Your teeth affect your whole body. When they’re healthy, you’re healthier too. A missing tooth can disrupt your bite, speech, and eating choices. As you rely more on remaining teeth, you increase the chances they’ll wear out prematurely, become damaged, or even be lost. Many patients also experience headaches or jaw pain over time.
Who would want their appearance and health to decline? Unfortunately, that’s a natural consequence of missing teeth — the jaw literally shrinks. In fact, most people lose about 25% of their supporting jawbone structure within the first year after tooth loss. That’s why replacing teeth promptly is so important.
The good news? Dental implants placed by a skilled Prosthodontist like Dr. Lakhani in Plano act just like your natural teeth. They preserve your bone structure, maintain oral health, and keep your appearance youthful. Dr. Lakhani and our team will discuss all your options so you can make an informed decision about tooth replacement.
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.
Sometimes a small soft tissue graft is beneficial to create stronger, healthier, and more natural-looking gum tissue around the implant. This involves moving a tiny section of gum from one area of your mouth to another. Most patients find this to be a brief and surprisingly comfortable procedure.
Most commonly, one implant is placed per missing tooth. Because the back teeth often have two or three roots, Dr. Lakhani may recommend using larger implants or a different strategy to restore strength and function.
Dental implants are often placed several months after tooth extraction. However, in some cases, an implant can be placed immediately after extraction. While this may carry slightly more risk, it simplifies the process by reducing the number of visits.
When infection or inadequate bone is present, immediate placement is not recommended. If your tooth has been missing for some time, the jawbone may thin and shrink — sometimes losing as much as one-third of its width in the first year. If needed, Dr. Lakhani may recommend a bone graft to ensure the implant has strong support.
Now the healing begins. The length of time varies based on your bone quality and quantity. In some cases, implants may be restored immediately. Dr. Lakhani will guide you through every step, including follow-up care and timing.
After the initial healing, he places an abutment (support post) or healing cap during a short follow-up visit. This allows gum tissue to mature and ensures easy access to the implant.
Occasionally, impressions are made at the time of implant placement so that the final crown is ready as soon as the implant fully integrates. Typically, follow-up care involves one to four appointments, monitoring healing and planning the final restoration.
Discover advanced implant, cosmetic, and restorative care — all under the expert hands of Dr. Lakhani.
Proudly serving Plano, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Prosper, Melissa, Celina, and surrounding communities with exceptional care that truly lasts.
