What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium posts that mimic the natural tooth root.
Surgically placed into your jawbone, they support a custom-made restoration
(i.e. dental crown, bridge, denture) and replicate the structure of your
missing tooth. Because of its placement, the implant fuses to the bone and
surrounding tissue over time in a process known as osseointegration and
becomes a permanent fixture within your oral cavity. This allows you to eat
and speak with greater confidence as well as enjoy restorations that look
and feel like regular teeth.
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Benefits of Dental Implants
When learning more about dental implants, it is hard to overlook the many benefits they offer to patients with missing teeth. You likely want a solution that will not only give you enhanced aesthetics but will also keep your oral health from declining. Fortunately, implants are a great way to address both issues while allowing you to experience far more than you think. Below, you will find a thorough list of the many benefits of dental implants:
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Day-to-Day Benefits
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Eat your favorite foods -
Greater, more even bite force, allowing you to chew and eat with greater confidence and enjoy the foods you love.
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Better quality of life –
Ability to live the life you love because of greater ease of speaking, eating, and smiling. Unlike denture-wearers who often hide their smiles and avoid speaking, you can feel more confident with your new, firmly-rooted teeth.
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A more beautiful appearance -
Enhanced aesthetics and boosted confidence.
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Easier maintenance –
Dental implants make it easy to keep your natural and artificial teeth clean and free of potential decay and disease. All you need are regular dental hygiene products.
Health Benefits
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Preservation of remaining teeth
–You can avoid altering healthy teeth that are otherwise required with fixed bridges.
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Stimulate the jawbone
– Improved oral health by continuing to stimulate the jawbone and prevent bone resorption and/or facial collapse.
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Stabilize adjacent teeth
– Dental drift is not a concern when an implant dentist places these titanium posts. It keeps healthy teeth firmly in place, minimizing the need for orthodontic treatment.
Long-Term Benefits
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High-success rate
– Dental implants have an initial placement success rate of 95%, which is unlike other prosthetic tooth replacements.
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Greater longevity
– A restoration that is designed to last decades with proper care and maintenance.
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Cost-effective solution
– Instead of paying for denture adhesives and regular replacements or adjustments, dental implants cost less in the long run. This is also evident through lower expenses on overall health problems that can often arise as a result of tooth loss.
Indications for Dental Implants
Another added benefit of dental implants is they are versatile. Whether you
have one missing tooth, multiple, or an entire arch, they can repair and
restore your smile in a way that other solutions cannot.
Missing Single Tooth
If you are only missing a single tooth, your dentist in Dallas can
use one titanium implant and metal abutment before having a customized
dental crown created to sit on top of the post.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If two or more teeth are missing consecutively in a row, there’s no
need to worry. We can recommend you receive two dental implants that will
sit on the outer vacated sockets. Once your custom bridge is created by lab
technicians, we will carefully secure it to the implants, filling in the gap
and allowing you to enjoy a healthier smile.
Missing All Teeth
When faced with an entire arch of missing teeth, don’t assume
traditional dentures is all you’ll be eligible to receive. Instead, an
oral surgeon can place 4-6 dental implants along your jawbone to create a
firm foundation for a customized denture. Instead of worrying about dental
adhesives to keep your restoration in place, you can feel more confident
knowing your denture is secured to the tops of your implants.
Partners with Trusted Professionals in the DFW Area
Dr. Vanderbrook wants your experience in receiving dental implants to be a
success. This is why he partners with only the best in the DFW area. From
trusted periodontists to highly-skilled oral surgeons, he will work closely
to ensure your procedure is successful. Once your implants are in place and
you’ve finished recovering at home, you will return to our dental
office to receive your finalized restoration.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Dental implant costs vary from case to case. Replacing a single tooth may
cost a few thousand dollars, while full-arch replacement may cost anywhere
from $35,000 to $60,000. Those numbers may seem steep at first, but it’s
important to consider long-term costs. Dental implants in Dallas
have the potential to last a lifetime, which means they may actually be
cheaper over time than non-implant options that need to be replaced every
few years. Plus, they offer remarkable benefits that are impossible to
assign a monetary value to.
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Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
It is common for patients to require preliminary treatment, such as
gum disease therapy or tooth extractions, before they can receive
dental implants. Each of these services incurs its own fee. The
implant placement surgery also has a separate cost, which depends on
how many implants are being placed and other factors. The specialist
that
Dr. Vanderbrook
refers you to for your surgery will talk to you about its price and
your payment options.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
There are numerous implant treatment options in modern dentistry. Some
treatments involve the use of just one or two implants, so they cost
less than treatments that require more implants. Also, there are many
different implant manufacturers that charge a range of fees for their
products. If more than one type of implant treatment is right for you,
our team will talk to you about their pros, cons, and costs so you can
make an informed decision about how to move forward.
Final Dental Implant Restoration
Implant restorations vary in price. A single implant-supported crown
logically costs less than an implant-supported denture or a multi-unit
bridge. Restorations may be made out of various materials, such as
acrylic and porcelain, which may have different price points.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
It is becoming more and more common for
dental insurance
policies to cover dental implants. However, many still do not. Our team
will help you navigate your benefits and file claims in your behalf.
Even if your policy does not cover dental implants themselves, it might
cover other parts of your treatment, like preliminary services or your
final restorations.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
Dr. Vanderbrook and our team want to help you afford your new smile!
That is why, in addition to helping you with your insurance, our
practice is pleased to accept financing from CareCredit. CareCredit is a
third-party lender that provides low-interest payment plans for medical
and dental services. We will always be upfront with you about prices,
and we are ready to answer any questions you have about our payment
policy. We pride ourselves on making every aspect of the treatment
process as easy as possible!
Dental Implant FAQs
When it comes to creating permanent, longer-lasting smiles, there’s simply no better choice than dental implants in Dallas! However, it’s only natural to have some questions about this revolutionary tooth replacement option before you’re ready to commit to a treatment plan. We’ll be more than happy to answer all your questions and walk you through every step of the procedure when you come visit us for your consultation. In the meantime, we’ve gathered a few of the most common questions we get about dental implants below so you can learn more about them. To find out more or schedule your consultation, don’t hesitate to
give us a call!
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Does It Hurt to Get Dental Implants?
Getting dental implants requires a minor oral surgery. However, you’ll be pleased to hear that the majority of patients report that the process of getting dental implants doesn’t hurt at all. We partner with trusted local dental implant professionals for the surgical placement portion of your treatment. They’ll make sure you’re completely comfortable throughout the surgery, with local numbing medication and likely sedation. The recovery period is likely to include a week or so of slight discomfort and swelling, but these side effects should be easy to manage at home.
What Are the Different Types of Dental Implants?
There are numerous different types of dental implants. There are single-tooth dental implants, implant bridges, and several options for implant dentures. There are also implants that are made of zirconia instead of titanium, and there are “mini dental implants” as opposed to traditional dental implants. During your consultation, we’ll work with you and your unique situation to determine which type of dental implant will be best for you.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Traditional tooth replacement options only last about five to seven years before they need to be replaced. With dental implants, this inconvenience is a thing of the past! Since dental implants are embedded directly into your jawbone, they stimulate the tissue just like natural teeth and keep it strong. Thanks to this unique placement, dental implants can easily last 30 years to a lifetime!
How Soon After An Extraction Can I Get a Dental Implant?
In most cases, you’ll need to wait several weeks after having a tooth extracted before replacing it with a dental implant. This will give your gum tissue a chance to heal, and enough time for whatever oral health problem that prompted the extraction in the first place to be addressed. Remember, you’ll need to be completely free of any dental abscesses or infections before a dental implant can be placed.
Am I Too Old for Dental Implants?
It’s no secret that tooth loss becomes more common with age. Fortunately, there is no upper age limit for getting dental implants! As long as you are well enough to undergo minor surgery, are free of oral health issues like gum disease, and have adequate jawbone density, you are a good candidate for this state-of-the-art treatment. If you’re not initially a good candidate for dental implants, we may be able to help you become one. We can help you overcome oral health issues like gum disease and refer you to a local specialist to have your jawbone strengthened with a bone graft!
