Dental Implants – Center, TX

The Initial Consultation

The first step of every dental implant treatment is an initial consultation with one of our dentists in Center. We’ll capture X-rays and conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and gums as well as ask you about your smile goals. All of this will allow us to paint a big picture of what the process will look like for you and confirm whether you’re a good candidate. It’s also the perfect time to ask any questions you may have before deciding to move forward.

In some situations, we may inform patients that they require preliminary treatments before they can successfully undergo the next step of the process, like a tooth extraction, bone grafting, or gum disease treatment.

Dental Implant Surgery

Next, we’ll refer you to one of our trusted oral surgeons that we partner with to place your dental implants. You’ll be completely numb during this procedure, so you won’t have to worry about experiencing severe pain during or after it. In fact, many of our patients are able to return to work within a day or two following their surgery.

Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

Once your implants have been placed, you’ll undergo a lengthy recovery period. During this time, which takes between three and six months, your implants will fuse with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This is a crucial step in your procedure, as it will provide a strong and unwavering support system for your new replacement teeth to be attached to.

After osseointegration is complete, you’ll then have small, metal connector pieces attached to the tops of your implants, called abutments. This will attach your prosthetic to your implants so it doesn’t move or shift within your mouth.

Attaching the Final Restorations

Finally, as soon as our team receives your permanent prosthetic from our dental laboratory, we’ll call you back into our office to attach it to your abutments. Before you leave, we’ll show you how you can take care of your new smile as well as what you can expect as you adjust to your dental implants in Center. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us !

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Convenient Maintenance : Dental implants can be treated in the same way as natural teeth with daily brushing and flossing as well as routine checkups with your dentist.
• Lifelike Function : Implant-retained teeth are very durable and can be used to enjoy a full diet again without worrying about the restorations coming off when eating or talking.
• Natural-Looking : Most people won’t even be able to tell the difference between your dental implants and your natural pearly whites. The materials used will perfectly mimic natural enamel, allowing you to feel free to show off your stronger and healthier smile.

Health Benefits

• Comprehensive Solution : Since dental implants serve as your new tooth roots, they’re the only tooth replacement option that can also reverse jawbone deterioration. This means they can help preserve the foundation for the rest of your smile as well as allow you to enjoy a more youthful facial shape in the long run.
• Comfortable Results : With dental implants, you won’t have to worry about any discomforts that are more typical with traditional options, such as jaw soreness, tooth sensitivity, or gum sores. Some patients even forget that they have their dental implants in.
• Tooth Protection : Dental implants support themselves while also serving as placeholders for any remaining teeth, preventing them from shifting out of place after tooth loss.

Long-Term Benefits

• Unparalleled Longevity : Implants are meant to last for multiple decades at a time, and many patients are even able to enjoy their new “teeth” for the rest of their lives with no costly replacements required.
• Cost-Effective Solution : Since you won’t have to purchase special products or tools to maintain your dental implants, and you won’t need to replace them as often as traditional restorations, you can end up saving more in the long term.
• Successful Results : Dental implants tend to have a success rate of 95% or more, even 10 years after being placed. This means you can be sure that your new teeth will be as reliable as you need them to be so that you can make the most of your full smile again.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

As stated before, most healthy adults can qualify for implants. Ideal treatment candidates simply need three basic qualities. These are the following:

• Good Overall Health – Implant placement is a minor surgery. As such, your body needs strength to bear it. You’ll face adverse post-treatment effects otherwise.
• Great Oral Health – If your mouth is unhealthy, you may have cavities and gum disease. Such issues can cause implant failure, so they must be addressed first.
• Proper Jawbone Density – A patient’s jawbone needs sufficient density to support implants. Without that trait, it can’t keep the prosthetics secure.

Rest assured: If you’re not a good candidate initially, you can become one later. It’s just a matter of getting preliminary dental work. These procedures can span tooth extractions, gum disease therapy, and bone grafting. Whatever your needs, though, we’ll help you book services so your mouth is ready for implants.

Missing One Tooth

If you have a single gap in your smile, an individual implant and crown are best. This pair will replace your missing tooth and blend seamlessly with your smile. Even better, it won’t make big alterations to your mouth. That means you’ll likely forget your new “tooth” isn’t an original after some time.

A single tooth implant has great benefits. In particular, it lasts longer than a dental bridge and won’t remove pre-existing enamel.

Missing Multiple Teeth

When you lack several adjacent teeth, an implant bridge is the ideal option. It’s made of two implants fused to a pontic (i.e., an artificial tooth). When the posts are anchored, the resulting bridge fills the smile gap and restores your full grin.

Naturally, an implant bridge has advantages over single implants. It’s more cost effective than replacing each tooth individually. Furthermore, the treatment is less invasive.

Missing All Teeth

When you need to replace all your teeth, an implant denture is your best bet. It relies on four to six implants to restore an entire arch.

Unlike a standard one, an implant denture is highly secure. It connects to dental implants that fuse with your jaw. Therefore, it won’t slip or fall like other restorations might.

Learn More About Implant Dentures

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

As we mentioned above, taking great care of your smile comes with numerous benefits – from minty-fresh breath and healthy gums to pristine dental implants. So, make sure that you’re brushing for a full two minutes each morning and evening as well as flossing and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash each night. If you can, complete your oral hygiene regimen after lunch or any snacks you have. This will go a long way in preventing common dental problems.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Remember, what you eat impacts your oral and overall health. That’s why eating a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet is so important! Fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins, and filling carbs will provide your body with the nutrients it needs while also keeping you full and satisfied.

Tip: Avoid extremely crunchy, sticky, and sugary foods since they can wreak havoc on your teeth, your gums, and your dental implants!

Break Bad Habits

Do you bite your nails? Do you use your teeth to open things when the scissors aren’t within reach? Do you use tobacco products? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then it’s important to make an active effort to stop. After all, no matter how harmless they may seem, habits like these can damage your dental implants (as well as any natural teeth you have).

Protect Your Dental Implants

In addition to breaking bad habits, like the ones mentioned above, we encourage our patients with dental implants to wear a mouthguard during sports, including non-contact ones. This is important because, even while running, lifting weights, or riding your bike, it’s possible for you to fall, resulting in a serious dental injury.

Note: If you don’t have a mouthguard, talk to our Center dental team! We can have one made if you participate in sports or you grind/clench your teeth at night.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Routine dental checkups and cleanings are crucial, even if you don’t have any of your natural teeth left. So, make sure that you prioritize them! At these routine visits, we will conduct a thorough oral exam to ensure that your dental implants are in good condition and that decay, infections, and oral cancer haven’t surfaced. Plus, we will answer any questions you have about your oral health – from which products you should be using at home to what you can do to avoid dental implant failure.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Every situation is unique, so there's no way of knowing how much you'll pay without first having a consultation with your implant dentist in Center. Although every case differs, you can expect your estimate to include:

• Consultation: Besides a visual examination, you will require other diagnostic services, like a CT scan.
• Preparatory Procedures: It's not unusual to require a little prep work, like gum disease treatment, tooth extractions, or bone grafting.
• Placement Surgery: Oral surgery with sedation is necessary to place your implants into your jawbone.
• Materials: High-quality materials may cost more than discounted options, but they tend to last longer.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Your estimate will also include each part of your dental implant and the number needed, based on how many teeth you're treating. Dental implants are composed of 3 components:

• Implant Post: A titanium post is inserted into the jaw to serve as a tooth root.
• Abutment: Every implant will require a fixture to connect your restoration.
• Restoration: You'll require either a crown, bridge, or denture.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Dental implants in Center are often associated with being expensive, but they are the most affordable tooth replacement overall. They provide priceless benefits because they look and feel natural. However, they also reduce your oral health expenses because they preserve your jawbone. You’ll avoid various issues caused by tooth loss, so you’re less likely to need costly dental work later. Not to mention, they can last for 30 years or longer with the correct care, so you’ll never need to budget for replacements.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

It’s unlikely your dental insurance will pay the entire cost of your treatment; however, your benefits may cover some of the expenses for certain steps, like your consultation, diagnostic services, and preparatory procedures. After meeting your annual deductible, your insurance may pay some of the costs for your restoration until you reach your yearly limit. We will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize any benefits.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

You don’t have to worry about coming up with a lump sum because you can pay for each step of your treatment separately. Besides using your dental insurance, you can pay out-of-pocket expenses using multiple payment methods, including:

• Traditional Payments: Our office accepts cash, personal checks, and credit cards for your convenience.
• Monthly Payments: Based on your credit approval, you can benefit from third-party financing. You can pay any remaining balance using a payment plan that fits your budget.