Dental Implants – Sachse, TX

Initial Consultation

When you visit us for a consultation, it serves several purposes. For starters, it allows us to assess the condition of your oral health to determine your eligibility for the dental implant procedure. This will include us taking X-ray images and Dr. Rottman measuring your jawbone density to ensure there is enough to support a dental implant.

Although we’ve helped countless patients rebuild their smiles, we know it’s likely the first go-around for you, so we’ll take the time to guide you through every step of the process. While visiting, you’ll also be able to ask any questions you may have.

Dental Implant Surgery

Before the surgery gets underway, a local anesthetic is applied to numb the treatment site. Therefore, you can look forward to a painless procedure. If you’re experiencing some anxiety about the implantation process, we can also provide sedation dentistry to calm your nerves.

After verifying that you’re numb, the specialist will make an incision into your gums to gain access to your underlying bone. Then, a small hole will be drilled to allow for the insertion of the dental implant. Once the implant is placed, a protective cap will be added to protect the area while you heal.

Team-Based Dental Implant Treatment

Your teeth are essential for maintaining a high quality of life, so when you replace them with dental implants, it’s important that the procedure be performed with precision and expertise. That’s why Dr. Rottman works with local specialists during the placement phase of the treatment. This will give you the greatest chance of success with your surgery and ensure that you’re receiving care from a true expert at every stage.

Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

Across the board, dental implantation has a 95% success rate. This can greatly be attributed to the fusing of the titanium post to the jawbone. The process, called osseointegration, can sometimes take up to six months to complete, but it’s well worth the wait. As the new bone cells form around the implant, it will be permanently fixed in its position.

After you’ve healed from the initial placement and the osseointegration process is complete, your dentist in Sachse will add an abutment. Its attachment to the implant ensures that the replacement prosthetic can be locked into place, with no slipping.

Delivery of Final Restoration

The dental implant procedure is the only form of tooth replacement that doesn’t rely on the surrounding teeth, suction, or gum tissue for security. Instead, it is completely self-sufficient. Whether you’re receiving a dental crown, implant bridge, or implant denture, the placement of the restoration will be the final step of the process. To ensure you have the best fit possible, we’ll work closely with dental lab technicians to create a prosthetic that is just right for you. Therefore, your new teeth will match the color, size, and shape of the rest of your smile.

Enhanced Chewing Power

Dental implants provide your crown, bridge, or denture with a secure and stable foundation to be attached to. Since your implant posts are fused with your jawbone, you won’t have to worry about your restorations moving or shifting in your mouth. This makes chewing tough and crunchy foods, like steak and crusty bread easier than ever.

No Alteration of Healthy Teeth Required

Traditional restorations like dental bridges have to be attached to your natural, healthy teeth to stay in your mouth. This means that they have to be altered, which typically requires removing a portion of their enamel. Not only can this make them more susceptible to decay, but it can also weaken them. With dental implants, you won’t have to worry about this happening because your restorations are anchored to the implant posts instead.

Lifespan of 25+ Years

Unlike traditional restorations, like dentures, dental implants can last for 25 years or longer, according to several scientific studies. That’s nearly three times longer than regular dentures and bridges, which means that you’ll be able to save money while enjoying a smile that grows with you.

Jawbone & Facial Structure Preservation

One of the most notable benefits of dental implants that sets this procedure apart from traditional restorations is the fact that they don’t just restore the biting surface of your teeth—they also restore the root structure. When the implants are placed into your jawbone, they’re able to undergo a natural process called osseointegration, where they fuse with the bone, just like the roots of your natural teeth. This provides the bone with stimulation and blood flow that keeps it from deteriorating and changing the structure and appearance of your face.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

In some cases, preparatory treatments are necessary before dental implants can be confidently placed. These services may include bone grafts, gum disease treatment, and other procedures that ensure your dental implant treatment is successful. In addition, the surgical phase of your care can have its own unique cost, especially since our dental office works with local specialists who charge their own separate fees for care. The fee for the surgery is also separate from the implant restoration that you’ll receive at our dental office. We’ll be as transparent as possible about your costs for dental implants to make managing your budget easier moving forward.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

The more teeth you are missing, the more dental implants you will need to have placed to secure a dedicated restoration. All implants have their own unique manufacturer and materials used, which can increase or decrease the final cost at the end of the day. We’ll always be upfront about the implants we use, which manufacturer they come from, and the materials they contain so you can be fully informed about your tooth replacement.

Final Dental Implant Restoration

Additionally, the more complex your restoration becomes, the more expensive your treatment becomes as well. We use dental crowns, bridges, partial dentures, and full dentures to restore dental implants and bring back your smile. Since larger restorations take more time to design, personalize, and fabricate, they come at a higher price tag. A single implant crown is easier to both design and place than a bridge or denture, and we’ll inform you of the costs associated with the restoration before we begin any stage of treatment.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

More often than not, dental insurance plans do not provide coverage for dental implants because they are still considered to be “cosmetic” in nature by insurance providers. However, that doesn’t mean you still can’t receive coverage for other aspects of your treatment, which include preparatory procedures like tooth extractions and periodontal therapy, as well as the restoration used to complete your tooth replacement. Our team will gladly go over your plan’s benefits to ensure you get the best value possible for your treatment.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Even if you don’t have dental insurance, there are other options available to make your treatment affordable. For example, our dental office provides CareCredit for those looking for a way to pay for treatment over the course of several months, rather than in one lump sum. These payments often come with little-to-no interest depending on the plan you choose, making it easy to fit in with your regular budget. We also offer an in-house dental membership plan, which not only provides essential preventive services at a flat rate but also offers discounts on all services provided in-house!

Always Stay On Top of Your Oral Hygiene

While it’s true that dental implant restorations cannot develop decay since they are made from inorganic materials, that doesn’t mean you should skip your brushing and flossing. Not only do you need to protect your remaining teeth, but the gum tissue sitting under your tooth replacement can still become irritated and infected by plaque and tartar. Brushing twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and flossing daily, especially around your implant, are essential to a long-lasting replacement tooth.

Stick to a Healthy and Balanced Diet

The foods you eat make just as much of a difference for your long-term oral health as your oral hygiene habits. Your mouth needs proper vitamins and minerals to stay healthy just like the rest of your body. Furthermore, you’ll want to continue keeping sugar and starch to a minimum, as these compounds dramatically contribute to tooth decay. On top of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables throughout the day, make sure to drink plenty of water to wash away loose food debris in between brushing and flossing.

Break Bad Habits ASAP

Dental implants are durable, but they are not indestructible. That means the restorations attached to them can still crack or break when performing bad habits like nail biting, chewing ice or desk items like pens and pencils, or using your teeth as a tool. Additionally, the risk of dental implant failure goes up dramatically if you use tobacco in any form, whether it’s smoking, chewing, or vaping. The sooner you break these bad habits, the better protected your dental implants will be.

Give Your Dental Implants the Protection They Deserve

Dental implants can also get damaged if you suffer from chronic teeth grinding and clenching habits and don’t wear a protective mouthguard. Nightguards can provide cushions to your teeth in the meantime. If you enjoy contact sports like football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, karate, or other activities that carry a high risk for sudden impact to the face, a sportsguard is also important to wear, even if you don’t have dental implants!

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups with Our Office

Just like your natural teeth, we’ll want to pay close attention to your dental implants over the years to ensure no complications appear that could put them in harm’s way. For example, we’ll capture X-rays to examine the implant post itself and confirm that it remains fully integrated as intended. We can also address concerns in the earliest stages before they have a chance to become serious, making your future care easier and more affordable.