DENTAL IMPLANTS IN HOUSTON, TX

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Our dentists have been performing dental implants in Houston for many years because we care about your health. Tooth loss is a common problem for many Americans today. As people age, they become more prone to losing teeth to periodontitis or decay. Dental trauma that results in the loss of a tooth tends to be common across all age groups. Unfortunately, after the loss of one or more teeth, patients may feel self-conscious about their appearance. Plus they have an increased risk of periodontitis, tooth decay and their dental health may suffer. This is why dental implants are so important.

Do you suffer from missing or damaged teeth that cannot be saved? Would you like to restore the health and normal function of your teeth and mouth? At Antoine Dental Center in Houston, we offer dental implants for patients with missing teeth or teeth that need to be replaced once extracted. Our dental implants will improve the cosmetic appearance of your smile. And they will improve speaking, eating plus even fill out your face.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a titanium post that acts like a tooth root. Your dentist will surgically implant it in your jawbone, beneath your gums, so that replacement teeth or a bridge can be mounted on it. We recommend dental implants when the stability of your dental intervention is a priority. Implants can’t shift or slide around your mouth, and they’ll stabilize the replacement tooth without exerting any pressure or wear on surrounding natural teeth.

Contrary to popular belief, a dental implant is not a false tooth. It is a prosthesis made from a titanium post which is inserted into your jawbone. When the implant is fully integrated into your jawbone, an abutment is connected to the implant. This abutment allows for artificial teeth to be attached. A crown, bridge, partial or full denture can then finally be attached to the dental implant prosthesis.

Who can get dental implants?

Most people who have a missing tooth or missing teeth are qualified candidates for receiving dental implants. If you are interested in a dental implant, give us a call at (713)691-8880.

Who is a good candidate for a dental implant?

As with many of our treatments, we ask you to come into our Houston office for a consultation to determine your best treatment plan. When we survey our patients for dental implant suitability, we look for the following traits in an implant candidate:

• Healthy gums
• Adequate jawbone (enough bone to support an implant)
• A strong commitment to long-term dental hygiene

What are the advantages of dental implants over other tooth replacement treatments?

One advantage of dental implants compared to tooth replacements like bridges and partial dentures is that implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth. Another advantage is that dental implants don’t negatively affect your other teeth. When undergoing a bridge procedure, good and healthy teeth adjacent to the tooth in question must be partially cut to accommodate the replacement. Bridges are also short-term solutions; they have to be replaced every 5 to 10 years. Partial dentures, on the other hand, rely on surrounding teeth to keep them in place and severely weaken them over time. The failure rate of the healthy teeth used to support bridges and dentures is 30%–you might choose not to risk it!

What is the procedure for dental implants?

First, you’ll come into our Houston office to meet with a member of Antoine Dental Center’s top-notch dental team. They will assess whether you are a good candidate for a dental implant and make their tooth replacement technology recommendation. If you choose to go with dental implants, we will do a simple surgical procedure. First, we make a small cut in the gum where the replacement tooth will be. Then we use various drill technologies to situate the implant in the bone itself, before stitching the cut closed. Various anesthesia options are available according to your comfort with the procedure, ranging from local anesthesia to full sedation. The implant must be allowed to settle for a few months before we install your replacement tooth and conclude the procedure. After that, committed oral hygiene care on your part and regular checkups at Antoine Dental Center are all you need to ensure the success of your dental implants!

How long do dental implants last?

Theoretically, dental implants can last forever. Since they are made from titanium, the implant itself is not susceptible to tooth decay. However, it’s important to note that dental implants need healthy gums in order to be effective and successful.

How long do dental implant crowns last?

In general, you can expect the dental implant itself to last for decades if you engage in excellent oral hygiene. However, the crown attached to your implant will last about 10 to 15 years with excellent oral hygiene. This is because, over time, wear and tear to the crown will cause it to need replacement.

Sign up for a dental implant consultation!

 Chew Good. Look Good. Feel Good.

If your missing teeth are near the front of your mouth or they leave a noticeable gap in your cheeks, then implants will not only help restore your confidence and happiness in your appearance but help you eat the foods you enjoy. Implants seamlessly replace your missing teeth and due to great advances in the look of prosthetics in recent years, no one will be able to tell that they aren’t the real deal.

Tooth implant costs and insurance coverage

Of course, with any dental procedure, one of the most common concerns that patients have is the cost. Are dental implants covered by dental insurance? How much do they cost?

The truth is that some dental insurances will cover implants, and others won’t. Some insurances may cover a portion of the procedure. For example, they might cover the crown that will be attached to the connective piece. Often insurance carriers will cover some or all of the implantation procedure if it’s required due to an accident or injury causing the missing tooth. However, others may cover a percentage of any dental procedure, even implants, with the remainder being paid out-of-pocket.

How much do dental implants cost in Houston?

First of all, the cost of a dental implant can vary depending on if you’re just replacing one tooth of if you get a full mouth restoration treatment. A single tooth replacement can cost you about $3,600 because you’re paying for the implant, the abutment, and the crown. A four implant snap on denture can cost between $10,200 and $50,000 for patients that need multiple dental implants in both upper and lower jaw to completely reconstruct their smile.

For the most part, dental implants for a single tooth will cost about the same price as a fixed bridge—which is around $1,500 and $3,000 per tooth. You may or may not be eligible for some insurance coverage for a dental implant depending on the insurance you have and your specific circumstances.

Single dental implant cost?

The cost for a single dental implant at Antoine Dental Center is $3,600 with no extra or hidden fees. Your insurance might be able to cover a percentage of the total treatment cost depending on the type of insurance plan you have.

What if I’m missing more than one tooth?

Dental implants are still an option available to you and, in fact, are an excellent solution for people missing several teeth. Instead of affixing a single implant for one tooth, we will customize a set of implants for your mouth and adjust depending on your needs. Full mouth dental implants are also an option for some people.

How much are all on 4 dental implants?

Moving forward to 2020, the average cost of All-on-4 Dental Implants in Houston will be around $23,500 per arch. Prices can vary between $15,000-$35,000 per arch depending on the dentist that is performing the procedure, if any additional procedures will be needed, and the complexity of your individual case.

Can you get a payment plan for dental implants?

Dental implants can be expensive, especially if you need comprehensive work done. Fortunately, at Antoine Dental Center in Houston, we offer different methods for  financing with different banks like Wells Fargo which can offer up to 60 months, 0% interest, on your entire treatment cost.

Are dental implants painful?

Dental implant procedures are performed under local anesthesia. Any pain after the procedure can be managed with OTC pain medication or, if you feel you are experiencing significant pain, talk with your oral health team about other options.

Do dental implants require special care?

Dental implants require the same type of care that your regular teeth do: regular flossing, brushing and visits to the dentist for cleanings and examinations.

Will smoking impact my dental implants?

Smoking will impact your dental implants in a significant way. As a result, the failure rate for dental implants in smokers is 4x higher than the failure rate for dental implants in non-smokers. If you have an implant, you should stop smoking and/or chewing tobacco completely.

How will a dental implant improve my appearance?

Missing teeth are common among adults and so are the insecurities and discomfort they can bring. Many people try to hide the gap where their missing tooth used to be and may try opening their mouth and smiling less as a result. Dental implants are permanent fixes to fill that gap and ensure you will have a stable, long-lasting replacement tooth. No one will know one of your teeth is a replacement tooth—you’ll be able to smile as widely and confidently as you wish!

Are there other benefits to getting a dental implant?

Absolutely! The positive effects aren’t just cosmetic. Missing teeth can compromise eating and speaking. Because dental implants ensure your replacement tooth remains stable and secure, you can use your new and improved tooth just like you did your natural one. Implants also cut down on the wear your other teeth are subjected to, ensuring the long-term health of your smile.

Implants are the closest replacement for your natural teeth. You will regain full form and function by the end of the healing process. This means you can bite into any food, no matter how crunchy or sticky, just like you did before losing your teeth. While certain foods are off-limits forever with tooth replacements like dentures, dental implants allow you to enjoy everything you did prior to missing teeth.

What do I need to do before my implant procedure?

First, come in to our Houston office for an initial consultation to make sure dental implants are the right choice for you. Our prosthodontist at Antoine Dental Center is highly specialized in dental implants and can answer all of your questions. During your first appointment, we will conduct a thorough examination, taking X-rays and photographs and casting models to customize the implants to match your surrounding teeth.

Our determination for the health of your jawbone—which is critical to a dental implant procedure—depends on how many teeth you are planning to replace with implants. Your comfort is very important to us, so we’ll have a serious conversation about your anesthesia options for the implant procedure. Antoine Dental Center is one of very few dental offices in Houston to offer full IV sedation for patients who are particularly anxious about the process. We also have an option for local anesthesia, which many patients choose for dental implant procedures.

During that first consultation, we will guide you through a full health questionnaire to ensure you don’t have any conditions that may complicate the procedure or your recovery; with some conditions, including heart conditions, your dentist may choose to prescribe antibiotics prior to the surgery.

How do I choose between an implant and a bridge?

 A couple of the advantages of implants have already been discussed, namely that they’re a permanent solution, compared to bridges, and that they exert less pressure on surrounding teeth. There are a few other factors to keep in mind, however. While the replacement teeth or crowns used for both implants and bridges match the color of surrounding teeth, the structure of the bridge makes it a bit more noticeable. This is because, unlike a dental implant, bridges aren’t embedded into your gums. The aesthetic difference is something to consider especially if you’re filling a gap in the front of your mouth. The American Dental Association recommends that patients intent on reclaiming their most natural-looking smile give dental implants a try. Our team at Antoine Dental Center will help you decide which option is right for you.

Are there different types of implants?

Yes, there are two types of implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. Endosteal implants are placed in the jawbone itself. Subperiosteal implants are placed under the gum but above the bone and are generally used for patients with less jawbone available. We will advise you on the type of implant appropriate for you if this is this case.

A more beautiful smile with dental implants

We can help restore your smile’s appearance and function. Whether you are struggling with biting and chewing your food, or just lack the confidence to smile in a photograph. You can expect life changing results.

Final thoughts on tooth implants

We hope that we were able to inform you about the benefits of dental implants in Houston. If you feel that this informative has allowed you to  learn more about dental implants, and are ready for your tooth implant consultation, contact Antoine Dental Center. Call today and get a dental implant consultation that includes x-rays and exam.