5 Benefits of Dental Implants in Arlington TX

Heather Martinson • January 6, 2023

Did you know that 25% of Americans have a cavity? During an adult's lifetime, approximately 90% of the population will develop at least one cavity.

While it may seem harmless in the beginning, untreated cavities can progress to tooth decay. Without dental work, tooth decay can cause abscesses and infections. If you have dealt with tooth decay, pain, or missing teeth, it might be time to consider dental implants.

Dental implants are permanent solutions that can help you eat, talk, and smile pain-free. However, eating and speaking easier aren't the only reasons you should consider a dental implant.

Keep reading our complete guide and find out the top five reasons dental implants are beneficial and how you can get started with an appointment with a dentist in Arlington, TX, today!

1. Helps Restore Your Smile

The most obvious advantage of a dental implant is restoring your smile. Tooth decay and/or missing teeth can make individuals feel self-conscious and cause various health problems, including an increased risk for gum disease.

Implants fall under advanced dentistry and include an additional crown placement that can match surrounding teeth and promote a natural appearance. Choosing a highly experienced dentist in Arlington, TX, ensures you are well-educated on the implant needed and the type of crown that works best to match your healthy teeth.

2. Prevents Bone Loss

Tooth loss is closely tied to bone loss. The mandible or maxilla supports your teeth and requires constant stimulation. When there's a gap or missing tooth, the bone density in that area begins to diminish.

Replacing the tooth with an implant prevents further deterioration and supports healthier bones. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis can also increase the risk of tooth loss and weaken bones. It is critical that you provide a complete medical history to your dentist during a consultation to ensure the best outcomes.

3. Prevents Further Tooth Decay

An implant can eliminate tooth decay and prevent adjacent teeth from experiencing decay. First, tooth decay can range from mild to severe. In some cases, a simple filling or root canal can solve your problems.

Even changing oral hygiene habits can make a significant difference. However, once tooth decay starts becoming severe, you need a dental clinic specializing in implants. There are four primary stages of tooth decay, with the last two leading to pulp damage and abscesses.

When you experience a tooth abscess or infection, you must seek immediate dental work. It can spread to your jaw and surrounding tissues, leading to systemic health issues. Regular dental visits can catch tooth decay in its early stages and help prevent permanent damage.

If you are in the latter two stages, your dentist will likely recommend an implant. Missing or damaged teeth can create changes in your jaw and bite structure and increase risks for future cavities in healthy teeth.

4. Helps With Speech and Chewing

Speech and chewing are greatly impacted by your jaw and teeth structures. Missing teeth can prevent adequate chewing and proper nutrition. It can also create alterations in your speech, leading to communication frustrations.

Much like dentures, implants help normalize your bite and improve health outcomes. Unlike dentures, they are longer-lasting and usually more comfortable.

While the timeframe for implants is lengthy, they look and feel more natural. They also require similar long-term care as you would use for natural teeth.

Poorly fitted dentures can cause sores and bone loss. If you have more than one missing tooth, your dentist might also discuss options for multiple implants.

5. Long-Lasting Solution

In most dental work cases, implants are permanent and easy to care for. Unlike natural teeth, they will also be less prone to cavities and decay since it is comprised of artificial materials.

The dental crown or cap that covers the implant may need replacing after 15 years, but the implant itself is highly durable and long-lasting. Unlike root canals or other endodontic procedures, implants replace your teeth and integrate with the surrounding bone in your jaw.

Through this process, otherwise known as osseointegration, and proper oral care, it is unlikely you will experience any adverse complications.

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

As with all medical procedures, a dental implant isn't always right for everyone. For example, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, or severe osteoporosis might increase your risk for complications. The latter can make it challenging for full osseointegration and limit an implant's success.

Most dental implants have a very low complication and failure rates. Studies found that failure rates hover around 3%, and most were implants placed on the upper jaw bone or maxilla.

Some of the most common reasons that implants failed were bone densities, smoking, or infections. A qualified dentist in Arlington, TX, can reduce complication rates by performing a thorough medical examination beforehand. In some instances, you might need to wait for your dental implant or work carefully with your medical team.

Keep in mind that dental implants also take time to heal, and you should follow aftercare instructions carefully. In most patient cases, the implant will be fully healed within six months.

Start Restoring Your Smile

Dental implants are an excellent way to restore your smile, improve chewing, and prevent further tooth decay. While the process may seem arduous and costly, implants are a long-term solution to your decayed or missing teeth.

Additionally, if you have tried other procedures like bridges or dentures, it might be time to find a skilled dental implant specialist. At our clinic, we use the latest technology and materials for implant procedures.

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Dr. Heather E. Martinson

D.D.S

Dr. Martinson has been serving patients and improving smiles through her work for the past 25 years. She attended both Southern University in Tennessee and the University of Texas at Arlington before earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Southern California. She is a graduate of The Dawson Academy in Florida and the Schuster Center in Arizona, and has completed several cosmetic, implant and restorative continuing education courses. Dr. Martinson has also earned certification in the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. This allows her to provide Botox and dermal fillers to her dental patients.

The favorite part of Dr. Martinson’s job is being able to work closely with so many wonderful people and help them become healthier! And also help them to avoid heart attacks and strokes!

Dr. Martinson is married to Captain Myron Martinson (formerly a pilot with American Airlines). Together they have several 4-legged kiddos. When she is not busy at work, she enjoys bicycling, gardening, cooking, entertaining and traveling with family.

Dr. Martinson maintains active membership in the following professional organizations:

The Dental Implant Process Explained

By Heather E. Martinson, DDS • May 21, 2025

Undergoing a comprehensive surgical procedure, such as a dental implant, can be a big step. Still, studies like one by Tobias et al. (2025) report over a 97% success rate , even after five years. These show that it can offer significant long-term benefits with a reasonable guarantee of retention. So, if you are searching for a reliable solution to a dental issue, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, may be the one to choose for state-of-the-art implant surgery, but what does it entail? Below, our dental implants guide describes the dental implant process step-by-step to help you understand and feel more comfortable getting the smile you want. Explore each stage, from the initial consultation to attaching the crown. Then, discover what you might want to discuss with Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, to ensure you get the desired results. Why Dental Implants are Our Best Fix for Missing Teeth Unlike crowns or fillings, dental implants are not a simple cap on an existing tooth . Nor are they intended to be temporary. Instead, they replace both the tooth's root and crown , preserving the jawbone and structure of the face by offering a complete prosthetic that the body should accept as its own. Titanium posts integrate with the bone and offer a very stable foundation for chewing. This is one of the reasons studies such as those by Kupka et al (2024) have found that dental implants often last for decades, with 80% continuing to last for over 20 years. With crowns, you will still need to be careful of what you bite into in case the prosthetic detaches from the tooth. However, implants can often restore the full force of your bite. For this reason, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS , and her team prefer to use these prostheses, eliminating several difficulties one might encounter with other options. How Gaps Affect Function and Appearance We understand that it can sometimes be tempting to leave tooth gaps as they are due to the perceived hassle of installing a new implant. However, missing teeth can drastically impact the mouth beyond issues with appearance or speech patterns, as it can cause the jawbone itself to start "sagging" where the tooth no longer exists. Teeth may also begin to shift position, leading to bite issues. Early restoration via a professionally-implanted denture can prevent this loss and maintain the face's proportions. Perfect for maintaining a youthful visage. Why Implants Outperform Bridges and Dentures Bridges and dentures are critical parts of a high-quality dentistry offering . However, they do not tend to last as long as an implant due to how implants preserve the underlying bone. This fact may go a long way towards explaining why the NIDCR in the US has recently discussed a " fourfold increase " in the number of adults receiving dental implants over two decades. Still, that doesn't mean discounting these options. If you feel a bridge or denture may be best for you, you should discuss your options with our dental team . Discuss the pros and cons of each option. In some cases, implant-supported dentures are also available , allowing for a combination of both. Dental Implant Process Step-by-Step at Heather Martinson DDS Our implant procedure steps combine: Consultations 3D imaging Surgical planning Continual checks for precision Constant coordination with colleagues Using these, we can ensure that your results are accurate and efficient. Initial Consultation and 3D Scan The first step is always to take a detailed medical and dental history . Using this, we can determine if you have any risk factors, such as smoking habits, that we need to be aware of so we can help maintain your safety. Then, we will assess how your jaw aligns to ensure we do not interfere with this. Our advanced scanner can capture 3-dimensional images of every part of your mouth for precision-planning, including: Jawbones Sinuses Nerve canals Details of prior surgery We can even use this to preview the final outcome before surgery, allowing you to understand the most likely results and give a go-ahead from a position of knowledge. Precise Implant Placement Before the final crown "tooth" can be placed in the jaw, you will require surgery to install the implant itself. This implant is the structure that sits in your jawbone, maintaining the visible crown's position while preventing it from moving. This step involves local anesthesia or other forms of sedation to ensure your comfort. Then, the dentist will create a path for your implant to sit within your jaw. The implant is up to 5mm in diameter and up to 13mm in length, meaning it is robust enough to prevent damage due to torsion or other forces. After the placement, the dentist will use sutures and a protective cap to shield the site. During this healing phase, the implant undergoes "osseointegration," which is the growth of bone cells around the implant surface. This process takes up to six months to ensure it integrates with the body. Once the dentist is sure that your body has accepted the implant, they will reveal the site of the implant and perform a scan to ensure that an external lab can produce a perfect crown for the area, matching your prior teeth as closely as possible. After the final attachment, you can review the tooth , offering feedback such as colour adjustments or determining whether it needs minor alteration to match your bite. Long-Term Implant Care The Arlington, TX, dental care experts can offer advice and guidance on the best steps to ensure that the implant lasts as long as possible and remains comfortable. However, should you need anything else , their clinic will be available for you to follow up, so ask them for more details on how you need to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure you get the best results. Take the Next Step with One of the Best Dentists in Arlington After learning the dental implant process step-by-step , you should understand what it entails and be able to make better healthcare decisions. With over 25 years of experience in Arlington, TX, we can ensure your treatment focuses on improving your dental health and restoring your natural and healthy beauty using the latest techniques and advances. If you want to investigate the possibility of an implant, remember that you can always request a free consultation with Heather Martinson, DDS. Following that, you should be able to begin your journey to regain your full chewing ability and a confident smile.