Austin Dental Implants - Permanently Replacing Missing Teeth
Dental Implants
Austin Dental implants are a permanent alternative to replacing missing teeth. A metal screw made of either medical grade Titanium or Titanium Alloy is threaded into the jawbone and functions as the root of the tooth. A prosthetic tooth is then attached to the screw, and in about 3 to 4 months the bone will fuse to the implant in a process referred to as 'osseointegration.'
What are the benefits?
- Dental Implants are the #1 ALTERNATIVE to replacing missing teeth!!
- Dental Implants give you the freedom to go about your life without worrying about cumbersome bridges or sometimes-uncomfortable dentures because they look, feel and work like your natural teeth.
Dental implants are completely changing the way people live!
Implants are designed to provide replacement teeth which look, feel and function just like your natural teeth. With advancements in implant dentistry that have made them extremely successful, no one will ever know you have dental implants except for yourself. They will only see a perfect white smile!
Imagine having the freedom to choose what you eat without restrictions.
You can be completely confident when biting into a big juicy steak, a crisp apple, snacking on raw vegetables, or enjoying a simple sandwich. Implants allow you to eat the foods you love just as though you had your normal teeth.
Why should I choose implants over dentures?
Would you miss tasting your food? Your sense of smell is linked to your palate and both of them they play a major role in allowing you to fully taste and enjoy the food you eat. Removable dentures cover your palate, which greatly hinders the way you smell and in turn, compromises your sense of taste. Implants do not block your palate, so you will continue to taste and enjoy the foods you love to their absolute fullest.
Missing out on the little things
What about enjoying a simple kiss with the one you love? Dentures can give you a constant worry that they will shift or even worse, fall out, at an especially significant moment. With implants, you are given the stability and confidence you need to kiss without reservation. There are many simple things you might take for granted until you have lost them. The ability to sneeze, cough or yawn comfortably without worrying that your dentures could pop out. The joy of casually whistling to yourself or spending time laughing with a friend can also be compromised. Just the simple motion of your mouth moving can make a clicking sound, which can cause embarrassment. Removable dentures can dramatically change your quality of life!
What is the difference in maintenance?
With dentures, you would need to take them out, store them in water or in denture cleaning solutions in a covered container, change the water or solution daily and wash the container. The dentures would need to be cleaned thoroughly twice a day using specially designed denture brushes as well as the tissues in your mouth would need to be brushed. You would need to use denture adhesives, such as powders or pastes and even then, there is still a problem of denture slippage, discomfort and constant sores in your mouth. Of the 36 million people, aged 18 to 74, who wear dentures in the United States, about 21 million have some type of complication. Dental implants can solve all of these problems by giving you a life-long alternative that will not get in the way of eating, laughing, or speaking naturally. Additionally, your regular maintenance does not increase because you care for implants just as you would your natural teeth.
What is the difference between implants and bridges?
Removable bridgework requires the natural adjacent teeth to be altered. A conventional bridge needs two natural teeth to be attached to on either end. These teeth are reduced down to provide support, even if they are healthy. With dental implants, there is no need to alter healthy surrounding teeth just to replace one. They are permanently attached to the jawbone, not other teeth.
Why do I need to replace my missing teeth?
Your appearance
Tooth loss or severe oral damage can significantly change the function of your mouth and your facial structure. Even the loss of a few teeth can cause your cheek and lips to collapse giving a sagging look and the appearance of advanced age. If you are missing teeth, dental implants will give you the opportunity to once again enjoy a fully functional bite and help you regain the ability to eat virtually anything you want. You can smile with confidence, knowing that your teeth appear natural and that your facial contours are preserved.
Tooth loss affects your dental health
What is not commonly known to most patients is the impact that tooth loss may have on your dental health. When a tooth is missing, the area on your jawbone no longer needs to provide support so your bone then begins to lose its strength and firmness. This deterioration does not happen overnight. People lose about 4 mm of bone in the first year after having missing teeth and may lose up to 60% more bone over the course of the next 5-7 years. Although the loss of jawbone is treatable with a bone graft that will correct the problem, it would be ideal to avoid this scenario altogether by considering the option that will prevent the loss of jawbone in the first place.
Preventing jawbone loss
The best solution from a health and function perspective is the placement of dental implants. Dental bridges and partial dentures do not prevent bone loss. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement solution that can protect your dental health by simulating your natural tooth and tooth root structure to avoid jawbone loss altogether.
What are dental implants?
The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts, which are surgically placed in your jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as your tooth root substitutes, only stronger. Your bone bonds with the titanium, creating a sturdy foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts are then attached to the implant, which protrude through your gums. These posts provide stable anchors for prosthetic replacement teeth. Since implants are titanium posts, there is no chance for decay on your implants.
Permanent Solution
The need to suffer with uncomfortable restorations is now eliminated. Dental implants are permanent dental replacements that are both natural looking and extremely functional. Implants look and feel much better, and offer the same force for biting as your natural teeth. If you are a non-smoker with good oral hygiene habits, dental implants should last you for a lifetime. They are a dependable and life long solution to missing teeth. Compared with dentures, which can be loose and unstable, implants provide you with a permanent solution that is both functional and natural in appearance, giving you the confidence to smile and show off your pearly whites every chance you get!
Are dental implants common?
More than 100-million Americans suffer from missing teeth! Currently, more and more people are turning to dental implants for a permanent solution rather than spending money on alternative temporary solutions.
How much do dental implants cost?
What is the cost difference between dentures and dental implants?
Those who have chosen dental implants agree that the initial cost for implants is higher than for dentures but is well worth it. Aside from the comfort and confidence you get from having teeth that look and feel like naturally yours, you will not have the continued expenses that dentures require.
Although they are initially less expensive than implants, over time dentures usually require spending money on messy adhesives and cleaning products. In addition, most dentures have to be repeatedly replaced because of changes in the gums and bone density. Many wearers have to go through several pairs just to get a good initial fit. There is also always the chance of dentures being accidentally lost, inadvertently thrown out or possibly chewed up by a pet, which would require a replacement. Dentures will continue to cost you, in many ways, for years to come. While, although more expensive upfront, implants are expected to last a lifetime with no additional fees.
A dental implant and crown starts at $4,000.00 per tooth and up. To determine how much your dental implants cost, schedule an exam, talk with the doctor, and get a treatment plan.
Making dental implants affordable
Most dental insurance companies do not cover dental implant surgery but for prospective implant patients, financing your procedure may be desirable. We want to help make your dental implants affordable.
CareCredit is North America's leading patient payment program. CareCredit lets you begin your treatment immediately then pay for it over time with low monthly payments that are easy to fit into your monthly budget. CareCredit offers a full range of No Interest and Extended Payment Plans for treatment fees from $1 to over $25,000.
With CareCredit, you will pay no up-front costs, no pre-payment penalties and no fees. In addition, CareCredit is a revolving credit line for additional treatment or add-on charges, without the need to re-apply. It only takes a few minutes to apply for CareCredit and you can receive an online decision in seconds! Apply now.
How to get dental implants
Dr. Ragsdale is committed to providing the highest quality dental care to every one of her patients. Implant dentistry is the perfect way for her to help you rebuild your smile. For a permanent tooth replacement solution, call our office today and see how we can help you attain a beautiful white smile without compromising your lifestyle.
