Dental Implants – Allen, TX
long-term Solutions for Tooth Loss
While there are many methods available for replacing missing teeth, only one method offers full-blown replacement of the tooth root as well as the visible crown portion. The root is responsible for many functions, including bone stimulation and blood flow. Both of these functions matter when it comes to your oral health, and dental implants offer a comprehensive solution that you won’t find elsewhere. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Lewis today to see if dental implants in Allen, TX are right for your next tooth replacement!
Why Choose Allen Smile Design for Dental Implants?
- Partners with Local Specialist – Dr. Fatima Robertson
- Provides Decades of Use and Reliability
- Caring and Experienced Dentist That Listens
What is a Dental Implant?
When we talk about dental implants, we are often referring specifically to the titanium post that sits inside of your bone and soft tissue. However, your dental implant will also include a restoration that sits on top, as well as an abutment that connects the two components together. It is considered a surgical treatment and it will take several months to receive your permanent tooth replacement, so keep this in mind going forward.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Since dental implants replace the root and the tooth, you can expect long-term benefits that you won’t find anywhere else. For example, your bone tissue will no longer resorb back into your body, which is typical for tooth loss. This means you can retain your jaw’s fullest biting strength and prevent changes in your facial appearance. This is thanks to the implant’s biocompatibility and osseointegration, which is defined as the process in which man-made materials naturally integrate with organic structures, such as bone tissue.
Additionally, your dental implant is designed to last well over 25 years. In most cases, they remain healthy for the remainder of the patient’s life. They feel almost indistinguishable from natural teeth and look more lifelike than any other tooth replacement option. Plus, if you care about maintaining your existing tooth enamel, you won’t have to modify them to have implants placed because the titanium post does all of the heavy lifting.
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
Dental implants are often ideal for older patients who have experienced tooth loss, but they can be used in a variety of circumstances and placed in a wide array of patients. Whether you need to replace one tooth or multiple teeth at a time, they can be utilized to the fullest.
Missing Single Tooth
A single titanium post is placed inside of the jaw and given time to heal, while the abutment and restoration are placed after the implant has fully integrated. We will always use a porcelain crown to cover the implant to ensure the most natural-looking esthetics possible.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Replacing several teeth is done by placing multiple implants in the jaw at a time, typically two to hold a dental bridge. Since dental bridges require removal of existing tooth enamel, implant-retained bridges are ideal if you want to maintain as much enamel as possible.
Missing All Teeth
To replace all teeth in a given arch, a series of implants are placed throughout the jaw, typically four to six, so they can be paired with a denture. The denture then snaps onto the implants, offering improved stability and longevity.
How Dental Implants Work
Dr. Lewis partners with local dental implant specialist Dr. Fatima Robertson, who performs the surgical portion of treatment for your convenience. This is considered the first part of your actual placement (not including the planning phase where we confirm the location of your new tooth and the number of teeth that need to be replaced. After the implant is placed and had time to heal, she’ll place the abutment. Then, you’ll come back to our dental office for the final restoration.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
While dental implants can have a higher upfront cost than traditional methods, it’s important to acknowledge that your treatment will likely vary in costs from someone else’s. For example, the number of teeth you are replacing, the type of teeth you are replacing, and any preparatory treatments you intend to complete can all influence your total cost. Keep reading to learn all about the cost of dental implants in Allen and why they may end up being the most cost-effective option.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
During your initial consultation, our implant dentist in Allen, Dr. Lewis, will learn all about your dental needs and smile goals. In the process, she’ll determine if any preliminary treatments are needed to ensure your dental implants have the highest likelihood of success. Gum disease therapy, bone grafts, and tooth extractions are a few common examples. Remember, while these treatments may add more to the upfront cost, they play a crucial role in keeping your dental implants in place for 30+ years. So, it’s an investment worth making.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
After taking into account any preliminary treatments, it’s important to consider the parts of your dental implant:
The Number of Implants: Do you need one implant to replace a single missing tooth or 4+ implants to replace an entire arch of teeth?
Type of Restoration: Crowns, bridges, and dentures all have different costs.
Material: Although all dental implants are comprised of durable materials, the various types (zirconia vs. titanium) have different costs.
Brand: The implant manufacturer your dentist uses will affect the amount you end up paying.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money in the Long Run
It’s no secret that dental implants come with a higher upfront cost. With that said, dental implants are a tooth replacement option that’s designed to last for decades at a time, helping you save on long-term treatment costs that often accompany bridges and dentures. Plus, they stimulate your jawbone, preserving your youthful face shape. Lastly, they support your adjacent teeth, preventing excessive wear and tear that would otherwise require additional restorative and cosmetic care.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Typically, the cost of dental implants isn’t covered entirely by dental insurance. However, it is possible that your benefits may cover a portion of it. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to double-check! If you aren’t familiar with the fine print on your dental plan, don’t fret. Our knowledgeable team will help you understand your coverage, maximize your benefits, and explain the cost every step of the way.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
Want to break down the cost of your care into manageable monthly chunks? Thanks to flexible financing, you can! With trusted third-party financiers like CareCredit and LendingClub, you can fit even the most extensive treatment plans into your budget. That way, you can get the full, healthy, complete smile you deserve without breaking the bank. Get in touch with our team today to get started!
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Did you know that dental implants in Allen have an initial success rate of over 95%? Even after 10 years, they boast a high success rate. In fact, they have the potential to last a lifetime! Of course, whether or not they fulfill that potential is partially dependent on you. Taking proper care of your implants can greatly reduce the risk that they will fail and help you to enjoy them for the long haul. Read on to learn some practical tips for dental implant aftercare.
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
One of the leading causes of dental implant failure is an infection called peri-implantitis. Fortunately, most cases of peri-implantitis can be prevented via thorough oral hygiene. You should:
- Brush your teeth twice a day. Make sure you brush your teeth along the gumline.
- Floss regularly. You might not be able to floss between your artificial teeth if they are attached to one another. However, you might have to use a floss threader or water flosser to clean beneath them.
- Drink plenty of water. Water helps to rinse away bacteria and food particles that might be lingering in your mouth, and it encourages saliva production.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Dental implants are able to stand up to virtually any food, so you should feel free to eat what you want. However, keep in mind that just like some foods are bad for your natural teeth, some foods are worse than others for your implants. You should avoid overindulging in hard, sticky, and sugary foods. Instead, focus on eating a balanced diet that is rich in nutrients that support oral health, including calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin D.
Break Bad Habits
Some bad habits that can adversely affect dental implants include:
- Smoking increases your risk of infections and contributes to dry mouth. If you need help to quit, Dr. Lewis or your general physician may be able to help you create a plan of action.
- Using teeth as tools. It can be tempting to use your teeth to open packages or trim your fingernails, but doing so might damage your restorations.
- Chewing on hard objects. You should not chew on ice, jawbreaker candies, or other hard objects that might harm your restorations.
Protect Your Dental Implants
If you often wake up with a sore jaw, you might grind your teeth at night, which can harm your implants. You may need to start wearing a custom mouthguard while you sleep to protect your smile. Similarly, if you play sports, you should wear a sportsguard. Sportsguards that you can buy over the counter offer a degree of protection, but custom ones from a dentist are more comfortable and more effective.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
You should be in the habit of scheduling an appointment with Dr. Lewis at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. She will examine your teeth and your implants. If there are any indications of a problem, she may be able to fix the issue before it becomes serious. Our team may remove your implant restorations and thoroughly clean your implant abutments and the area around them.
Dental Implants Post-Op Instructions
Since dental implants have to be placed in the jaw via surgery, your mouth will need time to heal afterwards. You’ll be given some post-op instructions for a speedy recovery right after the surgery is complete. Your instructions will be specifically tailored for your situation, but the tips below cover the basics of what you should do in the days following the surgery. Note that you always have the option of calling our office for help if there’s anything you’re uncertain about.
What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery
After the surgery, you need to plan on resting for the next day or two; excessive physical activity could disrupt the healing process. You should be able to return to normal activities within 48 hours, although this can vary from patient to patient. While you’re resting, you need to make sure that you’re protecting the blood clot that has formed around the surgical site. A dislodged blood clot can lead to pain and infection, so to keep it in place, refrain from spitting, drinking from straws, or smoking.
Common Side Effects
Bleeding, swelling, and general discomfort are all common symptoms after oral surgery. They should gradually disappear given time, but there are also plenty of things you can do to keep them under control. If any bleeding occurs, put pressure on the area with a piece of gauze until it stops. Swelling can be controlled by applying an ice pack or cold compress on the cheek or jaw; only apply the ice pack for 10 minutes at a time. As for the pain, over the counter medications can help, but you may also receive a prescription.
Diet
Your diet in the days following surgery should consist exclusively of soft or liquid foods that require little to no chewing. We recommend mashed potatoes, soup (as long as it’s not too hot), scrambled eggs, pasta, and yogurt. Ice cream and pudding can also make for nice treats while your mouth is recovering. You should be able to eat normally after the pain in your mouth is gone, which should normally happen in a few days’ time.
Health & Oral Hygiene
To avoid a post-surgical infection, keep your mouth clean by brushing and flossing like you normally would. You can brush near the surgery site, but be very gentle while doing so. You can also decrease the presence of harmful bacteria in your mouth by rinsing with salt water. Mouth wash is fine, but double check to make sure it doesn’t contain any alcohol.
What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached
Dental implant surgery is by far the most taxing step of the entire process. Compared to that, receiving your restorations is much easier. Your gums might be sensitive for a few days, and you may need to take pain medication to help manage it, but beyond that, there shouldn’t be any problems. Call our office immediately if you notice unusual symptoms like swelling or bleeding.
Dental Implant FAQs
If you find yourself uncertain of what to expect at any point in the dental implant process, give us a call right away. Dr. Lewis has practicing dentistry for over 15 years now; she has plenty of experience and knowledge that she can use to help you make the best possible decisions for your smile. To make sure you have a solid starting point, we’ve listed the answers to some of the most common questions about dental implants in Allen.
What Materials are Used to Make Dental Implants?
When it comes to making implant posts, titanium alloy is definitely the material of choice. It is already used in other types of implants (such as those for the hips, shoulders, or knees) because of its highly biocompatible nature; once it has joined with the nearby tissue, it essentially becomes part of the bone thus giving your new teeth a comfortable, natural feel. Furthermore, there is little chance of titanium alloy causing any sort of allergies. On the rare occasion that a titanium implant would cause problems, zirconia implants may be recommended instead; there are no records of zirconia allergies, so it may end up being the safest option.
Can I Get Implants if I Already Have Dentures?
Even if you’ve been wearing traditional dentures for a while, you may still be able to get dental implants to support a full arch of teeth. It’s often possible to do this with your current set of dentures, although they’ll need to still be in excellent condition. Of course, if it has been a while since you’ve lost your teeth originally, you might need a bone graft before receiving implants; this is because bone loss is more likely to occur the longer your jaw has gone without the stimulation of natural tooth roots. We can determine whether you’re still a candidate for implant placement after an examination.
How Long Will Your Mouth Need to Heal After Implant Surgery?
The initial recovery period is relatively short. Many patients are able to go to work the next day, and they can easily manage their discomfort with medication and ice packs. (Of course, they will need to be careful not to eat anything except soft foods during this time.) However, part of the healing process after implant surgery is osseointegration, which is when the bone in your jaw fuses with your implant posts. This can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months depending on how many implants you originally received.
How Will I Know if a Complication Has Occurred?
Dental implant failure is very rare; the success rate of the procedure is around 95 to 98 percent, and multiple steps are taken to ensure the health of the mouth and jaw beforehand. But if you notice that the implant post has come loose, that there is a persistent pain in your jaw, that the area around the implant has become swollen, or that you’ve had difficulty chewing, you should get in touch with us right away so that we can help you figure out the nature of the issue and help you create a plan to address it.