Dental Implants

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

The very first step will be your initial consultation with our team. During this visit, we’ll discuss your dental/medical history, your oral health, and if you’re eligible to begin the treatment. In some instances, patients may require preliminary services to prepare their mouths for dental implant placement, such as bone grafting, gum disease treatment, or even tooth extractions. Once we’re certain that your mouth is healthy and your jawbone density is sufficient, we can begin the process of placing dental implants to renew your smile. Of course, we’ll also discuss the estimated cost of your treatment so that there aren’t any surprises.

Dental Implant Surgery

After clearing you for dental implant surgery, we’ll schedule your visit for a later date. Once you arrive for your appointment, our team will first numb your mouth with a local anesthetic to ensure that you’re completely pain-free throughout the process. This may also include sedation dentistry so that you can have a more relaxing experience while undergoing treatment. Your dentist will then angle and position your titanium posts into your jawbone exactly as planned before suturing your gums closed around them and covering them with a protective cap. You’ll then have your friend or family member take you home so that you can rest and follow your aftercare instructions for proper recovery.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

During the healing phase, your jawbone will go through a process called osseointegration, which is when the dental implant fuses with the bone tissue. This can take anywhere between 3-6 months, but it is crucial for providing the stable foundation necessary for your new pearly whites to remain in position for decades to come. Be sure to adhere to your aftercare guidelines, which include keeping your mouth clean of bacteria that could risk implant failure.

After healing properly, you’ll return to us to get your abutments—small metal connector pieces that link the restoration with the implant. Then you’ll go home again to allow your gums to heal.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

Once you’ve recovered, you’ll come back to our office to receive your new, custom restoration(s). This could involve a dental crown, bridge, or denture, which we’ll have determined the necessary one during your initial consultation. We’ll then confirm if your bite is correct and if you’re satisfied with the results before sending you on your way to enjoy your full and healthy smile again!

Day-to-Day Benefits

If your tooth replacements don’t make your daily life better, then what’s the point? Dental implants do make day-to-day functions easier by staying stable like real teeth. As a result, you don’t have to worry about slippage when you eat or talk, helping you avoid awkward or painful situations. In addition, they are simple to take care of. All you have to do is maintain them like natural teeth through daily brushing and flossing and regular checkups with our team . These easy steps are usually enough to keep implants in excellent condition for decades.

Health Benefits

When a tooth is lost, the jawbone underneath is no longer stimulated with a root and deteriorates, but dental implants substitute for the roots as well as the crowns. Consequently, the jawbone stays strong, preventing facial collapse and sunken cheeks.

In addition to holding onto a stronger jawbone, implants also make it possible to bite and chew foods with more strength and stability. This means you can have raw fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains, which contain many nutrients your body needs. Instead of having to eat more processed, softer foods, you can enjoy a more varied diet, potentially leading to a higher quality of life.

Long-Term Benefits

When replacing your teeth, you need to think about the future as well as the present. While traditional dentures may look great at the beginning, they will need to be replaced about every 5 years. Dental bridges typically need replacement about every 10 years. In contrast, dental implants have a lifespan of 30 or more years!

Taking this longer-term approach, you can clearly see the true cost that traditional prosthetics can rack up. With this information, you may likely find that implants are actually a sound investment. Although you pay for implants upfront, their longevity can lead to savings over the years.

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

After your surgery, your mouth must form a blood clot over the implant site to protect the vulnerable tissue from infection-inducing bacteria. It’s essential to avoid doing anything that might damage or dislodge it, so we typically recommend that patients:

• Don’t spit. You might feel tempted to spit out any additional saliva generated after your procedure, but for now, it’s better to swallow it or use tissues to soak up extra moisture.
• Steer clear of straws. When drinking fluid with a straw, the force of suction can hurt your blood clot.
• Try not to touch it. Don’t poke or prod the site with your fingers or tongue.
• Stop smoking. Tobacco products contain nicotine that interferes with healing, so try to quit or use patches to get you through.

Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement

It’s normal to have some mild side effects as the medications start to wear off after your procedure. A few common symptoms you might experience include:

• Intermittent bleeding. The site might ooze off and on for 24 to 48 hours, but you can slow the flow by applying light pressure with a piece of clean gauze or cloth.
• Your gums surrounding the implant site can be inflamed for a few days. To reduce tenderness, it’s usually safe to take over-the-counter medications or apply a cold compress.
• General discomfort. It’s expected to be sore for a few days, though you can typically address this with Tylenol or ibuprofen.

These issues tend to fade after 2 or 3 days, but if you have bleeding or aches that last a week or longer, please let us know so we can ensure you recover as intended.

Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery

Your teeth and gums are extra sensitive after your surgery, and sticking to a diet of soft foods can help you avoid irritating them any further. Some popular options are:

• Mashed potatoes.
• Ice cream.
• Scrambled eggs.
• Soft pasta.

You can graduate to eating more normally as soon as you feel ready, although you might want to continue to steer clear of anything overly hard or crunchy until you’ve fully recovered.

Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene

It’s important to keep your mouth clean so that germs don’t infect the implant site. However, brushing and flossing right after your appointment can prevent blood clot formation. For the first day, it’s best to rinse with lukewarm salt water to eradicate bacteria and remove any leftover food particles.

You can resume brushing and flossing as usual the next day, but be careful not to injure the implant site. Also, avoid using mouthwashes that contain high levels of alcohol that can be abrasive on the wound.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

The final step involves attaching your new dental crown, bridge, or denture onto your implants. Fortunately, this step doesn’t usually cause any pain. You might notice slight sensitivity in your gum tissue afterward, but it’s usually effectively managed with over-the-counter medications. There shouldn’t be any additional swelling or bleeding after this appointment. Once your restoration is in place, you can show off your newly refurbished smile!

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

The process of replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant won’t happen overnight. It takes a multi-step treatment process, with each phase having separate costs. This gives you more time to pay because you won’t have to come up with a lump sum. While every case differs, you can expect your estimate to include:

• Preparatory Procedures: It’s not uncommon to need a little prep work before getting started, like gum disease therapy or bone grafting.
• Sedation and Anesthesia: Sedation or anesthesia will be used during your placement surgery to keep you comfortable.
• Implant Surgery: You’ll require a surgical procedure to insert an implant post into your jawbone.
• The Number of Implants: Depending on the number of teeth you’re treating, your dentist will determine how many implants you’ll need.
• Type of Restoration: You’ll require either a crown, bridge, or denture to treat your lost teeth.
• Materials: High-quality materials tend to last longer than discounted options. Your implant dentist in Southlake will help you choose the best materials.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Your estimate will also include each component of your dental implant, which will include:

• Implant Post: A titanium post is surgically placed into your jawbone to serve as a new root.
• Abutment: Each post will require a special fixture to connect your restoration.
• Restoration: Your restoration will be made of all-ceramic materials to look natural.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Dental implants in Southlake may cost more upfront than traditional methods, but they are the most affordable overall. They have over a 95% success rate and are proven to last for 30 years or longer with the right aftercare, like brushing and flossing. You’ll never have to budget for replacements. As the only solution to replace both the tooth root and the crown, you can’t put a price on the benefits you’ll gain.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Your dental insurance may pay for your consultation and diagnostic services. Your benefits can also partially cover the expenses for any prep work and other medically necessary treatments after meeting your annual deductible.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Besides using your dental insurance, Huckabee Dental offers various financial solutions to keep your treatment affordable, like:

• Traditional Payments: Our office accepts cash, personal checks, and credit cards for your convenience.
• Financing: You can pay any out-of-pocket expenses using a monthly payment plan through CareCredit.
• Special Offers: We regularly offer various promotions, like new patient specials, free consultations, and free second opinions.

Prioritize Your Oral Hygiene

Dental implants might not be able to get cavities, but that doesn’t mean you can slack on your oral hygiene. If plaque isn’t cleared away on a daily basis, you could develop a bacterial infection in your gums that damages the tissues holding your implants in place. Gum disease is actually the leading cause of dental implant failure. Luckily, it’s fairly easy to prevent, as dental implants in Southlake can be cleaned just like natural teeth. Remember to brush for two full minutes twice a day and floss at least once daily to target bacteria hiding in the areas your toothbrush can’t reach.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Vitamin C and calcium encourage healthy gums and a strong jawbone, respectively, so be sure to add these vital nutrients to your diet. This can be done by eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. You can still enjoy ice cream and potato chips every once in a while, but eating too many sugary or starchy foods can increase the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. This could spell disaster for your implants. Moderation is key!

Quit Harmful Habits

Crunching ice, biting your fingernails, or chewing on pencils are all examples of habits that can take a serious toll on natural teeth as well as dental implants. Breaking these habits can be difficult, but it’s worth the effort to keep your implants in great condition for as long as possible. If you’re having trouble, don’t be afraid to ask your implant dentist in Southlake for tips! They might suggest that whenever you feel the compulsion to chew something inedible, pop a piece of sugarless chewing gum in your mouth instead.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Some people clench and grind their teeth while they sleep, so they’re unable to consciously stop it. To protect your teeth and implants from the pressure caused by grinding, we can fit you with a custom nightguard. Simply wear it to bed in order to shield your pearly whites from damage. On a similar note, you should protect your smile whenever you play sports by wearing an athletic mouthguard. This appliance cushions the impact of blows to the face, lessening the risk of injury to your mouth and jaw.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

No matter how many natural teeth you have left, it’s still essential to attend a dental checkup and cleaning every six months. At each of these visits, our team will take a close look at your implants for any signs of wear and tear. If we detect any issues, we can treat them early on, potentially saving your implants from failure.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

At first, hearing that getting dental implants requires minor oral surgery may sound somewhat daunting. However, when you put your smile in the hands of our in-house, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll be well taken care of. We’ll thoroughly numb your mouth before your dental implant surgery, and we’ll also likely recommend sedation dentistry to help you feel as calm and comfortable as possible. Overall, most patients are pleasantly surprised by how easy and virtually pain-free dental implant placement is.

Are Dental Implants Worth the Extra Money?

It’s no secret that dental implants initially cost a lot more than traditional tooth replacement options like dentures and dental bridges. However, when you compare their costs over time, dental implants often become the more cost-effective choice! Dentures and dental bridges only last five to ten years until they need to be replaced, whereas dental implants have the potential to last a lifetime. Not only will dental implants save you thousands of dollars in replacements alone over the years, but they’ll lower the overall cost of caring for your smile by preventing a multitude of oral health problems.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Thanks to their strong foundation in your jawbone, dental implants typically last much longer than other forms of tooth replacement. Dental implants stimulate circulation in the jawbone, which prevents deterioration. Since dentures and dental bridges do not provide this feature, the jawbone will naturally change shape over time and cause the restoration to lose its fit. On average, you’ll need to have a denture or dental bridge replaced every five to ten years. Meanwhile, dental implants can easily last 30 years because of their unique placement. In fact, with the right care, you can easily expect your dental implants to last a lifetime!

Am I Too Young for Dental Implants?

Dental implants are not recommended for patients who are younger than 18 years old. This is because up until this point in life, the jawbone is still growing and developing. The jawbone needs to be fully formed and strong in order to successfully support dental implants! If your teen has knocked out a permanent tooth, they may need a space maintainer or a dental bridge to restore their smile until they’re old enough to get dental implants.