Dental Implants – New Braunfels, TX
Leading New Braunfels in Dental Implant Smile Restorations
Dr. Aaron Haag is our resident dental implant expert and has completed countless hours of continuing education on this specialty topic, along with a year-long course on full implant dentures. He is also currently in the process of completing his Associate Fellowship with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. That’s why so many people in New Braunfels choose us as their smile restoration destination, because we know what we’re doing! Give our office a call today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can start your journey towards a more beautiful and functional grin.
Why Choose Comal Dental for Dental Implants?
- Start-to-Finish Dental Implant Treatment
- 3D-Printed Customized, Same-Day Prosthetics
- Cone Beam CT Scanner for Precise Treatment Planning
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small titanium and zirconium post that is placed into the jawbone to recreate the root structure of a missing tooth. After it has bonded with the surrounding bone, it’s topped with a crown, bridge, or denture to restore the visible portion of the tooth/teeth. Right now, dental implants are the only treatment that brings back an entire tooth from top to bottom. This gives them unmatched stability, functionality, longevity, and comfort. In fact, your new dental implants will be virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth in every way!
The 4 Step Dental Implant Process
If you’re considering dental implant treatment in New Braunfels, it’s important to be familiar with the four-step dental implant process. You can learn more about each step by clicking the “read more” button below, but please – don’t hesitate to contact our team with any questions or concerns you may have. We’ll be happy to provide clarification about your tooth replacement over the phone or in-person!
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Haag will collect all necessary diagnostic imaging (which could include a cone beam CT scan of your facial structure) and conduct a thorough evaluation of your mouth. This will help him determine whether you require any preliminary treatments such as gum disease therapy or bone grafting. He’ll then report his findings to you, confirm your needs and expectations, and carefully put together a cost estimate and treatment plan.
Dental Implant Surgery
We’re proud to be able to complete the entire dental implant process in-house! Instead of referring you to another office, Dr. Haag will perform your implant surgery himself. This involves making a small incision in your gumline, then strategically placing your implant posts along your jawbone. Rest assured, your jawbone doesn’t have many nerve endings, and we’ll administer a local anesthetic so you can be comfortable during treatment.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
After your surgery, you’ll have to wait three to six months for osseointegration to occur. Basically, the biocompatible nature of your implant posts enables your jawbone to fuse with the material, creating a firm foundation for your restoration.
Once the process is complete, we’ll be able to safely attach your abutments (small “connector pieces” that will allow us to fix your restoration to your implants).
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
Part of the reason we take so many images of your mouth during the consultation is so we can customize your bridge, crown, or denture. We’ll send key information about your dental structure to a trusted lab, where skilled technicians will start crafting your restoration. This can take some time, but in the end, you’ll have a restoration that fits perfectly and blends seamlessly with your smile.
As soon as we receive your customized bridge, crown, or denture, we’ll let you know so you can schedule another visit to the office. All that will be left to do is place your restoration and make sure you’re happy with your treatment results!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are superior to traditional tooth loss solutions because they replace the entire structure of the tooth rather than just the crown. This allows them to provide exceptional benefits that aren’t possible with other methods, and many patients find that these devices allow them to enjoy a significantly higher quality of life. Here’s a quick look at a few of the most amazing advantages dental implants from our New Braunfels office can provide.
Day-to-Day Benefits
Dental implants offer a variety of advantages you may notice during your daily activities such as:
- Superior chewing power: Dental implants can handle the same foods natural teeth can, which can help the patient enjoy a tasty and interesting diet and set them up for smooth and comfortable digestion.
- Lifelike appearance: Dental implants support restorations that are designed to be indistinguishable from natural teeth in appearance and function.
- Easy oral hygiene: Dental implants only need the same oral hygiene regimen as real teeth, so you won’t have to worry about the elaborate cleaning rituals required by traditional dentures.
Health Benefits
Dental implants can also deliver a host of perks that may improve your oral and overall health. These include:
- Easier to clean: Simple oral hygiene requirements make it easier to prevent nasty oral infections like gum disease.
- Improved confidence: Having a smile you’re proud to show off can make it easier to engage socially and maintain a positive attitude.
- Secure hold: Since they are anchored securely in the jawbone, dental implants won’t slide about on the gums like poorly-fitting traditional restorations, which can prevent soft tissue irritation and enamel damage.
- Improved diet: Dental implants allow patients to enjoy the diverse and nutritious diet the human body needs to stay healthy and strong.
Long-Term Benefits
Dental implants can also pay significant dividends over time in ways like:
- Smart investment: Dental implants are 95% successful even ten years after being placed.
- Stimulating the jawbone: Tooth loss causes the jawbone to atrophy, which can lead to a host of oral health problems and leave the patient with a withered appearance. Dental implants restore the exercise the jaw needs to stay healthy, which can prevent or reverse bone loss and preserve the patient’s youthful appearance.
- Lasting for decades: Dental implants that receive excellent care may last for several decades or possibly for life. This can potentially save the patient thousands of dollars that would be spent on replacements for traditional restorations.
- New opportunities: Restoring your smile can make it easier to leave a positive impression during business or social situations. This can help you win interesting new friends, an exciting new job, or a lucrative promotion.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants can be used to treat all severities of tooth loss if you’re a candidate for the procedure. Dr. Haag will evaluate your smile and your oral health to determine which option is best.
Missing One Tooth
A titanium implant post is surgically placed into the jawbone to act as a new root. An abutment is placed on the post to connect a custom-made crown. Your new tooth will blend in with your natural ones, so no one will notice it isn’t real.
Missing Multiple Teeth
An implant post is used at either end of a bridge to support it. There’s no need to alter healthy teeth to bond dental crowns over them. Your bridge can last for several decades with the right care, so you’ll never need to worry about having it replaced.
Missing All of Your Teeth
Four to eight implant posts can support a denture to eliminate slipping or irritation. You’ll regain as much as 70% of your natural biting force to enjoy the next best thing to your home-grown teeth. Dr. Haag also offers All-on-4 dentures, allowing him to attach a complete denture that’s custom-printed in our office to four strategically placed implant posts on the same day as the surgery. This is a great option for patients who have experienced jawbone erosion because it reduces the need for a bone graft.
Learn More About All-On-4 Dental ImplantsUnderstanding the Cost of Dental Implants
It’s no secret that dental implants initially cost more than traditional treatments, but they can be more affordable long-term because they should never need to be replaced! Our New Braunfels team will provide you with a custom estimate during your consultation and explain the costs associated with each step of your treatment. Since the process takes several months, you won’t need to cover the entire amount upfront, which can make it easier to afford your new smile. We’ll also work with you to maximize your dental insurance to reduce the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket. You can also explore other payment options, such as low-interest financing through CareCredit.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
Some patients require preliminary care before they get dental implants. Services like tooth extractions, gum disease therapy, and bone grafting all come with their own fee. The implant surgery itself has a separate cost, which depends on the number of implants being placed and other factors. Since our team can perform the surgery in-house, you will not have to deal with the pricing structure and financial policies of an outside specialist.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
Some additional aspects of your treatment that could impact cost include:
- Your restoration: The cost of your bridge, crown, or denture will depend on its size and the materials used to make it.
- The implants themselves: Implants can come from various manufacturers. We partner with top-quality suppliers who have are reputation for quality and trustworthiness.
If you have questions about where your implants come from or what they are made of, feel free to ask!
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
Dental implants cost a significant amount of money, so many patients are surprised to learn that they can actually help you save money in the long run! They can do so in at least two ways:
- Longevity: Implants can last a lifetime, and the restorations on top of them can endure for a decade or longer. Their cost per day is often less than that of non-implant restorations.
- Health benefits: Implants support jawbone health and overall wellness. For example, they can allow you to eat a wide variety of nutritious foods. These benefits may reduce overall medical costs throughout your lifetime.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Some insurance plans cover dental implants, while others do not. Our team welcomes insurance and is in-network with all major PPO plans, so we can help you figure out how your benefits apply. We can also assist with the entire claims process. Even if your insurance does not cover the implants themselves, it may reduce your out-of-pocket cost for preliminary treatments or your final restoration.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
Aside from insurance, there is another provision that could make it easier for you to afford dental implants: CareCredit financing. CareCredit is a third-party company that specializes in providing low-interest and no-interest payment plans for dental and medical services. The application process is fast, and most patients are readily approved for an affordable monthly installment amount.
Would you like to know more about the cost of dental implants? Schedule a consultation today to get a personalized estimate!
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Once your mouth has fully recovered from dental implant surgery, you’ll find that taking care of dental implants isn’t much different from taking care of natural teeth; you’ll continue brushing and flossing like you did before. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Choose low-abrasive toothpastes that won’t damage the implant.
- Add mouth rinse to your oral hygiene routine to wash away food and bacteria from around the implant.
- If you have trouble cleaning underneath the implants, try using a water pick.
Dental Implant FAQs
Before you decide to get dental implants in New Braunfels, it’s important to do your research. Do you fully understand what is going to happen during the procedure and what it will be like to have new teeth supported by an implant? Dr. Haag is here to make sure you’re fully informed. Read below to see if we’ve already answered your question; if not, write it down so that you can bring it to our attention during your implant consultation.
How long will my dental implants last?
If you’re used to having bridges, dentures, and crowns replaced every 5 to 15 years, you’re probably wondering how often you’ll need new implants. The answer is: very rarely, if ever! The implant screws themselves can easily last over 30 years if you continue to practice good oral hygiene and receive regular dental checkups. In fact, they could very well last the rest of your life. Note that this primarily applies to the actual implant. The restoration that they support will be subject to more wear and tear and will likely need to be replaced periodically. Still, you can safely look forward to your dental implants strengthening your smile for a long time.
What is the right age for dental implants?
Implants are usually recommended for adults with fully grown and developed jaws. They’re not typically placed in children because of the number of changes that still have to take place. However, some older teens might be eligible for the procedure. Girls around the age of 16 and boys around the age of 18 might be able to get implants; we can give you our recommendation once we’ve had a chance to evaluate their mouth.
Will getting dental implants hurt?
Dental implant placement is a surgery, so the proper precautions are taken beforehand to keep you comfortable. Between the local anesthetic used to numb the mouth and the sedation techniques used to keep them in a relaxed state of mind, many people report that the implant treatment feels better than they expected. We’ll give you instructions for taking care of your mouth during the recovery process so that you can keep any soreness you might experience under control.
The pain after the surgery will be mild and should go away with time. If it grows worse or becomes severe, call us immediately; you might be experiencing the warning signs of a post-surgical complication.
