Dental Implants – San Antonio, TX

Benefits of Dental Implants

Part of the process of choosing the best tooth replacement option for your unique needs is understanding the benefits of each potential solution. Some of the benefits of dental implant supported tooth replacement include:

• They replace the root and the crown of the tooth unlike other tooth replacement options that only replace the parts of the tooth that are visible above the gum line.
• Implant supported tooth replacements will last two or more decades with proper care compared with traditional replacement teeth that need to be replaced every five to ten years.
• Dental implant supported tooth replacement options have a 90 to 95% success rate after two decades.
• Implant supported restorations offer close to natural function, so you can eat anything.
• Dental implant supported tooth replacements look and feel like natural, healthy teeth, so you can speak and smile with confidence in any situation.
• Traditional replacement teeth can damage surrounding tooth structures because they rely on other teeth and healthy oral structures for support. Implant supported restorations are completely self-supporting.

Indications for Dental Implants

Dental implants are versatile, allowing us to replace any number of missing teeth using a strategic number of implant posts. Every case is different, but we will usually recommend the following:

• Missing a Single Tooth: To replace a single missing tooth, we will use one dental implant post to support a custom crafted dental crown. These restorations look feel and function like healthy teeth. With proper care, your implant supported crown will last for decades.
• Missing Multiple Teeth: To replace consecutive teeth, we will use two dental implants, one at each end, to support a fixed bridge restoration. A fixed bridges fuses together a row of replacement teeth, and they are attached on both sides to implant posts. For both consecutive and nonconsecutive missing teeth, a custom partial denture will be crafted and affixed to between two and four implant posts. Partial dentures use a gum colored base molded to fit between healthy remaining teeth. Then the implants are positioned and attached to the denture base recreating your flawless, healthy smile.
• Missing All Your Teeth Patients missing all of their teeth need a denture, but traditional dentures only restore about 20% of chewing function. Implant supported dentures replace 70% or more healthy chewing function, allowing you to consume a more varied diet. They also last for two decades or longer, allowing patients to retain a healthy, functional smile for longer. Most dentures can be supported with just four to six implant posts.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

Dental implants are a larger investment than other tooth replacement options, but they will last for two or more decades with proper care. Compared with other tooth replacement options that need to be restored every five to ten years, this is a significant improvement. Your implant tooth replacement plan is completed over the course of two main steps, and you can pay for the costs of these treatments individually, which helps to make implant restoration more affordable.

• First Step: Placement of Implant Posts: The first part of your treatment plan is the surgical placement of one or more implant posts into the jawbone. Once they’re in position, it takes three to six months for the implants to fuse with the gum and bone tissue. This process can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000 per implant.
• Second Step: Add Abutment & Restoration: Once the implants have fused with the gum and bone tissue, you’ll return to our office to have abutment posts attached to each dental implant. The Abutments are the pieces that attach implants to replacement teeth. Once the abutments are in place, we design, craft, and place your dental restoration. Depending on the number and position of missing teeth, we’ll use dental crowns, fixed bridges, or dentures to restore your smile to full function.

Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants

Even after more than two decades, dental implants have a remarkable success rate of over 90%. That said, they still require some basic maintenance in order for them to last as long as they do. Fortunately, dental implant care in San Antonio is relatively simple – in fact, it’s essentially the same as caring for natural teeth! Still, we’ve included a few handy tips below on how to make your dental implants stand the test of time.

Learn More

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

No matter how many natural teeth you have left, you’ll need to keep up with your normal oral hygiene routine. Yes, dental implants cannot get cavities, but your remaining teeth can. Plus, bacteria and plaque can build up on your gums and implant restorations. If these harmful substances are not removed, they can lead to peri-implantitis, a gum infection that’s the leading cause of dental implant failure. To keep your teeth (real and artificial) in good condition, you should brush twice daily for two minutes at a time, floss every day, and rinse with an ADA-approved mouthwash.

Eat a Healthy Diet

In today’s busy world, it can be all too easy to grab a quick snack like a bag of potato chips or a candy bar. Unfortunately, overconsumption of these sweet and starchy foods can be detrimental to not just your whole-body health, but your dental implants as well. Swapping these snacks out for items like fresh fruits and leafy greens will promote healthy gums, which is vital for the success of your dental implants in San Antonio.

Break Bad Habits

If you want to avoid an emergency dental visit, it’s time to kick bad oral habits. Smoking, eating ice, chewing on pencils, and using your teeth to open bottles or packaging can harm your implants in addition to your natural teeth. Not only can this be painful, but it may be quite expensive to fix. Protect the investment you made in your smile by breaking damaging habits.  

Protect Your Dental Implants

Do you play sports? Do you grind your teeth while you sleep? If the answer to either of these questions is “yes,” then ask your implant dentist in San Antonio about getting a customized mouthguard. These oral appliances fit over your teeth to shield them from damage, whether it’s due to a sports-related injury or bruxism (chronic teeth grinding).

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Even if all of your teeth have been replaced with dental implants, you’ll still need to visit our dental office twice a year for routine checkups and cleanings. We’ll have the chance to make sure your implants, remaining teeth, and gums are in good shape. If we spot any signs of trouble, we can address the issue early on, making the treatment more successful (and less expensive!). These regular appointments will keep your smile bright and healthy for years and years to come.

Dental Implant FAQs

Do you still have questions about dental implants in San Antonio? We have answers! Below are some of the most common questions we hear from patients about implant treatment. Keep reading to learn how long dental implants last, whether you should take a couple days off work after implant surgery, and more.

If you don’t see your question addressed in this FAQ section or if you feel ready to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Gonzalez, do not hesitate to contact our office.