How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants can often last for over 30 years with proper care, however their lifespan will depend on your health and lifestyle. To get the most out of your dental implants, be sure to brush, floss, and use a mouth rinse daily. You should also do your best to avoid chewing on any hard or sticky items because they could damage your implants. Additionally, maintain regular visits with our office so we can ensure that your dental implants are still healthy and functioning correctly. Many people choose implants because they can last several times longer than traditional dentures and bridges.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

Before beginning the procedure, your mouth is numbed with local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. It’s also important to note that the jawbone doesn’t contain many nerve endings, making the surgical treatment a lot more painless than you’d expect. Plus, it’s likely that you’ll be sedated, which keeps you relaxed and calm throughout the process. Typically, the only discomfort you’ll experience is some slight soreness after the surgery. This pain can be managed with prescribed medication and over the counter pain relievers. If your discomfort seems to worsen after a few days, don’t hesitate to contact us!

How Successful Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants have a success rate of over 95% as long as they are placed by a skilled and trained professional. Once placed, the success of your implants all depends on how well you care for them (steps like brushing, flossing, and visiting our office routinely). The success of your implants can also depend on their location—replacements for molars often receive more strain from chewing than the front, more visible teeth, making it more likely for them to fail.

What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?

While incredibly uncommon, dental implants can fail usually due to one of these two main reasons: peri-implantitis and failed osseointegration. Peri-implantitis is a form of gum disease that develops from poor oral hygiene, which can damage the gums and bone supporting your implant. In other cases, the implant may fail to fuse to the bone, especially if you had low jawbone density before treatment began. Dental implants can also fail due to habits like tobacco use, teeth grinding, and poor oral health, however certain health conditions like diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, and more can also put your replacements at risk.

Am I Too Young to Get Dental Implants?

Dental implants require a fully grown jawbone for proper placement, which is why most young people aren’t candidates—their jaws are still growing. It’s recommended that patients under 18 don’t receive dental implants, and it may take until their mid-20’s for some jawbones to reach full size. Notably, men’s jaws take longer to develop than women’s jaws.

Dental Implants — Fort Worth, TX

The Ultimate Choice for Replacing Missing Teeth

Are you missing one, some, or all of your pearly whites? At Summer Creek Dentistry, Dr. Jasmine King is proud to offer the ultimate choice for replacing missing teeth: dental implants! With this unique state-of-the-art treatment, we can dramatically improve how your smile looks, feels, and functions. Dental implants even boost your oral health and prevent jawbone deterioration, which cannot be said of other tooth replacement options like dentures or dental bridges. Read on to learn more about this excellent tooth loss solution and give us a call today to schedule your consultation!

smiling, confident woman with dental implants in Fort Worth

Why Choose Summer Creek Dentistry For Dental Implants?

#1 Dental Implants Placed In-House by Dr. King
#2 Advanced Dental Technology for Precise, Long-Lasting Results
#3 Clear Estimate of Cost Before Starting Your Treatment

What Are Dental Implants?

Closeup shot of dental implants in Fort Worth

Dental implants are considered to be the gold standard of tooth replacement because they replace the entire structure of a missing tooth. Dentures and dental bridges only restore the visible portion above the gumline, which gives them far less stability and leads to issues in the jawbone underneath. On the other hand, dental implants replace the missing roots with a small titanium implant post that is inserted directly into the jawbone. There, it fuses with the surrounding bone tissue to create a strong, natural-feeling foundation for the custom crown, bridge, or denture it supports. When you replace missing teeth from the roots up, the results offer unmatched comfort, functionality, and longevity.

The Dental Implant Process

Diagram of how dental implants work in Fort Worth

After an initial consultation with Dr. King to determine if implants are right for you, the next step is the dental implantation surgery. Dr. King will make small incisions in the gums where you are missing teeth and insert implants – small titanium posts – into the jawbone. The number of implants placed will correspond with the type of restoration you have selected.

We will then allow time for the healing process to take place over a few short months. During this time, the implants will fuse with the surrounding bone through a natural process called “osseointegration”.

A second, smaller surgery will be completed to place an abutment on top of the implant. An abutment helps connect an implant to a crown, bridge, or denture.

Once your implants have fully healed and the abutment is attached, you are ready for your new smile! We will welcome you back to Summer Creek Dentistry so Dr. King can place your new implant-retained restoration.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Smiling couple with dental implant sin Fort Worth

The reason why dental implants are considered to be the crème de la crème of tooth replacement is that they offers a host of benefits. For instance, with an implant, you don’t have to alter any of your other teeth, as the fixture is completely self-sufficient.

Additionally, it is the best way to prevent the bone degeneration that is common with prolonged tooth loss, as the stimulation needed to encourage new bone growth is restored with the insertion of the implant into the jawbone. This also helps to prevent any shifting of the remaining teeth, which could lead to malocclusion (poor bite) and a greater chance of gum infection.

A final perk of receiving a dental implant at Summer Creek Dentistry is that you’ll have a smile that looks like you were born with it. That is greatly attributed to the fact that instead of resting atop the gums, dental implants are the only form of tooth replacement that insert into the jawbone, which creates a natural looking appearance while restoring up to 75% of your original chewing capacity.

Who Dental Implants Can Help

young man with dental implants in Fort Worth

Few restorative services have the versatility that implants do. In addition to using an implant to replace a single tooth, you can also use them to replace multiple teeth or even a full row of teeth. As a result, more patients can receive help with dental implants. However, your jaw must be strong enough to support the placement of one or more implant posts.

Missing 1 Tooth

Diagram of single tooth dental implants in Fort Worth

Are you missing a single tooth? It’s still important to replace it to keep your jawbone and remaining teeth healthy. Dr. King will use a custom-made implant-retained crown to replace your tooth, creating a seamlessly complete and functional smile.

Missing Multiple Teeth

diagram of implant bridge in Fort Worth

If you’re missing multiple teeth consecutively, we can use an implant dental bridge to fill the gap. Using dental implants on either side of your missing teeth, Dr. King can anchor a custom prosthetic that literally bridges the gap. This creates a beautiful smile that is ready to chew, talk, and make positive impressions!

Missing All Teeth

Diagram of implant denture in Fort Worth

If you’re missing all of your teeth, your dentist in Fort Worth can use an implant denture to give you the most secure, full smile replacement. This option allows you to receive all of your teeth at once with the security and comfort of strategically placed dental implants.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

dental tools and money representing the cost of dental implants in Fort Worth

The total cost of your dental implants will be based on various factors. The number of teeth you’re missing, where you’re missing them, and the condition of your oral health can influence the cost. The type of dental restoration that you need will also be added into the total price of your implants. Because of these many variables, the best way to get a precise estimate is to visit our office.

Types of Dental Implants

Types of dental implants in Fort Worth on blue background

Contrary to common belief, there is more than one type of dental implant. The most popular options are standard titanium posts or mini implants. The type and material used influences the cost. In addition, the number of posts needed also affects the price.

If you are only replacing a single tooth, you only need one post. If you are replacing two or more teeth in a row, you will need an implant post at either end of the bridge to support it. An entire arch of missing teeth is replaced using an implant-retained denture, which requires on average, four to eight implant posts.

Stages of Dental Implant Treatment

Dentist explaining the cost of dental implants in Fort Worth

The process to complete your smile will occur in multiple stages. Each stage has a different cost, which allows you to spread out the entire amount over the course of several months to one year depending on your individual treatment plan. On average, you can expect to pay for:

Consultation:You need an initial consultation to ensure dental implants are right for you. Besides the dental office fee, you also need digital x-rays and a CT scan to assess your oral health.
Additional Procedures: It is common to need additional treatments before placing your implant posts, such as tooth extractions, a sinus lift, or bone grafting.
Implant Placement:Sedation or anesthesia is needed to surgically place your implant posts into your jawbone.
Abutments and Restorations:After several weeks, your jawbone will be fused to the posts. Now, special fixtures called abutments are placed on them using a second minor surgery. They are connector pieces between your restorations. The restorations are often the most expensive part of the treatment.

Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?

Model of dental implants in Fort Worth

Dental implants are more cost-effective long-term because they can last for several decades with the right aftercare, like maintaining your oral hygiene. Not to mention, they improve your oral health by reducing your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and additional tooth loss to lower your overall dental costs.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Man learning about the cost of dental implants in Fort Worth

Most dental insurances will not pay for the entire treatment, but it may cover certain aspects depending on your specific policy. We help you maximize the value of your coverage to reduce the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket. We accept several forms of payment to cover any remaining balance, including third-party financing with CareCredit.

More to Explore

I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I am Looking for a Dentist for My Child I am Concerned About Bleeding Gums I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I am Unhappy with My Smile I Need a Straighter Smile I am Scared of the Dentist I am in Pain & Need Help View Our Services