Dental Implants Denton

Where Longer-Lasting Smiles Are Created

Young woman smiling in the sun with dental implants in Denton

In his more than 40 years of dental practice, Dr. Ruehle has completed extensive advanced continuing education in oral implantology, including mini-residencies at the Misch Institute, and at UT San Antonio Dental School. He is pleased to provide in-house dental implant placement and restoration for patients suffering from tooth loss. By offering this permanent, longer-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth, we can help individuals like you take back your oral health while fully embracing life with a beautiful, lifelike smile. Let us know how we can help you move forward with dental implants in Denton by calling our office today.

Why Choose Garden Oaks Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for Dental Implants?

  • Dentist with Extensive Implant Training
  • Homelike Office with Patient-Friendly Amenities
  • Privately Owned Dental Practice

What Are Dental Implants?

Dentist holding a model of a dental implant and a crown

Dental implants are a premier form of tooth replacement that is vastly different than dentures or dental bridges. While these more traditional methods only restore the visible portions of teeth, dental implants reach beneath the gumline to rebuild the roots of missing teeth. Using biocompatible materials like titanium, they fuse easily with bone tissues to create a stable foundation that adequately supports crowns, bridges, or dentures for several decades.

Choosing Dr. Ruehle as Your Dental Implant Provider

Patient sitting across a desk from their dentist during a consultation

When selecting a dental implant provider, Dr. Patrick Ruehle stands out as a highly qualified professional. At the forefront of his field, Dr Ruehle has constantly pursued further education beginning immediately after his 1983 graduation from dental school. He has completed several thousand hours of advanced continuing education. For his commitment to training in Implantology he was recognized with Fellowship Awards from the Misch Institute, and The International Congress of Oral Implantologists. For his commitment to life-long training in all aspects of General Dentistry he has been awarded Diplomate status from the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, the Mastership Award by the World Clinical Laser Institute and the Fellowship Award by the Academy of General Dentistry. This additional post-graduate training has equipped him with advanced knowledge in implant dentistry.

By choosing Dr. Ruehle as your dental implant provider in Denton, you can benefit from his extensive experience and dedication to continuous learning. Rest assured that you will be in capable hands throughout your implant journey, receiving personalized care and exceptional results.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

Dentist and assistant performing a dental treatment on a patient
  • Initial Dental Implant Consultation – Your first consultation will occur with Dr. Ruehle, as he will evaluate your oral and overall health and your jawbone density. This will give him better insight into whether you can move ahead with dental implant surgery or if additional treatment is required.
  • Dental Implant Surgery – The minor oral surgery that’s required to place each implant will occur in-house by our own implant dentist. Administering local anesthesia, he will position each post into its appropriate place before closing the gum tissue and placing protective healing caps over the areas.
  • Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment – After the implant placement is complete, the bone must be allowed to heal to the implant, in what is known as osseointegration. Osseointegration takes between 6 and 12 weeks, depending on the site and the character of the bone. After integration the healing cap will be removed and the site will be imaged with our CAD system to facilitate fabrication of the abutment and crown that will turn the implant in a functional tooth. The fabrication is usually done in our in-house CAD/CAM system.
  • Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s) – When the restoration is ready the healing cap is again removed and the tissues around the top of the implant are contoured using topical anesthetic and our laser to allow the restoration to be fitted to the implant and make the new restoration look like a natural tooth emerging from the gum tissues. You will be able to function and eat like normal immediately after placement.

All-On-4 Dental Implants

Illustration of a full denture supported by four dental implants in the jaw

As a full-arch replacement option, All-On-4 dental implants can be an ideal solution if you lack the necessary jawbone density to support traditional implant dentures. Our dental office works closely with the oral and maxillofacial surgeons next door to provide this service. Not only is All-On-4 less invasive, but it can be completed in a single day. Also, you may not require a bone graft to receive this type of treatment.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Woman biting into a burger

Dental implants tend to stand high above all other methods of tooth replacement when it comes to the benefits they provide, such as:

  • Longevity: Dental implants can remain in place for 30 years or more. Some cases even report lasting a lifetime.
  • Improved Bite Force: You’ll receive most of your original bite force once your implants are in place, allowing you to eat all your favorite foods.
  • Easy Maintenance: Being able to easily maintain your new teeth is possible with dental implants because they require no special instruments or products.
  • Improved Oral Health: Having dental implants placed within the mouth offers greater jawbone stimulation, which reduces the risk of additional tooth and bone loss.

Dental Implant FAQs

How long do dental implants last?

Dental implants are a relatively modern treatment, so there isn’t as extensive of research on their lifespan as other restorative treatments that have been around for much longer, such as dentures. That being said, there are several studies that point towards the average lifespan of dental implants being about 25 to 30 years. This is four times that of traditional dentures, meaning they offer fewer replacements and complications to worry about.

What causes dental implants to fail?

Dental implants boast an impressively high success rate of 98 percent up to five years after placement. However, there are several lifestyle choices and habits that can increase your risk of implant failure, such as using tobacco products, alcohol consumption, and oral hygiene habits.

In order to extend the lifespan of your new replacement teeth and get the most out of your dental implants, we advise you to brush twice a day for at least two minutes, floss daily, and rinse with antimicrobial mouthwash. We also advise quitting smoking and using tobacco products before your implant surgery as well as after, as this can increase your risk of implant failure.

Am I too old to get dental implants?

If you’re in your golden years, you’ll be glad to know that your age doesn’t determine your candidacy for dental implants in Denton. Our team has placed dental implants on patients in their early adult years, well up into their 80s and even older. However, if you have health issues that complicate dental implant surgery, we will discuss the pros and cons, as well as the risk factors with you so you can make the best decision for your overall health.

Will I have to take off work for dental implant surgery?

Most patients only need to request one or two days off of work after dental implant surgery, depending on how many implants they will need to have placed. In many cases, our patients feel well enough to return to work the very next day; however, it’s important to consider that everybody is different, and recovery times can vary depending on a number of factors. Additionally, if your job is physicaly demanding, you may want to take a couple of additional days off of work, as heavy exercise can divert blood flow from the implant site and affect your healing.

If you have any questions or concerns about your job, please don’t hesitate to ask our team at your consultation.