Mon & Wed 8-5 · Tue 8-2 · Thu 9-6 · Fri Closed · Sat 8-1
Westpark Village Dental Care is a family and cosmetic dental practice in Plano, TX led by Dr. Jordan Hardin DDS, where clinical excellence and family values guide everything we do.
Dental Implants in Plano, TX
Replace missing teeth with natural-looking implants placed start-to-finish in our office by a Fellow in Implant Dentistry.
Replacing Your Entire Smile, Roots and All
Traditional bridges and dentures only replace the portion of your teeth that is normally visible in your mouth. Dental implants, on the other hand, are unique in that they can replace the roots of missing teeth as well, giving them unmatched stability and an extremely natural feel. If you're missing one or more teeth, dental implants could be the ideal way to restore your smile! Give us a call today to schedule a consultation and take the first step of the dental implant process.
What are Dental Implants?
Each dental implant is shaped like a screw and made out of titanium. When teeth are missing, we can insert dental implants into specific parts of the jawbone so that they can support a custom restoration. Dental implants can be used to replace any number of teeth, and they give your new smile enough chewing power to handle virtually any kind of food without issue. Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants are designed to stay anchored in your mouth at all times.
Replaces the tooth root, not just the crown Can last several decades Looks and feels completely natural
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. Instead of just restoring the chewing surfaces, they replace the roots of the missing teeth, allowing for additional stability, comfort, and longevity. To achieve this, getting dental implants requires a multi-step process, including a surgical procedure. Continue reading to learn what you can expect.
01
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Before you can get dental implants, we need to thoroughly examine your mouth and evaluate your overall oral health. Depending on our findings, we may deem it necessary to have bone grafts or other preliminary procedures performed before scheduling your dental implant surgery. Once your gums and jawbone are in good shape, we can move forward to planning the rest of your treatment.
02
Dental Implant Surgery
At our office, we are proud to complete the dental implant placement procedure in-house. This means that you don't need to work with an outside specialist at a separate location. Our team will begin by numbing your mouth with a local anesthetic. Then, they will insert the dental implant posts into your jawbone. The location and position of each post will be carefully determined beforehand. Lastly, the gums are closed, and protective caps are placed over the ends of the implants to keep them safe throughout the healing process.
03
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Your dental implants will take about three to six months to completely heal. During this time, the dental implant posts will fuse with your jawbone in a process called "osseointegration." This is what makes dental implants have such a high success rate. At this point, we'll be able to attach a metal connector piece called an abutment to each post. Impressions are also taken of your mouth so your final restorations can be made.
04
Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)
The last step is to design and place a crown, bridge, or denture to complete your smile. The restoration will be expertly designed using the impression taken of your mouth. Once it's ready, you can return to our office so we can attach your replacement teeth to your dental implants via the abutments. If everything looks and feels great, you will be free to show off your new and complete smile to the world!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Since more than half a million dental implants are placed every year, they are rapidly becoming one of the most popular forms of tooth replacement. Because of how these devices are surgically placed directly into the jawbone, they give the restorations mounted on them (a crown, bridge, or denture) the secure hold they need to exert maximum chewing power and remain functional for many years. Here's a brief guide to a few of the remarkable benefits that dental implants from our office can provide.
Day-to-Day Benefits
Dental implants can significantly improve a patient's day-to-day life, restoring comfortable chewing, clear speech, and the confidence to smile freely.
Health Benefits
Dental implants can also make it easier for patients to maintain their oral and overall health in the long run by preserving the jawbone and protecting nearby teeth.
Long-Term Benefits
Dental implants can serve a patient for an incredibly long time, often lasting several decades with proper care and routine dental visits.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
If you are an adult, are in good enough health for minor surgery, do not have lingering oral health issues like gum disease, and can commit to practicing excellent oral hygiene at home, you may be a good candidate for dental implants. We can determine whether this procedure is the best choice for you during an initial consultation. Once you've committed to the treatment, we'll walk you through the steps of the procedure so that you know what to expect.
Missing One Tooth
Replacing a single tooth with dental implants is a relatively simple matter. All we need is one dental implant post and a customized crown. Said crown can be made out of materials that match the color and light-reflecting properties of your natural enamel, making it look as though you never lost a tooth in the first place.
Missing Multiple Teeth
We don't have to place a separate implant post for every tooth that's missing in your mouth. Three or more consecutive teeth can be replaced with a dental bridge supported by a pair of implant posts. Unlike traditional bridges that use natural teeth for support, implant bridges don't require us to make permanent changes to your enamel.
Missing All of Your Teeth
We can replace all of your missing teeth at once with dentures and a strategic number of implant posts. The exact number of posts we place will vary depending on your needs, but you can usually expect it to be anywhere from four to eight. The implant posts will prevent your restoration from slipping at inconvenient moments.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
At your initial consultation, we'll provide you with an estimate of how much you can expect to pay for your dental implants. The final price will be determined based on various factors, such as the number of teeth that have to be replaced and whether any preliminary procedures will need to be completed beforehand. In addition to explaining the costs, we can also review what options are available to help you pay for dental implants in a way that doesn't break the bank.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
While they aren't "real" teeth, dental implants still need regular care and maintenance. Look after them well and these habits will keep your grin full and restored for many years.
Make Oral Hygiene a PriorityTwice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing keep the posts safe from infections like gum disease. 
Eat a Healthy DietReducing sugar and sticky foods lowers the bacteria that can harm your implants. 
Break Bad HabitsSmoking and chewing hard objects can cause the posts to fail, so quit those practices. 
Protect Your ImplantsA custom sportsguard or nightguard shields your new teeth from injury and grinding. 
Schedule Regular CheckupsVisits every six months catch small issues before they threaten your implants. 
Dental Implant FAQs
Your Questions, Answered!
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants often last for several decades. The key to prolonging the lifespan of yours is prioritizing healthy habits, like brushing and flossing consistently, as well as breaking bad ones, like chewing on ice cubes and smoking. It's also of the utmost importance that you schedule an appointment with us if you suspect that something is wrong. That way, we can intervene, reducing your risk of dental implant failure in the process.
How Successful Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants have an impressive success rate of over 95%. There are several steps we will take to ensure that you can enjoy yours for decades to come, starting with completing a comprehensive oral exam at your initial consultation. We will also discuss the two most common reasons for dental implant failure (peri-implantitis and failed osseointegration) as well as what you can do to reduce your risk.
Am I Too Old to Get Dental Implants?
Patients in their 70s, 80s, and 90s often assume that they are too old to get dental implants. The truth is that there isn't an upper age limit. Instead, candidacy for this cutting-edge tooth-replacement solution is determined by the density of your jawbone, the health of your gums, and your commitment to good habits, like brushing twice a day and scheduling a dental checkup twice a year. So, if you think you're "too old" for dental implants, think again!
Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?
Unless you schedule the procedure on a Friday afternoon and use the weekend to recover, you will likely need to take some time off work. The number of days you need to dedicate to healing will depend on a few factors, including how many dental implants were placed and how physically demanding your job is.
Can I Get Dental Implants If I Smoke?
Since smokers have a higher rate of dental implant failure, tobacco use may disqualify you. Ultimately, the decision regarding which tooth-replacement solution is best for you will be something you and our dental implant dentist in Plano decide together. If dental implants are the answer, then you will need to quit smoking for at least two weeks prior to the procedure as well as two months afterward.
Do Dental Implants Feel Natural?
Dental implants don't just look great; they feel great too! There are several reasons for this, including that the implant is surgically inserted into your jawbone, ensuring it doesn't slip unexpectedly when you're laughing, talking, or chewing. The restoration on top is also custom-made from only the best materials to ensure that it doesn't feel bulky or unnatural in any way.
Do Dental Implants Decay?
Although dental implants are designed to look and feel like your natural teeth, they are artificial. For that reason, they cannot get cavities. Of course, your gums can still develop an infection, and any remaining teeth you have can decay, so it's important that you continue to take good care of your smile.
More to Explore
View All Services Jump to another area of care
Ready to restore your smile?
Dr. Hardin places implants in-house, start to finish. Book your consultation and take the first step toward a complete, natural-looking smile.
Book Appointment