Dental Implants – Dallas, TX

Day-to-Day Benefits

You’ll use your new teeth every day to eat, speak, and smile. As such, you’ll notice these benefits daily:

• Natural Look and Feel: Dental implant restorations are color-matched to the rest of your smile, letting them blend in so well that most people won’t even realize you’ve had a tooth replaced. Meanwhile, dental implant posts feel so natural that some patients occasionally forget that they’re there.
• No Diet Restrictions: Certain foods are difficult to eat with traditional dentures. However, dental implants have almost as much chewing power as your natural teeth, allowing you to eat whatever you want.
• Easy Maintenance: Taking care of dental implants isn’t much different than caring for your natural teeth. You simply need to brush and floss twice a day like you normally would; you should also continue visiting your dentist twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings.

Health Benefits

Since dental implants mimic your natural tooth roots, they offer several unique health benefits, such as:

• Preventing Bone Loss: The stimulation of the implant posts encourages blood flow in the jaw. This helps prevent the deterioration that occurs after tooth loss, thus helping you maintain a stronger, healthier jawbone over the long term.
• Healthier Lifestyle: People who wear dentures often have trouble practicing good nutrition because there are limits on what they can eat. Since dental implants don’t have any dietary restrictions, you’ll find it much easier to plan a healthy diet that provides all the nutrition you need.
• Lower Risk of Oral Health Issues: Compared to other tooth replacements, dental implants are very easy to keep clean. As such, you are less likely to have to experience oral health issues that can occur as a consequence of poor oral hygiene.

Long-Term Benefits

There are several dental implant benefits that you’ll only be able to fully appreciate over the long term. Some examples include:

• A High Success Rate: Dental implants have been shown to be extremely reliable. Even implants that have been in the mouth for 20 years have a 95% rate of success.
• A More Youthful Appearance: Because dental implants prevent bone loss in your jaw, they can often help you avoid the facial collapse associated with tooth loss that can make you look older than you are.
• Long Lifespan: Dental bridges and dentures usually last around 10 years. Dental implants, meanwhile, can last for 30 years or more with minimal maintenance. In fact, many patients can keep the same dental implant posts for the rest of their lives!

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

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An ideal candidate for dental implants will have:

• At least one missing tooth, or at least one tooth that needs to be removed in the near future.
• A healthy mouth, meaning there is no presence of gum disease or other issues that could complicate implant placement.
• No medical conditions that might interfere with the body’s ability to heal well after surgery.
• A jaw that retains enough bone density to support dental implants.

If you aren’t sure if dental implants are right for you, contact your dental implant dentist in Dallas to schedule a consultation. Most adults do qualify, either right away or after some preparatory treatments.

Missing 1 Tooth

The traditional solution for single tooth loss is a dental bridge, which normally rests on two natural teeth that have been permanently altered. Because altering the abutment teeth can cause sensitivity and other issues, a traditional bridge is not an ideal form of tooth replacement.

Fortunately, replacing a single tooth with a dental implant is a fairly straightforward process. We can simply place a single dental implant in your jaw to support a dental crown. In addition to preserving your natural teeth, a dental implant is generally much sturdier and more natural-feeling than a bridge. It also stimulates the jaw and promotes your long-term bone health.

Missing Multiple Teeth

There are a couple different strategies for replacing multiple teeth with dental implants. For two teeth in a row, you might need a single implant, which will be topped with a crown and a pontic (an artificial tooth). For up to five teeth in a row, you might need two implants, one on each end of the empty space.

If the empty spaces are in different areas of the mouth, the implants can instead be used to anchor a partial denture in place. Depending on the specifics of the situation, a few single-implant crowns offer another possible solution.

Missing All Teeth

Full dentures normally require around 4 to 6 dental implants; we’ll always aim for the most conservative number possible. Some implant dentures are permanently placed in the mouth and can only be removed by a dental professional, while others are easy for patients to remove on their own. We’ll help you compare all of your denture options before you move forward with treatment. Many patients are even candidates for All-on-4, a streamlined dental implant process that uses only four implants and allows you to get a new set of teeth on the same day as your implant surgery.

Learn More About Implant Dentures

Learn More About All-On-4

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

During your consultation, your implant dentist in Dallas will learn about your oral health and medical history. They will also answer your questions and discuss your goals for treatment. After some initial scans and a thorough examination, you will be informed if you require any preliminary procedures, such as a bone graft or gum disease therapy, before you can receive dental implants. You’ll understand some details of the journey ahead of you and know what to expect as you move forward with treatment. Once your mouth is ready for your surgery, our team will be able to insert your strong new prosthetic tooth roots.

Dental Implant Surgery

As a periodontic specialty practice, our team has completed extensive training in how to surgically place dental implants in Dallas. Our advanced skills and state-of-the-art technology minimize the risk of complications and set you up for a smooth recovery.

The surgery itself is pretty straightforward. We will numb your mouth and perhaps sedate you. Next, we’ll make incisions in the gums before we carefully insert the implants at precise, pre-planned positions. Then, we will close the gums and send you home to begin the healing process. If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, please call us right away.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

Once your implants are in your jawbone, they will begin to bond with the surrounding tissue through a process known as osseointegration. Osseointegration typically takes several months. It is a pivotal part of dental implant treatment because it is what ensures that the implants will provide a strong base for your new teeth.

Following osseointegration, you may undergo a second small surgery. Your implants will be exposed, and healing caps will be placed on them. Later, you will receive abutments, which are small connector pieces that will secure your new teeth in place. (Some patients receive abutments at the same time as their initial implant placement procedure, so not everyone has to have two surgeries.)

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

For most patients, a general dentist or prosthodontist will take care of this part of your treatment. They will take detailed impressions of your mouth and use those to design your new teeth. After a laboratory creates your crown, bridge, or denture, it will be secured in your mouth. Your dentist will make sure that its size, shape, color, and bite all meet high standards. After you receive a bit of coaching on how to care for and adjust to your new smile, you can go off and begin to fully enjoy the many benefits of dental implants. 

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

After your dental implant procedure, you should plan on resting for at least one full day. During this time, your biggest priority is leaving the forming blood clot untouched to ensure that the gums heal properly. That said, you should avoid:

• Spitting (use tissues or swallow your saliva)
• Using drinking straws
• Smoking and using tobacco
• Touching the surgical site with your tongue or fingers

Common Side-Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement

If you’ve never had oral surgery before, you may be unsure which side effects are normal and which ones you should be concerned about. In the first few days following your procedure, you can expect:

• Intermittent Bleeding – While this can last multiple days, you can stop any bleeding that occurs by using gauze to apply light pressure to the wound.
• Swelling – This may last over a week. You can minimize it by placing an ice pack or cold compress over the area in ten-minute intervals.
• General Discomfort – You can alleviate your discomfort by taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.

It’s worth noting that these effects are all temporary and should go away over time. If that’s ever not the case, don’t hesitate to contact our office for assistance.

Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery

For the first few days following dental implant surgery in Dallas, you should stick to a soft-food diet. It’s a good idea to stock up on foods like:

• Mashed potatoes
• Yogurt
• Ice cream
• Pudding
• Pasta
• Soup (make sure it’s not too hot)

Although you can return to a normal diet as soon as you feel up for it, you should still be mindful of the foods you eat to avoid damaging your newly rebuilt smile.

Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene

It’s incredibly important that you keep your mouth clean after your procedure to ensure it heals properly. While you can brush as you normally would, you must be extremely careful near the surgical site. Make sure you rinse with warm salt water at least two to three times a day to keep oral bacteria under control. Avoid using an alcohol-based mouthwash as it can be painful when it touches the affected area, possibly even contributing to dry socket.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

Once you’re all healed up, you’re ready for the final step of the process – the attachment of your final restoration! The good news is that there isn’t much of a recovery process after getting your new crown, bridge, or denture. You may experience mild sensitivity in the gum tissue, but it’s easily manageable with pain medication. After your appointment, you’ll be ready to put your brand-new smile to use!

Making Oral Hygiene a Priority

Are you committed to maintaining good oral hygiene once your dental implants are firmly in place? If so, there is a greater chance of enjoying your new smile for longer. Those who neglect their brushing, flossing, and rinsing can expect problems to develop over time. Should decay form on your natural teeth or gum disease develop, it can cause your dental implants in Dallas to fail. However, by remembering to brush twice a day for two full minutes as well as floss and rinse correctly, you can prepare for a lifetime of improved confidence and a more beautiful aesthetic.

Eating a Healthy Diet

Leafy greens, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, and those rich in Vitamin C are ideal for creating a healthy environment for your dental implants. Too much sugar and starch can wreak havoc on your oral health, resulting in cavities forming on your natural teeth as well as raising your risk for periodontal disease. By choosing to incorporate healthy alternatives into your daily diet, you will not only see a noticeable difference in your waistline, but your gum health, tooth enamel, and dental implants will strengthen and allow for a more stable and fully functional smile.

Breaking Bad Habits

Bad habits are hard to break. Your implant dentist in Dallas understands this, but if you want to extend the lifespan of your prosthetics, it’s best to stop them early on. Smoking can weaken the immune system and cause difficulties with osseointegration. Chewing on pens and pencils, eating ice, biting your nails, and using your teeth as tools can result in damage to your real and artificial teeth. Breaking bad habits before you ever meet with your dentist is a good way to put yourself on a healthier path and a more promising future with a complete and permanent smile.

Protecting our Dental Implants

If you play sports or suffer from high levels of stress that cause you to grind or clench your teeth, you’ll need to protect your dental implants with a customized mouthguard. These unique devices make it possible to enjoy your favorite outdoor activity and reduce the level of wear and tear to your tooth enamel. A hard-hitting tackle or continuous grinding of your teeth throughout the night can lead to costly procedures in an attempt to fix your natural smile and dental implants. If you want to make sure they are better protected, don’t hesitate to inquire about a mouthguard.

Scheduling Regular Dental Checkups

Regular dental checkups and cleanings are not just for individuals with natural, healthy teeth. No matter the number of dental implants you might have, it’s imperative that your dentist continue to examine your smile in its entirety every six months. Your restorations and prosthetics need regular care to ensure they are free of any possible damage that could harm your oral. In keeping these appointments, you can feel more confident in the future of your smile.

3D Cone Beam Imaging/3D CT Scanning

The 3D Cone Beam Imaging/3D CT Scanner allows our implant dentist in Dallas to see a more in-depth view of your oral and facial structures. Instead of relying solely on dental X-rays, this unique device takes a 360-degree scan to capture high-resolution images of your teeth, gums, nerves, jaw, and adjacent oral structures. In being able to see everything at once, we can better determine the density of your jawbone as well as the areas that house sensitive facial nerves. This information helps us to more precisely prepare for your dental implant procedure and offers a more accurate treatment plan that makes you more comfortable about your upcoming surgery.

Guided Dental Implant Surgery

Because there is little room for error when placing these titanium posts, we must be extremely careful. Fortunately, with the help of guided dental implant surgery and the use of computers, we can create surgical guides that minimize any potential risks and instead, offer more predictable results that leave patients and our team with fewer surprises along the way. By placing the guides inside the mouth, we can insert the implant into the proper place according to the pre-designed plan. The decision for our office to use this type of technology can make placing dental implants in Dallas an easier process, and patients can feel more confident knowing their future smile is in the best possible hands.

Bone Grafting

The teeth play an important role in maintaining the jawbone. Biting and chewing help stimulate the blood flow in the jaw, which is important for maintaining healthy bones. When your teeth are lost, this stimulation is lost, and as a result, the jawbone starts to deteriorate. Eventually, it may reach the point that the jaw is no longer able to support dental implants.

With bone grafts, we can reverse the deterioration that has occurred after tooth loss. The procedure involves opening the gums so that we can access the weakened parts of the jaw. Then bone grafting tissue taken from another part of your body is applied to the jaw. The tissue eventually joins with the rest of the bone after several months. Once healing is complete, your bone will be strong enough for implants to be successfully placed.

PRP/PRF Treatment

After surgical treatment for dental implants, we might use PRP or PRF to accelerate the healing process. PRP is short for “platelet-rich plasma” while PRF stands for “platelet-rich fibrin.” To create them, a small sample of your blood is taken and placed in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich portions of the blood. Applying PRP or PRF to the surgical area has been shown to lead to shorter healing times. It can also decrease discomfort after your procedure.  

PRP and PRF treatment may be used right after a bone grafting procedure so that you don’t have to wait as long for your jaw to accept the new tissue. We may also use it after your implant surgery to aid with recovery and lower the risk of infection.

Ridge Expansion

When examining your jaw, we may find that it’s not wide enough for dental implants to be placed. In these cases, we need to perform what’s known as a ridge expansion to create the necessary space so that implants can be inserted into your jaw successfully.

The procedure involves dividing the ridge bone, with the inner and outer segments of the bone being wedged apart. The grafting material is placed in the space between two sections. Once the grafting material has successfully joined with the bone, the result is an effectively wider jaw where dental implants can be placed more easily.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implants are an incredibly successful treatment, but one of the things that could cause complications is if you have certain oral health problems. For that reason, gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, and bone grafts are commonplace before dental implant treatments. If you suspect that you may need one of these procedures, you should factor that into the overall cost of your treatment.

And of course, there’s the cost of the surgery itself. As periodontist, we are well equipped to handle most dental implant surgeries. If you have your procedure performed in-house with us, we’ll be able to give you a quote for what that surgery will cost.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Then, of course, there’s the cost incurred by the dental implant itself. There are several factors to consider here. The first, of course, is how many you need—a single dental implant will be less expensive than several of them. Then there’s the type of restoration you’re getting, with those that replace more teeth tending to cost more than those that replace fewer of them.

There are then some smaller details worth considering, like the size or material that the dental implant is made of, and even the brand of dental implant you go for.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

When compared to other methods of tooth replacement, dental implants tend to incur the highest upfront cost. However, long-term, you could argue that dental implants are the most budget-friendly option.

This is because dental implants regularly outlast other methods of tooth replacement by a factor of two-to-one. This means that you could save a lot of money on replacements by going this route as opposed to either dentures or dental bridges.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Dental insurance doesn’t usually cover dental implants, though this isn’t necessarily a certainty. We will help you consult with your dental plan in order to ensure that you’re maximizing your benefits.

It may also be possible to get some portions of your dental implant covered. The restoration may be partially paid for even if the implant itself isn’t.

Making Dental Implants Affordable 

Even if dental insurance doesn’t come through for you, we have other financial options that can help to make the treatment affordable for you. A popular one is CareCredit, a financing firm that can be used to split the cost of care across several months. This can make dental implants, or any other procedure, much more budget-friendly.

Am I Too Old or Young to Get Dental Implants?

Dental implants are one of the most versatile tooth replacement options not only because they can replace any number of missing teeth, but practically anyone can get them! It’s important that a patient’s jawbone has finished developing, so we don’t recommend dental implants for teens under the age of 16-18. However, there is no upper age limit! As long as you are healthy and have a strong jawbone, or are willing to undergo bone grafting, you’re never too old to get a better smile with dental implants!

Will I Need to Take Work Off for Dental Implant Surgery?

Many patients are pleasantly surprised to find that dental implant surgery is not the ordeal they feared it to be. While you should rest on the day of your surgery, most patients can return to work within the following day or so. However, it’s important to keep in mind that every case is different. For instance, you should refrain from physically demanding tasks for at least 3-4 days. After your surgery, we’ll let you know how many days we recommend you take off based on your unique case.

Can I Get Dental Implants If I Smoke?

It is possible for smokers to get dental implants, but it isn’t encouraged. Smoking dramatically slows down your body’s healing process and leaves the mouth prone to infection, both of which can cause your dental implant to fail. In fact, dental implants are significantly more likely to fail in smokers. That’s why we strongly recommend that you take this opportunity to quit! Your smile and your overall health will thank you in the long run.

What Do Dental Implants Feel Like?

There are no pain-sensing nerves in your jawbone where the dental implants are placed, so you shouldn’t really “feel” your dental implants at all. You’ll still be able to tell the temperature and texture of your foods, but this sensory information will come from the surrounding natural tissues. However, other than that, your dental implant should feel virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth! In fact, dental implants are so comfortable that some patients forget they even have them!

Are Dental Implants an Eligible FSA or HSA Expense?

Since dental implants are largely categorized as a restorative treatment, they are generally considered eligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement. Our team has plenty of experience navigating these types of plans, and they’ll be happy to review the details of your specific plan with you to make sure your new smile is as affordable as possible.

What Should I Do If I Can’t Afford Dental Implants?

Traditional tooth replacements usually cost less than dental implants, and you might be tempted to choose them instead. However, dental implants are an investment worth making because of their long-term benefits. So, our team will do whatever we can to help you fit the cost of dental implants into your budget. This includes looking over your dental insurance plan; even if your policy doesn’t cover the implants themselves, it may partially cover some portion of the treatment, such as your restoration. Our practice also works with CareCredit, so qualified patients can split up their costs into affordable, low-interest monthly payments. Reach out to our team today to find out how we can help you afford your brand-new smile!

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are designed to last for a long time; they can last for 25+ years with proper care! To prolong the longevity of your new and improved smile, it’s of the utmost importance that you implement a solid oral hygiene routine. This means brushing, flossing, and using a mouth rinse daily; it also means attending your biannual checkups and cleanings! It is also advised that you avoid unhealthy dental habits, like smoking and chewing on ice, which can damage the implant or the supporting structure.

Will People Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?

Your implants are designed to recreate your original teeth in every way—look, feel, and functionality. The crown, bridge, or denture that is secured on top of the posts will be crafted from impressions of your mouth that we take, ensuring it looks just like your natural teeth. Additionally, the implant posts are embedded in your jaw, so you can rest assured they won’t shift around like traditional dentures often do. No one else should be able to tell that your implants aren’t your natural teeth!

How Can I Tell If My Dental Implant Is Failing?

Although dental implant failure is rare (they have a success rate of over 95%), it can still happen. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye out for warning signs, like inflamed, swollen, or red gums. It’s also possible that your implant can sustain physical exterior damage. The moment any unusual symptoms arise, get in touch with us so we can get your smile back on track!