Dental Implants — DeSoto, TX
Restore the Root and Crown of Your Lost Tooth
Dental implants in DeSoto are quickly becoming a new standard for tooth replacement for a number of reasons. One of the most notable benefits is just how long they last after placement. Instead of having to worry about when you’ll need to replace your denture or bridge, you can eat the foods you enjoy, smile with confidence, and never have to worry about extending its life through other measures. If you’re tired of wearing a traditional denture or you want the best long-term solution to tooth loss, schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Najjar!
Why Choose Amaze Dental for Dental Implants?
- Implant Restoration and Placement Performed in the Dental Office
- Mini Dental Implants for Those with Limited Bone Tissue
- Multiple Forms of Sedation Dentistry Available
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant replaces both the root and crown of a missing tooth. Once a surgical-grade titanium post (the implant itself) is placed in the jaw, it's given several months to osseointegrate, or bond, with the jawbone. Then the implant is completed with a single, custom-made dental crown that’s designed to blend in with your existing smile and look just like a natural tooth.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Whether it is one, multiple, or all of your teeth, dental implants in DeSoto are the premium method of treatment when it comes to replacing missing teeth. If you’ve chosen to move forward with this procedure, it’s likely you’ll have plenty of questions, one of which will probably be, “How does the process work?” Find out more about each step of the procedure and feel more confident and comfortable in your decision to pursue restorative treatment with dental implants.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The first stage of the process is to schedule an initial consultation with your dentist in DeSoto. This time will be spent discussing the number of teeth you have missing, as well as the condition of your jawbone and gum health. Dr. Najjar will also want to know about your medical history and perform a thorough examination of your oral cavity to better understand the problem areas. This visual exam, along with any x-rays that are taken, will enable her to review the density of your bone. Should it prove to be weakened or deteriorating, it will be necessary to have a bone graft or another advanced procedure before moving forward with dental implant placement.
As long as she confirms that implants are the best course of action, we will take impressions, which will be sent to the dental lab where technicians will craft your custom-made restorations.
Dental Implant Surgery
The process of dental implant surgery is minimally invasive, requiring Dr. Najjar to make a small incision in your gums. This will expose the bone and allow her to surgically place the implants, positioning them appropriately, before closing the surgical site and sending you home to heal
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
The titanium posts will need several months to fuse to the bone and surrounding tissues. This process is known as osseointegration, and it must be successful in order to move forward with the final stage of the dental implant process, which is to place the small appliance that is called an abutment and completed restoration.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
After months of healing, you’ll return to our office to have Dr. Najjar place your customized dental crown. Not only will it be made according to the size and shape of your natural teeth, but it will also match in color to give you a blended smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
The most important distinction to keep in mind is that dental implants replace and simulate the roots of teeth. When a tooth is lost or extracted, the root comes out with it. The root is incredibly important for stimulating bone tissue, which keeps it healthy and your biting force strong. It also allows for blood and nutrients to travel to the gums, teeth, and facial tissue. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that restores these basic functions in this manner.
Because of these restorative benefits, eating tough foods like steak or apples is a breeze. You can smile with confidence because no one will be able to tell the difference between your natural teeth and your implant. It’s the most aesthetically pleasing option out there because of the all-porcelain material we use to recreate the crown. With proper care, your dental implant(s) can easily last between 25 years and a lifetime.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants are not exclusively for replacing individual teeth. In fact, they can replace teeth just like dental bridges and dentures do, but in a far more effective way. Below, you can learn exactly how Dr. Najjar gets it done.
- Missing 1 Tooth: Individual teeth are replaced via a single titanium post and porcelain crown. After the implant has fused to your bone and gum tissue, an abutment is placed on top so the crown has a stable foundation to rest on.
- Missing Multiple Teeth: Implant-retained bridges utilize a pair of dental implants to replace one to two teeth at a time. Since the implants are strong enough to withstand daily chewing and grinding, you don’t have to rely on neighboring teeth to hold the restoration.
- Missing All Teeth: By using a series of dental implants, generally four to six, we can effectively attach a full or partial denture to your jaw. If you currently have a denture, you’ll never have to worry about your restoration shifting out of place or rely on dental adhesives to keep it stable.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Dental implants in DeSoto are a highly customizable treatment, which means that the cost of your procedure will vary depending on your specific needs. If you need to place multiple teeth versus a single tooth, your treatment costs will naturally be higher. This also affects the type of restoration needed to rebuild your smile. If you need preparatory treatments to make your mouth viable for dental implants, this increases the cost as well.
Keep in mind that dental implants are meant to be an investment that lasts for several decades. Compared to traditional dentures and dental bridges, implants are the more cost-effective solution in the long run! Below, you’ll find out how, as well as some helpful information regarding dental implant costs.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
To be a good candidate for dental implants, a patient needs three things: great oral health, decent overall health, and a strong jawbone. If a patient is lacking any of these qualities, we’ll have to take preparatory measures. For overall health issues, we’ll ask that you visit your primary care physician. However, for oral health issues like gum disease and jawbone loss, we’ll recommend periodontal therapy and bone grafting, respectively. These procedures increase your treatment costs, but they also give your new teeth a healthy foundation.
On the bright side, Dr. Najjar is a highly trained implant dentist in DeSoto who can surgically place dental implants in our office. Not only does this make your treatment more convenient, but you won’t need to pay a separate bill to an outside specialist.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
The number of teeth you’re replacing is a major factor in dental implant cost. The more implant posts you require, the more you’ll be required to pay. Additionally, larger restorations like dentures cost more than smaller ones like individual crowns. Lastly, the connecting abutments (and the implant posts) can be made from various materials and come from different manufacturers, which influences the price. Our team will be transparent as to which one we pick for you and how it affects the overall cost of dental implants in DeSoto.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
What makes dental implants truly worth the investment is how long they’re capable of lasting. Provided you take good care of your new teeth, you can count on them lasting for 30+ years! This is multiple times longer than conventional bridges and dentures. Traditional prosthetics have to be replaced periodically, which can rack up costs that exceed the initial price of implants. Although dental implants cost more initially, they’re the most cost-effective choice in the long run.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Even though many insurance companies don’t cover dental implants or their surgical placement, there is always the chance that yours does. Our team members at Amaze Dental are always happy to help patients make the most of their dental insurance benefits. We’re even in-network with many leading PPO and HMO plans, including:
- Ameritas
- Aetna
- Assurant
- Beam
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Delta Dental
- Dental Select
- Guardian
- Humana
- MetLife
- Principal
- TeamCare
- United Concordia
- United Healthcare
We also welcome out-of-network patients and will gladly file claims on your behalf.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
At Amaze Dental, insurance is far from your only option for making dental implants affordable. We have other methods of making your new smile fit within your budget, including:
- CareCredit – Based on credit approval, CareCredit helps patients break up their treatment costs into monthly installments that come with zero or no interest.
- In-house dental savings plan – For only $99 a year, our membership plan gives you significant discounts on many of our treatments.
- Special offers – We encourage you to frequently check out our special offers page for deals on specific procedures, which may include dental implants.
Dental Implant FAQs
Since dental implants in DeSoto are a big investment in the future of your smile, we understand that you’ll want to be as informed as possible before making the decision to get them. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the dental implant questions that we get asked the most often.
Do I Have to Get an X-Ray?
In your initial dental implant consultation, an x-ray is not required. However, Dr. Najjar prefers to take x-rays before placing the implant. This will allow her to more accurately diagnose your case. The more details she knows about your case, the easier it will be to design and place the implant, and the faster the placement procedure will take.
Will My Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Most dental insurance plans require patients to select the cheapest option when it comes to restorative dentistry, and that includes tooth replacement. Since dentures or bridges are less expensive than dental implants, many insurance companies will not cover the entire cost of implants. However, you will be investing in your health by preserving your jawbone. Our staff is always here to help you navigate your insurance plan and maximize your benefits.
Will I Have to See an Outside Specialist?
The great thing about Dr. Najjar is that she handles the whole dental implant process seamlessly under one roof. From your first consultation to the implant placement surgery itself to the final restoration appointment, we’ll be with you every step of the way. You won’t have to travel to an outside office, with a doctor you’ve never met before and might not be comfortable enough to allow them to place implants. Your needs won’t be lost between different doctors. You can rest easy knowing that the entire process will easily take place in just one building.
I Smoke. Can I Still Get Dental Implants?
Yes, but it does come with a few risks. Smoking limits the growth of your jawbone, which is needed for the implant to integrate successfully. If you continue to smoke after you receive a dental implant, you increase your chance of implant failure, where the post does not integrate correctly with the jawbone. Smoking also slows down your natural healing ability, meaning you’ll have to wait much longer to receive your final restoration. You may also contract peri-implantitis, a form of gum disease that can easily cause implant failure. Because smoking irritates the gums, it makes them more vulnerable to infection and inflammation.