Replace Missing Teeth With Implant Dentistry!
With the technology of dental implants and tooth implants, missing teeth can now be easily, comfortably, and permanently replaced. Often, patients assume they’ll have to choose between bridges, dentures, and partials if they’re missing a tooth or teeth. But dental implants are durable, natural-looking restorations that offer an ideal alternative for many patients in the Marble Falls, Brady, and Burnet areas.
Benefits Of Dental Implants
Dental implants or tooth implants provide patients with a restoration that exactly imitates the look, feel, and function of a natural tooth.
After a titanium anchor is first implanted into the jawbone, your surrounding bone tissue fuses with the post to create a solid foundation for your dental implant. Then Dr. Ritchie will attach a handcrafted, permanent crown that will blend seamlessly with your other teeth.
For patients missing multiple teeth, dental implants are sometimes used to secure bridges and dentures to prevent slipping. Because the titanium post imitates the root of a natural tooth, dental implants are exceptionally durable and should last a lifetime.
Implant dentistry offers patients:
- Improved Appearance.
- Better Speech.
- More Comfort.
- Easier Eating.
- Greater Self-Esteem.
- Improved Oral Health.
- Strength and Durability.
Indications for Dental Implants
As mentioned, dental implants can be used in a wide variety of ways to replace teeth. To determine which option is best for you, consider our dental implant solutions below!
Missing Single Tooth
If you’re missing one tooth, a single implant-retained crown and titanium implant are more than sufficient to replace it and restore your smile and chewing capabilities. The crown and implant are attached together via an abutment, which acts as a screw between the two parts and helps give the crown a stable foundation.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Replacing multiple teeth is done with implants much like a traditional bridge. The main difference is instead of buffing down existing teeth for the bridge to rest on, two implants anchor the restoration. Even though you’re replacing three to four teeth at a time, you only need two implants, one on either side, to reliably hold your replacement teeth.
Missing All Teeth
If you currently wear dentures, you’re probably familiar with the constant slipping and sliding that occurs when you wear them. Instead of purchasing another denture altogether, our dentists can customize your denture to fit with dental implants. If needed, a new denture can be created to fit with implants as well, but this depends on your current denture’s condition.
With only 4–6 implants placed strategically throughout your jaw, you can replace an entire row of teeth and maintain a more stable restoration overall.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
If you were to try calling any dental practice and ask how much implants cost, it’s unlikely that you’ll be given a straight answer. Implants are a highly customizable treatment, so the total cost is going to vary dramatically based on your needs. For example, the most common factors that influence the cost of dental implant treatment include the:
- Number of implants being placed.
- Restoration used.
- Cost of materials.
- Preparatory treatments needed to make dental implants viable.
Keep in mind that dental implants are a long-term investment thanks to their durability and longevity. While the upfront cost can be high, it’s still more cost-effective than choosing a denture and bridge only to replace them several years later.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
In most cases, your dental benefit plan will not cover the cost of the implants and their placement.
Unfortunately, dental insurers are notoriously slow to adopt new treatments for plan coverage. Examples of this include the fact that annual plan maximums for dental insurance have been between $1000 and $1500 since the 1960s, and orthodontic treatment wasn’t covered routinely until the 1990s.
Dentists and dental researchers hope that insurers will begin to recognize the benefit of providing coverage for dental implants in the near future. In the meantime, our team members will help you leverage your benefits for other aspects of the treatment process that are typically covered by insurance policies, including your replacement teeth and preparatory treatments.
Dental Implant FAQs
Do you have a few questions about rebuilding your smile with dental implants in Marble Falls? Our team at Ritchie Dental Group would love to help! The best way to get specific answers is to contact our office for a one-on-one appointment with Dr. Ritchie.
However, if you would simply like a bit more information before scheduling a visit, we’ve listed a few frequently asked questions below for your convenience.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are widely known for their unmatched durability, life-like appearance, and impressive 95% success rate, but what exactly are they? In short, they are tooth substitutions crafted from high-quality titanium. This biocompatible metal is surgically embedded directly into the jawbone to replace the root of one or more missing teeth. From there, a crown, bridge, or denture is attached to the post to fill in the visual gaps for good!
How Are Dental Implants Placed?
After an anesthetic has numbed the implant site, our implant dentist in Marble Falls will make a small incision in your gums. From there, the implant will be placed in your jaw and covered with a cap during osseointegration. This process involves the implant and surrounding bone fusing together, which is the secret to their unparalleled durability and long lifespan. Plus, the protective cap will maintain the shape of your gum tissue to ensure attaching the replacement tooth is seamless.
What Is the Recovery Like After Dental Implant Surgery?
Whether you used a single implant to replace one missing tooth or multiple to rebuild your entire smile, you may experience some mild irritation around the site following the procedure.
Fortunately, getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of water, sticking to soft foods, and brushing your teeth gently will help you remain comfortable throughout your recovery. Plus, over-the-counter medication may be recommended to alleviate discomfort for patients struggling with soreness.
Throughout your entire recovery, our team will stay in touch with you to ensure you’re doing well and that all your questions are answered throughout each step of the process.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
If you are missing one, a few, or an entire arch of teeth, then the answer is most likely yes! While there are a few qualifications patients must meet before becoming a candidate (like adequate bone density, no poor dental habits, and healthy gums), Dr. Ritchie can administer treatment for those who initially do not meet the criteria. That is why each consultation starts with a thorough exam.
From there, he can discuss your treatment options and help you determine the next best steps for rebuilding your smile.
So, if one or more missing teeth are affecting your smile, bite, or speech, don’t hesitate to give our office a call to schedule an appointment!
