Dental Implants in Murphy, TX
dental implants start to finish done by board certified specialists under one roof
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We specialize in implant and smile makeover.
Dr. Tai and Dr. Ling completed 3-4 years of residency training focusing on the treatment of gum disease, dental implants, and full mouth reconstruction.
Dr. Tai's brief biography
- Diplomat, American Board of Periodontology.
- Postdoctoral Periodontal-Prosthesis, University of Pennsylvania.
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry.
- Predoctoral Teaching Award, University of Pennsylvania.
- Speaker, Jay S. Seibert Tri-School Symposium.
Dr. Ling's brief biography
- Board-Certified in Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery, ABP.
- Postdoctoral Periodontics, University of Pennsylvania.
- Director's Award, Department of Periodontics, University of Penn.
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry.
- Poster Presenter, 2016 AAP Research Forum.
* All the case pictures shown were real patients treated by Dr. Tai or Dr. Ling. All rights reserved.
* Individual treatment options and results may vary. These examples are not guaranteed treatment results.
Dental Implant Specialists
Board-Certified Specialists
High-tech, Modern Office
Affordable Financial Options
If you're looking for an implant dentist in Murphy, TX, we are here for you:
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Board-certified implant dentists
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Both of our dentists, Dr. Tai and Dr. Ling, have made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements, and are both Board-certified in dental implant surgery by the American Board of Periodontology.
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Dr. Tai and Dr. Ling currently serve as Adjunct Assistant Professors in the Department of Restorative Sciences at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, teaching postdoctoral residents plan and place dental implants.
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State-of-the-art technology
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Low-dose, high-image-quality CBCT - Focusing on the highest quality of care, we strive to improve the health and safety of our patients.
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Modern, advanced dental facility
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Dedicated surgery room specially-designed for use in dental and implant surgery.
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The ability to provide N2O, oral or IV sedation in a safe and comfortable environment.
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Dental Implant Q&A -
Answered by Dr. Ted Ling & Dr. Jenny Tai, our board-certified implant specialists, from Murphy Dental and Implant Center in Murphy, Texas.
Q: What is a dental implant?
A: In a nutshell, dental implants are artificial tooth roots designed to replace missing teeth. They are surgically placed into the jaw bone and serve as the foundation for the abutments and crowns that will connect to them later.
Q: How do I know if I am a candidate for a dental implant?
A: If you have lost one tooth or multiple teeth or if you have a tooth that needs to be extracted, you may be a candidate for a dental implant. The following are a few things your dentist will usually evaluate to determine this:
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Health history - if you are in good health, most likely you will be a good candidate for a dental implant. We will evaluate your health history to determine if you have any health conditions that may affect the healing of implants.
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Bone quality - bone is the foundation of dental implants. We have an in-office, state-of-the-art, low-dose Cone Bean CT to evaluate your bone condition.
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History of gum disease - gum disease shares the same bacteria as disease around implants. If you have gum disease, we strongly recommend you to have it treated/controlled before getting a dental implant. This is to provide a healthy and clean environment for the implant. Dr. Ling and Dr. Tai are both board-certified periodontists who specialized in gum disease treatment. With our treatment and maintenance program, we can help you to control your gum disease and maintain the long-term health of the implants.
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Smoking - if you are a super heavy smoker, you may not be a good candidate for dental implants.
If you do have any above-mentioned concerns, please know most conditions can be controlled or treated and you may still benefit from dental implant treatment. We welcome you to schedule a complimentary implant consultation with us to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Our office is located in Murphy, Texas.
Q: Am I too old for a dental implant?
A: Age alone will not prevent you from having dental implants - you are never too old!
Q: Am I too young for a dental implant?
A: It is recommended to have dental implants only after you have finished growing. Although, this differs between individuals. As a general rule, it’s better to wait until you’re at least 18-20-years-old.
Q: What are my alternatives if I am too young for a dental implant?
A: Most of the time, a dental implant is the most suitable treatment option to replace a missing tooth. However, as mentioned above, young patients may not be ready until later in life. We understand that you want to look your best as you go through important milestones or have confidence in your day-to-day life. There are many short-term solutions to manage these missing spaces, including an acrylic partial denture (flipper), an essix appliance, or a bonded tooth to a retainer. Visit our dental office in Murphy, Texas to find out the best option for you.
Q: How do I know if I need a bone graft before a dental implant?
A: Bone grafts are needed when there is no sufficient bone to serve as the foundation for dental implants. With a Cone Beam CT scan (CBCT), we can typically tell whether you will need a bone graft prior to the surgery.
Q: Do I absolutely need a CBCT scan before a dental implant?
A: It’s often a good idea to have a CBCT scan before dental implant surgery. CBCT provides surgeons with detailed information about the anatomic structures and quality and quantity of the bone structure, thus helping them to plan the surgery more accurately. Here at Murphy Dental and Implant Center, we will evaluate each individual to determine whether a CBCT scan is recommended.
Q: Is CBCT safe?
A: With advanced technology, the radiation dosage you receive from a CBCT scan has been significantly lowered. At our center, we proudly own a Green CT 2, a top-of-the-line CBCT model from Valtech. It has a fast scan time (only 4.9 - 9 seconds) and provides high quality images at a low X-ray dosage. See here for more details.
Q: After the dental implant surgery, how long will I need to wait before I can have the final crown?
A: It takes time for your bone to grow around and attach to the implant surface. This process is called osseointegration. Typically, we allow an implant to heal for at least 3 months before placing the final abutment and crown. If your bone is soft or if the bone graft was done at the time of implant surgery, we may recommend a longer waiting time to allow solid bone to form around the implant.
Q: What do I do with my missing teeth while waiting for the implant to heal?
A: If it’s a posterior tooth, like a molar, you can leave it open for the healing period since it’s not an aesthetic concern. If you’re missing a front tooth, we recommend wearing a temporary appliance, called a Essix or a flipper, to fill the space temporary. Sometimes, we can connect a provisional (temporary) crown to the implant on the same day with the implant surgery, also known as an immediate provisional. We will evaluate and see if you’re a candidate for this.
Q: Can I have a dental implant placed at the same time as getting a tooth extracted?
A: Likely. This is called an immediate implant. Immediate implants are often possible and will reduce the treatment time, as there is no need to wait for the bone to heal first before placing an implant. With a CBCT scan, we can evaluate your bone condition prior to the implant surgery to determine whether an immediate implant is possible. If an immediate implant is not recommended, we will advise you to place a bone graft in the extraction socket to build up the bone first. This will be followed by at least 3 months healing time for the bone to become solid before placing the dental implant.
Q: What are sinuses? Will I need a sinus lift?
A: Everyone has maxillary sinuses and their size ranges between individuals. If your sinuses are close to the implant area, you may need a sinus lift procedure to add bone to support the implant. This usually happens on upper molars and premolars. With a CBCT scan, we will know if you need a sinus lift. Oftentimes, a sinus lift can be done at the same time as getting a dental implant.
Q: Do I need to be sedated for dental implant surgery?
A: Most people can go through dental implant surgery without any sedation. However, many people will prefer to be sedated. At Murphy Dental and Implant Center, we offer oral or IV sedation for optimal patient comfort. We have formal residency training for proper sedation techniques and we put patients safety first. Please visit our sedation dentistry page for more information.
Q: Do I need somebody to pick me up after dental implant surgery?
A: No. If you did not have any kind of sedation, you can drive straight after the surgery.
Q: How long does it take to do the surgery part of the treatment?
A: It depends on the complexity of the procedure. A simple implant procedure usually only takes less than an hour from start to finish. If there is a need for a bone graft, sinus lift, or if we are placing multiple implants, then the surgery could take longer.
Q: What will the recovery be like after the surgery? Can I eat after the surgery?
A: Dental implant surgery usually does not have a long recovery period in terms of discomfort. Most patients can go back to work the next day (or even on the same day!). Some discomfort is to be expected but it is manageable with common pain relief medication like Advil or Tylenol. We recommend a semi-soft diet for 1-2 days after the surgery, and once the discomfort diminishes most patient can resume normal eating in just 2-3 days.
Q: If I smoke, can I still have a dental implant?
A: Smoking has been associated with a decreased implant success rate. Though smoking is a risk factor, it is not considered an absolute contraindication. Nevertheless, we strongly recommend that you plan to quit smoking if you want to have dental implants. After all, it’s good for your health too!
Q: I have diabetes, can I still have a dental implant?
A: Uncontrolled diabetes may result in less than idea healing after surgery. Typically, your dentist will request your most recent A1c to determine if your diabetes is under control. Recently, there are studies that show an elevated A1c does not necessarily mean a decrease in dental implant success rate. However, it is recommended that you get your blood sugar and A1c under control for better healing and fewer complications.
Q: Does a dental implant fail?
A: Dental implants have been a predictable treatment option for missing teeth. They have an over 95% success rate, especially when you do not have other risk factors. However, in rare instances, a dental implant can fail to integrate, sometimes even for no obvious reason.
If this is the case, your surgeon will evaluate the situation and determine if there is a specific reason that leads to this outcome. The failed dental implant often needs to be removed, followed by a bone graft to rebuild the bone. After allowing 3 months for the bone to heal, your surgeon can often successfully place another implant.
Here at Murphy Dental and Implant Center, we’ve got your back. As board-certified surgeons, we have confidence in our implants. If the implant failed to integrate, we will take care of the implant removal, the additional need to graft the area, and replace the implant at no additional cost to you.
Q: Does the implant brand matter?
A: More and more companies have entered the business of making dental implants. Due to the advanced technology and the excellent biocompatibility of titanium, most implants work whether they come from a smaller or a more established company. However, to provide the best treatment, we like to use implants that have a good track record of success. At Murphy Dental and Implant Center, we use Straumann and Implant Direct implants. Straumann is one of the most established implant companies worldwide. Implant Direct is owned by Danaher Corporation. It is based in California and proudly manufactures all their implants in the United States. We have seen great success with both implant systems!
More questions? Please contact us for a dental implant consultation to have a personalized evaluation for your condition. Our office is located in Murphy, Texas. Serving patients in Murphy TX, Parker TX, Plano TX, Wylie TX, Sachse TX, and the surrounding communities!