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:
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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.
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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.
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Dental implant supported tooth replacement options have a 90 to 95%
success rate after two decades.
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Implant supported restorations offer close to natural function, so you can
eat anything.
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Dental implant supported tooth replacements look and feel like natural,
healthy teeth, so you can speak and smile with confidence in any
situation.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
One major advantage of dental implants is their long-lasting nature. With
proper care, dental implants could easily last for 30 years or more! This
is considerably longer than traditional bridges and dentures, which
usually must be replaced every 7 to 15 years.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and practicing excellent oral care can
help ensure your dental implants last as long as possible. Follow these
tips to keep your implants in great shape:
- Brush twice a day for a full two minutes each time
- Floss daily and rinse with mouthwash
- Avoid chewing on pens, ice, and other hard items
- Avoid using your teeth to open packaging
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Visit an implant dentist in San Antonio every six months for a routine
checkup
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
Dental implant placement typically does not cause any serious pain or
discomfort. Before the procedure begins, your mouth will be numbed with a
local anesthetic. You may also be sedated, which lowers the body’s
ability to register pain.
After your dental implants have been placed, it is normal for your mouth
to feel a bit sore for the first few days. Taking prescribed or
over-the-counter pain medication as directed by your dentist can help
alleviate this soreness. Holding a cold compress to the affected area can
also help. If your discomfort worsens instead of improving after a couple
days, do not hesitate to contact our office.
How Successful Are Dental Implants?
When placed by an experienced implant dentist in San Antonio, dental
implants can have an extremely high success rate of over 95%. The success
of your implants will depend in large part on your overall health and
behavior. A healthy diet, excellent oral hygiene, and routine checkups
every six months can help ensure successful implant treatment and the
long-term health of your implants. The location of implants can also
influence their success. For example, since molars experience more
pressure from chewing than front teeth, they may be slightly more likely
to fail.
Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?
In general, patients who get dental implants in San Antonio only need to
take one to two days off to rest and recover. However, if your job is
physically demanding, you should consider taking up to four days off or
scheduling implant surgery around a weekend. Heavy physical labor or even
exercise can divert blood away from the implant site and delay healing. In
the end, every case is slightly different. Rest assured, Dr. Gonzalez will
recommend how many days you should take off based on your custom treatment
plan and unique situation.
Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?
If you are missing teeth at a young age, you may want to wait until your
early or mid-20s to undergo implant treatment. Most people’s jaws
are not fully developed until young adulthood. For this reason, most
dental professionals will not place implants in patients younger than 18.
If dental implants are placed before the jaw is finished growing, it could
interfere with future bone development and lead to implant complications.