Dental Implants – McKinney, TX

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

Dr. Cha will ask you about your goals for the treatment and review your medical and oral health history. Our team will also take X-rays and any other images we need to determine whether dental implants are right for you. If we learn that you need preparatory treatments completed before you can receive dental implants safely (i.e. bone grafting, gum disease therapy), then we’ll create a plan to have these issues taken care of first. Afterwards, we’ll revisit your eligibility.  If you are able to receive dental implants now, we can start planning your surgery.

Dental Implant Surgery

Because Dr. Cha can place implants himself, you’ll be able to stay with the same team you already know and trust throughout the process. It also means there’s no need to drive all over town just to have your teeth replaced with dental implants, making your experience all the more convenient. Ahead of surgery, your mouth is numbed with local anesthetic. Then, small incisions are created inside your gum tissue. Tiny holes are made inside your jawbone for the implants to fit into, the implants are placed, and your gum tissue is stitched closed. We’ll go over your aftercare steps to ensure a smooth recovery over the next several days.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

The implants will need time to heal and fuse with your jaw, which can take around four to six months. This process is called osseointegration and is one of the most important steps in your tooth replacement procedure. The fusion of titanium and bone is what enables the implants to last for decades without issue. When the implant has healed fully, you’ll come back to our office to have an abutment placed. This metal connector provides additional stability and security to your permanent restoration. Once a couple more weeks of healing have occurred, you’ll come back for one final visit.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

The final stage of your tooth replacement is the delivery of the permanent dental implant restoration.  Depending on the number of teeth you’re missing, we’ll secure a dental crown, bridge, or denture onto your abutments. We make sure your restoration looks as natural as possible and fits comfortably before sending you on your way, so make sure to let us know if adjustments need to be made.

Day-to-Day Benefits

Of course, the first implant benefits to notice are the day-to-day ones. These include the following:

• Pretty Pearly Whites – Since they’re capped with quality dental crowns, implants look pretty and seamlessly blend in with your smile. You won’t, then, need to worry about other’s reactions. Most can’t tell implants and natural teeth apart.
• Improved Confidence – By filling in your smile gaps, implants help you feel less self-conscious and more confident. This effect, in turn, leads to an easier time in social situations.

• Easier Eating – Unlike dentures or bridges, implants fuse with your jawbone over time. As such, they remain sturdy. You can thus trust them to help you eat your favorite foods!
• Simple Maintenance – Implants generally don’t need much upkeep or maintenance. As with natural teeth, you simply need to brush them twice daily and floss them once daily. Add in some frequent rinses with mouthwash and you’re good to go!

Health Benefits

While day-to-day advantages are obvious, implants do have other ones. In particular, there are some benefits related to your health. The most common of these are:

• Better Teeth-Cleaning  – In getting rid of germ-filled tooth gaps, implants make it easier to clean your mouth. You’re risk of oral health issue then decreases.
• A Strong Jawbone – Untreated tooth loss will cause your jaw to lose bone tissue. Left unchecked, that process will thus trigger facial collapse. Thankfully, implants stimulate your jawbone, preventing its erosion.
• No Sensitivity – Unlike other restorations, implants don’t rub against other teeth or gum tissue. Therefore, they fill those spaces reduces the risk of further tooth loss.

Long-term Benefits

What really sets implants as top tooth replacements are their long-term benefits. Among those effects, common ones tend to be:

• Low Chance of Failure – Following the surgery, implants hardly ever fail. In fact, their ten-year success rate even sits at over 95%!
• Long-Lasting Results – The average dental implant lasts 15-20 years. In comparison, a well-maintained one can have a lifespan of 30 years or more. It’s thus evident that your restorations could last a lifetime.
• Cost-Effectiveness – If you’re careful about the purchase, implants can actually save you money overall. Their long lifespan compared to alternatives means they don’t often involve replacement or repair fees. In contrast, dentures and bridges often need pricey follow-up care.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

If you have any pre-existing oral health conditions, you may need to undergo certain preliminary treatments before getting dental implants. Services like gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, and bone grafting are commonly performed to get smiles ready for implants.

You should keep in mind that these procedures will add to the overall cost of your treatment. Of course, they’re necessary to ensure the success of your new grin in the long term. Some are partially covered by dental insurance anyway, meaning you don’t have to worry about making a big dent in your bank account!

It’s also worth noting that dental implant surgery has a cost of its own, which is normally affected by the location of the surgical site and the type of sedation needed. Since the entire dental implant treatment can be completed right here in our very own office, you don’t need to work with an outside provider and pay separate bills.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

The overall cost of getting dental implants in McKinney is affected by several factors. Some of those include:

• Number of Dental Implants: As you can imagine, replacing a single tooth will cost less than replacing four to six with an implant denture. However, an implant denture is far more cost-effective than replacing each tooth individually.
• Type of Restoration: Crowns, bridges, and dentures each cost a different amount. The smaller the restoration is, the less expensive it’ll be.
• Size or Material: Implants made of zirconia typically cost less than those made of titanium.
• Brand: You may be surprised to learn that there are different manufacturers that make implants differently to cater to the unique needs of certain patients. Make sure you ask about brand-specific benefits to find out how they will affect the total cost.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Some patients are tempted to save money by choosing traditional dentures or bridges over implants. Although dental implants have a larger one-time cost, they end up paying for themselves in the long run. For example, you don’t have to worry about paying for replacements or adjustments every few years like you would with other tooth-replacement options. In addition, there are no special products you need to purchase for maintenance. Caring for dental implants is as easy as caring for your natural teeth!

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Most dental insurance plans offer some form of coverage for dental implants. While the implant itself may not be covered, parts of the final restoration or certain preliminary treatments are eligible for coverage. During your consultation, our team will review the details of your plan to figure out the best way to maximize your benefits.

Making Dental Implants Affordable 

Don’t have dental insurance? No problem! We offer additional financing options to help make your treatment as affordable as possible, such as:

• CareCredit Financing: With this option, you can split up the total cost of your treatment into smaller monthly installments that fit your budget. Best of all, there’s often little-to-no interest attached to these payment plans.
• In-House Membership Plan: For a simple requisite membership fee, you can get access to discounts on many services, including those that aren’t usually covered by insurance. You can essentially enjoy the benefits of traditional insurance without the red tape!