Dental Implants Cypress
A Permanent Way to Address Tooth Loss
Being able to enjoy life with a full set of teeth is now possible thanks to fully customizable dental implants in Cypress. Placed in-house by Dr. Koo, Dr. Shepard, or Dr. Beidas, we incorporate our CT scanner to guide this surgical procedure, ensuring each post is positioned correctly for maximum support. These implants can rebuild the roots and crowns of missing teeth, making them a superior form of tooth replacement when compared to more traditional options. If you want to experience what it means to eat, speak, and smile freely once again, call and schedule a consultation with one of our oral surgeons today.
Why Choose Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Cypress for Dental Implants?
- CT Scanner Used to Guide Dental Procedures
- Dental Insurance Welcome & Financing Available
- Sedation Dentistry Options for Nervous Patients
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts that act like missing tooth roots, offering stability and support for the custom crown, bridge, or denture that rests on top. They are positioned within the jawbone and fuse with surrounding tissues to form a firm bond that offers continuous stimulation over time. Instead of the bone continuing to deteriorate because of tooth loss, the implant keeps it dense, so facial collapse does not occur.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
The process for dental implants in Cypress is longer and more intensive than what you would experience with traditional forms of tooth replacement. However, it is well worth it! Our highly skilled oral surgery team can handle even complex cases, and we can coordinate your treatment plan with your general dentist so you receive top-quality care during every stage of your journey. Before your new smile is complete, you will need to go through four main steps: an initial consultation, the dental implant surgery, osseointegration and abutment placement, and delivery of your final restorations.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
During your initial consultation, our team will thoroughly evaluate your oral health and review your medical history. We will take digital images and X-rays, possibly along with CBCT images, to assess your bone structure and determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. Our oral surgeons will explain the entire process, answer your questions, and discuss your treatment options.
If necessary, we may recommend preparatory procedures, such as bone grafting or tooth extractions, to support your implants. Our goal is to create a personalized plan that aligns with your needs and coordinates closely with your general dentist.
Dental Implant Surgery
During the dental implant surgery, we will place high-quality titanium posts into your jawbone at pre-planned positions. This procedure typically takes place in our state-of-the-art surgical suite, where we will use advanced techniques to promote optimal outcomes. We can even use our CBCT machine to create custom surgical guides, which minimize the risk of human error and can help us place your implants precisely where they belong.
Local anesthesia or sedation is available to maximize your comfort throughout the procedure, so you should feel little to nothing while our team is working. In most cases, the surgery takes 1 – 2 hours.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
After implant placement, your jawbone will gradually bond with the titanium posts in a process called osseointegration. This phase is essential for developing a strong foundation that supports your future restoration (crown, bridge, or denture). It may take several months to complete.
Once osseointegration is successful, we may perform a second procedure to attach small connector pieces, known as abutments, to the implants. These abutments will serve as anchors for your restoration. (In some cases, abutments are placed during the initial surgery, so this second procedure is not always necessary.)
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
In most cases, your general dentist will craft and deliver your final dental implant restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or denture. Occasionally, our practice provides restorations directly. The restoration will be custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth for a seamless appearance. Its design will be based on highly detailed, accurate impressions of your mouth.
During the placement appointment, the restoration will be attached to its abutment(s) and your care team will verify that it does not interfere with your bite. You will receive instructions for maintaining your new teeth, and we will remain available to support you throughout your long-term oral health journey.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Did you know that hundreds of thousands of dental implants are placed in patients throughout the U.S. each year? That is an astounding statistic, so what accounts for the popularity of this treatment? Dentists, specialists, and patients alike choose implants due to the many benefits they offer. When you visit us for your consultation, we will help you understand how they may help you personally. In the meantime, here is a general overview of the advantages they may provide:
Day-to-Day Benefits
Dental implants may improve your daily life in the following ways:
- Improved eating ability. Dental implants may restore up to 70 – 90% of your original bite force. That means you should be able to eat virtually any food with ease, including items that should not be consumed with traditional dentures.
- Natural appearance. The restorations on top of dental implants can look incredibly natural; a beautiful smile can be a big confidence booster!
- Clearer speech. Clear speech depends on complex interactions between the tongue, teeth, and other structures. Implants and their restorations may help you communicate with clarity and confidence.
- Easy maintenance. In many ways, taking care of dental implants is just like caring for natural teeth. Good oral hygiene and routine appointments with your dentist are important!
Health Benefits
Dental implants can support your oral and overall health in some big ways:
- Jawbone preservation. After tooth loss, the jawbone naturally begins to deteriorate via a process known as resorption. Implants act as prosthetic tooth roots, so they can stimulate the bone and help to keep it healthy and whole. This can preserve your natural facial shape.
- Improved nutrition. By improving your ability to chew food, you may enjoy a more nutritious diet and the health benefits that come with it, such as a lower risk of numerous diseases.
- Greater oral comfort. Unlike traditional dentures, dental implants do not cause sores and are very easy to keep clean.
- A more positive outlook. Edentulism (the state of being toothless) can lead to sadness and feelings of isolation. A new smile may help you to enjoy your life more and reap the health benefits that come from meaningful social interactions.
Long-Term Benefits
Dental implants can provide benefits that stretch on for years, including:
- With proper care, dental implants can last for decades — perhaps even an entire lifetime!
- Great value. Traditional dentures need to be replaced every few years. Over time, they can be quite expensive! The longer lifespan of dental implants may make them more affordable, especially if you have them for a few decades.
- Live longer. Did you know that tooth loss is associated with an increased risk of death? Dental implants can address the problems associated with missing teeth and may help you to thrive well into your golden years.
Who Can Dental Implants Help?
Dental implants are considered a good solution for almost anyone who is experiencing tooth loss. Although certain issues may prevent immediate access to surgery (i.e., lack of jawbone density, poor oral health, etc.), you can discuss ways to address these issues with our oral surgeons. We’ll identify proper treatment options to improve the health of your mouth so that your future dental implants thrive.
A scheduled consultation with one of our team members is essential, though, as we’ll need to make sure you are in good enough health to undergo surgery. We’ll also discuss which type of treatment you will need based on the number of teeth you are missing:
Missing One Tooth
Instead of altering healthy teeth to support and anchor a dental bridge, we can replace a single missing tooth with one dental implant. Once placed within the vacant socket along the arch, the post will be topped with a custom dental crown provided by your general dentist.
Missing Multiple Teeth
Our doctors can use two dental implants to rebuild a section of your smile where multiple teeth are missing. This eliminates the need to alter healthy teeth and use metal clasps to hold artificial teeth in place. Instead, a custom dental bridge can be secured on top of the implant posts for a more comfortable and longer-lasting fit.
Missing All of Your Teeth
When replacing an entire row of teeth, we can use between four and six titanium implant posts to create a stable and supportive base for the new denture. With the help of our CT-guided implant surgery, we can make sure each post is accurately positioned so that when ready, your dentist can affix the denture in place for optimal function and aesthetics.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
The cost of dental implants varies between patients, so we must first learn about the details of your case before we provide an estimate. Most patients pay at least a few thousand dollars out of pocket. Once we understand your unique situation, our team will discuss some specific numbers with you. We will also determine if you plan to use your dental/medical insurance and/or if you will need to seek alternative payment options, such as financing, to manage the price of your care.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
Some patients require preliminary care before they can get dental implants. For example, you might need gum disease treatment, tooth extractions, or a bone graft. Each of these services incurs its own fee.
The implant surgery itself has a separate cost. Since our specialist team can handle even complex cases in-house, you will not need to worry about being referred to another practice for this part of your tooth replacement journey.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
Some aspects of your dental implant treatment that can affect cost include:
- The number of dental implants you need.
- The size and type of the restoration that will get attached to your implants.
- The brand/manufacturer of your implants and their restorations.
Our Cypress team strives to use only top-quality materials for dental implant patients. If you have any questions about where the materials for your procedure come from, do not hesitate to ask!
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
Dental implants can seem expensive upfront, but did you know that they could actually help you save money in the long run? They may do so in a few ways:
- Longevity: Implants and their restorations last several times longer than traditional dentures, which typically need replacement every 5 – 7 years.
- Reduced medical and dental expenses: Dental implants support your oral and overall wellness, which could reduce overall care expenses over time.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Some dental insurance plans cover dental implants, while others do not. The same is true of medical insurance. Our team welcomes plans from various companies, and we will be happy to help you navigate your benefits.
Even if your dental plan does not cover the implants themselves, it is likely to apply to other portions of your treatment, such as preliminary care and your final restoration.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
Beyond insurance, our practice offers other options that may make it easier for you to manage the cost of your implant procedure. For example, your care may be eligible for funds from your healthcare savings account or flexible spending account.
We also welcome financing from CareCredit, which offers low-interest payment plans to qualified patients. The application process is fast and easy, and most patients are quickly approved for a plan that works with their budget.
