Dental Implants for Seniors in Forney, TX

About Trinity Valley Oral Surgery & Dental Implants

Trinity Valley Oral Surgery & Dental Implants is a leading clinic in Forney, TX, specializing in dental implants, oral surgery, and other advanced dental procedures. The practice is led by Dr. Reed Gibbins and Dr. Thomas Draper, two highly experienced and skilled oral surgeons dedicated to providing their patients with the highest level of care. Dr. Gibbins and Dr. Draper have extensive training and experience in placing dental implants. They use the latest technology and techniques to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically placed into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are made of biocompatible materials, such as titanium, that fuse with the bone to create a stable and durable foundation for the replacement teeth. Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth, and they can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.

Advantages of Dental Implants for Seniors

Dental implants offer several advantages for seniors who need to replace missing teeth:

• Improved Oral Health: Dental implants can help improve oral health by preventing bone loss, preserving adjacent teeth, and reducing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
• Enhanced Quality of Life: Dental implants can restore the ability to eat and speak properly, improving seniors’ quality of life.
• Improved Appearance: Dental implants are designed to look and feel like natural teeth, which can enhance the appearance of a senior’s smile and overall facial appearance.
• Long-lasting Results: Dental implants are a long-lasting solution for missing teeth that can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.

Types of Dental Implants

There are two main types of dental implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. Endosteal implants are the most common type of dental implant, and they are placed directly into the jawbone. Subperiosteal implants are placed on top of the jawbone but under the gum tissue. The type of implant that is best for a senior depends on several factors, including the amount of bone available and the location of the missing teeth.

The Dental Implant Procedure

The dental implant procedure typically involves several steps, including:

1. Consultation: The first step is a consultation with one of our oral surgeons, who will evaluate the senior’s oral health, review their medical history, and determine if they are a good candidate for dental implants.
2. Treatment Planning: If the senior is a good candidate for dental implants, the oral surgeon will create a treatment plan that outlines the specific steps of the procedure and the expected outcomes.
3. Implant Placement: The next step is the surgical placement of the dental implants into the jawbone. The implants will be placed under local anesthesia or sedation to ensure the senior is comfortable during the procedure.
4. Healing and Integration: After the implants are placed, the jawbone will need to heal and fuse with the implants. This process typically takes several months, during which the senior will need to follow specific instructions to promote healing.
5. Abutment Placement: Once the implants have fused with the bone, the abutments will be placed on top of the implants. The abutments are small connectors that attach to the implants and provide a stable foundation for the replacement teeth.
6. Replacement Teeth: After the abutments are placed, the replacement teeth will be attached to the abutments. The replacement teeth are custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of the senior’s natural teeth, ensuring a seamless and natural-looking result.

Surgical Advances

Our doctors are skilled in using the latest dental implant technology to place single-stage implants, eliminating the need for a second procedure to uncover the implant but requiring a healing period of at least ten weeks before artificial teeth can be added. In some cases, implants can be placed simultaneously as tooth extraction, reducing the number of surgeries needed and shortening the overall treatment time.

Implant placement is a collaborative effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist. While the surgeon performs the implant surgery, tooth extractions, and bone grafting (if necessary), the restorative dentist fits and creates the permanent prosthesis and any temporary prosthesis required during the implant process.

What Types Of Prosthesis Are Available?

Different types of prostheses are available depending on the patient’s needs. A single prosthesis (crown) can replace one missing tooth and attaches to its own implant. A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may only require two or three implants. A complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge) replaces all teeth in the upper or lower jaw. The number of implants needed varies depending on whether a removable or fixed prosthesis is recommended.

Dr. Draper performs our implant surgery in a hospital-style operating suite to maintain high levels of sterility. Patients with special medical or anesthetic needs or those requiring extensive bone grafting from the jaw, hip, or tibia may receive inpatient hospital implant surgery.

Recovery and Aftercare

After the dental implant procedure, seniors must follow specific instructions to promote healing and ensure the best possible outcomes. Some of the things that seniors can do to aid in recovery and aftercare include:

• Managing Pain: Seniors may experience some discomfort and swelling after the procedure, and the oral surgeon may prescribe pain medication to help manage the pain.
• Oral Hygiene: Seniors must maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly and following the oral surgeon’s instructions for caring for the implant site.
• Follow-up Appointments: Seniors must schedule follow-up appointments with the oral surgeon to monitor the healing process and ensure the implants function properly.
• Avoiding Certain Foods: Seniors may need to avoid certain foods and beverages for some time after the procedure to avoid disrupting the healing process.
• Lifestyle Changes: Seniors may need to make certain lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or adjusting their diet, to promote healing and ensure the best possible outcomes.

Cost of Dental Implants for Seniors in Forney, TX

The cost of dental implants for seniors in Forney, TX, can vary depending on several factors, including the number of implants needed, the type of implants used, and the complexity of the procedure. At Trinity Valley Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, we offer various payment and financing options to make dental implants more affordable for our senior patients. We also accept most major insurance plans and will work with seniors to maximize their insurance benefits and minimize their out-of-pocket expenses.

Get Your Smile Back With Dental Implants for Seniors in Forney, TX!

Dental implants are a safe and effective solution for seniors who need to replace missing teeth. At Trinity Valley Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, Dr. Reed Gibbins and Dr. Thomas Draper are committed to providing their senior patients the highest level of care and helping them achieve optimal oral health and wellness. If you are a senior in Forney, TX, interested in dental implants, don’t hesitate to contact our office today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how dental implants can improve your quality of life.

Learn more about our dental implants for seniors by visiting our dental implants page, our dental implants FAQ page, or contact our Forney dental office here.