DENTAL IMPLANT FAQ
WICHITA FALLS, TX & SAN ANTONIO, TX

Dr. Andrew Mueller and Dr.Patrick Waters are trained through Parkland/UT Southwestern Medical School and earned their medical degrees from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, TX. They specialize in the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery and are experts in dental implants, retaining a 99 percent success rate for the thousands of implants they place each year. Our oral surgeons are highly experienced in all implant treatments, from single to full arch, and are trained to handle emergency situations and treat medically compromised patients.

If a dentist has told you that you’re not a candidate for dental implants, it’s most likely because they didn’t have the expertise to treat your specific case. Our oral surgeons are the experts in dental implants and are qualified to treat patients with advanced gum disease, severe bone loss, and those who are medically compromised. Additionally, with both dental and medical training, they’re experienced in handling complex surgical cases, emergency situations, and IV sedation anesthesia for patients.

Treatment length always depends on your unique case. However, generally we can schedule your consultation immediately, with surgery completed within the next 2-6 weeks. Your final restoration can be delivered approximately 4 months later, but you’ll have temporary teeth during this time.

On the day of your surgery, we’ll administer IV sedation anesthesia so you can be asleep for your entire procedure. Our team is licensed to offer this anesthesia option and our oral surgeons are equipped to handle both dental and medical emergencies, with the expertise to treat medically compromised patients. We’ll monitor you throughout your entire surgery using an EKG and blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, and oxygen, and we can administer steroids, anti-nausea medication, and IV antibiotics as necessary. We’ve placed thousands of dental implants and virtually all our patients are thrilled to find out how simple the process was and report little or no pain after their surgery.

Dental implants are biocompatible titanium posts that are surgically anchored into your jawbone, mimicking a natural tooth root. They provide a stable and strong foundation for a dental crown, denture, or fixed bridge of teeth.

Because dental implants are surgically placed into your natural bone, they are considered the only permanent way to replace one or more missing teeth. You’ll enjoy benefits comparable to having healthy natural teeth, with the potential for your new smile with dental implants to last the rest of your life.

Dr. Andrew Mueller and Dr. Patrick Waters place over 2,000 dental implants and complete over 300 full arch cases each year. They’ve placed thousands of dental implants throughout their careers using state-of-the-art surgical technology.

Due to their training and expertise, our oral surgeons retain a 99 percent success rate for their dental implant treatments. This is above the average industry success rate for implants.

Yes, the predictability of your treatment and its long-term success are related to the expertise and skill of the doctor placing your dental implants. Periodontists and oral surgeons have extensive clinical training in dental surgery. Our oral surgeons are experts in dental implants and specialize in these treatments. 

It's important to follow our pre-surgery instructions to ensure your procedure goes smoothly. You can take your regular medicines as usual, unless otherwise instructed. Refrain from eating or drinking for at least 6 hours prior to your appointment time. We also recommend that you wear loose, comfy clothing with short sleeves. Wear only light makeup and refrain from wearing jewelry, heavy perfumes, and contact lenses the day of your surgery.

Our oral surgeons are licensed and trained in IV sedation and offer this anesthesia option for all our patients. IV sedation anesthesia allows you to sleep through your entire procedure, letting our oral surgeons complete your surgery with a higher level of efficiency and accuracy. We monitor your vitals using EKG and blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, and oxygen throughout the entire procedure, making this option extremely safe even for medically compromised patients.

Our oral surgeons have both dental and medical training and are experienced in treating patients who are medically compromised. Patients with diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or cardiovascular disease are generally all candidates for dental implants when treated by our skilled surgeons.

Our expertise and technology make our surgeries highly efficient and predictable. We can generally complete your entire surgical procedure in just a few hours.

Any procedures needed prior to placing your dental implants can often be completed during the same appointment. We don’t recommend that you have your tooth or teeth extracted before your surgery with us. Similarly, due to our expertise in dental implants and the use of innovative protocols, many of our patients with bone loss won’t need bone grafting as part of their treatment.

If you have severe bone loss as a result of missing teeth, trauma, or wearing dentures, we have solutions that can generally eliminate the need for bone grafting. Our surgical expertise and training make our oral surgeons the go-to team if this is your case. We offer All-on-4® dental implants and zygomatic dental implants, two options that take advantage of available healthy bone.

Yes, in most cases, you will leave your surgical appointment with temporary teeth in place and a brand-new smile. This provisional is made from PMMA, a clear plastic material that is incredibly strong and durable. It’ll look and feel just like natural teeth and stay in place as you heal over the next 4 months.

We work alongside Dr. Donald Ross, an experienced prosthodontist and the founder of Digital Ape Dental Lab. His team of highly trained clinicians custom-make our prosthetics to fit your unique smile. The result is a set of life-like and beautiful teeth delivered on the day of surgery. Your final bridge of teeth will be made from Zirconia, a superior material that provides an unmatched level of strength, stability, and aesthetics. You’ll experience an over 98 percent return to dental function and a life-like, natural smile that is resistant to stains, decay, chips, and fractures.

If you have had x-rays or CTs within the past few months, you can send them to our office for evaluation. Our oral surgeons provide virtual and in-person consultations where we’ll discuss our findings with you and the best treatment for your condition.

Because our surgeries are minimally invasive and completed by our expert oral surgeons, most of our patients can return to normal activities within 24 hours. Any swelling and discomfort should dissipate after a few days. You can return to physical exercise after one week. Please read our post-op instructions to learn more.

We recommend that you drink plenty of fluids after surgery. Eat only soft food and liquids the day of surgery and avoid anything that is hot, spicy, or acidic. You can return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

You can care for your dental implants like you would natural teeth. The day after surgery, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater and/or a prescribed mouth wash at least two times a day. You can resume normal brushing habits a week after surgery. We also recommend you use a Waterpik to floss around your dental implants.

Yes, you should continue visiting your dentist twice a year for routine oral hygiene visits, even if you have dental implants. We’ll let you know what follow-up appointments will be needed with us.

Dental implants are designed to last for decades. With the proper at-home and professional care, good health habits, and following our recommendations, your dental implants have the potential to last the rest of your life.

Smoking after surgery can inhibit healing, cause infection, and may lead to a higher chance of implant failure. Abstaining from smoking or tobacco use altogether can better ensure your long-term oral health and the success of your investment.