Dental Implants — Carrollton, TX

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

During your first visit with Dr. Chandy, your oral and overall health will be discussed, as will your goals and what you hope to achieve with dental implants. She will also perform a thorough examination of your smile to determine if your teeth, jawbone, and soft oral tissues are strong enough to withstand a dental implant. It’s imperative that you have enough jawbone density; otherwise, you will need to undergo a bone graft or sinus lift to add bone minerals to the weakened areas of your jaw. Once she has completed a visual exam and reviewed your dental X-rays, you will have impressions taken of your smile, which will be sent to a dental laboratory where technicians will begin to work on your custom dental restoration.

Dental Implant Surgery

Your dental implant placement will be performed by a local oral surgeon with whom Dr. Chandy trusts. This way, you can be sure that you’re getting care from an expert in the field at every step of the procedure, giving you the greatest chance for success. When you arrive, you will receive anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable throughout the entire procedure. Depending on the number of implants you’ll be receiving, the surgeon will make one or more incisions in your gums to expose the jawbone. Carefully, they will place and position the implant before closing up the surgical area and sending you home to heal.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

While at home for the next 3-6 months, the implant will begin to fuse to the jawbone and surrounding tissues in a process known as osseointegration. This must be successful in order for the implant to hold up the custom dental restoration. During this time, you’ll need to abide by some specific instructions provided by your dentist as to how to recover quickly and effectively. Once you’ve fully healed, you’ll return to our office to have your abutments put into place. These small, metal appliances attach to your implants and connect to your restoration when placed.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

To complete the dental implant process in Carrollton, you’ll return to our office to receive your custom restoration. Whether it is a dental crown, bridge, or denture, your prosthetic will be matched to the color, size, and shape of your other teeth. Once it’s in place and we’ve ensure that your bite feels comfortable, your new pearly whites will be virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your smile!

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Secure and Stable: There’s no need to worry about restorations that are attached to dental implants, as there will be no slipping in your mouth.
• Natural Appearance and Function: Not only will they look and feel like your natural teeth, but you’ll also be able to eat anything you want.
• Easy to Maintain: Using your at-home oral hygiene instruments are enough to keep your dental implants in Carrollton clean.
• Improved Lifestyle: While a high percentage of denture-wearers complain their prosthetics keep them from enjoying life to the fullest, you can embrace a more fulfilling lifestyle because you can smile confidently.

Health Benefits

• Healthy Teeth Intact: Dental implants do not require altering your natural teeth like dental bridges. Instead, they use only the vacated socket while leaving healthy teeth untouched.
• Prevent Bone Loss: Your jawbone will start to break down if there are teeth missing, but dental implants will help stimulate it to keep it healthy.
• Natural Teeth Remain in Place: There is no need to worry about dental drift, as your teeth will not shift once your dental implants are in place.
• Fewer Health Conditions: Tooth loss may be connected to osteoporosis, heart disease, and diabetes, but you can lower your risk by choosing dental implants to replace your missing teeth.

Long-Term Benefits

• Successful Implant Placement: A skilled implant dentist in Carrollton can place dental implants in a way that will ensure a 95% success rate. If properly maintained, the success rate can remain between 90-95%.
• Durable: Implants are easy to take care of and can last for a long time – over 30 years, in many cases!
• More Money in Your Pocket: Although the initial investment for dental implants is much higher than traditional dentures or dental bridges, you will actually save money in the long run. You won’t be buying dental adhesives, special cleaning supplies, or requiring frequent adjustments or replacements every 5-10 years. Instead, you’ll enjoy a prosthetic that is easy to maintain, lasts a long time, and is permanently affixed to your jawbone, so no slippage!

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

When meeting with Dr. Chandy for your initial dental implant consultation, you can expect her to use advanced dental technology to evaluate your smile as well as your facial structure. It’s important to know whether your jawbone density is enough to support future dental implants. It’s also necessary that you be in good oral and overall health, as autoimmune disorders, gum disease, tooth decay, and other health conditions that weaken the immune system can pose a significant problem for implants once they’re in place.

Once she has collected her findings, you will receive a formal, personalized treatment plan. If preliminary care is needed (i.e., periodontal therapy, tooth extraction, bone grafting, sinus lifts, ridge augmentation, etc.), she will go over this information with you, in detail, so your oral cavity will be better prepared when receiving your dental implants in Carrollton.

Missing One Tooth

One dental implant can replace a single tooth. Because even the loss of one tooth can make it difficult to eat or speak, the versatility of dental implants makes it possible to restore your smile in its entirety and regain full functionality.

After the mouth and jaw are prepared, the post is inserted and left to integrate with the bone. After several months, the implant should be stable enough to receive and support a single dental crown.

Missing Multiple Teeth

If three or four teeth in a row are missing, they can be replaced all at once with a dental bridge that’s supported by a pair of implants. Normal bridges rest on natural teeth that have had some enamel removed, but this might increase your risk of tooth decay; implant bridges are better for your oral health overall and remain firmly in place.

Missing All Teeth

Four to six implants are all it takes to support full dentures. Traditional dentures can help you eat and speak normally, but there’s a chance that they could slip at embarrassing moments. An implant denture, on the other hand, will stay put. Your implant dentist in Carrollton can ensure your new teeth are stable, functional, and appear natural once they’re fully in place. Not only will you enjoy greater ease of eating and speaking again, but you’ll feel more confident in your appearance and enjoy a longer-lasting smile.

Learn More

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Preliminary treatments may be necessary if your oral health and jawbone density are not up to par. During your initial consultation, your implant dentist in Carrollton will examine your smile to determine if you need one or more pre-treatments (i.e., bone grafting, periodontal therapy, tooth extraction, sinus lift, etc.). If so, these procedures will be added to the total cost of your care.

Also, your dental implant surgery will be another component that makes up your cost estimate. Because Dr. Chandy partners with some of the best local oral surgeons in the area, you will be expected to pay a separate fee that will go to your implant dentist in Carrollton. This means you will pay for your surgery apart from the rest of your dental implant placement process.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Dental implants in Carrollton are comprised of different aspects, each contributing to a portion of the overall cost. From the number of posts you’ll need to the brand used by dentists, we will go over all the details during your initial consultation.

• How many implants you will need – You may only need one implant post or between four and six. It ultimately depends on how many teeth you have missing as to how much you’ll pay for each dental implant.
• The materials used – Dental implants are most commonly made out of titanium or zirconia. Each has its own fee, and your dentist will determine which one to use for your smile.
• The type of restoration – The number of implant posts you need will determine the type of restoration you require. Naturally, a crown is much less expensive to make than a full denture.
• The brand – There are plenty of cheap dental implant brands on the market these days but choosing one that is of higher quality and produces longer-lasting results is why the investment is often much higher than a dental bridge or denture. Your implant dentist will determine the brand used but will explain why during your consultation, so you understand the reasons for the higher price.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Permanent prosthetics offer something no other tooth replacement solution can – the ability to restore a tooth’s structure from the root to the crown. As a result, the process for surgical placement and carefully crafted restorations requires a higher upfront cost. Fortunately, this initial investment will actually save you money in the long run. Unlike more traditional prosthetics, you’ll never need denture adhesives or speaking soaking cleaners. You’ll also avoid frequent adjustments and replacements every few years because of the permanence and stability of your dental implants.

Also, tooth loss is a common culprit for many systemic issues. You can avoid many of these (i.e., osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease) by replacing your missing teeth with dental implants. In turn, you’ll save on medical expenses that are necessary for treating various health problems.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

While some insurance companies are jumping on the bandwagon and beginning to offer coverage for dental implants, others are not. To determine if your insurer provides the necessary coverage for dental implant placement, you will need to call and speak to a representative. Even if the actual procedure is not covered, your restoration, consultation, and possible pre-implant dental work may result in fewer out-of-pocket expenses on your behalf.

No matter the decision of your insurance company, Aegis Dental can help you navigate the cost of treatment and identify alternative ways to pay for your implants.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Because dental implants in Carrollton can be costly even if dental insurance pays a portion of the total price, Dr. Chandy and her team are pleased to offer individuals the opportunity to enroll in a payment plan through CareCredit. This third-party financier provides eligible enrollees with low and zero interest financing, making it possible to break up the cost of your treatment and stay within a designated budget.

Bone Grafting

After a tooth is lost, the bone that once supported it naturally begins to deteriorate. Therefore, if it has been a while since you lost your teeth, your jawbone may no longer be large enough to support dental implants. A bone graft can correct that issue. During the procedure, extra bone material is inserted into the area where you are going to receive an implant. The bone material may be synthetic, or it may be from a donor. In some cases, bone from another part of a patient’s own body can be used.

Once the graft is in place, the incision will be closed, and you will likely have to wait several months while the grafting material bonds with the bone around it. Then, your jaw should have all the volume necessary to support dental implants. On the other hand, in some cases it is possible to perform a bone graft and dental implant placement on the same day.

If you require a bone graft, you will learn all the details of your surgery before it happens. You’ll also discover how your doctor will take measures to make sure you are as comfortable as possible during and after the procedure.

Sinus Lifts

In some individuals, there is not enough space in the upper jaw to accommodate dental implants. This may be due to a naturally large sinus or bone deterioration in the jaw. If an implant were inserted, it would penetrate the sinus cavity and possibly lead to complications, such as infection. To prevent that from happening, you might have to undergo a sinus lift, which is a special type of bone graft.

During a sinus lift procedure, a small hole is created in the upper jaw. Then, a tool gently pushes the sinus upward. Grafting material gets packed into the hole in the bone to make sure the sinus stays in its new position. The incision is closed, and the healing process can begin. After several months of healing, you should be eligible to replace your missing teeth in Carrollton with dental implants. Most patients must wait at least 4 months after a sinus lift before they can receive dental implants, but the waiting period could be as long as 9 months.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Once your dental implants are firmly in place, you’ll need to pay careful attention to brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine is necessary if you want to keep bad bacteria from attacking your soft oral tissues and causing potential bone and tooth loss. Not to mention, you could easily develop tooth decay on your natural, healthy teeth. By brushing twice a day for two minutes, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash, you can be sure your smile will remain in tip-top shape.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Having a piece of cake or a few potato chips is not the problem. However, consuming a diet that consists of nothing but sugar and starch will only cause serious issues for your dental implants. Try swapping out candy, chips, and sweets for fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, dairy, and lean proteins. These nutritious foods will not only be great for your waistline, but your gum health will improve as well as your tooth enamel. Foods that are rich in calcium and Vitamin C will help to create a healthy environment for your dental implants in Carrollton, allowing them to remain in place for as long as possible.

Break Bad Habits

Whether it’s smoking, biting your nails, chewing on pens or pencils, using your teeth as tools, or eating ice, these bad habits will destroy your natural tooth enamel as well as your dental implants. Remember, you invested in a superior solution to replace your missing teeth, so why continue to practice habits that will only damage your teeth and put you back in the same place you once started…with missing teeth. Do your implants a favor and break these habits today. You can keep sugar-free gum in your pocket when you feel tempted to chew your nails, and you can inquire about available cessation resources that will help you quit smoking.

Protect our Dental Implants

If you are prone to grinding your teeth when you are stressed, you need a customized mouthguard. If you enjoy playing sports and engaging in activities that could put your smile at risk for potential damage, you should be asking about a custom-made oral device. By wearing a mouthguard while playing sports or throughout the night, you can prevent serious damage to your tooth enamel and dental implants. Not to mention, you can avoid chronic jaw pain that can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder. These uniquely made mouth protectors are easy to use, effective against hard hits and wear and tear, and comfortable to wear.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

One of the most important tips to remember when it comes to maintaining your dental implants is to see your implant dentist in Carrollton every six months. Unless it is recommended that you come in more frequently, these visits will allow Dr. Chandy to review your prosthetics and customized restorations to ensure no problems are developing. By addressing issues early on, we can avoid more timely and costly issues down the road, allowing you to keep your new and improved smile for the remainder of your life.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

The actual procedure for placing your dental implants will not have you feeling any pain whatsoever. The reason for this is you will receive local anesthesia, which will numb the areas of your mouth receiving dental implants. Once they are firmly in place, you may experience some soreness in the days after your procedure; however, your implant dentist in Carrollton will provide you with instructions on ways to manage any minor discomfort.

If I Have Dentures, Can I Switch to Dental Implants?

The option to switch to dental implants after wearing dentures is ultimately up to Dr. Chandy. Many people have great success in making this transition; however, you must have adequate bone density and healthy gum tissue, and you have good general oral health. If it is discovered you require periodontal therapy or a bone graft, this will need to be completed before you move forward with dental implant placement.

What Is the Success Rate for Dental Implant Placement?

One of the reasons dental implants are becoming so popular among individuals with missing teeth is that they have such a high success rate. Falling between 95-98%, you can feel confident choosing this method of tooth replacement. Not only are they permanent, but they fuse beautifully with bone, creating a solid foundation for your restoration and giving you the reassurance you need to feel good about your new smile.

Can Dental Implants Fail?

Yes, dental implants can fail; however, this is extremely rare. Having a compromised immune system, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor oral hygiene can all negatively impact the longevity of your implants and even the initial fusing (osseointegration) process. If your implants do not properly fuse with the bone and surrounding tissue, it will not create the firm foundation needed to ensure the safe and effective placement of your restoration.