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.