Dental Implants – Sweeny, TX
A Permanent Solution to Missing Teeth
Your teeth are actually composed of two distinct parts: the root and crown. Most traditional dental restorations only bring back the crown, but dental implants are the only treatment that recreates an entire tooth both above and below the gum line. Because of this, they are considered the gold standard of tooth replacement by dentists and patients around the world, and now, you can get this state-of-the-art solution right here at Sweeny Family Dental. If you’re ready to say “goodbye!” to the gaps in your smile forever, contact us today to learn more about dental implants in Sweeny, TX.
Why Choose Sweeny Family Dental for Dental Implants?
- Restorations custom-made for each patient
- Lifelike results that can last for 30 years or more
- All-inclusive implant care under one roof
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are special posts that are meant to be surgically inserted into your jawbone. They are shaped like screws and are typically made out of titanium. The purpose of dental implants is to serve as the foundation for your replacement teeth, essentially acting as new tooth roots. Thanks to this approach, dental implants are much more stable than other tooth replacement options, and they are able to offer a wide range of unique benefits.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
At Sweeny Family Dental, Dr. Derek Funk knows you have questions about how dental implants work. As a dentist who provides start-to-finish implant placement and restoration in-house, he wants all of his patients to have a clear understanding of what to expect. We invite you to review the following information below to learn more about what you can expect from the dental implant placement process.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
Before you can begin to plan out your new smile with dental implants, you must first schedule a consultation with Dr. Funk. It is during this appointment that you will discuss your expectations, goals, and any concerns you might have about your missing teeth, oral health, or potential implant placement. Dr. Funk will also perform a full examination, looking at your oral cavity and facial structure to determine if you are a qualified candidate for implants.
Using 3D cone beam imaging and digital X-rays, Dr. Funk will review your teeth, jaw, and surrounding oral structures. Ultimately, the decision as to whether you can move forward with dental implants will be based on the following:
- The density of your jawbone
- Good general oral health
- Good gum health
Based on his findings, Dr. Funk will either recommend you for treatment or require that you undergo a bone graft or sinus lift if your jawbone is not strong enough to support your restoration.
Dental Implant Surgery
Once you’ve been given the green light to move forward with implant placement, you will arrive on the day of your surgery and receive a local anesthetic to ensure you are comfortable throughout the procedure.
Using a personalized treatment plan, which will be created during your initial consultation, Dr. Funk will begin to make small incisions in your gums to expose the bone and carefully insert each implant into the vacated sockets. After making sure the posts are properly aligned and situated within the jawbone, he will close up the surgical sites and send you home with detailed instructions for a successful recovery.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
On average, the normal recovery time for a patient receiving dental implants is between 3 and 6 months. When you arrive home, the healing process will begin as the implant(s) fuse with the bone and surrounding tissues thanks to osseointegration. Because this can take several months to complete, it is important that you follow the instructions provided to you for a swift and successful recovery.
Once your implants are fully fused with the bone, you will return to our office to receive your metal abutments. These are small appliances that serve as a connector between the implant and the custom restoration.
We will need to reopen the gum tissue to place the abutment, and you will be required to wait a few weeks to allow the oral tissue to fully heal before receiving the restoration.
Placement of Dental Implant Restoration
The last phase of dental implant placement is receiving your custom-made restoration. No matter if it is a dental crown, implant bridge, or implant-retained denture, Dr. Funk will carefully place the prosthesis on top of your implant and secure it in place.
This final stage of treatment will have you seeing a new and improved smile that is healthy, complete, and beautiful. The only thing you will have left to do at this point is maintain your implants with regular dental checkups and cleanings as well as good oral hygiene at home.
Benefits of Dental implants
- Stability: Because implants are anchored firmly within the jawbone, patients don’t have to worry about their restorations slipping, moving, or breaking no matter what they eat.
- Aesthetics: Unlike traditional bridges and dentures, implants don’t have any noticeable metal clasps or attachments needed to hold them in place. They are usually topped with 100% white porcelain restorations, helping them blend into any smile with ease.
- Jawbone Preservation: After a tooth goes missing, the jawbone in the area naturally starts to shrink and change shape, leading many elderly patients to develop a “sunken” appearance. Implants are the only treatment that can stop and even reverse this process, helping a patient maintain a strong and youthful facial shape.
- Longevity: Implant restorations can often last for 30 years or more – sometimes even for the rest of a patient’s life.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants are actually quite a versatile treatment and can be used to effectively replace any number of missing teeth:
Missing a Single Tooth
Once an implant is in the jawbone, a dental crown can be attached to the top of it using a small connector called an abutment. This new tooth won’t require those surrounding it to be altered in any way, making it a seamless addition to the smile.
Missing Multiple Teeth
For patients missing three or more teeth in a row, rather than replacing them with individual implants, just two can support a strong and reliable bridge. Two implant crowns will be positioned on either side of the gap in a patient’s smile, and these will support the prosthetic that closes it.
Missing All Teeth
Using just four strategically placed implants, we can secure a denture directly to the jawbone, giving patients a security and stability a traditional removable denture simply can’t match.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
If you’re considering dental implants, one of your thoughts is probably about cost. There are many factors that contribute to the overall price of your treatment, which is why it’s difficult to provide a precise cost estimate without examining your smile. However, Dr. Funk has outlined some of the most important factors that can influence the cost of dental implants. Read on to learn more about why this life-changing treatment is always worth the investment.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
First of all, you’ll need to account for the cost of any preliminary treatments that need to be performed. Bone grafts, tooth extractions, and other preparatory procedures all come with separate price tags. As for the dental implant surgery itself, the cost can vary from patient to patient depending on the circumstances. The good news is that because we place dental implants in-office, you don’t have to worry about receiving a bill from a separate practice.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
How many dental implant posts will be needed to replace all of your missing teeth? Will they support a crown, a bridge, or a denture? What materials will the implant posts and the final restoration be made out of? What brands will your dentist use? The answers to all of these questions can have an impact on the amount that you end up paying for the actual dental implants. If you want to learn more about these factors, don’t hesitate to let us know.
How Dental Implants Can Pay for Themselves in the Long Run
While dental implants do tend to come with a higher price tag, the unique benefits they bring you always make them worth the investment. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that can last for a lifetime with proper care. This can actually save you money by letting you avoid the need for replacements. Plus, dental implants stimulate your jawbone to prevent it from deteriorating after tooth loss, preventing additional missing teeth and a sunken facial appearance. That’s why dental implant treatment is one of the smartest investments you can make!
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Typically, most dental insurance plans will not cover dental implants, but this will vary on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes, your insurance may be able to cover certain aspects of the process like your initial consultation, any needed periodontal therapy, and more. Our front desk staff is friendly and knowledgeable, helping to minimize your out-of-pocket costs while maximizing your benefits. We want to make our high-quality dentistry as affordable as possible for all patients.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
Dental insurance is not your only option for making dental treatments more affordable. Our team can help you sign up for CareCredit financing. With this approach, you can break up the cost of your care into monthly installments that don’t put as much strain on your budget. There are several CareCredit payment plans to choose from that come with low interest or even no interest. Reach out to us today if you’re interested in learning more about CareCredit.
Dental Implants FAQs
Why Do I Need a Bone Graft Before I Can Get a Dental Implant?
When determining the success of your implant, the amount of jawbone mass you have is a crucial factor. Not having a dense enough jawbone means the implant doesn’t have the support it needs, meaning the procedure is likely to fail. During a bone graft, your dentist will place artificial bone tissue onto your existing jawbone, which will strengthen your natural bone to the point where it can support as many dental implants as you need to restore your smile.
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
One might think that getting a titanium post placed in your jawbone would hurt, but thanks to local anesthesia (and sedation if need be), you should feel only minimal discomfort during the procedure. In fact, many patients prefer having the implant placed to having their tooth extracted.
Because it is a type of minor oral surgery, you can expect to deal with some degree of swelling or soreness for a few days after receiving your implant. However, it’s nothing that can’t be alleviated by applying a cold compress to your face in 10-minute intervals or taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
The main reason that dental implants are seen as worth the investment is their longevity. Implants can be expected to last upwards of 30 years, possibly even the rest of your life, provided you take good care of them. This entails regular brushing, flossing, and checkups with Dr. Funk.
I Smoke. Can I Still Get Dental Implants?
Yes, but there are certain risks involved, such as a higher chance of implant failure. This is because smoking (or chewing) tobacco severely slows down the mouth’s ability to heal, which is critical in the implant’s process of integrating with your jawbone. As a result, the body is more likely to reject the implant, making the procedure a failure. If you currently smoke and are considering getting dental implants, we highly advise you to try quitting beforehand. If you need help quitting, don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Funk for resources. He should be more than happy to help you quit smoking and achieve better oral health.
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