Replacing missing teeth with dental implants can improve your oral health and reduce the risk of gum recession and bone loss. At Wellness Dental in Austin, Texas, experienced general and implant dentist Francisca Giple-Johnson, DDS, specializes in placing and restoring dental implants. Call the office today to request a dental implant consultation or book online.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are small metal screws inserted into your empty tooth sockets. The screws integrate with your bone after placement, providing a base for crowns, bridges, or implant-anchored dentures.

Dental implants function like your natural tooth roots. If you take good care of them, they can last a lifetime.*

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Dental implants offer various benefits, including:

• Improved oral health
• Confidence
• Durability
• Clearer speech
• Easier biting and chewing

Dental implants are also convenient. Since the restorations function like your natural teeth, you brush them. You don’t have to remove or soak them like dentures.

Who can get dental implants?

You need healthy bones to support dental implants. If you have low bone volume in your jaw or upper palate, Dr. Giple-Johnson completes a bone graft first. A bone graft uses a piece of natural or synthetic bone (a graft) to encourage the production of new and healthy bone tissue.

What does getting dental implants involve?

At Wellness Dental, getting dental implants takes a series of visits over several months.

Dr. Giple-Johnson reviews your dental records, completes an oral exam, and takes 3D digital X-rays. If you’re missing one or more teeth and you have enough bone to support dental implants, you qualify for treatment. 

Dr. Giple-Johnson administers a local anesthetic and inserts a series of small metal screws into your tooth sockets. After surgery, your mouth heals while the screws integrate with your bone. When the fusion process is finished, you return to Wellness Dental.

Dr. Giple-Johnson takes impressions of your mouth and sends them to a dental lab. Technicians at the lab use your impressions to create custom restorations, like implant-anchored dentures. When your restorations are ready, you return to Wellness Dental.

Dr. Giple-Johnson attaches your restorations to the dental implants, checks your bite, and provides care instructions.

How do I care for my dental implants?

Caring for your dental implants is easy. Dr. Giple-Johnson recommends brushing your teeth twice daily and visiting Wellness Dental every six months for an oral exam and preventive teeth cleaning. To prevent damage to your implant restorations, avoid bad habits like nail-biting, chewing on ice, and opening packaging with your teeth.

Call Wellness Dental to see if you’re a candidate for dental implants today or book online.

*Individual results may vary.