Dental Implants – Dallas, TX

Day-to-Day Benefits

Dental implants should feel just like natural teeth once they have completely healed. You should be able to enjoy all of the same things you could before losing your teeth. Here are some of the many benefits you can experience every day:

• Easy Maintenance: To care for your dental implants, you just do what you normally would. Brush twice and floss every day. Rinse with mouthwash and attend your regular cleanings and checkups.
• Increased Confidence: Confidence is very important. However, tooth loss is something many people are self-conscious about. When you replace your missing teeth with dental implants, you can show off your smile with confidence.
• Restores Bite Force: Your bite force can be restored up to 90% or more! You can’t expect those results from dental bridges or dentures.

Health Benefits

Dental implants can have a positive impact on your health. Here are some of the benefits they offer:

• Improved Dental Health: By replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, you can lower your risk of cavities, gum disease, infections, and additional tooth loss.
• Prevents Bone Loss: When you are missing teeth, bone loss quickly follows. Fortunately, implants stimulate the jawbone when you chew, preventing bone loss.
• Better Overall Health: Excellent dental health has a positive impact on your entire body. By keeping your smile healthy, you can reduce your risk of serious health problems, like diabetes and heart disease.

Long-Term Benefits

Dental implants are an investment in the future of your smile. Here are some amazing things that you can experience for many decades, or even the rest of your life:

• Long-Lasting: Dental implants can last a lifetime if you take good care of them.
• Save Money: Dental implants don’t need adhesive or soaking solutions. You are also unlikely to need repairs or replacements.
• Successful: Dental implants have an amazing success rate of over 95%. You are very unlikely to experience a dental implant failure.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Preliminary treatments, like gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, and bone grafting, are sometimes necessary before we can place your dental implants. These treatments will incur their own costs, but they will help to maximize the success of your replacement teeth. Many of them are partially covered by dental insurance. The entire dental implant process will take place at our practice, so you don’t need to worry about working with an outside surgeon or paying someone else separately for the surgical procedure.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Here are some of the most important factors that are considered when determining the cost of your dental implants:

• Number of dental implants: The number of dental implants that you need will depend on the number of teeth you are missing and where they are located in the mouth. The more implants you need, the higher the cost will be.
• Type of restoration” Dental crowns, bridges, and dentures all have different prices. Most of the time, the smaller the restoration is, the lower the cost.
• Materials: Implants are usually made from titanium, but zirconia is also sometimes used. These materials have different price points.
• Brand of dental implant: Just like any other product, dental implants come from a variety of manufacturers. This influences their cost.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Many patients are tempted to choose other tooth replacement options, like dentures and dental bridges, due to their lower cost. They may seem more affordable at first, but the one-time cost of dental implants could be the more cost-effective option in the long run. You won’t need to worry about paying for replacements or adjustments because dental implants are made to last for many decades. You don’t need to stock up on adhesives or soaking solutions either. Dental implants also help you to keep up a healthier smile, preventing issues later on that are costly to treat. When considering if dental implants are the right option for you, it’s important to look at the entire picture. Dental implants are an investment in the future of your smile.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Dental insurance doesn’t typically cover dental implant post, but there are some exceptions. Portions of your treatment may be covered by insurance, like a percentage of your final restoration or preliminary treatments. Our team is happy to review the details of your plan. If you need any help understanding how your dental insurance works, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you are completely out of luck. Here are some ways you can save:

• Dental Membership Plan: With our Dental Membership plan, you can get discounts on numerous treatments completed at our practice, including dental implants.
• Special Offers: We offer a variety of dental implant specials to help you save on your treatment.
• Financing Options: We work with Sunbit and CareCredit. They are third-party financing companies that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments.

To find out exactly how much your implants will cost, schedule a consultation with us. We are eager to give you your smile back!

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Your dental implants can’t get cavities, but the teeth surrounding them can, and you are still at risk for gum disease that can destabilize your implants. Continue to brush twice and floss every day. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste for the best results. Use mouthwash to keep your smile extra fresh.

Eat a Healthy Diet

You can enjoy whatever foods you’d like when you have dental implants. This means you are free to eat an expansive diet with many different nutritious foods. However, it is still a good idea to avoid indulging in hard, sticky, or sugary items. Instead, ensure that you are eating plenty of foods that contain calcium and vitamin C so you can keep your jaw and gums strong and healthy.

Break Bad Habits

Bad dental habits can lead to a broken or failed dental implant. You should refrain from smoking and chewing tobacco. These habits slow healing and encourage infection. Don’t use your teeth as tools and avoid chewing on hard objects, like ice, pens, and pencils.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Dental implants are very strong, but they aren’t indestructible. You should wear a mouthguard to protect your dental implants during sports. If you grind your teeth at night, you may want to consider opting for a nightguard to avoid wear and tear on your implants and natural teeth.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

You should see us every six months for regular cleanings and checkups. This way, we can continue to monitor your natural teeth and dental implants. If we spot any issues, we can address them as soon as possible!

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

While the idea of getting dental implants might seem intimidating, the procedure itself is designed to minimize discomfort. Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area, ensuring patients don't feel pain during the implant placement. Post-operative discomfort varies but is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers and tends to diminish within a few days. It's common to experience some swelling, bruising, or mild pain after the procedure, but these symptoms are temporary. It's important to follow our post-operative care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. Always communicate with us about any concerns or unusual discomfort.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are renowned for their durability and longevity. With proper care and maintenance, the implant itself—the titanium post fused with the jawbone—can last a lifetime. Factors affecting an implant's lifespan include oral health habits, regular dental check-ups, and avoiding undue stress on the implant, like using teeth as tools or chewing very hard items. In essence, with consistent care and periodic check-ups, dental implants can serve as a long-term solution for missing teeth.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Dental Implant Surgery?

Recovery from dental implant surgery varies among individuals, but most patients experience initial healing within 7-10 days, during which time any swelling, bruising, or minor discomfort subsides. However, the complete healing process, involving osseointegration (the fusion of the implant with the jawbone), can take several months. This phase ensures the implant's stability and longevity. Patients are typically able to return to work or regular activities within a few days post-surgery, but it's essential to avoid strenuous physical activity and follow dietary guidelines during the initial recovery to ensure optimal healing. Always consult with us about specific recovery timelines and post-operative care.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

Yes, dental implants are considered safe when performed by experienced and qualified dental professionals. Over decades of use, dental implants have proven to be a reliable and effective solution for tooth replacement. Made typically from biocompatible materials like titanium, implants are designed to integrate with the jawbone without adverse reactions. As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks, such as infection, damage to surrounding teeth, or sinus complications. However, these risks are minimal and are further reduced when patients adhere to post-operative care instructions and maintain regular dental check-ups.