Dental Implants — Arlington, TX

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

You’ll first need to schedule an initial consultation with your implant dentist in Arlington to discuss your dental implant eligibility. This will take at least 45 minutes. It is during this visit that Dr. Baldwin will perform a visual examination as well as use a CT Cone Beam Scanner to capture digital images of your oral and facial structures. These photos will transfer onto a nearby screen to create a 3D image so Dr. Baldwin can carefully examine and evaluate your teeth, gums, jawbone, nerves, and tissues.

As a result, you will learn if you need preliminary treatments (i.e., bone grafting, sinus lift, periodontal therapy, tooth extraction) or if you can move on to dental implant surgery.

Dental Implant Surgery

After you’ve met with Dr. Baldwin for a consultation, we can schedule your implant surgery. During this procedure, he will administer local anesthesia before making one or more small incisions in your gums. Exposing the underlying jawbone, the implant is positioned to take the most advantage of bone density. A protective cap is placed over the implant to shield it as your mouth heals. The cap also maintains the shape of your gum tissue, which makes attaching replacement teeth easier.

Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment

After your oral surgery, your gums will heal in just a matter of a few weeks. Osseointegration, on the other hand, takes much longer. This is the process wherein the dental implant fuses with the surrounding bone tissue. As the bond grows, the foundation for your eventual tooth restoration becomes stronger and stronger. The entire healing process will typically take three to six months depending on how many dental implants you received. You will then receive your metal abutments, which connect your implant to your customized restoration.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

Finally, once the healing is complete. You’ll return to our office to have your custom-made crown, bridge, or denture anchored into place. These customized restorations are made from high-quality materials that blend into your natural smile. You can expect to have greater confidence and a more beautiful aesthetic as well as greater functionality and stability. Not to mention, your dental implants in Arlington will last 30 years or more with regular care and maintenance.

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Eat What You Like – Depending on which teeth are missing in your mouth, you may not be able to comfortably eat certain foods anymore, like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and red meat. All of these are important components of a nutritious diet. Dental implants will allow you to eat these and other kinds of healthy foods with ease.
• Look Younger Longer – Dental implants in Arlington fill the gap in your smile and stimulate healthy new bone tissue growth to keep you looking younger for longer.
• Looks and Feels Natural – Because dental implants mimic the structure of a natural tooth, they are more natural than other tooth replacement options. There is simply no comparison between the look and feel of a dental implant and a removable partial or full denture.

Health Benefits

• Improved Oral Health – Unlike other tooth replacements, dental implants are freestanding prosthetics. A partial, for instance, has clasps that attach to adjacent teeth, and a denture rests on top of your gums. Bridges even require the alteration of neighboring healthy teeth in order to be placed A dental implant, however, is embedded in your jaw and has no impact on other areas of your mouth.
• Stimulate the Jawbone – When you lose teeth, it causes the jawbone to deteriorate over time. With dental implants, though, you can enjoy stronger, longer-lasting bone because of the continuous stimulation delivered by the implant posts.
• Easy Dental Care – Whatever you do now to take care of your teeth is what you will continue to do once you have dental implants. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day. And don’t forget to schedule regular checkups with Dr. Baldwin, your implant dentist in Arlington.

Long-Term Benefits

• A Lifetime of Smiles – With good oral hygiene care and regular checkups, your dental implants can for decades. Furthermore, they usually do not require any additional maintenance or replacement like a partial or full denture. Just smile and enjoy your dental implants!
• Last for Several Decades – Dental implants are made to last 30+ years or even a lifetime!
• Boost Your Self-Confidence - A smile that is missing one tooth can affect your self-confidence. Of course, several missing teeth could have an even greater impact. Dental implants will allow you to talk, smile, laugh, and enjoy a meal with renewed confidence.
• Cost-Effective Solution – You won’t need to purchase additional materials to care for your dental implants. Instead, you can avoid denture adhesives and regular replacements and adjustments by choosing dental implants.

Missing 1 Tooth

If you are missing a single tooth, then Dr. Baldwin will place one implant to support a beautiful custom-made crown. He will position the implant to take advantage of the most bone density at the site.

Missing Multiple Teeth

If you are missing two to four consecutive teeth, then dental implant bridges from our Arlington, TX dentist may be the most comfortable and natural looking solution. This prosthetic is similar to a standard dental bridge except that it is supported by implants instead of natural teeth.

Missing All Teeth

If you are missing all your teeth along one arch, then implant dentures are an excellent choice. Just a few strategically placed dental implants can be used to securely anchor a full denture into place. This minimizes the length and cost of your treatment while giving you the full stability and dependability of dental implants!

Learn More About Implant Dentures

The Cost Breakdown of Dental Implants

Most people are qualified candidates for dental implants. If you are in good general health and you are willing to commit to a strict oral hygiene routine, then dental implants could be right for you whether you are missing one or more teeth.

When you consider the overall cost of dental implants, there are several factors to include. First, there is the cost of the implant itself and the number that you require to solidly hold your new teeth in place.

Secondly, you must also factor in the cost of implant surgery. Fortunately, your dentist in Arlington is able to perform the procedure right here in our dental office. You won’t need to be referred to an oral surgeon, which will save you time, hassle, and money.

Finally, there is the price tag on a new tooth restoration. Depending on how many teeth you are replacing, you’ll either need a dental crown for a single tooth, a fixed bridge for several, or a full denture to replace an entire row of teeth. Obviously, these vary in price and will affect your total expense.

Preliminary Procedures

Most people are qualified candidates for dental implants. If you are in good general health and you are willing to commit to a strict oral hygiene routine, then dental implants could be right for you whether you are missing one or more teeth.

However, before you even get to the point of replacing teeth with dental implants, a preparatory procedure may be required. Some patients need teeth removed or bone and soft tissue grafts before implants can be placed. The costs for these types of procedures are highly dependent on each individual case and, therefore, vary widely. If you have dental insurance, check with your administrator or the human resources representative at work. Some plans do partially cover the cost of these procedures.

Paying for Dental Implants

Most people are qualified candidates for dental implants. If you are in good general health and you are willing to commit to a strict oral hygiene routine, then dental implants could be right for you whether you are missing one or more teeth.

At Foundation Dental, we work with all PPO insurances. Although dental insurance does not often cover the cost of dental implants, yours could provide benefits for the preparatory procedures you need as well as the tooth restoration. In addition, we’ll be glad to help you apply for financing through CareCredit, a third-party healthcare financier, or Lending Club, which offers longer terms and better rates for extended payment options.

3D Cone Beam Scanner

Most people are qualified candidates for dental implants. If you are in good general health and you are willing to commit to a strict oral hygiene routine, then dental implants could be right for you whether you are missing one or more teeth.

A 3D Cone Beam Scanner allows Dr. Baldwin to see a complete and full view of your teeth, neck, and face. Essentially, the scanner moves quickly around your head, taking high-quality images that are used to properly diagnose and treat a particular problem. With regard to dental implants, the cone beam scanner can provide us with a more in-depth view of your bone density, surrounding teeth and tooth roots, and even the relationship between your teeth and nerves. All of this is important information when considering dental implants, especially your bone.

If your jawbone does not have enough strength to create a solid foundation, your implants will be much more likely to fail. Now that Dr. Baldwin can view the density of your bone prior to surgery, he can make a necessary recommendation for a bone graft or sinus lift, should he believe you require it.

When using the machine, you will be instructed to either sit or stand and gently bite down on a small plate that is attached to the machine. Within seconds, the scanner will rotate around your head, taking necessary images. The entire process is completely painless.

Guided Dental Implant Surgery

Most people are qualified candidates for dental implants. If you are in good general health and you are willing to commit to a strict oral hygiene routine, then dental implants could be right for you whether you are missing one or more teeth.

For more complicated dental implant treatments, Dr. Baldwin can use guided implant surgery to ensure you receive the best results possible. This advanced piece of technology is particularly helpful when treating patients with lower jawbone density, since proper placement is essential for long-term success.

Guided dental implant surgery begins by importing the images generated by the Cone Beam Scanner into special software that creates a 3D model of your jaw. The software allows Dr. Baldwin to place dental implants into the virtual jawbone, determining the best position with the highest level of accuracy. At any point, he can manipulate the image to make changes or take a different approach.

Once the model mimics exactly what Dr. Baldwin will do during the procedure, he will create a guide, which he will use during the surgery. It will also serve to help the dental lab technicians create custom-made restorations that will live on top of the implants. Depending on your case, your prosthetics may be placed the same day as your implants or after you’ve spent several months healing at home.

Bone Grafting

Dental implants require a strong jawbone as a foundation to be successful. If you do not have enough jawbone density, a bone grafting can help! For this common procedure, extra bone tissue is placed in the weakened areas of your jaw. Over time, this will naturally encourage your body to grow more bone tissue in that area to strengthen it, getting you ready for your dental implants! Bone grafting can help many patients who were once told they were ineligible for dental implants.

Sinus Lifts

If it’s your upper jaw that is proving too weak, not to worry! This can be addressed with a modified version of bone grafting called a sinus lift. For this procedure, the jawbone is strengthened and thickened to ensure your dental implant has enough space to fully integrate with the bone. Having a sinus lift performed before dental implants has proven extremely successful for many patients, many of whom experienced very little discomfort after having their sinus lift procedure.

No matter if you have a bone graft or sinus lift, you can expect the recovery time to be an estimated 3-6 months. Once you’re fully healed, you’ll be ready to move forward with dental implant placement.

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

Immediately following your dental implant surgery, you’ll want to make sure the blood clot that forms in the surgical site does not become dislodged, as you need your gums to heal around your implants successfully. To do this, make sure you are:

• Not poking your surgical sites with your finger or tongue
• Avoiding the use of a straw to consume beverages
• Not smoking or using tobacco products for at least 24 hours. Although, it is preferred that you quit this bad habit altogether before receiving dental implants
• Not spitting, as this could easily dislodge the clot

Common Side-Effects

After any type of oral surgery, you’ll likely experience some side effects. While many are normal and to be expected, others are not and should be treated immediately. As you heal from your dental implant surgery, make sure you’re paying attention to any side effects during your recovery phase. Should you notice the following, do not be alarmed:

• Intermittent bleeding. You can place clean gauze on the area to stop it.
• It is normal to experience some swelling even one week after your surgery. A cold compress for 10 minutes at a time can help to minimize this problem.
• Mild discomfort. It’s normal for your gums and bone to feel uncomfortable in the days following your surgery; however, you can take prescribed or over-the-counter medication to help.

Diet

Soft foods will be your friend in the days and weeks following your dental implant surgery. Some of the best foods you can eat during this time include:

• Pasta
• Scrambled eggs
• Yogurt or ice cream
• Pudding
• Soup (warm, not hot)
• Mashed potatoes

You’ll want to try and avoid chewing directly on the surgical sites; however, after a few days, you may feel comfortable returning to your normal diet. Each patient is different, so move at your own pace.

Health & Oral Hygiene

After your implant dentist in Arlington has placed your dental implants, you’ll need to make sure that your mouth remains clean and free of bad bacteria. Some oral hygiene tips that will benefit you during this time include:

• Brush your teeth the day after your surgery. You will need to be mindful of brushing near your surgical sites though.
• Use a saltwater mixture to rinse your mouth 2-3 times each day. Don’t swish or spit, as you don’t want to dislodge the blood clot.
• Don’t use mouthwash that contains alcohol.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

Once your teeth are firmly in place, you can begin to enjoy your smile! While it takes months for your dental implants in Arlington to fuse with the bone, you’ll appreciate the time spent recovering, as it creates a stronger, firmer foundation for your new teeth. While you may have some slight sensitivity after your teeth are put into place, it will go away after a short time and can be managed with pain medication. If you begin to notice any swelling or bleeding once your restoration is secured into place, call our office, as these are not normal side effects.