Day: September 27, 2022

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. Unfortunately, if you are missing teeth, this can take a toll on your self-esteem and your social interactions. It can also make eating more difficult. 

Dental implants can help. But compared to every other kind of dental procedure, how well do dental implants work?

An implant is a metal screw-like device that serves as a tooth root. That may sound painful, but the dental implant procedure doesn’t hurt! An artificial tooth, called a crown, is placed on top of the screw to restore a lost tooth’s appearance and function. Implants last for many years and can positively transform your smile and oral health. Here’s what you need to know.

1) How Do Dental Implants Work?

A dental implant consists of three parts: the implant, an abutment, and an artificial tooth. How exactly do these dental implants’ components work together?

First, the implants, which are small titanium fixtures, are inserted directly into your jawbone. Then, crowns, dentures, or bridges (devices used to replace one or two teeth) are attached to the tops of the implants. Metal structures called abutments connect the new tooth to the implant.

2) Do Dental Implants Hurt? 

Inserting a metal fixture into your jawbone does sound scary, but you will be sedated during the surgery and not feel any pain. You may feel a bit sore after the anesthesia wears off following the surgery, but over-the-counter pain medications are enough to manage this.

3) How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

For some people, the question is not whether dental implants hurt the mouth—what about hurting the wallet? An implant to replace one tooth generally costs about $5,000, although your implant cost will ultimately depend on several factors. For instance, if you don’t have enough bone to support an implant, your dentist may have to add bone to the site through bone grafting. An implant treatment may qualify for insurance coverage.

4) How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants work very well and have the potential to last a person a lifetime. How do they last so long? Unlike a natural tooth, a dental implant isn’t susceptible to problems like tooth decay. However, you must maintain healthy gums to keep your implant intact. This requires regular dental cleanings and exams as well as daily brushing and flossing.

5) How Successful Are Dental Implant Procedures?

Dental implants work for most patients with no future complications. Generally, implants are predictably successful over 90% of the time in a patient with good health and great oral hygiene. Speak to your dentist to understand how likely you are to benefit from implants.

6) Are Dental Implants Safe?

Overall, dental implants are safe, permanent solutions for replacing missing teeth. Implants last many years and do not hurt. Adults of any age can receive implants, but growing children are generally not candidates for them as their jawbones and teeth are still in the development process.

Your dentist may not recommend implants for you if you smoke tobacco or suffer from diabetes, as both may stifle your healing process. Likewise, you may not be a good candidate for implants if you have untreated and severe gum disease, which destroys gum tissue and bone. Implants might also not be possible if you take blood thinners or steroids. Your dentist will go over the risks associated with the medicines you are taking and determine whether adjusting the dosages or even avoiding the medications temporarily during the implant procedure would be possible.

7) Are Dental Implants Worthwhile?

Absolutely. Dental implants can instantly improve your eating ability, your appearance, and your confidence. They are sure to enhance your quality of life in both the short term and the long term.

8) Do Dental Implants Look and Feel Real?

Yes, implants are designed to both feel and look just like natural teeth.

9) Can Dental Implants Fall Out?

Unlike dentures, which are made to come out,  dental implants work by surgically embedding into the jawbone, so they are designed to stay in place long term. Dental implants do not fall out if they are implanted properly and maintained. Good oral hygiene will help to ensure that your implants stay put for years to come.

Experience Dentistry Done Right with the Help of Definitive Dental

At Definitive Dental in Grand Prairie, we are excited to offer a number of dental treatments, including implants. If you’re wondering if dental implants would work for you, we are glad to answer any questions you have about this transformation treatment option. 
We take pride in genuinely listening to our patients and guiding them to complete oral health. Call us today at 972-646-0660 or schedule an appointment online. We look forward to meeting you.

Dental implants are an excellent option for patients who are missing at least one tooth as a result of gum disease or injury. These devices are artificially rooted teeth that permanently attach to the jawbone. It’s a relatively quick and minimally invasive process, and the implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth.

But there has to be a catch, right? How much does it cost?

Many of our patients in the Dallas–Fort Worth area wonder about the average price of dental implants and whether the cost of implants is really worth it.

Here’s everything you need to know about the price of dental implants and why they are a smart choice.

Cost of Dental Implants in Dallas Out of Pocket

Dental implants stand out for their durability and longevity compared with other dental treatment options, and they are priced accordingly. A single tooth implant covered with a tooth-colored crown (porcelain crown) costs about $5,000 on average. This average price of dental implants includes the device itself, the crown, and the surgical placement of the implant. Remember, that’s for one—if you require multiple implants, the cost will be higher.

The prices reflect the material costs of implants combined with the complexity and length of the implant placement process. From beginning to end, getting an implant takes about six months. However, they deliver exceptional value long term. You can expect them to last for as long as 20 years or more if you practice healthy flossing and brushing habits, as well as get regular dental checkups.

Cost of Dallas-Area Dental Implants with Insurance

Some dental insurance coverage plans available through private companies include dental implants as benefits. However, they might not pay the entire cost of an implant procedure. Instead, they may cover only specific steps of the dental implant procedure.

For instance, let’s say that you have a full-coverage policy that covers half of any major dental service. Your insurance company might cover 50% of your implant procedure. Alternatively, your insurer may cover your implant’s dental crown only, leaving you to pay for the implant itself.

Still, for patients who need implants to restore or maintain their oral health, their insurers will likely be more inclined to cover the costs of dental implants in Dallas. If you fall into this category, just be sure to ask about your yearly maximum dental benefit amount—the largest amount that your insurance company will pay you for treatment in a given year. (This is about $1,500/person on average.)

Note that if you are pursuing an implant for cosmetic reasons, the treatment probably will not be covered. 

What Does a Dental Implant Consist Of?

An implant includes three parts:

• The metal screw (typically titanium) that constitutes the body of the implant
• The crown—the artificial tooth that is visible above the patient’s gum line
• The abutment—a piece of metal that connects the artificial tooth and metal root

The cost of dental implants in Dallas includes the time and effort required for your dentist to perform the following steps:

1) Your dentist will examine your teeth and consult with you about your dental implant treatment.

2) When it’s time for the procedure, your dentist will administer local anesthesia to protect you against pain. Then, an implant will be inserted into your jaw. 

3) Several months or weeks later, your implant site should be healed. At this time, your dentist will elongate the body of the implant by adding an abutment. This piece will essentially anchor your future crown.

4) A dental laboratory will manufacture a crown for you that matches the color of your teeth. This custom crown will be made of either porcelain or ceramic.

5) Finally, after your crown is created, you will return to your dentist’s office so that he or she can fasten the crown onto your abutment using dental cement or a screw.

Extra Costs of Dental Implants in Dallas to Consider

In addition to paying the $5,000 average price of dental implants, you may need to factor in the cost of your initial dental exam as well as X-rays if you are not insured. X-rays and an exam may cost between $200 and $500.

Also, if you don’t have enough bone to support an implant in your jaw, you may need to undergo bone grafting before getting your implant placed in your mouth. This procedure usually costs a few hundred dollars.

Your dentist will furthermore let you know if he or she needs to perform a sinus lift during the implant procedure. This procedure, which might cost between $1,500 and $2,5000, is designed to increase your upper jawbone’s thickness if needed.

Finally, the overall cost of dental implants in Dallas should include the cost of sedation as well. The price of sedation during this type of procedure may be between $50 and $200.

Why Dental Implants Are Worth the Cost

After that breakdown, it may seem like implants are prohibitively expensive—but caring for your jaw is well worth the cost. Here’s why.

Living without some or all of your teeth can make chewing food difficult. In addition, any teeth located near a gap in your mouth might shift to fill in the gap, and this may lead to bite misalignment over time—meaning even more procedures. For these reasons, the cost of dental implants in Dallas is worth paying if you have missing teeth you would like to replace.

Dental implants are also worthwhile investments in that they look natural. This means they can restore missing teeth’s appearance and function in an inconspicuous way. 

An implant also won’t damage any of the healthy teeth situated around it. In addition, it preserves the health of your gums and jawbone. 

Finally, given that implants have an extremely high rate of success among patients—close to 100%—covering the cost of dental implants in Dallas is a smart move.

Alternatives to Implants and Their Costs

As you research the average price of dental implants, you may be tempted to choose an implant alternative, like a dental bridge or partial denture, instead. After all, compared with the cost of dental implants in Dallas, it may seem more affordable. A dental bridge, which fills a gap of one or two teeth, costs about $2,500/tooth on average. In addition, a removable partial denture, which can cover several teeth, may cost between $800 and around $3,000.

However, even though these treatment options are less expensive than implants are upfront, they will need to be replaced more frequently, leading to more recurring costs. Both a dental bridge and a denture might require replacing in five to eight years. 

Another drawback of dental bridges in particular is that they tend to look less natural as you age. On top of this, they may damage the natural teeth surrounding your missing teeth.

Dentures additionally offer the con of being removable, meaning they aren’t secure in the mouth like implants are. They can also be difficult to clean, as you must brush and soak them nightly, in addition to brushing your gums.

Before making any decision, it’s best to discuss all of your options with your dentist.

Discover the Cost and Benefits of Dental Implants in Dallas Today

At Definitive Dental, we are a proud provider of a full range of dental treatments, ranging from implants to root canals and extractions. If you’re interested in receiving implants, we will gladly create a personalized treatment plan for you. Then, we’ll discuss the cost of our Dallas-area dental implants with your particular insurance coverage.

Call or text us at (972) 646-0660 to learn more about our services and experience dentistry done right for yourself this year.