At Denton Family Smiles, Sleep & TMJ, we know that a fully restored smile gives you the freedom to eat your favorite foods, speak clearly, and laugh with absolute confidence.
Serving the Denton, TX community, our highly patient-oriented practice is dedicated to delivering honest dentistry and exceptional results. If you already have a dental implant post in place but need the final visible tooth attached, or if an old implant crown has become worn or damaged, our team provides beautifully lifelike, durable implant restorations to complete your smile.
Restoring Existing Implants
A dental implant is actually a complete system: the titanium post that acts as the root, the abutment that connects the pieces, and the restoration (the crown, bridge, or denture) that acts as the visible tooth.
Sometimes, patients have the surgical phase completed elsewhere or simply need to update an older restoration that has chipped over time. Because our doctor holds a specialized fellowship in dental implants, we are highly experienced in designing, fitting, and seamlessly attaching top-tier restorations to your existing implants right here in our welcoming office.
Types Of Implant Restorations
We provide comprehensive care, meaning we can beautifully restore implants regardless of how many teeth you are missing:
- Single implant crowns: A custom-crafted ceramic tooth designed to replace a single missing tooth, blending invisibly with your adjacent enamel.
- Implant-supported bridges: A multi-tooth ceramic bridge anchored by implants rather than natural teeth, perfect for filling larger gaps.
- Implant-supported dentures: A full arch of teeth that securely snaps onto several implants, completely eliminating slipping and the need for messy adhesives.
Customizing Your Restoration
Your new teeth should look like they have always been there. To achieve flawless aesthetics, we utilize our advanced technology to ensure a perfect fit. Using our highly precise 3D intraoral scanners, we capture the exact microscopic dimensions of your bite without ever using messy, gag-inducing impression putty. We meticulously custom-shade the premium ceramic to match the exact color and light-reflecting translucency of your surrounding natural teeth.
The Restoration Process
1. Digital Scanning:
Guided by our famously warm and gentle approach, we take a rapid 3D digital map of your mouth to ensure your new restoration will fit your natural bite flawlessly.
2. Custom Fabrication
Your restoration is precision-milled from high-grade, stain-resistant ceramic. We focus on strength and beauty, ensuring the tooth can withstand the daily forces of chewing.
3. Secure Attachment:
We attach the abutment to your implant post and permanently bond or screw the custom restoration into place. We make minor adjustments on the spot to ensure your bite is perfectly balanced and entirely comfortable.
Caring For Implant Restorations
Taking care of your new implant restoration is wonderfully simple. If you have a single crown or bridge, you treat it exactly like your natural teeth by brushing twice a day and flossing daily. For implant-supported dentures, we will show you how to easily clean around the attachments. Routine biannual cleanings with our gentle hygienists are crucial for keeping the gum tissue around your implant perfectly healthy.
Long-Term Success
While the titanium implant post fused to your jawbone is designed to last a lifetime, the ceramic restoration on top is subjected to the daily wear and tear of chewing.
If you suffer from unconscious teeth grinding at night (bruxism), that extreme pressure can prematurely wear down your beautiful new crown. Drawing on his advanced residency training in TMJ and orofacial pain, our doctor can expertly evaluate your jaw and provide a custom-fitted nightguard. This protects your vital restorative investment and your remaining natural teeth while you sleep safely.
When Repairs Are Needed
Even the strongest ceramic can occasionally chip if you bite down on a hard piece of ice or suffer a facial injury. If your implant crown or bridge ever feels loose, chips, or becomes damaged, we are highly responsive. We offer prompt, honest advice and can easily replace the damaged restoration without needing to alter the underlying titanium implant post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! We frequently welcome patients who had the surgical phase of their implant completed by another provider. We will carefully evaluate the integrated post and craft a beautiful, custom restoration to finish the process.
Not at all. Because the surgical phase is already complete and the post is fused to the bone, attaching the final crown or bridge is completely painless and typically does not even require local anesthesia.
Many dental insurance plans cover a significant portion of the implant restoration since it is a necessary procedure to restore function to your bite. We believe everyone deserves a complete smile, which is why we work very hard to provide transparent, highly flexible financial options that fit comfortably with every budget.
Let us earn your trust. If you need a restoration for your existing dental implant, contact Denton Family Smiles, Sleep & TMJ today to schedule your consultation!