Dental Implants – San Antonio, TX

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

The first step in reconstructing your smile is to attend a dental implant consultation. At this appointment, Dr. Jones or Dr. Knight will closely examine your mouth and facial structures using cutting-edge dental technology. From there, they’ll determine your candidacy for dental implants. Some patients may need to undergo preliminary work (i.e., bone grafting, gum disease therapy, tooth extractions) before they can receive implants. Once these procedures are taken care of, we can schedule your dental implant surgery.

Dental Implant Surgery

The implant placement surgery is a fairly simple one. After your implant dentist in Stone Oak numbs your mouth, they make small incisions in your gum tissue to access your jawbone. The implants are inserted at precise locations and angles, and then your gums are sutured shut. To maintain the shape of your gums and shield your implants throughout the healing process, a protective cap is placed over them.

Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment

You’ll spend the next three to six months waiting for osseointegration to take place. This process – by which the implant posts merge with your jawbone – is what makes dental implants in San Antonio so reliable.

Once osseointegration is complete, you’ll return to our office for a second, smaller surgery to receive your abutments. These metal connector pieces are placed on top of your implants, and they allow us to secure your personalized dental crown, bridge, or denture into place.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

Your restorations – or replacement teeth – will be designed based on impressions of your natural smile that we have captured and sent to a trusted dental lab. There, a team of professional ceramists will create your restoration from materials that look virtually the same as natural tooth enamel, right down to the way they reflect light. Once your new teeth have been attached to your abutments, they should be indistinguishable from the pearly whites you were born with!

Day-to-Day Benefits

• No slippage – Traditional dentures have a reputation of shifting or even falling out if they don’t fit properly or if you attempt to chew particularly crunchy or sticky foods. Teeth that are secured onto dental implants, on the other hand, are anchored in place. You can count on them to remain stable at all times.
• Restored chewing power – Bridges and dentures only bring back the part of the tooth that sits atop the gums, so it can be difficult or even impossible to chew certain foods. By replacing the root structure, dental implants in San Antonio let you eat all of your favorite foods with the same ease as real teeth.
• Simple maintenance – Instead of having to take your prosthetic out of your mouth and learn a whole new cleaning regimen, you can typically care for dental implants with the same methods as natural teeth – brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. Your oral hygiene routine should be virtually the same as it was before tooth loss.

Health Benefits

• Improved oral health – Because dental implants are so easy to clean, they reduce the buildup of plaque, tartar, and bacteria in the mouth. This in turn minimizes the risk of decay and infection that could jeopardize the success of your implants.
• No gum sores or tooth sensitivity – To place a dental bridge, the teeth on either end of the gap have to be permanently filed down for support, leaving them with a higher risk of sensitivity, decay, and breakage. Dentures are notorious for rubbing against the gums and creating irritation or sores. Dental implants prevent both of these issues by being self-supporting and firmly fixed in the jaw.
• Jawbone preservation – Without the roots of your teeth, the jawbone gradually starts to deteriorate, leading to not only a wrinkled facial appearance, but an increased risk for gum disease and additional tooth loss. Dental implants stimulate the jawbone exactly like tooth roots do, preventing and even reversing bone loss.

Long-Term Benefits

• Results you can trust – After your implant dentist in San Antonio has finished placing your new teeth, you can expect to be able to enjoy them for quite a while. In fact, more than 95% of dental implant patients report that their teeth still look and feel like new after 10+ years.
• Impressively long lifespan – If you take good care of your implants, they can easily last for several decades, if not for the rest of your life. The same can’t be said for dentures and bridges, which typically only last five to ten years at most.
• Saved money and time – You shouldn’t have to worry about getting your implants adjusted, repaired, or replaced as frequently as you would with traditional solutions. As a result, you’ll end up saving more money and time in the long run.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

The good news is that almost any healthy adult can enjoy the benefits of dental implants. Usually, you’ll need these three things to be considered a candidate:

• Good overall health: Because implants require a surgery, you must be well enough to undergo a minor procedure.
• Great oral health: Common dental problems like cavities and gum disease can lead to implant complications and even failure, which is why we must address them first.
• Adequate jawbone density: Your jawbone must be strong enough to successfully support dental implants.

Does it sound like you’re a good candidate for dental implants in Stone Oak? If not, no worries! We offer a variety of preliminary treatments like extractions, gum disease therapy, and bone grafting to prepare our patients for implants. Once these preliminary services are complete, we can build a custom treatment plan based on your specific needs.

Missing 1 Tooth

To replace a single tooth, Dr. Jones or Dr. Knight will carefully insert one dental implant. Afterwards, you’ll be allowed time to heal sufficiently. Later, we’ll invite you back to one of our San Antonio dental offices to have a titanium abutment added, an asset that also plays a critical role in the process by allowing a final restoration to be attached in a secure yet aesthetically pleasing way. This restoration is designed to seamlessly blend in with the rest of your natural teeth for beautiful results.

Missing Multiple Teeth

For multiple missing teeth, our dental implant dentist in Stone Oak can either place an implant bridge or partial denture. By relying on a dental implant for stability and security instead of the surrounding teeth, both methods provide a way to have your smile restored in the most functional and aesthetically pleasing way possible. A bridge will literally “bridge” the gap in your smile, while a partial denture can fill in random missing teeth like pieces to a puzzle.

Missing All Teeth

If you’re missing a full set of teeth, then we also offer an implant denture. Dr. Jones or Dr. Knight will place four to six implants along each arch in a strategic manner to ensure the most secure yet least invasive placement process possible.

Alternatively, you may be a good candidate for All-on-4. This option is great for patients who do not have a strong enough jawbone for normal implants, usually due to missing teeth for a long period of time. With this method, we can strategically place 4 dental implants to anchor your denture for a full, secure, and strong smile replacement.

Learn More About All-on-4 Dentures

Types of Dental Implants

Dental implants are a very versatile tooth replacement option. Indeed, common types of implant treatment include:

• Single tooth replacement implant
• Implant bridge
• Implant denture

Which type of implant treatment you require will impact the final cost of treatment. Generally speaking, treatments they involve a higher number of implants – implant dentures, for example – cost more than a single implant and crown.

What Are the Stages of Dental Implant Treatment?

Dental implant treatment is usually a multi-step procedure, starting with the initial consultation and ending with the placement procedure and a beautifully restored smile. Each step along the way contributes to the overall dental implant cost in San Antonio.

A typical dental implant treatment follows these stages:

•  Stage 1: Initial consultation with Dr. Jones or Dr. Knight to determine if dental implants are the right restorative solution for you.
•  Stage 2: Your dentist will surgically insert the implant into your jawbone where the tooth is missing.
•  Stage 3: Healing period of several months, during which the implant fuses with the jawbone.
•  Stage 4: Once the implant is fully healed, your dentist will place your new crown, bridge or denture.

If you need additional treatment before getting dental implants – such as gum disease therapy or a bone graft – to ensure successful implant treatment, those procedures will likely add to your overall costs.

Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?

At Josh & Knight, DDS, we believe that dental implants are a very wise long-term investment for almost any incomplete smile. While cheaper alternatives such as dentures and bridges do exist, nothing can match the solid support, natural appearance and restored dental function that implants provide. Moreover, while dental implants may have a higher upfront cost, they also last considerably longer than other dental prosthetics. With proper care, you can expect implants to remain a part of your smile for decades – or perhaps even the rest of your life! 

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Many dental insurance plans do not provide coverage for dental implants. However, certain costs associated with implant treatment, such as the initial consultation or gum disease therapy, may be at least partially covered by your insurance plan. If you have questions about the particulars of your dental insurance coverage, do not hesitate to ask us for assistance! Our friendly and experienced team at Jones & Knight, DDS, is happy to assist patients navigate their plans and get the most out of their insurance benefits.

Are dental implants safe?

At Jones & Knight, DDS, we utilize the latest techniques and technology in dentistry to place dental implants. Over the years, this procedure has been perfected and researched to be as safe and successful as it is today. In fact, that’s why before you get implants, we require a consultation. This way, we can make sure that you’re a good candidate for the procedure and that you receive any necessary preparatory treatment beforehand.

How long do dental implants last?

When you properly care for your dental implants by brushing twice each day for at least two minutes, flossing daily, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash, your restorations can last for over three decades. The key is good oral hygiene and routine checkups and cleanings with Dr. Jones or Dr. Knight every six months.

Do I need a bone graft before getting dental implants?

When you visit us for your consultation, we’ll let you know if you need any preparatory procedures such as bone grafting, tooth extraction, or gum disease therapy beforehand. If you do need grafting, it’s to restore your jawbone density due to deterioration. This will ensure the success of your implants and reduce the risk of failure by creating a strong and durable foundation for your new teeth.

How long does the dental implant process take?

The process of getting dental implants varies drastically from patient to patient depending on a variety of different variables. If you need a bone graft, this will add a couple of months of healing time onto your timeline. After that, we can schedule your implant surgery. Typically, it takes your gums a few months to heal and for your implants to fuse with your jawbone. Next, your abutments will be placed, which are connector pieces that will secure your custom restorations in your mouth. After that, we’ll be able to attach your denture, crown, or bridge to complete your improved smile.

So, to answer the question, these procedures usually take course over several months. Patients will agree that the patience and waiting are well worth the results, though! To find out what your unique treatment timeline will look like, schedule a consultation by contacting us today!

If I smoke, can I still get dental implants?

Even if you smoke, you may still be a candidate for dental implants. However, it’s important to know that this puts you at a higher risk for implant failure. Why’s that? Because smoking can affect your mouth’s ability to heal properly after surgery. The best option is to consider quitting smoking or speak to Dr. Jones or Dr. Knight about the impact that this bad oral habit can have on your new smile investment.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

While the restorations attached to your dental implant cannot develop decay like natural teeth, they still need to be brushed and flossed every day to remain free of plaque. Brush them twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, making sure to brush for at least two minutes. Floss once a day to remove loose food debris from in between teeth. For extra protection, consider adding an oral rinse to your routine, but avoid products that contain alcohol as they can lead to dry mouth.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Your oral hygiene at home matters a great deal to keeping your dental implants healthy, but so does your diet. The more starches and sugars you consume throughout the day, the easier it is for your mouth to produce plaque acids that harm the teeth and gums. On top of incorporating many fruits, vegetables, proteins, and dairy products into your diet, be sure to drink water throughout the day. Water helps with saliva production, giving your mouth the attention it needs to wash away harmful oral bacteria.

Break Bad Habits

Using your dental implants improperly (much like your teeth) can result in damage and even loss of your replacement teeth. For example, it is not advised that you use your dental implants to perform tasks that are better suited for a tool. This includes but is not limited to opening packages (i.e. boxes, bottles, etc.) or trimming your fingernails. Additionally, if you have a tendency to chew on pens, pencils, ice cubes, or other inedible objects throughout the day, do your best to break these habits as soon as possible.

Protect Your Dental Implants

If you participate in a contact sport, the most important thing you can do for your smile is wear a mouthguard. While store-bought solutions can provide brief protection, they aren’t the best long-term solution. A custom mouthguard from a dental office is the best way to give your dental implants the protection they need while playing sports. Similarly, wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth a night is crucial to preventing damage to the implant or the restoration attached to it.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

A dental checkup every six months is the best way to ensure your oral health (and dental implants) are well protected and free of any dental concerns. During your checkup, our office will make sure the implant is well secured inside your jawbone and confirm your at-home oral hygiene is sufficient.

Guided Dental Implant Surgery

Precision is of the utmost importance when placing dental implants. Each post needs to be placed in just the right spot in the jaw to provide proper support for your implant restoration. Furthermore, during the insertion process, we need to take nerves and other structures beneath your gums into account so that we can avoid complications. To make sure that we’re placing implants as accurately as possible, we can perform what is known as guided implant surgery.

This process involves using advanced machinery and imaging technology to guide us during the placement process. A CT scan of your mouth is taken; the images captured during the scan are subsequently combined into a single 3D model that allows us to see your jawbone, teeth, nasal passageways, nerve passageways, sinus cavities, and other structures in full detail. This gives us a much better understanding of your mouth so that we can determine the best way to place your implants. Then, we can create a customized surgical drilling guide that can be placed in your mouth for the procedure. We can position the implants exactly where they need to go thanks to the guide.

When guided using advanced technology, implant surgery becomes much more predictable, and the risk of complications is much lower. Also, guided surgery tends to be faster than traditional surgery, meaning you’ll spend less time in the treatment chair.

Antibacterial Coating

Dental implant failure is rare, but when it does happen, it can usually be traced back to an infection. Bacteria can attack the tissues responsible for keeping the implants connected to the jaw; over time, this can cause implant posts to come loose or even fall out of the mouth altogether. To lower the risk of an infection that could cost you your new teeth, we can place dental implants that have a special antibacterial coating. Simply put, antibacterial agents are applied to the surface of the implant posts before they are inserted into the jaw. Said agents will slowly release antibiotics over time to kill nearby bacteria, including those that you might not be able to reach with a toothbrush. This keeps the tissues around the implant safe from infection to ensure that there aren’t any complications during the healing process.