With the rising popularity of dental implants, more people are choosing implants as the definitive treatment option for replacing missing teeth. As awareness grows, the questions regarding the use of implants grows.

* What are dental implants?
Dental implants are commonly titanium implants that are placed within the jaw to support artificial teeth. They are placed to replace missing teeth. The most common type of implants is the ‘endosteal’ or ‘root form’ implant that resembles the root of a tooth. Other types include: subperiosteal, transosteal, plate-form, intra-mucosal, etc. Dental implants are a suitable alternative to conventional dental bridges, which are placed after preparation of the adjacent teeth.

* Are Implants aesthetic? Are they comfortable for chewing?
Once the gum tissue around the implant has healed properly, the implant looks completely natural. The skill of the restorative dentist plays a great role in determining the final appearance. Once the final prosthesis or crown is placed, the patient can chew naturally. Some experts say up to 90 percent of the chewing efficiency of natural teeth can be restored with dental implants.

* Are dental implants costly?
The placement of implants includes the cost of surgery, the implant, the final crown, radiographs, including CT (if needed) etc.. It can vary from one dentist to another and can depend on the type of implant being placed. Ask your dentist for further information regarding the fee.

* Is the implant surgery painful? Do I have to miss work the following day?
With modern local anesthetics and anti-inflamatories, the incidence of discomfort is extremely low. In fact implant surgery is less invasive than having a tooth pulled. Minimal discomfort and swelling can be expected after any surgical procedure. You may be given anti-inflamatories and antibiotics for a few days after the procedure. A day’s rest is normally advised. Avoid strenuous exercise and chew only soft food for a few days.

* What are the different methods of placing implants?
The placement of implants can be classified by timing of placing implants after extraction of tooth/teeth into:
1. Immediate post-extraction implant placement.
2. Delayed immediate post-extraction implant placement (2 weeks-3 months after extraction).
3. Late implantation (>3 months after extraction).

Dental implants can be classified into: Immediate loading, early loading and delayed loading depending on the timing of placement of load on the implant. Delayed loading implants take 3-6 months for the entire procedure to heal.

Guided dental implant surgery, with the help of computers and CT scans, has totally revolutionized the art and science of implant dentistry.

Earlier implant surgery procedures were conducted after taking standard x-rays. The challenge was always that, once the implant dentist began the procedure, he often encountered unexpected issues. A standard x-ray does not allow the dentist to visualize the bone height and width in all three dimensions. Therefore the placement of the implants are decided on the basis of guesswork. Certain bone deformities can be seen only after an incision is made. In the end, he will have to make several compromises and the overall result may not be satisfactory.

With computer-guided dental implant surgery, the dentist views multiple radiographs of the same area. This is done with the help of cone-beam radiography or 3-D CT scans. This can greatly improve the dentist’s visualization. He can view the entire jaw from multiple angles on the computer screen, and, with the help of planning software, the CT images help generate a comprehensive virtual treatment plan.

Who is a good candidate for guided dental implant surgery?

Guided implant surgery is particularly useful in patients needing multiple implant surgeries, such as patients who have lost all their teeth. Patients with severe bone loss due to trauma, genetic disorders or diseases are also prime candidates for guided implant surgery. Patients who need quick rehabilitation with implants also prefer guided implant surgery. Although it can also be used when placing single implants.

There are two guided implant systems commonly used today: Nobel guide from Nobel-Biocare and Simplant from Materialise.

What are the advantages of guided dental implant surgery?

• There is less guess-work required on the part of the dentist.
• Accurate visualization of the bone height and width is possible.
• Reduced healing time
• There is considerably less swelling.
• More accurate final result.
• It also allows the dentist to create the permanent crowns before doing the surgery.
• The crowns can be placed soon after the implant surgery is over. Therefore  temporary crowns can be avoided
• Lower cost, due to fewer number of visits.
• With guided implant surgery, patients can receive their implants in hours, instead of weeks or months.

Contact Plano dental implant dentist Dr. Hucklebridge for additional information a no-obligation assessment of your dental implant options.

Today more people are choosing dental implants to replace their missing teeth, instead of opting for conventional treatments like bridges or removable ‘flipper’ prostheses. Dental implants mimic tooth roots and give a look and feel closest to that of natural teeth, which can make an enormous difference in your appearance and the way you chew.

Most dental insurance plans don’t cover implants, considering them “cosmetic treatment,” but an increasing number of plans are adding implants to their lists of covered procedures, and charging higher premiums. It makes sense to compare the offers and read the fine print before deciding on a plan. Ask your insurance agent and research online to find the best deal.

If you’re paying a high premium for your existing plan, it may already cover implants. Some plans offer to cover half the costs of certain higher cost dental treatments such as implants. Shop around for a plan that’s best for you. To avoid any surprises, make sure to be aware of what your plan offers, and how it fits with your finances and needs.

At times, medical insurance can cover some of the add-ons in implant surgery. If the implants are medically necessary or there is a lot of bone loss and bone grafting is needed, a medical insurance provider will sometimes cover the cost. Ask your dentist if they can bill the medical insurers for some of these services.

You could also consider medical flex spending accounts, which pays for medical services not covered by your insurance provider, and you also get tax benefits. Check out your employer’s policies for the cap on a flex spending account and if it can be used to reimburse implant surgery costs.

If your insurance doesn’t cover them or if you have no insurance, be sure and ask your dentist if they offer financing options.

Plano Smile Studio offers the latest in restorative implant dentistry in Dallas and Plano.

With over 45 years of combined experience, Dr. Hucklebridge and Dr. Fred Thompson are pleased to provide the leading technology in restorative implant dentistry through Straumman and Nobel Biocare implants.

An attractive smile can not only enhance one’s appearance but also greatly elevate one’s self-esteem. Throughout life, tooth and gum loss due to neglect or trauma can lead to more serious dental issues. Tooth loss can have a far-reaching effect on your dental health and personal appearance. When you lose one or more teeth, your remaining teeth can drift out of position. This can lead to a change in the bite, the loss of additional teeth, decay and gum disease. Dental implants can be an effective method to replace one or several of your teeth.

The Straumman and Nobel Biocare technologies offer more than 20 years of clinical research and the most extensively documented, clinically validated and practice-proven implants system in the market. Doctors Hucklebridge and Thompson are recognized experts in restorative implant dentistry in Dallas.