Many options are available, tailored to your unique needs. If you need a temporary replacement while your dental implants heal, Dr. Lakhani can provide removable teeth or a temporary bridge. If all of your teeth are missing, we may modify your existing denture or create a new temporary denture. For patients wanting non-removable teeth during healing, temporary transitional implants can often be placed alongside your permanent implants, allowing temporary teeth to be inserted the same day. Depending on your case, some implants in Plano can even be placed and “loaded” immediately — meaning you get a temporary or permanent replacement tooth on or shortly after the day of placement.
It’s natural to wonder about post-operative pain, but most patients do not experience severe discomfort. We prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to ensure your recovery is as smooth as possible. In rare cases, infections may develop that need additional antibiotics. Although great care is taken during implant placement, occasionally adjacent teeth may be affected. There’s also a small chance that the nerve in your lower jaw — which gives feeling to your lip and chin — may be irritated, especially if significant bone has been lost. This could cause temporary tingling or numbness. While most altered sensations resolve over time, it’s essential to inform us immediately so Dr. Lakhani can provide the best care.
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Before your surgery, you may receive antibiotics, and for maximum comfort, intravenous sedation or nitrous oxide (laughing gas). These options are thoroughly discussed during your consultation. A local anesthetic is always administered to numb the area where the implant will be placed, so you can feel completely at ease.
When you’re comfortable, Dr. Lakhani will make a small incision in the gum to reveal the bone, create space using specialized instruments, and gently insert the titanium implant. In many cases, the top of this implant is visible through the gum; other times, it may be better for initial healing if the implant is covered entirely by gum tissue.
Just like natural teeth, your implant-supported restorations require daily care with brushing, flossing, and any special tools Dr. Lakhani recommends. You’ll also need regular hygiene visits to keep everything healthy. Over time, your implants may need routine maintenance like clip replacements or minor adjustments — all part of keeping your new smile strong.
While dental implants are a significant investment, they often prove the most cost-effective option long term — lasting decades, unlike other restorations that may require replacement every 7–10 years. Visit our Cost of Dental Implants page for details, or call us at (214) 644-0010 to learn if you’re a candidate for this life-changing solution.
Dental implants typically last many years, often decades. Long-term studies show an 80–90% success rate for patients missing all their teeth, and over 95% for those missing only one or a few teeth — higher than success rates for many other medical implants. If an implant fails to heal or becomes loose over time, it may need to be removed and replaced after the site heals. Fortunately, most patients enjoy stable, lifelong results with proper care.
Dental implants are the most advanced, long-lasting way to restore missing teeth — letting you eat, speak, and smile with confidence again.
