Dental Implants — Lewisville, TX

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

When you arrive at our practice for your appointment, Dr. Capehart will sit down with you and have a one-on-one conversation directly to discuss your needs and expectations. He’ll perform a detailed exam to confirm your eligibility to receive dental implants, which typically includes digital X-rays to evaluate your bone health. If you have any preexisting conditions or take any medications, please let us know during this visit. If he determines that you are a likely candidate for dental implant surgery, he’ll refer you to our team to have an appointment for surgery scheduled at a later date.

Dental Implant Surgery

After determining that you’re a good candidate for dental implants, Dr. Capehart will recommend you to a trusted specialist in the Lewisville area who can handle the surgical portion of your procedure. The new implant will need to be placed within the jawbone so that the patient’s natural tissue can gradually form a bond with it. At the beginning of surgery, the doctor starts by numbing the treatment area with local anesthetic to remove any and all sensations during the procedure. Then, a small incision is created in the gum tissue so a tiny hole can be produced in the jawbone. This is where the titanium post will be housed. Next, the tissue is stitched closed so the implant can fuse with the jawbone.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

One of the most important parts of ensuring a long-term tooth replacement is confirming the implant has begun the osteointegration process. This months-long step creates a solid and enduring foundation for replacement teeth, whether it be individual crowns or complex implant dentures. Once your implants have healed, any needed abutments will be attached before taking images and impressions of your mouth. The abutments provide additional stability to the restorations, creating a strong foundation that lasts for decades.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

Once your mouth has successfully healed, it’s time for the design, creation, and placement of new “teeth” here in Lewisville. Dr. Capehart will be sure to take your personal preferences and goals into account when planning the ideal restoration; several options are available, including individual, all-ceramic dental crowns and implant dentures or bridges that cover multiple implants at once. No matter which you choose, the final result should be the same – a complete smile that looks and feels virtually indistinguishable from the original.

Day-to-Day Benefits

Some noteworthy ways in which dental implants in Lewisville can improve your day-to-day life include:

• The ability to eat almost anything. Dental implants provide a chewing force that is almost as strong as what you would enjoy with natural teeth. Thus, you can eat almost any food without taking special precautions. From corn on the cob to juicy meats and everything in between, feel free to indulge in your favorites!
• No slipping and sliding. Dental implants are extremely secure in the mouth. Therefore, you will not have to worry about embarrassing slippage while you are eating and speaking. This can increase your confidence in social situations.
• Clear speech. Clear speech depends on complex interactions between the tongue and teeth. The stability of dental implants means that you can rely on them to help you enunciate sounds properly.
• Easy oral hygiene. In many ways, caring for dental implants is similar to caring for natural teeth.

Health Benefits

Some ways in which dental implants can bolster your health include:

• Jawbone preservation. After the natural teeth are extracted, the jawbone begins to deteriorate. Eventually, the deterioration can become so severe that it affects a person’s facial shape. Dental implants act as substitute tooth roots, so they can help to keep your jawbone strong and whole.
• A balanced diet. Research indicates that people who wear traditional dentures experience a decline in important nutritional markers. Dental implants can allow you to eat a wide variety of foods that support your overall wellness.
• Protection for other teeth. Implants prevent dental drift. Plus, placing them usually does not require that nearby teeth be modified. They can thereby help the natural part of your smile to remain as healthy as possible.

Long-Term Benefits

You can begin to experience the benefits of dental implants soon after you get them, and you may continue to reap advantages for many years. Long-term benefits of this treatment include:

• Dental implants have an extraordinarily high success rate, even 10 years after placement. With proper care, they have the potential to last a lifetime.
• A great value. Dental implants cost more upfront than traditional forms of tooth replacement. However, they last for so long that they are actually a great monetary value. If you calculate their cost per day over a few decades, they work out to be quite affordable!
• A possible increase in longevity. Tooth loss is associated with a shortened life expectancy. Dental implants may be able to help you live the longest, healthiest life possible.

Are you ready to learn how this treatment may be able to benefit you personally? Contact your implant dentist in Lewisville today to schedule a consultation.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you are a healthy adult, you’re probably a candidate for dental implants already. In order to receive them safely, we will look for the following attributes during your initial consultation:

• Great Oral Health – If you have any existing dental disease (i.e. tooth decay, gum disease), you’ll need to have them addressed before you can receive dental implants.
• Positive Overall Health – Since placing dental implants is a surgical procedure, it’s important to speak with your primary care doctor to confirm you can receive it safely.
• Sufficient jawbone density – If you don’t have enough bone tissue inside your jaw, we may recommend a bone graft first.

In the event you cannot get dental implants right now, we’ll help you create a long-term treatment plan complete with preparatory services designed to make dental implants viable later!

Missing One Tooth

Single dental implants utilize one titanium post that sits inside of the jaw and a dedicated crown that attaches on top. Since the implant has fused with the jawbone over several months, it’s sturdy enough to hold the crown without any issue. Additionally, we won’t need to remove any existing tooth enamel from nearby teeth just to keep the crown in place. That means you can retain as much of your natural tooth structure, a benefit you won’t get with traditional dental bridges.

Missing Multiple Teeth

If you have multiple consecutive missing teeth, we can use a pair of dental implants to support a larger dental bridge to fill in the gaps of your smile. The implants are placed adjacent to your natural teeth, then a pair of abutments are attached so they can hold a customized implant bridge. If you are interested in receiving a partial denture, we’ll place implants as they are needed throughout the mouth.

Missing All Teeth

You don’t have to settle for a traditional denture if you don’t want to, even if you’re missing all teeth in your upper, lower, or both arches. Instead, you can receive an implant denture that attaches to a series of implants strategically placed throughout the mouth. As a result, you won’t need a dedicated implant for each tooth you need to replace. For example, a full arch can typically be held with four to six implants. Of course, this will depend on the condition of your existing bone tissue.

Learn More About Implant Dentures Learn More About All-on-4 Dental Implants

Types of Dental Implants

We offer different types of dental implants based on the number of teeth that you’re missing. For a single missing tooth, we can use an implant-retained crown to seamlessly complete your smile. If you’re missing multiple teeth consecutively, an implant bridge can literally “bridge” the gap. Lastly, if you’ve lost all or most of your teeth, we can combine dental implants with dentures for the most stable full smile replacement. As you can imagine, typically the more teeth that you need replaced, the higher your overall cost will be.

Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?

Dental implants in Lewisville often come with a higher price tag than other treatments, however, their unique benefits make them well worth it. In fact, with proper care, dental implants can last for a lifetime, which may actually save you money in the long run. Plus, they are the only replacement that stimulates the jawbone to prevent it from deteriorating after tooth loss, keeping your facial appearance looking full and youthful. They also look, feel, and function just like your natural smile!

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Usually, most dental insurance providers don’t cover dental implants because the treatment is seen as elective. However, your insurance may be able to cover certain aspects of the process like your initial consultation, treatment of preexisting issues, and part of your restoration—this will all depend on your specific plan. The only way to know your cost with certainty is to schedule an appointment with our dentist in Lewisville. Dr. Capehart will carefully examine your smile before developing a personalized treatment plan that includes your cost.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Without a proper oral hygiene routine, bacteria could infect the area supporting your implants, ultimately increasing your risk of implant failure and other painful complications. Here are some easy tips to help you keep your mouth clean and drastically reduce your risk of infection:

• Brush twice a day. Always brush along the gumline and the backs of your teeth, both your real ones and those supported by implants.
• Floss at least once daily. For patients with an implant bridge, you may need to invest in a water flosser or floss threader to effectively clean around your restoration.
• Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash. Dr. Capehart may be able to recommend a product tailored to your specific oral health needs.
• Stay hydrated. By drinking plenty of water, you should produce plenty of saliva to rinse away bacteria that might otherwise compromise your implants.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Trauma or injury might damage your restoration or the implant itself, or even cause the implant post to become loose. To lessen the likelihood of these instances occurring, you should:

• Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth. The pressure of unconscious teeth grinding can place undue stress on your implants as well as your natural teeth.
• Wear a mouthguard if you play sports. Even if your choice of physical activity is not a “contact sport,” you should still protect your smile from trauma.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Slipping and falling could spell disaster for your smile. Always walk carefully and be cognizant of your surroundings.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

No matter how many natural teeth you have left, it’s still massively beneficial to attend checkups and cleanings with your dentist in Lewisville on a regular basis, usually at least twice a year. At these appointments, your remaining teeth will be inspected and cleaned, and your implants will be evaluated. Dr. Capehart may be able to detect problems early enough that they won’t damage your implant or overall oral health. Not to mention, you’ll always leave our office with that nice, clean mouth feeling!

What Happens If I Wait To Get Dental Implants?

The timing of your dental work is always your decision, and it’s not uncommon for people to need to postpone a procedure. With that said, you should be aware that the jawbone that once surrounded the root of your tooth begins to deteriorate as soon as the tooth is lost. If enough time passes, you may not have enough bone left to support an implant.

However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get an implant down the road. What it does mean is you might need a bone graft beforehand. This procedure adds bone tissue back to your jaw so it can provide the necessary support for an implant once again.

Is It Painful to Get Dental Implants?

It’s easy to see why dental implant surgery seems painful. The good news is people commonly say it was much easier than they expected! In fact, if you’ve ever had an extraction, you can expect a similar recovery period and overall level of discomfort.

Also, keep in mind that the specialist who places your implant will start by fully numbing the area to make sure you stay comfortable. They’ll also have sedation options available so that even anxious patients can comfortably get dental implants.

Can Dental Implants Fail?

Yes, but with a long-term success rate of over 95%, failure is relatively rare. When it does occur, one of the following factors is often involved:  

• Smoking – Smokers have a significantly lower success rate of around 85%.
• Gum disease – Just like your own teeth, implants must be surrounded by strong, healthy gum tissue for strength and support. If gum disease develops around an implant and isn’t treated in time, it can cause it to become loose and eventually fail.
• Clenching and grinding – If you clench and grind at night, wearing a custom-made nightguard can prevent damage to both your implant and natural teeth.
• Poor oral hygiene – After getting an implant, it’s crucial to see us for regular checkups and cleanings and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. The cleaner you keep the area around your implant, the more likely it is to last a lifetime.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

Dental implants are completely safe. They’re made from bio-compatible, surgical-grade titanium, which is also used in knee and hip replacements. Also, dental implants have been safely used over the last several decades to restore the smiles of countless people. Today, an estimated 5 million dental implants are placed every year.