Implants…

Whether getting one or multiple dental implants there will be multiple appointments. There are 5 basic steps (sometime more) to getting an implant. Many times a patient may only need 3 of the 5 steps based on their individual anatomy, remaining bone and presence of teeth. Here are the breakdown of steps and average time:

• Step 1: Extract broken tooth and place bone graft (1st appointment). Wait 4-6 months for bone to heal.
• Step 2: Place implant (2nd appointment) and wait 4-6 months for healing.
• Step 3: Uncover implant and place healing abutment (3rd appointment). Wait 3-4 weeks for healing.
• Step 4: Place impression coping, take impression for crown (4th appointment). Wait 2-3 weeks for crown fabrication.
• Step 5: Get crown delivered

It’s important to note that most patients do not require all steps and in many cases they can get implants immediately or combine multiple steps into one appointment. Most Today Dental of Northlake patients complete the whole process from implant placement to crown in mouth in 4-5 months.

The cost varies greatly but implants typically range from $1,200 to $2,500. This does not include abutments, extractions, bone grafting or the crown which are not always needed. At Today Dental of Northlake we understand implants are not cheap. We’ll do everything we can to work within your budget, utilize your dental insurance benefits and provide discounts through our CareDent Plan (in-office-discount plan). Let’s get you in today for a no-charge implant consultation (call to schedule).

We’ll perform a comprehensive implant evaluation day one to see if implants are right for you. We’ll access bone, anatomy, gums, sinuses, oral health and other structures to determine what steps are necessary for implant placement. We’ll present a treatment plan with a timeframe and associated fees so there’s no hidden costs or surprise billing. At Today Dental of Northlake we like to reduce the total number of appointments. If you’re up for it, we can typically start treatment at your first appointment.

Implants are a great tooth replacement option. Implants are commonly referred to as “artificial roots.” They generally have a good long-term prognosis (in the absence of disease) and most resemble a tooth when compared to a removable prosthetic (aka denture). Nothing beats a real God-given tooth, but a dental implant is a close second. Our patients in Northlake choose implants in many cases because of the look, feel and function that no other dental prosthetic can provide.

Our doctor has taken additional training courses because they want to be the best. We have taken advantage of the latest technology and advancements in dentistry to make your dental implant process as painless as possible. There may be some slight discomfort when getting numb or during tooth extraction, but this should be minimal. Typically there is little to no pain during implant placement and if desired we have IV sedation, conscious sedation (oral medication and nitrous), and laughing gas (nitrous oxide) options. Call to find out more!