Dental Implants & Other Advanced Procedures

When you meet someone new, one of the first things you do is smile. And because first impressions are important, we want you to feel your most confident. But if you have missing teeth, that may not be the case. Thankfully, we can help restore your smile with dental implants, which we create to fit specifically to your jaw. We also perform dental procedures in Oklahoma to help patients who may need removable dentures, or those with periodontal disease or gum disease.

Our dentists perform them all on-site at our practices in Oklahoma City and Norman. But our care extends beyond your initial consultation and appointment. Our dental team will help to create a treatment plan that sees you from the start of your procedure through recovery, and right on to that bright, confident smile.

How Does the Implant Process Work?

Dentists have used dental implants for centuries. Here at Espire Dental in Oklahoma, we’ve performed countless dental implant procedures. And we’re doing them with state-of-the-art technology.

Here’s how it works: First, you experience tooth loss. Our dental team will assess your oral health and gum tissue. Before fitting the tooth, your dentist will place a small titanium screw into the jawbone that acts as an anchor, along with a connecting piece called an abutment. Then the prosthetic tooth (that looks no different from your natural teeth) will attach to the abutment. The implant works with your body and bonds with your jawbone. This way, your new implant placement is secure and firmly in place.

A Dental Implant Procedure Looks Natural

“Will my replacement teeth match my natural teeth?” We get that question often from patients seeking dental implants in Oklahoma with Espire. The answer is yes. Our dental team works closely with you to not only make sure that your replacement teeth fit comfortably in your mouth but that you’re confident with how they look, too. Not only will your appearance be natural and your confidence restored – your dental implants will give you full functionality of your teeth.

A Safe and Effective Process

Whether you have one tooth to replace or a full arch of teeth, dental implants may be a great solution. Dental implant procedures have been the go-to for replacing missing teeth for ages. And for good reason! They’re both safe and aesthetically pleasing, giving you the look of your natural teeth. Between getting images done and getting your implant placed, you can expect to be confident in your new smile in just a couple of appointments. Dental implants in Oklahoma have a success rate of about 95%, and we’re happy to deliver that success to you.

Sinus Augmentation in Dentistry

Your teeth share facial space with your sinuses. Sometimes if you lose a tooth near a sinus cavity, the bone will shrink over time. But that’s no good if you want a dental implant because the screw needs bone to drill into. In this case, your dentist may suggest sinus augmentation. In this dentistry procedure, the sinus cavity is lifted to make room for a bone graft. Healing from a sinus augmentation generally takes about 6-9 months. And after that - you’ll be ready for your dental implant placement!

What is Tissue Grafting?

Your gum tissue is just as important to your oral hygiene and health as your teeth. That’s why your dentists are paying close attention to your gums during check-ups. If you have a receding gumline, it could lead to tooth sensitivity, uneven gums, exposed nerves in the tooth roots, and a smile you feel less-than-great about. Sometimes gum tissue tends to recede because we grind our teeth or have periodontal disease, which is why flossing is so important. Other times though, it can just come down to genetics. At Espire’s Oklahoma City and Norman practices, our dentists are trained to help both prevent and treat gum tissue recession.

What is Ridge Augmentation?

If you lose a tooth or plan to have a dental implant procedure, then your dentist may suggest a ridge augmentation. This is a procedure that helps prevent bone loss. Since there is no longer a tooth taking up space, ridge augmentation can help prevent bone reabsorption while you wait for the artificial tooth to be placed. This means that once you’re healed and ready for your dental implant, there will be plenty of space to place it and create a beautiful smile. Without a ridge augmentation, you could face more time-consuming, expensive procedures in the long term. You can talk to our dentists to see if this is a procedure you can consider to prevent bone loss.

What is Orthodontic Tooth Uncovery?

Sometimes our teeth don’t fit properly in our mouths. This could be because of the way they grew in, because your wisdom teeth are causing them to be pushed together, or even because of genetics. It can be uncomfortable and at times painful. Because the teeth are so close, there’s the possibility of infection. Your dentist may suggest an orthodontic tooth uncovery. They’ll perform a procedure that uncovers gum tissue from the tooth. Once the tissue is uncovered, your dentist will have the accessibility they need to place it in the desired position.

Dental Implants in Oklahoma Guided by Technology

Our dentists like to create a treatment plan that benefits you in the long term. In our Oklahoma City implant center, we have state-of-the-art technology to help. Our tools take a 3D image of your anatomy so that your dentist is fully informed. With computer-generated images at hand, your dentist knows what to expect throughout your procedure. Because of this new technology, your dental implant procedure can be performed in a day, getting you closer to a confident smile quickly.

What is a Frenectomy?

A frenum is a small piece of soft tissue that connects mobile tissue to a stationary point. Did you know that you have two frenula in your mouth? Your lingual frenum is underneath your tongue and the labial frenum is underneath your lip.

Sometimes your lingual frenum can be too strong, and the soft tissue can limit tongue movement, sometimes causing impaired speech. If your labial frenum is too strong, then it can impact orthodontic movement and lead to issues with your gum tissue. Your dentist can perform a frenectomy, which is a procedure where the frenum is altered or cut, either using a scalpel or laser. We offer you different options of conscious sedation to keep you comfortable during the procedure.