Dental Implants – Glenpool, OK

Initial Implant Consultation

The first step to transforming your smile with dental implants is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Parnam Mohanna, a respected implant dentist in Glenpool. Dr. Mohanna will carefully examine your teeth, talk with you about your unique smile goals, and review your restoration options. He will then develop a personalized treatment plan that will lay out the step-by-step timeline for your journey toward a new smile.

During this initial visit, Dr. Mohanna may also recommend one or more preliminary treatments, such as a bone graft, sinus lift, gum disease therapy, or tooth extractions. All of these procedures are designed to help ensure your implant treatment is a success!

dental implant with abutment and crown in the jaw

Dental Implant Surgery

Many people get nervous when they hear the word “surgery”. However, the implant placement procedure is in fact minimally invasive and can typically be completed with just a single visit to our office in Glenpool. The steps of the placement procedure are fairly straightforward:

• First, Dr. Mohanna will make a small incision in your gums where your teeth are missing.
• Next, he will insert the dental implant post into the underlying jawbone.
• Once the implant post is correctly positioned, Dr. Mohanna will sew the gums back up and the healing process will begin.

At 918 Dentist, we use local anesthetic or dental sedation to ensure your complete comfort throughout the entire implant placement procedure.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

Once your dental implants have been placed, the healing process begins. Over the next several months, the biocompatible titanium implants will fuse with the surrounding jawbone to create an incredibly stable base for your future restoration. This natural process, known as osseointegration, typically takes three to six months, depending on the number of implants placed and your body’s natural healing abilities.

After your implants and jawbone have successfully fused together, Dr. Mohanna will place abutments on the top of your implant posts. Abutments are small connector pieces that will anchor your new crown, bridge, or denture to your implants.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

Once your dental implants in Glenpool have fully healed and we have received your final crown, bridge, or denture from the dental lab, you will be just a step away from your new, complete smile! We will welcome you back to our office one more time so Dr. Mohanna can attach your restoration to the implant posts. Before sending you on your way, he will check to make sure your bite is properly aligned, and the restoration feels comfortable in your mouth. Once this final step is finished, you can immediately leave our office and start showing off your new flawless smile!

Day-to-Day Benefits

• You can enjoy greater oral health each day because of how easy it is to maintain your dental implants. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing remain the same even with your artificial teeth in place.
• Eating your favorite foods will be fun and exciting once again. Unlike dentures that can easily slip or fall out while attempting to consume certain foods, you can freely eat all your favorites without worrying about accidental slippage or difficulty chewing.
• Your prosthetic teeth will be designed to look as lifelike as possible, and since the implants will be hidden under the gums, all anyone else will see is a beautiful, complete smile.

Health Benefits

• Dental drift will be of no concern when choosing dental implants in Glenpool to replace your missing teeth.
• A crown, bridge, or dentures will replace the normally visible parts of your teeth while the implant itself acts as a root; this keeps the jawbone healthy and gives your new smile some much-needed security.
• If you replace a single tooth with a traditional bridge, some enamel needs to be removed. However, with implants, there’s no need to damage your natural teeth.
• You can work toward extending your lifespan with dental implants. Individuals over the age of 65 with 5 or more missing teeth are likely to experience systemic issues that can shorten their life. Osteoporosis, heart disease, and diabetes are most common and can often require much time and money to treat over the years. With dental implants, you can help to avoid these types of issues and live a longer, healthier life.

Long-Term Benefits

• When the procedure is performed by a trained implant dentist in Glenpool like Dr. Mohanna, dental implants have a success rate of 95%.
• Normal restorations usually need to be replaced roughly every ten years. Implant posts can easily last for 30 years or longer.
• Your decision to choose dental implants means that you will save a lot more money in the long run. Yes, they are expensive in the beginning, but when you consider the dental adhesives, cleaning supplies, and frequent adjustments and replacements every few years with dentures and dental bridges, you’ll discover that these permanent prosthetics are actually quite cost-effective.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

More people qualify for dental implant treatment than ever before. When determining your candidacy, however, there are a few factors that are essential, namely:

• Good oral health
• Decent general health (well enough to undergo minor surgery)
• Adequate healthy jawbone tissue

Don’t worry if you don’t meet these qualifications. You may simply have to undergo some preparatory procedures – such as bone grafting or gum disease therapy – before you’re ready to receive implants.

Once your mouth is fully prepared, your dental implant dentist in Glenpool can decide which type of implant solution you need based on the number of teeth you’re missing:

Missing One Tooth

If you’re only missing one tooth, a single implant and custom-made dental crown will be most appropriate for your case. The implant and crown are held together via an abutment, which acts as a connector between the two components. The crown is made from porcelain, allowing for the most natural-looking restoration possible.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Before dental implants, two or three missing teeth in a row were treated by creating a bridge over the gap. A bridge requires modifications to the two teeth adjacent to the missing ones, thus compromising those teeth as well. That is not the case if you’re using dental implants. If you’re missing three to four consecutive teeth, a dental bridge can be designed to attach to two implants (one at either end of the empty space) instead of relying on pre-existing teeth.

Missing All Teeth

Implant dentures are cutting-edge dental technology. They provide a hybrid alternative to conventional dentures and eliminate the traditional methods of holding dentures in place – suction (top) and adhesive (bottom) – by using dental implants to hold the denture in place. As a result, implant dentures give patients greater flexibility in lifestyle by improving their ability to eat, speak, and smile without the embarrassment of slipping dentures.

Learn More About All-On-4 Learn More About Implant Dentures

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Your mouth needs to be healthy enough for dental implants before we begin. Preliminary procedures like bone grafting or periodontal therapy create a healthy foundation for your implants, but they do increase your total cost of treatment.

You’ll also need sedation or anesthesia to have the titanium posts inserted into your jaw, which will influence the cost. On the bright side, Dr. Mohanna is a highly trained implant dentist in Glenpool who can perform every step of the treatment process in-house. This saves you the cost of having to visit an outside specialist for the surgical procedure.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

The overall price of dental implants is influenced by:

• The number of implants – It goes without saying that replacing a single tooth with one implant post costs less than getting four or more posts to support a full denture.
• Abutment – This connector piece can be made of various materials from various manufacturers.
• Restoration – The crown, bridge, or denture that goes on top of your implants will generally cost more the larger it is, as more material is required.

How Can Dental Implants Save You Money?

While dental implants can be expensive upfront, it doesn’t mean they aren’t cheaper than what you’d pay to upkeep bridges and dentures. Dental implants are considered a long-term solution and a wise investment for tooth loss, lasting anywhere between 25 years and a lifetime without issues. Plus, you won’t have to purchase new cleaning supplies like you would with dentures.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

While every dental insurance policy differs, most will not cover the entire cost of dental implants. However, your policy may cover some of the preliminary treatments or portions of the dental implant process. We’ll work on your behalf with your insurance carrier to maximize your benefits.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

In addition to insurance, we have other ways of making dental implants in Glenpool affordable. For one, we offer low to no-interest financing through CareCredit, which will break down the cost of your treatment into easy payments that fit into your budget. As an alternative to insurance, our 918 Dentist Loyalty Plan can help you save on virtually all of the dental care you need. Paying a small annual fee nets you significant discounts on most of our services (including dental implants), as well as FREE preventive care such as checkups, cleanings, and X-rays.

Bone Grafting

The reason why dental implants are more than 95% successful is due to a process known as osseointegration. After the implant post has been surgically inserted into your jawbone, it acts as your new tooth root. It stimulates new bone growth. Over the next few months, the post essentially becomes one with your jawbone.

Unfortunately, if your jawbone has deteriorated after tooth loss, it won’t be able to accommodate dental implants. Fortunately, bone grafting in Glenpool can surgically enhance the density of your jaw.

A small section of bone is taken from either a donor or another part of your body is transferred to the area of your jawbone where the implants will be placed. Once the gums are stitched closed, you’ll spend a few months healing as the graft strengthens your jaw.

Sinus Lifts

If you’ve lost bone mass in your upper arch, there might not be enough bone in which to place dental implants without them puncturing your sinus cavities. A sinus lift in Glenpool, also known as a sinus augmentation, increases the bone density toward the back of the mouth.

Your gum tissue is opened up to access the jawbone. A small hole is cut into it, and the sinus membrane is gently elevated. A graft material is placed into the hole and your gums are sutured closed, allowing you to begin the healing process.

What To Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

After we’ve placed your titanium posts into your jawbone, your gums, bones, and other oral tissues will require ample time to recover and strengthen. During this time, you’ll want to ensure that your surgical site is kept safe from irritations that can cause discomfort as well as interfere with your healing process. As you recover, be sure to avoid:

• Touching the surgical site with your tongue or fingers
• Spitting forcefully (especially when rinsing your mouth)
• Using a straw when drinking
• Smoking, chewing, or using tobacco products

Try using an ice pack or cold compress on the outside of your mouth for 10-minute intervals to alleviate discomfort. You can also take over-the-counter or prescribed pain relievers, and stay hydrated!

Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement

It can be difficult to recognize normal and irregular side effects if this is your first time undergoing oral surgery. Firstly, it’s common to see mild or light intermittent bleeding in your mouth for several days following your procedure. You may also typically experience some swelling in the face and mouth, and this may take about a week or more to fade away. You’ll likely feel some soreness and discomfort after your implant surgery, but this can easily be managed with a cold compress and pain relievers. If any symptoms don’t improve over time or if you have concerns, feel free to reach out to us immediately for help.

Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery

While you’re recovering from your dental implant surgery, you’ll want to stick to a soft-food diet to prevent any complications to the surgical site, such as irritation and pressure. Your meals should consist of snacks like:

• Applesauce or pudding
• Yogurt or cottage cheese
• Mashed potatoes, pasta, or scrambled eggs
• Warm soup (that isn’t too hot!)
• Ice cream, milkshakes, smoothies, or popsicles

Once you feel more comfortable, you might be able to add harder or crunchier foods to your meals. Be sure to avoid biting down on your implant site directly.

Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene

Since your surgical site will be susceptible to bacteria and infection, you’ll need to practice good oral hygiene to ensure a successful treatment. Following your surgery, make sure to brush and floss your teeth carefully and gently, as you won’t want to disturb or irritate the area. You can rinse your mouth with water, salt water, or mouthwash to clean the surgical site, but DO NOT use any products with alcohol. This can dry out your mouth and hinder your healing process.

What To Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

After you’ve successfully recovered from getting your dental implants placed (this can take 4-6 months), you’ll be called back into our office to receive your new pearly whites. We’ll attach your restorations to your metal posts, ensure your results are comfortable and satisfying, and then you’ll be set to go! You might experience some sensitivity in your gums after this appointment, but this should clear up after a day or two. You can also manage this with over-the-counter pain medications for optimal comfort. Afterward, you’ll be able to show off and enjoy your restored smile!

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

While dental implants are cavity-proof, that doesn’t mean you can slack on your oral hygiene. If you do, you may develop a gum infection called peri-implantitis, which is actually the most common reason for dental implant failure. You can prevent bacteria from building up around your implant and causing this infection by:

• Brushing your teeth twice daily. Pay close attention to the area near your gumline.
• Floss at least once per day. Floss between your remaining natural teeth as well as underneath your implant bridge or denture.
• Rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash. We might be able to recommend certain products based on your unique oral health.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Dental implants in Glenpool let you eat almost anything, but some foods are undoubtedly healthier than others. For example, sugary foods like candy can encourage bacterial growth and compromise your implants. Instead, incorporate plenty of mouth-healthy foods into your diet, such as those containing calcium and vitamin C.

Break Bad Habits

A number of bad oral habits can harm your implants:

• Smoking – Tobacco use has been associated with a greater risk of gum disease, dental implant failure, and even oral cancer.
• Using your teeth as tools – Opening packages or trimming your fingernails with your implant restorations may permanently damage them.
• Chewing on hard, inedible objects – Biting on pen caps, ice, or other hard items can chip, break, or wear down your restorations.

Protect Your Dental Implants

If you’re an athlete, you’d do well to invest in a personalized mouthguard to protect your dental implants, remaining teeth, and soft tissues in your mouth from injury. A custom mouthguard from an implant dentist in Glenpool can provide more protection than the cheaply made options at the sporting goods store.

You should also wear a nightguard if you have a habit of grinding your teeth during the night. If you frequently wake up with a sore jaw or teeth, then you may have bruxism (chronic nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching). A nightguard prevents your upper and lower teeth from making harmful contact while you sleep.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Routine dental checkups and cleanings are still important, even if you have zero natural teeth left. These appointments give our team the opportunity to check your implants, restorations, and remaining teeth for any early warning signs of problems. That way, we can treat them before they become serious, saving you a great deal of time and money in the long run.