Dental Implants – Temple, TX
Enjoy New Teeth
for Life
Thanks to dental implants, your experts at Temple Choice Dental can not only replace your lost teeth, but also make you look and feel as though they were never missing in the first place. Contact us to schedule a dental implant consultation. During this visit, we can determine whether dental implants in Temple, TX are a viable option for you and answer any questions you have about the process of restoring your teeth from the roots up.
Why Choose Temple Choice Dental for Dental Implants?
- Dental Implant Placement Surgery Performed In-House
- Low-Interest Dental Financing Through CareCredit
What Are
Dental Implants?
You actually can’t see a dental implant that’s been placed properly; it’s normally completely hidden beneath the gum tissue. The dental implant itself is a post made out of biocompatible titanium, allowing it to fuse with the jawbone in a natural process called osseointegration. This is what allows dental implants to provide the firmest foundation possible for crowns, bridges, or dentures that are used to replace missing teeth. Because dental implants have a similar structure to real teeth, they tend to look and feel more natural compared to traditional bridges and dentures. Plus, they’re designed to last for several decades (maybe even a lifetime!) with proper care.
The 4 Step Dental Implant Process
Unlike many general dental practices, our team at Temple Choice Dental can handle every part of the dental implant process under one roof. As a result, your treatment will be more streamlined, convenient, and affordable. Rebuilding the entire structure of lost teeth is understandably more complex than just replacing the crowns. Therefore, getting dental implants requires a longer process that can take several months or more. Once it’s complete, though, you’ll be able to enjoy new teeth for life, making it worth the wait! While each patient’s treatment process differs slightly, it can typically be broken down into four steps: the consultation, the implant surgery, osseointegration, and the delivery of your restorations.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The first step on your journey towards a new smile is a consultation with our team at Temple Choice Dental. During your appointment, we’ll perform an oral examination and review your medical history to determine whether or not you’re a good candidate for dental implants in Temple. You may need to undergo certain preliminary procedures like bone grafting, periodontal therapy, or tooth extractions before receiving implants. Once that’s taken care of, you can schedule your dental implant surgery.
Dental Implant Surgery
Since we can complete dental implant placement at our office, you don’t have to worry about visiting an outside provider for that step in the process. Our implant dentist will numb your mouth thoroughly to ensure you feel completely comfortable during the procedure. We’ll make small incisions in the gum tissue and insert the implants at precise locations and angles. Then, we’ll suture the gums shut and place a protective cap over the implants to protect them throughout the healing process.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
After dental implant surgery, you’ll spend about two to three months waiting for osseointegration to take place. It’s a natural process that allows the implant to fuse with the surrounding bone tissue. Once that’s done, you’ll return to the office for a second smaller surgery to receive your abutments. They’re the metal connector pieces that are placed on top of your implants, allowing us to attach your new restoration into place.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
Once you’re all healed up, you’ll come back to our office for the final step of the process – the placement of your artificial teeth! Your new dental crown, bridge, or denture will be crafted to blend seamlessly with your remaining teeth. After we’ve attached them to your abutments, you’ll be able to enjoy your newly rebuilt smile!
Benefits of
Dental Implants
Traditional tooth replacement options like dentures and dental bridges only replace the visible portion of missing teeth. On the other hand, dental implants are designed to recreate the entire structure of a missing tooth from root to crown. Why is this so important? This is what allows dental implants to mimic natural teeth in practically every way! In fact, this unique method of tooth replacement offers a wide variety of important benefits for your quality of life that other options simply can’t. Here are just a few of the reasons why our patients love their new dental implants.
Day-to-Day Benefits
- Improved Function and Biting Power:Dental implants are strong and stable. They have chewing power that’s comparable to your natural teeth, allowing you to easily and comfortably eat all your favorite foods.
- Beautiful, Lifelike Replacement Teeth: The restorations dental implants support, whether it’s a crown, bridge, or denture, is precisely crafted to blend in perfectly with the rest of your smile.
- Easy Daily Maintenance: You won’t need to buy any special cleaners, pastes, or brushes to keep your dental implants clean. Simply brush and floss them as if they were normal teeth to keep them strong and sparkling for life.
- A Confident, Carefree Smile: Your dental implants should never cause you any discomfort, nor should they slip or pop out of place while you eat, talk, or smile. They’re so lifelike that you may even forget that they are there!
Health Benefits
- Complete Structural Replacement: Dental implants are the only kind of tooth replacement that replaces a tooth’s roots and stimulates the jaw to keep it healthy and strong. Not only will this prevent a sunken, aged appearance, but it will help keep remaining healthy teeth in place.
- No Damage to Other Teeth:Traditional bridges require the removal of some healthy enamel to be placed. This will not be an issue if you get an implant-supported crown or bridge instead.
- No Gum Irritation or Sores: Traditional dentures rely on your gums for support, which can cause irritation and sores when they lose their fit. Implant dentures encourage healthier gum tissue.
Long-Term Benefits
- Long-Lasting Results:Dental implants can last up to 30 years or longer with minimal maintenance. Many patients can keep them for the rest of their lives.
- High Success Rate:Due to the advancements made over the years, dental implants now have a success rate of around 95 to 98 percent.
- Save Money in the Long Run: While dentures and dental bridges are initially less expensive than dental implants, they need to be replaced every several years. Not only is this inconvenient, but it can become quite costly over time. In comparison, a single higher upfront cost for dental implants could potentially last you a lifetime, which could save you thousands of dollars on replacements alone!
Who Dental Implants
Can Help
We need to evaluate your oral health before we can recommend dental implants. You can have any number of missing teeth, but your jawbone needs to have a sufficient level of density to support the posts, and your gums should be free of infection. Once you’ve been confirmed to be a good candidate for dental implants, we can help you using one of the following treatments.
Missing One Tooth
A single dental implant can be an excellent alternative to a dental bridge that would otherwise force us to remove healthy enamel from your teeth. Once the implant has joined with the jaw, we can place a crown that has been shaped to fit seamlessly into the mouth and blend in with the rest of your grin.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Two dental implants can serve as the basis to replace several teeth in a row. If you have lost at least three consecutive teeth, we can fill in the gap all at once with a dental bridge. Implant bridges tend to be much more stable compared to their removable counterparts.
Missing All Teeth
For those who are missing an entire arch of teeth, dental implants remain a viable solution. You won’t need an individual post for each tooth; it usually only takes four to six posts to secure dentures in place so that they never slip or slide at the wrong moment.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
The versatility of dental implants means that their cost tends to vary depending on the particulars of the patient and their procedure. The number of implants required, as well as the type of preparations needed, influence the price quite a bit. The upfront cost of dental implants tends to be higher than that of other treatments, but the upside is that since they don’t have to be replaced as often and will last for decades, they can help you save thousands in the long run!
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
In some situations, patients may require preliminary procedures to ensure that their dental implants will be able to successfully fuse with the jawbone and be supported within the mouth. These treatments include gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, bone grafting, or a sinus lift, and they can all be an additional cost of dental implants in Temple.
Once your mouth can support the implants, our team will move forward with surgery. This part of the process will also have its own cost. Fortunately, we’re able to complete it in-house, so you won’t have to worry about being billed by a separate provider and needing to drive to a different facility.
Parts of Your Dental Implant
There are multiple factors that can also impact the overall cost of treatment, including:
- Number of Implants. Depending on how many teeth you’re missing, you may need anywhere from one to six dental implants to be placed on each arch.
- Restoration Type. If you’re missing a single tooth, you’ll only need a crown, which would be less costly than a dental bridge or denture that can restore multiple or an entire arch of teeth.
- Implants can be made from zirconia or titanium, which can also impact cost.
- There are multiple manufacturers that patients can choose from based on our team’s recommendations. Feel free to ask us about the quality of the brands that we use in our practice.
How Choosing Dental Implants Can Help You Save
Despite dental implants having a higher up-front cost than traditional restorative procedures, like dentures and bridges, they actually offer a better long-term investment. Traditional restorations often last between five and 15 years, while dental implants in Temple can last for up to 35 years with the proper care, meaning fewer visits to your dentist and replacement prosthetics.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
While most dental insurance plans don’t cover the cost of dental implants, some will apply benefits to portions of the treatment, like preliminary procedures needed and the cost of the restoration. If you have any questions or concerns about your coverage, don’t hesitate to contact our office. Our financial team can help you learn what out-of-pocket costs you may need to pay.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
Our implant dentist in Temple is proudly in-network with most major dental insurance plans. We also offer additional financing through CareCredit . They allow patients to split up the cost of treatment into small, manageable monthly payments at little-to-no interest, making treatment easier to fit into your monthly budget.
Dental Implant Post-Op Instructions
Your dental implants have been placed! Now it is time for the recovery process. Fortunately, this is nothing to worry about. Here are some things you can expect, what’s normal, and what you can do to help your smile heal as quickly and comfortably as possible. If you are ever experiencing intense, abnormal pain or other strange side effects, don’t hesitate to give us a call so we can help!
What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery
By taking all of the right steps after your surgery, you can shorten your healing process and make it as comfortable as possible. Your top priority should be to leave the blood clot untouched so the healing process happens smoothly. Here are some rules you should be following:
- Don’t spit! Use tissues or swallow your saliva instead.
- Don’t use a straw to drink beverages.
- Don’t smoke immediately following your surgery.
- Keep your fingers and tongue away from the surgical site.
Common Side-Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement
You will likely experience some side effects after your dental implant placement surgery. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Bleeding: Intermittent bleeding is normal immediately after surgery. This can be lessened by using gauze and light pressure. This should subside after a few days.
- Swelling: Swelling may be present for a few days after your procedure. It can last up to a week. A cold compress can help.
- Soreness: It is normal for the surgical site to feel sore for a few days. This can be managed by taking pain relievers as directed by your dentist.
All of these side effects should be temporary and gradually subside as time goes by. If this is not the case, give us a call so we can help!
Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery
Be careful about the foods you are consuming after your implant placement surgery. Here are some foods you may want to stock up on:
- Mashed potatoes
- Yogurt
- Ice cream
- Pudding
- Soup
- Scrambled eggs
- Pasta
As the soreness in your mouth subsides, you can start to transition back to your regular diet. It is still a good idea to avoid chewing directly on the implant site until it completely heals. This way, you can give your restoration the best possible chance of being successful.
Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene
It is crucial that you keep your mouth clean after your dental implant surgery. This will help ensure that your implant integrates with your jawbone quickly. Here are some oral hygiene tips that can help:
- Brush your teeth the day after your surgery, but be careful when you are near the surgical site.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water.
- Use your prescription mouth rinse if you are given one.
- Avoid mouth rinses that contain high levels of alcohol.
What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached
The difficult part is finally over! When you get your new crown, bridge, or denture, you may experience some minor sensitivity at first, but this can be easily managed with pain medication. There should be no bleeding, swelling, or extensive recovery. Then you can enjoy your new smile!
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Although dental implants typically boast an incredible success rate of 95% or more, you’ll still need to make sure you care for them so that they remain healthy. Even if they aren’t susceptible to decay or cavities, the rest of your smile can still be vulnerable without proper treatment. To minimize your risk of developing issues like gum disease that can increase the chance of implant failure, you’ll want to implement a few preventive measures in your everyday life. Here are several effective ways to care for your dental implants so you can make the most of your newly rebuilt smile.
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash regularly are some of the best methods for maintaining beautiful and healthy teeth. Not only will you keep your smile looking and feeling fresh, but you’ll also prevent bacteria from accumulating, which can increase the chance of developing disease or infection in your gums and the connective tissues holding your implants in place. To maintain your results, be sure to practice this cleaning routine at least twice a day.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Since your dental implants will rebuild your missing teeth, you’ll be free to munch on all your favorite meals. This also means you can expand your food choices to include more nutritious options, such as fruits, veggies, and lean meats. By keeping a more nutrient- and vitamin-rich diet, you’ll be able to promote healthier teeth, gums, and jawbones as well as improve your bodily health.
Break Bad Habits
Virtually everyone knows that smoking or chewing tobacco can drastically increase the risk of oral cancer. Furthermore, these products can also put your mouth at risk of developing an infection or disease around your dental implants, making them susceptible to failure. To avoid ruining or damaging your new teeth, make sure to avoid bad oral habits, such as using tobacco products, chewing on hard objects, and using your teeth as tools.
Protect Your Dental Implants
Do you often play contact sports? Do you tend to grind or clench your teeth during rest? If so, you should consider wearing custom-made mouthguards to protect your teeth and dental implants. This can help reduce your chances of accidentally breaking your new pearly whites or simply wearing them down. Speak with your dentist about athletic mouthguards or nightguards for bruxism, and they’ll be happy to help you maintain and protect your restorations.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
Other than cleaning your teeth at home, visiting your dentist for checkups is incredibly crucial for keeping your smile healthy and safe. During your appointments, your dentist will evaluate your teeth, gums, and dental implants to ensure that you’re free of any developing problems, such as decay, gum disease, and infection. If so, they can address them early on, saving you time, money, and trouble.
Dental Implant Failure & Salvage
With an incredible success rate of 95% and up, dental implants often come with amazing benefits for your smile while being able to last several decades to a lifetime. However, this doesn’t mean they’ll be completely immune to damage or disease, especially in the surrounding jawbone and gum tissue. If you notice your metal posts are becoming loose or any other strange symptoms, this could mean your dental implant failure. Fortunately, our team can provide salvage treatment to preserve your results so you can return to enjoying your smile.
Dental Implant FAQs
Since dental implants in Temple are both an investment and a commitment, it’s natural to have lots of questions on your mind, especially if this is your first time researching this state-of-the-art tooth-replacement option. Don’t worry – our team is always just a phone call away to help. If you’d prefer to learn a bit more before reaching out, however, that’s okay too! To learn the answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions, read on.
Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?
While every case is different, many patients can resume their normal day-to-day activities within a day or two of getting dental implants. However, if your job is physically demanding, then taking three to four days off may be recommended. After all, the last thing you want is to compromise the healing process. If you’re worried about taking time off work, consider scheduling the procedure on a Thursday or Friday.
Do Dental Implants Feel Natural?
They do! There are a few reasons for this. First, dental implants are inserted directly into your jawbone, restoring both the root and crown of your missing tooth. The unmatched stability ensures you won’t have to worry about embarrassing slippage throughout the day. Furthermore, they are custom-made for each patient. As a result, they mimic the shape and size of the missing tooth, guaranteeing they aren’t obtrusive or bulky in any way.
Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat with Dental Implants?
Immediately following your procedure, you should stick to a mostly soft food diet. Applesauce, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, and oatmeal all require minimal chewing power, preventing irritation to the implant site. Once you’re further along in your recovery, you’ll be able to incorporate your usual diet again. The only caveat is that you should continue to exercise caution with hard, sticky, and crunchy foods. Remember, like your natural teeth, your dental implants can chip. Additionally, be sure to limit your consumption of sugary foods and beverages since these increase your chances of developing dental problems, like gum disease.
How Can I Tell If My Dental Implant Is Failing?
With proper care, dental implants can last for 30+ years. And with a success rate of 95%, it’s safe to say that dental implant failure is quite rare. With that being said, there are a few lifestyle habits that can compromise their integrity, like smoking and neglecting to care for your teeth. If you are experiencing any abnormal symptoms around the implant, including severe pain and inflamed gums, then it’s important to call our implant dentist in Temple right away. From there, they can conduct an exam, determine the root of the problem, and put a plan in place to restore your healthy and pain-free smile.