Las Vegas dental implant dentist Dr. James B. Polley and his kind, compassionate dental team understand how embarrassing missing teeth are, and we work very hard to offer you tooth replacement options whether you’re missing just a couple of teeth or a full set of teeth. 

Maybe you’ve lost your lower arch of teeth, or maybe you’re on the way to losing your upper arch. Regardless of the number of missing teeth and why those teeth are missing, James B. Polley, D.D.S. and the dental care team in Las Vegas stand ready to end your embarrassment of missing teeth, improve your oral health, restore your self-confidence, and help you get your life back to how it was before losing teeth—or even better!

mature couple with dental implants show off their restored smilesWhat Are Dental Implants?

Whether you’ve lost some teeth due to tooth decay, gum disease (or the more advanced periodontal disease), a car accident, or some other issue, there are viable tooth replacement options that restore function and beauty to your mouth, smile and face. 

Dental implants are a highly effective, popular tooth replacement option in Las Vegas, Nevada. Once placed in your mouth, they will likely last the rest of your life if well cared for, according to Dr. Polley’s post-surgical instructions.

While the word “surgical” may intimidate some people, we want to assure you that it’s not the type of surgery you’re thinking of—it’s dental implant surgery, and Dr. Polley has performed dental implant surgery on residents in and around Las Vegas for many years. 

We will get more into the dental implant process later in this page, but for now, we want you to know that dental implants, when placed by the skillful hands of Dr. Polley, will change your life. You’ll be able to eat and drink all your favorite foods, you’ll never have to take them out to clean them as you do with dentures, and no one will ever know you have dental implants unless you share that information with them. 

You will be amazed at how beautiful your dental implants look, and they will look, feel, and function like healthy natural teeth. The time commitment for dental implants is well worth the final result—a stunning smile you’ll be happy to show (instead of what you’ve probably been doing, which is covering your smile with your hand so people don’t notice your missing teeth).

Dental Implant Candidacy

The good news is that most people are great candidates for dental implants in Las Vegas. However, if you have a medical condition that would make another tooth replacement option better, Dr. Polley will certainly explain why. 

If you’ve read online that you absolutely cannot have dental implants if you have certain medical conditions or have certain lifestyle habits, please let Dr. Polley perform an evaluation first to see if what you’ve read is true. Each patient presents a different set of challenges and has a unique dental situation. Just because dental implants do not work for one person does not mean they won’t work for you just because you have a similar challenge.

If your health is good enough to be a dental implant candidate and you’re able to find the time to come into the office according to Dr. Polley’s implant appointment schedule requirements, then you can be one of the thousands of people who have enjoyed the life-changing effects of dental implants in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dental Implant Process

The areas of your mouth that are missing teeth must be prepared for dental implants. Sometimes, the jawbone is not strong enough to receive implants, so Dr. Polley may perform bone grafts or jaw reshaping. Please know that with advances available or soon to be available, bone grafts are not necessary with all dental implants. 

Traditional dental implants are titanium posts that resemble corkscrews. The number of dental implants necessary to restore your smile depends on many factors; one of those factors is how many teeth are missing. Jawbone density and your overall health will also be considered.

Dr. Polley and his dental implant team will surgically implant the titanium posts into your jawbone, and in a process called “osseointegration,” those implants will fuse with your jaw; osseointegration allows the dental implants to be a permanent addition to your mouth. 

Osseointegration usually takes several weeks to a few months, and because everyone heals differently and at a different speed, it’s impossible to predict exactly how long this part of the dental implant process will take. Dr. Polley and his team will keep you informed every step of the way so you know exactly what to expect.

Once the implants are placed, an abutment that serves as a connector is added to prepare for the final step of the implant process, which is the addition of the artificial tooth (a dental crown or dental bridge). The last stage of the dental implant process is dental implant restoration; Dr. Polley may use implant-supported dentures. With so many options available, one will be right for you.

Learn More About Dental Implants in Las Vegas

If you’re missing teeth, please contact Dr. James B. Polley by calling (702) 873-0324. You may also fill out our online contact form; one of our team members will reach out to answer questions or schedule an evaluation for dental implants.