Dental Implants in Murray, KY
When you lose a tooth, the consequences extend beyond aesthetics. Discomfort while chewing, bite misalignment, and tooth movement or shifting are common challenges many people face.
The good news? Dental implants replace both the missing tooth and its root, making them the closest solution to replicating your natural teeth. At Arnett Dental Care, we offer comprehensive implant dentistry. Our dentists can complete a dental implant from start to finish at our Murray dental office, so you’ll always be working with the team you know and trust.
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
Beyond the visible gaps in your smile, tooth loss affects your overall dental health in ways you might not expect. When a tooth root is lost, bone deterioration begins. This process can compromise neighboring teeth and even alter your facial structure over time.
Remaining teeth may begin to move and shift over time without a tooth replacement. This movement can cause bite misalignment, which may result in jaw joint (TMJ) discomfort and functional problems.
Since dental implants are capable of replacing one or multiple teeth, they can restore your smile, chewing function, and confidence, so you can get back to enjoying the foods you love again.
While implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth, maintaining the health of your remaining smile through routine general dentistry is essential to ensure your implants have a healthy, long-lasting foundation.
The Dental Implant Process
At Arnett Dental Care, our team is here to guide you through the process of getting a dental implant. Here’s how that looks:
The Initial Evaluation — You’ll meet with Dr. Arnett or Dr. Pruitt, who will gather information about your needs and your smile using x-rays, photos, and 3-D imaging. With this information, they’ll determine if dental implants are right for you and discuss alternative treatment if they’re not.
Implant Placement — One of our dentists will place your dental implant securely into your jawbone during a simple surgical procedure. We use CDCT 3-D imaging to pre-plan implant placement and achieve the best outcomes for our patients.
Healing and Osseointegration — Your implant will fuse and integrate with your bone during a process called osseointegration. This process can take three to six months to complete, and our dentists will monitor your healing progress during that time.
Restoration — Once your dental implant is fully healed and integrated with your bone, it’s ready to support a restoration. This can be a custom porcelain crown if we’re replacing one tooth, or our dentists can use two to six dental implants to support a bridge or denture, replacing multiple missing teeth.
How Can I Get Started?
Contact Arnett Dental Care at (270) 753-6327 to book an evaluation with one of our dentists and start your dental implant journey.
The Advantages of Dental Implants in Murray
Because they replace the tooth and root, dental implants offer several advantages that traditional dentures and bridges do not.
Natural Look and Feel
Simple Home Care
Bite Stabilization
Exceptional Longevity
Protects Bone Health
OUR TEAM
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime with proper care, and maintaining them is surprisingly straightforward. At Arnett Dental Care, Dr. Arnett and Dr. Pruitt recommend treating your implants just like your natural teeth to ensure their longevity.
Daily Care Routine
Brush your implants at least twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Floss carefully around each implant once per day, or use interdental brushes specifically designed for implants. Water flossers can be particularly effective at cleaning hard-to-reach areas around the implant crown and abutment.
Regular Professional Maintenance
Schedule regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings every six months. During these visits, our dentists will examine your implants for any signs of complications and remove plaque buildup that can lead to peri-implantitis, an infection that threatens implant stability.
Lifestyle Considerations
Avoid chewing on hard objects like ice, pens, or hard candy, which can damage the implant crown. If you grind your teeth at night, ask about a custom nightguard to protect your investment. Smoking significantly increases implant failure risk, so quitting is highly recommended.
Watch for Warning Signs
Contact our Murray, KY office immediately if you notice bleeding, swelling, looseness, or discomfort around your implant. Early intervention can prevent serious complications.
With consistent home care and regular professional monitoring, dental implants in Murray can provide decades of reliable function and a beautiful smile.
If you have questions about caring for your implants, our team at Arnett Dental Care is always here to help. Call us at (270) 753-6327.
Dental Implants Technology
At Arnett Dental Care, Dr. Arnett and Dr. Pruitt use advanced CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) 3-D imaging technology to provide superior diagnostic capabilities for our Murray, KY, patients. This state-of-the-art system captures detailed three-dimensional images of your teeth, jaw, sinuses, and surrounding bone structure in a single scan.
CBCT imaging enables precise treatment planning for dental implants, root canals, extractions, and orthodontics while using significantly less radiation than traditional CT scans. With more precise visualization and more accurate measurements, we can deliver safer, more predictable outcomes for your dental care.
Testimonial
Dr. Pruitt is great. He filled my tooth and it was pain free. He & everyone in the office are very caring, including Marla, who cleaned my teeth and Mindy who assisted.
- Lori