
Compared to other tooth replacement options, dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution for missing teeth while looking and feeling completely natural. Regardless of the number of teeth you have lost, dental implants allow you to rebuild a full set of teeth to the point where you may even forget which teeth are real and which are not! Because they mimic every function of natural teeth, dental implants in Terrell are the only way you can retain healthy jawbone density after tooth loss, meaning you can preserve the youthful shape of your face and your healthy smile for years ahead. To learn more about this truly comprehensive tooth replacement, contact our team today!
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone. Titanium is biocompatible, meaning that it can fuse with the jawbone to provide a firm foundation for replacement teeth. Thanks to this unique method of replacing a tooth’s root in addition to its crown, dental implants are by far the best tooth replacement for your smile and your health. They appear natural, they let you chew all of your favorite foods, and best of all, they are capable of lasting for decades or maybe even a lifetime!
From start to finish, the dental implant process typically takes between six and eight months, but it doesn’t disrupt your day-to-day life. For the overwhelming majority of people, the process is well worth the wait. After your dental implants are healed and restored, you just might forget you even have them! While our office is prepared to break down the procedure step-by-step during your consultation, it helps to read through it on your own time ahead of your appointment.
At your first visit, we’ll make sure you have an opportunity to ask any questions you have about dental implant treatment. We’ll also go over your medical and dental history to confirm if any preexisting issues could interfere with your ability to complete surgery. If you have gum disease or tooth decay, you’ll need to have these conditions handled first. Alternatively, if there is not enough bone tissue available for the implants to properly integrate, a bone graft may be needed beforehand. Otherwise, we’ll get you partnered with a trusted implant specialist.
In most cases, getting dental implants entails two separate surgical procedures about three to six months apart. In the first procedure, the implants are inserted into your jawbone by one of our partnered oral surgeons. This is done by numbing the mouth, making a small incision in the gum tissue, then creating a tiny a hole in the bone for the implant to sit inside of and integrate. After stitching the gum tissue closed, you can begin the healing process. Our team will go over your aftercare instructions before you leave so you know exactly what to do to avoid any complications and ensure a smooth recovery.
After your surgery, the implants are given time to become surrounded by and integrated with the bone underneath your gums. This step generally takes about four to six months to complete. Over the next several days after surgery, we recommend that patients stick to a soft diet and avoid any strenuous activities.
After the implant has healed, you’ll come back to have an abutment attached. This metal connector is designed to provide stability and act as a fastener for the permanent crown, bridge, or denture.
After a few more weeks of healing, you’ll come back to our office to have your permanent restoration attached. Ahead of this appointment, one of our dentists will then take impressions of your mouth so that your new teeth can be custom created to fit the right size and shape. When you arrive, your new restoration will be ready for placement. We are prepared to make adjustments as needed to ensure your bite remains even and feels comfortable.
While there are many benefits from replacing your missing teeth period, dental implants offer unique benefits that you won’t find with other traditional solutions like dental bridges and dentures. While you’re welcome to ask us any questions about dental implants and how they can improve your life, we encourage you to take a few moments to read over some of the most notable quality-of-life improvements dental implants provide.
It’s important to talk through your replacement options with one of our dentists to be sure that dental implants are right for you. During your consultation, you will undergo a dental or radiographic examination, and you will need to share your health history. That way, we can make sure that this procedure will meet your specific needs. At this point, we may refer you to an oral surgeon. Also, during this consultation, you can ask any questions or express your concerns about the dental implant process. After all, we want you to feel comfortable and confident in your treatment choice, and we will gladly talk you through the steps so that you fully understand the procedure.
To replace one missing tooth, a titanium post is inserted directly into the jawbone. Over the course of several months, the biocompatible post becomes integrated with your bone and tissue. After this happens, we’ll attach an abutment, or connector piece, before we attach a custom crown. In order to ensure the most natural aesthetics possible, our dental crowns are made from porcelain.
For multiple consecutive teeth, a dental implant is placed on each end of the gap in your smile, and then restored with a dental bridge or partial denture. It’s important to remember that traditional bridges anchor to modified teeth to hold the bridge in place, but dental implants are certainly strong and stable enough to support a three- or four-crown bridge on their own.
Even if you have lost all the teeth in your top or bottom arch, a denture that is supported by four to six implants can easily restore your smile to its fullest! Instead of relying on suction or adhesives, implant dentures can create an incredibly natural look and provide more stability.
Each patient’s treatment is different, meaning there is no set cost of dental implants in Terrell that can be applied to everyone. The price greatly depends on factors that we’ll evaluate during your initial consultation, such as the number of implant posts you need. Even though implants tend to have a higher price tag than dentures and bridges do, their long-term benefits make them a smarter monetary investment. Below, you’ll find some dental implant cost information that’s important to consider before beginning treatment.
To become eligible for dental implants, many patients need one or preparatory procedures. For example, it’s common to require bone grafting in order to bring back jawbone density that has been lost after teeth have gone missing. Naturally, these procedures add to your total costs.
Dental implant surgery itself, and any anesthesia you receive, also comes with its own cost. Your oral surgeon can go over the specific factors affecting the price of this procedure in detail. Keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for a separate bill from their practice as well as one from ours.
The dental implant post, your restoration, and the abutment that connects the two will all have their own unique costs. The post and abutment can be crafted from different materials that suit the needs of each patient, and your oral surgeon will select the option that best benefits you. Our dentists will also choose the type of restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) and material (acrylic, porcelain, etc.) that is ideal for you. Feel free to ask us or the specialist why we’ve chosen the materials we have; we’ll be transparent about our decisions as well as how it impacts your overall treatment costs.
Dentists and patients alike will tell you that dental implants are well worth the investment. Yes, they cost more up front than bridges or dentures, but you have to consider the long-term value that implants provide. They last for an average of 30 years, while traditional options need to be adjusted or replaced entirely every five to ten years at most. Not to mention, you can avoid having to buy adhesives or special cleaning products. In the long run, dental implants are actually the more cost-effective solution!
These days, dental insurance companies are increasingly realizing how valuable dental implants are, so they’re beginning to offer some coverage. However, many plans still do not. Our team would be more than happy to look over your policy and file claims on your behalf. Even if your plan doesn’t cover the implants themselves, there’s a chance it could partially pay for your restoration or any preliminary treatments.
Insurance isn’t the only way to make your replacement teeth affordable. There are plenty of other options, including CareCredit. Our team at Texas Dentistry has helped countless patients apply for low- to no-interest payment plans through this third-party lender. With a wide variety of plans to choose from, there’s sure to be a solution that allows you to fit the cost of your new smile into budget-friendly installments.
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