Dental Implants: The Closest Thing to Having Your Own Teeth

Dental Implants: The Closest Thing to Having Your Own Teeth

Dental implants are truly game-changing. The technology has evolved to the point where we can offer them to most patients. The success rate for this procedure is the envy of other procedures, especially with our office’s unique approach.

At Westoverhills Family Dental we know many of our patients and prospective patients have questions about dental implants. We want you to be as happy and comfortable as possible with your dental service. Let’s take a moment to answer some of the most common questions we receive.

How much do dental implants cost?

The cost of dental implants is actually a highly technical subject, because you’re actually talking about multiple procedures. First, the implant itself must be inserted into the bone. Then, the crown must be fit onto the implant in a separate procedure. These crowns also require an abutment that is used to attach a crown, bridge or removable denture to the dental implant fixture which hangs on to a healthy, neighboring tooth. Many offices add separate charges for each and every one of those procedures.

However, our office is committed to helping our patients save as much money as possible. If you’re missing a tooth, a dental implant is not just some cosmetic, vanity-saving device. It will preserve your bone structure, your face structure and your ability to eat and speak normally. This is why we’ve made the decision to forgo charging each of these procedures as separate items. We treat them all as a single procedure. You can save $500 or more when you choose Westover Hills Family Dental.

We work hard to make sure dental implants remain affordable. We offer coupons, work with most insurance plans and offer Care Credit financing. More and more insurance companies are providing dental insurance coverage of up to 50% for implants, making dental implants more affordable than ever before.

What are some common problems or complications associated with dental implants?

Believe it or not, we don’t see a lot of problems. Westover Hills Family Dental has an in-house periodontist. Dental implants are about the gum and jawbone as much as the tooth. This expertise is necessary to place the tooth properly. Failing to take the gums into consideration can lead to ripping, tearing, infection and aesthetic problems.

Most dental offices send you to a periodontist across town. This makes miscommunication a likely possibility when it’s time to place the tooth. Keeping this professional service in-office ensures the tooth will be placed properly the first time. And since tooth placement problems are the number one cause of complications, we’ve achieved an enviable 98% success rate on all dental implants.

At Westover Hills Family Dental, dental implants are totally safe. Most of our patients never experience any post-operative pain!

What are the pros and cons of dental implants?

The alternative to a dental implant is usually a bridge. With a bridge, you have to alter two other teeth in order to place a single replacement tooth. This puts weight and stress on the neighboring teeth, which are now handling twice the chewing burden. Bridges are also very difficult to clean.

Bridges leave a gap between the false tooth and the gum line. Over time, the gap gets larger. Bone deterioration is a common result.

Meanwhile, implants, which have been placed properly and receive adequate attention to gum health, are literally the next best thing to having your own teeth. They look, feel and act like real teeth. You clean them just like you clean your real teeth.

Some patients will need additional procedures before benefiting from dental implants, however. If you have gum disease, for example, you might not have enough bone to place the implant. This means a second surgery would be necessary to augment and replace bone.

Dental implants take more time to place compared to bridges. It’s a two-part procedure. The implant needs time to integrate with the bone (a process called osseointegration) before a custom-made crown (the “tooth”) can be added. We use a healing cap until osseointegration has occurred. That cap can require a little bit of extra care. There is a 6 to 8-week waiting period before the final crown can be placed. Most of our patients feel like the long-term benefits are well worth the wait.

What should I know about choosing an office to perform my dental implant procedure?

We’ll be the first to tell you to shop around. Take time to read reviews on third-party websites. Ask for pricing bids. No matter what, you’re going to have to chip in some of your own money. It’s in your best interest to shop around.

With that being said, you’re not looking for a car here. You’re making an investment in your own body. It’s important that you take all factors into account. Ask questions. Ask lots of questions.

The biggest, most important question you should ask is, “Can you offer implants and restoration services at the same office?” Remember, most bad implants are the result of a lack of communication between the professional who places the implant and the professional who handles the restoration. If the implant is angled incorrectly, there can be all sorts of problems. You need doctors who will communicate and work closely with one another to come to a consensus on what needs to happen for a successful procedure.

Got more questions?

Call Westover Hills Family Care Dental at (210) 774-6432 today! Our doctors will be happy to sit down with you to discuss any questions or concerns you have about dental implants. Make an appointment for a thorough assessment of your current dental health needs. We’re here to help you achieve a happy, healthy smile that will last a lifetime!

Visit WebMD for further information on Dental Implant Procedure.