Dental Implants – Lubbock, TX
Ushering in a New
Wave of Dentistry
Over the last several decades, dental implants, a modern solution to replacing missing teeth, are becoming increasingly more popular among patients. They’re an incredibly unique treatment that takes a more holistic approach to restoring smiles. Not only do they capture the lifelike quality of home-grown teeth, but they also restore the vital structure that lies below the gums. If you’d like to learn whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants in Lubbock, TX, don’t hesitate to call our dental office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shively.
Why Choose Kevin Shively, DMD for Dental Implants?
- Start-to-Finish Dental Implant Treatment
- Flexible In-House & Third-Party Financing Available
- Replacement Teeth That Can Last a Lifetime
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants themselves are small titanium posts that Dr. Shively strategically places below the gumline and into the jawbone to restore the missing root structure of a tooth. Not only does this provide restorations that will be secured to them with a strong, stable foundation, but it also provides the bone with necessary stimulation and blood flow to keep it from deteriorating over time.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Dr. Shively has attended specialty training and continuing education courses to be able to complete the entire dental implant procedure from the comfort of his own dental office, from implant placement surgery to restoring the implants. That way, you’ll be able to stick with the same, trusted team of professionals that you started your treatment with. Here's what you can expect:
- Dental Implant Consultation: First, we'll want to inspect your oral health and the status of your smile. With this information, Dr. Shively can begin to formulate a custom treatment.
- Dental Implant Surgery: Dr. Shively will personally place one or more implants into the jawbone, creating a sturdy foundation.
- Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutments: The implants will need a few months to bond with the bone. We may also attach abutments, which will connect the implant to the lifelike restoration.
- Final Placement of Dental Implant Restorations: Our team will seat your brand-new "teeth" over the implant or implants, ensuring a comfortable, confident fit!
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants have so much to offer. They combine the aesthetic beauty of traditional restorations with a practical approach of restoring the entire structure of missing teeth. This allows patients to enjoy a wide array of benefits, including:
- Prevent jawbone deterioration with stimulation of the area.
- Natural looking and feeling replacement teeth.
- Lifespan of 35+ years with routine maintenance and at-home care.
- No alteration of surrounding teeth necessary to restore missing ones.
- Maintain better oral health with a complete smile.
- Preserve your facial structure by preventing bone loss.
- No need to worry about messy adhesives.
- Enhanced eating and speaking abilities.
The list of benefits when you get dental implants goes on and on, but to find out how they can change your life, it’s best to visit your implant dentist in Lubbock. Dr. Shively will walk you through the pros and cons of treatment in your unique situation and take the time to help you understand the process.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Not only are dental implants the premiere tooth replacement option, but they can be used to replace any number of missing teeth. One or more implants can be strategically placed around the mouth to support a crown, bridge, partial, or full denture, rebuilding your smile regardless of what level of tooth loss you’re facing. First, we’ll need to make sure you’re a good candidate for dental implants during your initial consultation. Read on as we go over who is a good candidate for dental implants and how many you may need.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Not everybody is a good candidate for dental implants right away, which is why the initial consultation process is so important. During your appointment, Dr. Shively will take X-rays of your mouth and conduct a thorough examination. He’ll also speak with you about your medical history and your goals that for your smile. If you’re not a good candidate right away, he may be able to help you become one with preliminary treatments like gum disease therapy, a tooth extraction, or a bone graft.
Once you’ve healed from any necessary preparatory procedures, he’ll outline a customized dental implant treatment plan for you. This will revolve around many different factors, including how many teeth you are missing:
Missing 1 Tooth
To replace one tooth, Dr. Shively will place a single dental implant in the gap in your smile. Once it has fused with the jawbone, our team can then attach a customized dental crown to it that will fit in perfectly between your natural teeth. Our dental crowns are carefully crafted from natural-looking materials, so the end result will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.
Missing Multiple Teeth
To replace two or more missing teeth in a row, we also offer implant bridges. Instead of altering surrounding teeth, like we would have to do with a traditional bridge, we’ll place two dental implants on either side of the gap in your smile. These will anchor the prosthetic securely in place and help you avoid all the drawbacks of a traditional dental bridge!
Missing All Teeth
In the past, the only option for patients who were missing all their teeth was to get a removable full denture. But that’s not the case anymore! We are pleased to offer patients facing severe tooth loss implant dentures, which offer unmatched stability, comfort, and function when compared to their traditional removable counterparts. We’ll use four to eight strategically placed dental implants throughout the mouth to anchor a full denture in place, giving you the complete, confident smile you deserve!
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Every dental implant treatment that we do is different because they’re customized to meet each of our patient’s unique needs. The cost of your procedure will depend on a number of factors, including what type of restoration you need, how many dental implants you need to have placed, and whether you require preparatory procedures. We’ll outline the price in detail during your initial consultation. Until then, read on to learn more about the cost of dental implants in Lubbock
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
We may recommend preliminary treatments like gum disease therapy, tooth extractions, or bone grafting. While these services do add to your overall cost, they’re integral for the success of your implants. Next, your surgery will incur its own cost. Thankfully, we offer the entire implant process at the same convenient location, making your fees simple and compact instead of multiple payments to various practices.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
There are several parts of the dental implant that impact your total cost, including:
- Number of implants: The number of implants that you need will affect your cost. Usually, the more teeth you need replaced, the higher your price will be. However, our implant dentist in Lubbock can replace an entire row of teeth with just 4 to 6 dental implants as a cost-effective treatment.
- Restoration: The type of restoration will also impact your price. Crowns, bridges, and dentures each have different assigned costs. Usually, the smaller restorations are less expensive.
- Material and size: Implants are made in different sizes with various materials to accommodate the needs of a wide range of cases.
- Brand: Like clothes or cars, there are different brands of implants, varying in cost.
Please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or concerns. We proudly use high-quality materials for lasting smiles.
How Dental Implants Can Save You Money
Dental implants tend to cost more than other replacement options, however their benefits make them well worth your investment. In fact, dental implants can actually save your hard-earned cash because they last so long. Instead of replacing your dentures or bridges every 5 to 10 years, implants have the ability to last for the rest of your life with proper care. This keeps you smiling while saving you time and money from avoiding replacements. Plus, they help prevent common oral health issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and more, lowering your risk of needing to pay for additional dental treatments.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Usually, dental insurance does not cover dental implants in Lubbock, however there are some exceptions. Your preliminary treatments and final restorations may be partially covered, but this will vary from plan to plan. That’s why it’s best to speak with your provider before making any decisions. Our friendly team is happy to communicate with your insurance directly to help you maximize your benefits and pay less out of pocket for your treatment.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
No insurance? No worries! We have our dental savings plan with KLEER® that allows patients to enjoy discounted dentistry without the confusing deductibles, maximums, and rules of traditional insurance. Additionally, we have alternative financing through CareCredit. With this option, patients can choose the monthly payment plan that fits their budget for cost-effective dental implants.
Dental Implant FAQs
Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat with Dental Implants?
In the beginning, you’ll be asked to stick to soft foods, like mashed potatoes, applesauce, oatmeal, and yogurt. Once you’ve fully recovered, you can enjoy all of your favorite foods again! That’s because dental implants are comprised of high-quality, durable materials and are inserted directly into your jawbone, restoring your bite force. Just be sure to exercise caution with especially hard and sticky foods that can chip or crack your restoration.
Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?
Since a local anesthetic is used before the procedure begins, the process of getting dental implants is virtually pain-free. Once you return home, you’ll likely experience some soreness and discomfort. After all, getting dental implants involves oral surgery! The good news is that using a cold compress, sticking to soft foods, and taking OTC pain medication as needed will help keep you comfortable.
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?
Dental implants can fail for a number of reasons, including chronic teeth grinding, tobacco use, and certain medications. However, the two most common causes are peri-implantitis (a form of gum disease) and failed osseointegration (the fusion of the implant post to the jawbone). Don’t worry – all of these will be reviewed during your initial consultation. That way, you have an in-depth understanding of your role in the dental implant process.
Will People Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?
All too often, patients are hesitant to get dental implants because they are worried the results will turn heads for all of the wrong reasons. It’s important to keep in mind that dental implants in Lubbock are custom-made for each patient. Consequently, they blend in seamlessly with your surrounding teeth. Plus, they stay in place when you laugh, chew, and speak (unlike tooth-replacement options from decades prior), making them lifelike in look and feel.
How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can I Get Dental Implants?
The answer depends. While some patients can get a dental implant placed the very same day, others have to wait 10+ weeks for their mouth to heal. The decision is ultimately up to you and your dentist. To find out how quickly you can get dental implants after having your teeth extracted, schedule an initial consultation! From there, our talented implant dentist in Lubbock can conduct a thorough exam and recommend the best approach.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
After making the investment of a lifetime to replace your lost teeth with dental implants, you’ll naturally want to make sure your new smile lasts as long as possible. Luckily, dental implant care in Lubbock isn’t complicated like it is for dentures. In fact, it isn’t all that different from maintaining natural teeth. All you need to do is establish a few key habits that can keep your new pearly whites in great shape for years or even decades to come!
Make Oral Hygiene a Priority
Even with dental implants, daily brushing and flossing are still essential. Without good oral hygiene, bacteria might build up in your mouth and weaken the gum and bone that keep your implants in place, ultimately resulting in dental implant failure. Fortunately, this is easily preventable as long as you brush twice a day and floss at least once a day – just like you would for your home-grown teeth.
Eat a Healthy Diet
It’s no secret that sugary treats cause cavities, but they’re not great for your dental implants, either. Although your implants cannot decay, any natural teeth you have left still can. Not to mention, a diet too high in sugar can increase the risk of gum infections that put your implants at risk. Instead of giving harmful oral bacteria the fuel they need to wreak havoc, fill your diet with mouth-healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. Calcium and vitamin C in particular are valuable nutrients for your oral health, as they promote a healthy jawbone and gums, respectively.
Break Bad Habits
If you tend to bite your fingernails when stressed, like to eat ice, grind your teeth, smoke, or chew on pens and pencils, it’s time to quite these habits. All of them could put your implants and any remaining teeth you have in harm’s way. Biting down on hard objects that are not food could cause your implant restorations to break, and tobacco greatly increases the risk of gum disease. Feel free to ask our team about how to find the right resources to help you curb habits like these.
Protect Your Dental Implants
Do you play sports in your free time? Do you often wake up with headaches or jaw soreness? If the answer to either of these questions is “yes,” then ask Dr. Shively about a custom mouthguard. An athletic mouthguard can protect your implants from serious injury, while a nightguard can minimize long-term damage from teeth grinding that occurs while you sleep. Our mouthguards are personalized to fit your unique smile, so they’re much more comfortable and effective than the cheaply made appliances you can find in stores.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
Unless we recommend otherwise, you’ll need to continue visiting our dental team every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Even if nothing feels wrong with your implants, natural teeth, or gums, it never hurts to make sure they’re in optimal condition. Oftentimes, oral health concerns like decay or infections are barely noticeable in the early stages, but Dr. Shively can detect them before they’ve had the chance to cause lasting damage to your smile.