More than just replacing teeth, dental implants offer a pathway for improving every part of your life. No other solution transforms the appearance, functionality, and health of your smile like dental implants. Imagine being able to speak with confidence, eat all your favorite foods, and smile without giving your teeth a second thought.
Your first step toward a restored smile and renewed life is a consultation with Dr. Barras. At Barras Family Dentistry in Lafayette, we’ve combined advanced technology and methods to streamline the entire dental implant process and make sure you receive the best care possible.
Your Complimentary Consultation
During this initial meeting with Dr. Barras, he’ll speak with you about your goals and needs and explain all your available tooth replacement options. This is the perfect time to ask any questions you have about dental implants, and together, you and Dr. Barras will decide if they’re the right choice for you.
Each patient is different and what works well for one person may not work for another. Part of your consultation will include a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and jawbone to determine the best treatment for your specific needs.
Technology for a Streamlined Dental Implant Process
We incorporate advanced technology wherever we can to streamline the dental implant process. By combining precise 3D images of your smile with advanced software, Dr. Barras can determine the ideal location for your implants and place them “virtually” before your actual procedure begins. This technology improves accuracy, reduces treatment and healing time, and increases the short and long-term success of your dental implants. Our office also features a 3D printer, allowing Dr. Barras to make his own surgical guides, saving you time and cost during treatment.
Your Customized Treatment Plan
Our goal is always a successful dental implant, so we make sure every step of your treatment plan is customized to give you the best possible outcome. Dr. Barras will use the information gathered during your consultation to design your unique treatment plan, which may include all or some of the following steps:
Supplemental Procedures
These treatments, performed prior to dental implant placement, may be necessary to prepare the teeth, gums, and jawbone for implant placement. Common supplemental procedures include gum disease treatment and bone grafting.
Dental Implant Placement
Once any necessary preparatory treatments have been completed, our implant dentist will place your dental implant fixtures. In some cases, Dr. Barras can attach your restoration at the same time as your implant placement in a procedure called same day dental implants. In other cases, he may determine that an additional healing period would be beneficial before your restorations are attached to your implants.
Healing and Final Tooth Restoration
The healing process is vitally important to the success of your dental implants now and well into the future. It’s during this time that the jawbone fuses with the implant–a process called osseointegration–to form a secure foundation for your restoration. Once Dr. Barras determines that the area has fully healed and osseointegration has taken place, he’ll attach your permanent porcelain crown, bridge, or full-arch denture to complete your restored smile.