Incredible Implants
Replacements Can Look, Feel, Perform Like Natural Teeth
By Amy Morgan
You might have heard an advertisement touting a dentist who offers implants. Have you wondered what they are and why would you need one?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth placed into the jaw where a tooth has been lost, explained Tiffany Winburn, D.M.D. Dr. Winburn is the co-owner of 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics, which now offers 10 offices in the San Antonio area to serve patients for family dentistry and emergencies.
Dr. Winburn has been placing implants for more than a decade. Unfortunately, sometimes a tooth slowly deteriorates despite best efforts to maintain it, she said. Maybe it started with a cavity that grew bigger, eventually requiring a crown and then a root canal. One day, the tooth is no longer viable and may cause intense pain, often at an inopportune moment. Dr. Winburn’s own father developed an excruciating toothache that required her to remove his tooth and begin the implant process the day after her wedding! He’s had wonderful results with his implant for the past 12 years, she reported.
“That’s the thing about dental emergencies. They do not call and check to see if it’s a good time,” Dr. Winburn said. That’s one reason 7to7 Dental is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, so they can be responsive to patient needs. “People aren’t always excited to see the dentist, but they are happy to have us when there’s an emergency and they need us,” she added.
A dental implant starts with a titanium post that's surgically placed into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. It fuses to the bone and creates a stable, permanent anchor for the crown that looks like a natural tooth that’s affixed on top of the artificial foundation. An implant works in much the same manner as a joint replacement, Dr. Winburn said. It takes the place of a tooth and works just like the original.
​
“Implants are the closest to a natural tooth in appearance, function, feel and maintenance that we are capable of in dentistry at this time,” she said. There’s nothing flexing or pressing on the gum tissue. There’s nothing to take in and out of the mouth. It does not rely on the other teeth around it. And it’s easy to clean and floss just as you would your natural tooth.
After an extraction, Dr. Winburn prepares the site of the
implant with a swift grafting procedure to strengthen the
bone. Once the patient is well healed, usually after two
or three months, the implant will be placed, usually under
local anesthetic or sedation right in the dental office.
There’s very little discomfort or recovery downtime, Dr.
Winburn said. It takes another few months for the bone
to fuse to the artificial tooth root before a custom-made
crown that matches the original tooth in shape, size and
shade can be added. Temporary options can cover the
space until all steps are finalized if missing teeth are
visible when smiling or talking, she reassured.
​
Patient feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Her
father-in-law, an oral surgeon, boasts that he can’t tell
the difference between his two implants and his natural
teeth. Even years later, most report that their implant is
great – especially if the tooth had been a problem.
“They don’t have to think about it anymore. They can
just live their lives – eat what they want,” Dr. Winburn
said. And because there is no nerve inside of the implant,
they are free from pain.
​
“It’s exactly what I hear about joint replacement, ‘I
don’t know why I put it off for so long.’ Once people are
through and on the other side, they all wish they had
done it sooner,” Dr. Winburn said. “It is so transformative
and improving of their life.”
​
Patients sometimes are concerned about cost. Although
there is an initial outlay, data show the return on
investment for an implant is higher than any other kind
of tooth replacement because of its longevity, Dr.
Winburn noted.
​
“It’s well ahead of the pack. In year 30 and 35 post
implant, 90% are still in place and function better than
partials or bridges that are subject to wear and tear.”
7to7 Dental is committed to making dental care
affordable for its patients. Their membership plans
offer discounts on implants. Staff members also are
experienced in negotiating with insurance companies to
make sure patients are able to use the benefits they’ve
worked so hard for.
​
So, if you’re suffering with pain or have had an
extraction and are ready to replace the tooth, schedule a
consultation with 7to7 Dental to discuss the best course
of action for you.
