Dental Implants – Temple, TX
Functional, Natural-Looking Replacement Teeth
When you are missing teeth, you are not just living with an incomplete smile that you may be afraid to show off to the world. You are also putting yourself at risk to numerous health concerns, both in the short- and the long-term. Thankfully, you don’t have to permanently change your diet or hide your smile while taking photos thanks to natural-looking tooth replacement with dental implants. At Richard Fossum, DDS, Dr. Courtney Grosskopf can place and restore implants, so you don’t have to visit another dentist just to complete treatment. These functional, natural-looking replacement teeth are the next best thing to the pearly whites that Mother Nature gave you. Contact our dental office to schedule your consultation for dental implants in Temple, TX!
Why Choose Richard Fossum, DDS for Dental Implants?
- Start-to-Finish Dental Implant Treatment Provided In-House
- Insurance Welcomed & Low-Interest Dental Financing Offered
- Cone Beam Imaging for Highly Precise Implant Placement
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are tiny cylindrical posts that take the place of a missing tooth’s root. These posts are usually made from titanium due to its biocompatible properties. The implant post is inserted beneath the gum line in a surgical procedure. Here, it promotes the growth of bone tissue to help the post fuse together with the jaw. Then, a connecting metal fixture called an abutment is placed on top. The prosthetic crown, bridge, or denture is usually affixed to this abutment a few weeks later.
By replacing every single part of a missing tooth, dental implants achieve many things that traditional dentures and bridges cannot. For example, they can last for decades, and they’re able to look, feel, and function exactly like real teeth!
The Dental Implant Process
While the details of dental implant treatment can vary from one patient to the next, most experience the same basic four-step process:
- Consultation – You’ll meet with our dentists to determine your candidacy for the treatment.
- Surgery – Dr. Grosskopf surgically places the implant posts into your jawbone.
- Osseointegration – The implants fuse to your jaw over a period of several months.
- Restoration – Once your implants are securely in place, we can restore them with a personalized dental crown, bridge, or denture.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants work to replace the tooth and the root, which is not something you’ll find with any other tooth replacement option. By bonding with your existing jawbone, dental implants become a natural part of your smile that is long-lasting and durable. This is thanks to the titanium material implants use, which is biocompatible with your bone and gum tissue.
Additionally, dental implants have an incredibly high success rate; over a 10-year period, the success rates achieve an average of 98 percent! That means daily chewing, grinding and oral care can be performed without worry.
Unlike other replacement methods, such as bridges, there’s no need to buff down natural teeth to place a restoration. Instead, the implants act as an anchor, so you’re better able to maintain your natural tooth structure. Dental implants truly offer the best of both worlds when it comes to function and esthetics.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants are one of the most versatile treatments in dentistry to date, so much so that they can be used to replace a single tooth or an entire arch! Consider your options below.
Missing One Tooth
To replace one tooth, a custom crown is attached to a single implant via an abutment. Abutments work to connect restorations to implants regardless of the number of teeth being replaced. The crown is made entirely from porcelain, offering you the most natural-looking appearance possible.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Restorations can also be customized to replace multiple consecutive teeth, similar to that of traditional bridges. However, you only need two implants to hold a restoration consisting of three or four crowns.
Missing All Teeth
Whether you are missing one arch or both, dentures can be customized to snap on top of four to six implants strategically placed throughout the mouth. This option is especially ideal if you use a lower denture, which is notorious for shifting and sliding while in use.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
The cost of dental implants can vary widely from person to person, making it difficult to determine cost until you’ve had a consultation. Costs can differ based on the number of implants being used, the abutments and restorations selected, the actual surgery and any preparatory treatments to make implants viable in the first place.
Keep in mind that dental implants are a long-term investment. Not only do they require less maintenance than other options, but they also cost less overall, even if they have a higher cost upfront. It’s better to avoid having to pay for replacement bridges and dentures later if you have a more effective solution to tooth loss.
Types of Dental Implants
One of the contributing factors to the cost of the dental implant process is the type of replacement you’ll be fitted with, which is determined by your specific needs. For example, if you only have one tooth missing, then you can logically expect the procedure to cost less than the replacement of a full set of teeth. Other factors that figure into the final price are the materials and techniques utilized.
When you visit our dental office for an examination and consultation, all of these details can be ironed out, and you can be fully educated so you can make the best decision for the future of your dental health.
What are the Stages of the Dental Implant Process?
The tedious approach taken to placing a dental implant also plays a significant role in the determination of the cost of the procedure. Here are the possible steps Dr. Grosskopf will take:
- Any preparatory work will be completed, which may include gum disease treatment, extractions and bone grafts.
- The implant is surgically placed into the jawbone.
- After sufficient healing, abutments (anchors that screw into the implant) are added that allow for a final restoration to be affixed.
- The final prosthetic restoration is added (crown, bridge, or denture) to leave your smile fully reconstructed.
Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?
While other tooth replacement procedures undeniably cost less up-front than implant placement, it’s important to consider the dental implant process from a long-term perspective. With an average 10-year success rate of 95-98%, the investment you make into your new dental implants in Temple will definitely pay off. Better yet, with proper care, your new fixtures can last up to a lifetime.
That means you won’t have to worry about any appliances sliding or becoming worn. Then, from an aesthetic perspective, you’ll have a natural and appealing smile.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
For an ultimate determination of whether your dental insurance will cover the dental implant process, you’ll need to review your plan. Typically, if coverage is available, it will be relegated for any pre-surgery restorative care and for the final restoration.
However, if you have either a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), you can designate a portion of the funds to be applied to the dental implant procedure.
At Richard Fossum, DDS, we know how tough life can be without a full set of teeth, which is why we approach the dental implant process with the utmost care and attention. Contact our Temple dental office today to schedule a visit so you can learn more about the process and move forward with reinvigorating your life!
Dental Implant Frequently Asked Questions
Dental implants are growing in popularity, with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry estimating that some 500,000 United States patients get them each year. As implants become increasingly common, more patients are asking questions about implant dentistry – and we have put together an implant FAQ to help. Keep reading for the answers to your most burning dental implant questions!
What are dental implants made of?
Most dental implant posts are titanium, a sturdy material that the body accepts without issue. Titanium also encourages the bone tissue to grow for a sturdy foundation for the replacement teeth. Patients who are allergic or sensitive to metal may require posts made from ceramic or zirconia.
How long does it take to get dental implants?
In total, dental implant procedures usually take place over the course of four to eight months. The total length of yours will depend on your specific case and whether or not you need to have a bone graft procedure performed before implantation can occur. In some cases, receiving your new teeth on the same day may be possible with All-on-4 dental implants.
How much do dental implants cost?
The cost of dental implant procedures can vary widely based on factors like how healthy your jawbone is, how many teeth you are missing, what your implant posts are made from, and other considerations. Your dentist will help you understand just what yours will cost and why during an implant consultation.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants offer a number of benefits, including improved oral and overall health, and a natural-looking tooth replacement as well as an expanded diet, clearer speech, and more. When cared for properly, dental implants can also last a lifetime. No other option in tooth replacement offers as many advantages as this comprehensive method.
Who is a good candidate for dental implants?
Thanks to a wide variety of options available, many adults who have lost or are missing teeth are eligible for dental implants. The only way to know for sure is to schedule an appointment with your dental implant dentist.
Where can I learn more about dental implants?
If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, including finding out whether or not you are a good candidate and how much yours might cost, is to visit with Dr. Fossum right away. Waiting to have your smile completed can worsen the effects of missing teeth – so don’t delay! Schedule an appointment today.