, while Dr. Naeger is a graduate of the Comprehensive Implant Residency Program. Dr. Teafatiller completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Post Doctoral Residency Program, as well as the Foundational Implant Training Certificate Course where she placed multiple implants and enhanced her surgical skills.
- Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment: It will be necessary to allow 3-6 months for osseointegration to occur if your new teeth are to remain firmly in place. Once your dental implants fuse with your jawbone, a firm foundation will be available to adequately support your new restoration. Before its placement, though, you will have metal abutments (connectors) attached to each implant post to ensure your new crown, bridge, or denture stays in place.
- Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s): Crafted with the help of digital impressions, our dentists will have a custom-made restoration prepared for placement when you arrive for your final appointment. We’ll affix it to your implants and ensure a secure fit so that you can begin eating the foods you love and show off your smile to those around you.
Benefits of Dental Implants
The unique benefits of dental implants allow them to stand apart from all other forms of tooth replacement. If you are still deciding which method of treatment you want to move forward with, you may find it hard to overlook or dismiss the following advantages that come with permanent prosthetics:
- Stronger Bite Force: You will be free to eat the foods you love because dental implants restore most of your bite force.
- Jawbone Stability: The placement of your dental implants ensures continuous stimulation to the jawbone, which helps prevent facial collapse and additional tooth and bone loss over time.
- Long Lifespan: With the right kind of care and attention, dental implants can remain in place for a lifetime. The average lifespan is 30+ years, which is considerably longer than dentures or dental bridges, both of which need replacement after about 10 years.
Dental Implant Failure & Salvage
Dental implants are successful in the vast majority of cases, so there is no need to be overly worried about something going wrong with your restored smile. However, it is still important to acknowledge that dental implant failure can occur in certain circumstances, such as due to an infection or physical trauma. If you ever suspect that all is not well with your prosthetic teeth, contact our team right away. We will do all we can to diagnose the problem and guide you on your next steps.
Learn More About Dental Implant Failure & Salvage
Dental Implant FAQs
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
You might be pleasantly surprised by how manageable the process is. During your surgery, the implant site will be completely numbed, so you shouldn't feel pain—just a little pressure from the instruments. If you have anxiety about your procedure, we also offer sedation options to help you relax.
Mild discomfort usually follows the procedure in the form of soreness, swelling, and bruising. However, they generally only last a few days and are often very manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs. Our team will always give you a set of aftercare instructions to help reduce your discomfort and speed up your recovery.
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
Dental implants have one of the highest success rates in dentistry, but there are a few factors that can interfere with healing and increase the risk of failure.
Smoking and vaping are some of the most significant risks, as they restrict blood flow and slow osseointegration. Insufficient bone density, conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, specific medications, and poor oral hygiene can also compromise the process.
This is why our College Station team takes its time during the evaluation process to ensure you’re a good candidate before moving forward. Even if you’re not in a perfect place to begin with, we can provide supportive treatments to get you there.
Am I Too Old to Get Dental Implants?
Age alone is never really a disqualifying factor for dental implants in College Station. What matters more is your overall health, your jawbone density, and the condition of your gums.
Many patients well into their 70s and 80s are still excellent candidates and enjoy the same long-lasting results as younger ones. The key to success, no matter your age, is a thorough consultation and exam process.
Our team will review your medical history, assess your jawbone with digital imaging, and determine whether any preliminary treatments are necessary. If you're healthy enough for a routine dental procedure, there's a good chance you're a candidate for implants!
Do Dental Implants Make You Look Younger?
They can! When teeth are lost, your jawbone begins a slow process called resorption. During this, your body “reclaims” the unused bone because there’s no tooth root to give it stimulation. Over time, the bone shrinks, and when there are multiple missing teeth, the result is a hollow, sunken appearance that can make you look much older than you actually are.
Dental implants put this process on hold by anchoring directly into your jawbone, restoring stimulation and preserving your facial structure in the process. Combined with a full, natural-looking smile, many patients find that their dental implants take years off their appearance.