Dental Implants – Dallas, TX

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

Like any cosmetic dental work, getting implants starts with a dental consultation. In other words, you’ll begin by discussing your smile goals, medical history, and oral health with our dentists.

You see, Drs. Ludlow and Azimi must confirm your implant candidacy. Based on their findings at the consult, they’ll decide whether the restorations could work for you. If you don’t qualify, the two could work with you to complete preliminary services such as gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, or bone grafting.

Should we give you the go-ahead, the consult will also explain how implant placement works. Namely, we’ll walk you through the treatment’s various aspects – the timeline, the cost, and more.

Dental Implant Surgery

As mentioned before, our office works with outside specialists to place dental implants. Given that fact, we’ll refer you to their (nearby) location when the time comes for surgery. These surgeons are dedicated implant experts, so rest assured that their placement efforts are top-notch.

The actual surgery will involve the following:

• A Numb Mouth – The surgeons will numb the treatment area before the placement. This action ensures you won’t feel pain while the implants are placed.
• Minor Incision – When you’ve been fully numbed, the surgeons will make a small incision in your gums. That way, there’ll be room for your future implant.
• Placement of Implant(s) – The surgeons will use precise tools to place the implant in your jaw socket.
• Gum Closure – With the implant placed, your incision will be closed, and a cap will be placed over the post.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

You might think implant treatment ends after surgery, but it doesn’t. At that point, you’ll need to wait a while for the restorations to fuse with your jaw. That fusion – called osseointegration – will keep your new teeth in place. It’s thus crucial that you don’t do anything to disrupt it.

When your implants have fused properly, you’ll return to our office for abutments – metal connectors that secure crowns. As you heal from that step, your final restorations will be crafted from dental impressions.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

For treatment’s last step, you’ll return to our office to have your restoration placed. (Depending on how many teeth were missing, this appliance could be a crown, bridge, or denture.)

Once we’ve fastened the restoration, we’ll make final adjustments to ensure your bite is comfy. After that, you’re all done – you’ll be ready to go out with your fully-restored smile!

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Enjoy your favorite beverages: Patients with other tooth replacement options typically have to refrain from drinking dark-colored beverages, such as wine or coffee, as well as be careful of liquids that are too hot. However, dental implants will be highly resistant to staining and discoloration, and they won’t warp as easily from high temperatures. This means you can enjoy all your favorite drinks without any concerns!
• No dietary restrictions: Those who wear dentures or have dental bridges usually stay away from munching on foods that require excessive chewing. These may include apples, carrots, corn on the cob, and steak. Dental implants, on the other hand, can return 80% or more of your natural biting power (compared to only 25-30% from bridges and dentures). You’ll be able to comfortably munch on all kinds of foods in the long run.
• Smile confidently: Since your dental implants will look and feel like your permanent teeth, you won’t have to worry about them accidentally slipping off when eating or speaking. Others won’t even be able to notice the difference between your restorations and your natural pearly whites. Once you get your new teeth placed, you can be sure to show off a confident smile for many years to come.

Health Benefits

• Preserve your jawbone & youthful facial shape: Dental implants are considered the “gold standard” for tooth replacements because they serve as the new permanent roots. This will help stimulate blood flow into the jawbone, promoting a stronger and healthier foundation for your smile. They’ll also prevent or even revert the aged or sunken appearance that tends to come with tooth loss.
• No tooth sensitivity or gum irritation: Dentures rely on the suction with the gums, which can result in irritation or jaw soreness when they lose their fit. Dental bridges are supported by abutment teeth which are first prepared by removing a part of the enamel. This leaves the teeth weakened and vulnerable to sensitivities. Dental implants are anchored into the jawbone, effectively avoiding any of these concerns.
• Maintain good oral & overall health: You won’t need to practice any special cleaning techniques to maintain your dental implants. Since you can easily care for them like natural teeth, this will significantly lower your risk of problems like gum disease and tooth decay. Some studies have shown that people who are missing teeth at the age of 65 are more likely to experience issues like osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart disease. With dental implants, you can decrease your chances of these complications.

Long-Term Benefits

• Save money & time on your smile: Dental implants may come at a higher initial price than other restoration options, like dentures and bridges. However, they will save you much more time and money when it comes to repairs, replacements, cleaning products, and frequent dental appointments.
• Long-lasting results: Not only do dental implants boast a success rate of over 95% (even 10 years after being placed), but they can also last several decades to a lifetime depending on how well you care for them.
• Improved longevity: Studies have shown that those with 20 or more teeth at the age of 70 are more likely to live longer than those with less than 20 at the same age. By rebuilding your smile with dental implants, you can promote a much healthier smile that will boost your lifespan in the long run!

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

In some cases, patients may require preparatory treatments to make them eligible for dental implants. For instance, you might need to undergo a bone graft or gum disease therapy to ensure the success of your restoration treatment. Of course, this will add to the overall price of restoring your pearly whites. Fortunately, these procedures are usually covered by dental insurance.

Once you’re back on track with good oral health, we’ll be able to determine the cost of your dental implant process. The overall price will also be influenced by the oral surgeon who will place the metal posts. While we work with the best implant specialists in the area, feel free to speak directly with the person who will be performing your surgery. They can provide you with a more accurate cost estimate and discuss the factors that can affect what you’ll pay, such as the location of the implant in your mouth and the type of sedation used.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Several other factors can influence the overall price of your dental implants, including:

• Number of implants : The more metal posts you require to restore your missing teeth, the higher the price.
• The kind of restoration : Once you’ve received your implants, you’ll fit them with restorations like crowns, bridges, and dentures. Each of these options will come with its unique price range.
• Size and materials : Some implants are smaller or longer than average, and they can also be made out of different materials, like zirconia and titanium.
• Brand of dental implants : Many companies manufacture dental implants and have various price points. Our team only uses the best-quality brands to restore your smile.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Although dental implants come with a higher initial price, they can end up saving you thousands of dollars in the long run. Traditional tooth replacements like dentures and bridges will typically need to be readjusted or replaced every few years, which can up the cost over the years. On the other hand, dental implants can go as far as several decades to a lifetime, meaning you won’t have to spend as much to maintain them. You also won’t have to pay for additional or special cleaning products or adhesives to preserve your restorations.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants

While most dental insurance providers won’t cover the entire cost of your dental implant treatment, many can provide partial assistance for the procedure. This may include coverage of a percentage of your final restoration(s) or any necessary preliminary treatments. That’s why you’ll need to consult your provider to get the details of your plan. Our knowledgeable team will also be happy to help you navigate your policy and make the most of your benefits.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Don’t have dental insurance? Our team is proud to offer alternative financing options to help you afford your dental implant treatment. We are partnered with third-party financiers, such as CareCredit and Sunbit, who can help split up the cost of your procedure into more manageable monthly installments. These plans also come with little to no interest, meaning you can work within your budget to restore your smile!

Can I Take Dental Implants Out?

No. Once your implant dentist in Dallas has surgically placed the implant post into your jaw, the surrounding bone begins to fuse with it. The natural process, called osseointegration, means that the implant becomes just as embedded in your jawbone as the roots of your natural teeth. Therefore, you cannot take dental implants out. Some types of implant dentures are designed so that you can remove the prosthetic, though the implants posts remain in the mouth.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Unlike other tooth replacements, dental implants are designed to be permanent. In more than 95% of cases, dental implants are able to last for 30 years or longer – they may very well last for the rest of your life! Like any dental treatment, though, their lifespan depends on how well you take care of them. Luckily, dental implants don’t require any complex maintenance like dentures do. For the most part, you can brush, floss, and attend routine dental checkups as you would if you had all of your natural teeth.

Am I Too Old for Dental Implants?

There is no upper age limit for dental implants, but it’s worth mentioning that older patients are more likely to have underlying health issues that could affect their candidacy for the treatment. That’s why our dentists will take the time to carefully review your medical history and current medications to determine whether dental implants are right for you. More often than not, you can become a good candidate through some preliminary treatments, such as gum disease therapy or bone grafting if you have suffered from jawbone loss. Although these procedures may lengthen your overall treatment timeline, they’ll be worth it to have a fully restored smile well into your golden years!

Do Dental Implants Feel Natural?

Yes! After your implants have been placed and they start to integrate with your jawbone, they should feel indistinguishable from the pearly whites you once had. This is because they perform exactly the same functions and take up the exact same space as your natural tooth roots. So, while traditional dentures often feel flimsy or awkward, dental implants are able to easily feel – and look – incredibly lifelike.