Dental Implants — McKinney, TX

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

The success of your new smile relies of the right foundation. During your initial consultation, we’ll take digital X-rays and use our state-of-the-art CBCT scanner to assess your oral health and map out your treatment. This information will tell us if you need to complete any preliminary treatments like periodontal therapy, bone grafting, or a sinus lift to ensure the success of your dental implant. Once your oral health is on track and you’re ready for your brand-new smile, we can schedule your implant surgery.

Dental Implant Surgery

After you’ve healed from any previous treatments, you’re ready to have your implant posts strategically placed into your jawbone. Dr. Hegazin has undergone advanced training in implant dentistry to perform this step in-office. This saves time and money while you benefit from one trusted dental team from start to finish.

The surgery starts by opening your gum tissue to expose your jawbone. Dr. Hegazin will carefully drill small holes into it and place the dental implants posts. Then, your gum tissue is closed to begin a process called osseointegration. The implant posts stimulate your jaw to encourage new bone growth. This allows your jaw to fuse to the posts over the next several months. After your jawbone is healed, you can undergo the final 2 stages of your treatment to place your abutments and your restorations.

Recovering from Implant Placement Surgery

It’s normal to be worried about a painful recovery, but most patients report it to be no worse than a tooth extraction. Over-the-counter pain relievers can manage any discomfort while you heal. You can also apply cold compresses to the outside of your face for 10-minute intervals to help manage any bruising or swelling.

While you recover, you need to maintain your oral hygiene to reduce the risk of infection. When brushing and flossing, carefully clean near the surgical sites to prevent causing damage to the healing tissue.

It’s best to limit your diet to soft foods for the first few days until your pain subsides, then slowly introduce harder foods. Avoid anything that can injure or irritate the surgical sites, like hard or spicy foods.

Day-to-Day Benefits

A recent survey suggests that about one-third of denture wearers feel limited by their prosthetics. Does that describe you, too? If so, dental implants might be the solution you’ve been looking for. They offer several lifestyle benefits, including the ability to:

• Smile confidently – Your restorations (the crowns, bridges, or dentures that go on top of your implants) are practically indistinguishable from your original teeth. As a trained implant dentist in McKinney with plenty of experience in cosmetic dentistry, Hegazin will carefully craft your restoration to complement your natural oral anatomy and facial features. Once they’re placed, others shouldn’t even be able to tell that you have dental implants!
• Eat most foods – Since dental implants recreate the roots of your teeth, they’re sturdy enough to let you dig into virtually any food, no matter how chewy or crunchy, without worrying that they’ll destabilize.
• Talk with ease – Poorly fitting dentures often slip around, cause speech problems, or even fall out of the mouth when talking. Implant restorations are firmly anchored in your jaw, allowing you to speak clearly at all times.

Health Benefits

In addition to improving the quality of your everyday life, there are plenty more benefits of dental implants in McKinney. Here are just a few of the health advantages they provide:

• Jawbone stimulation – After a tooth is lost, the section of the jawbone that the roots once supported begins to shrink. Eventually, the bone loss may become so severe that the jawbone weakens to the point that it increases your risk of gum disease, further tooth loss, and other oral health problems. Not to mention, it may cause a sunken, wrinkled facial appearance. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option to recreate the tooth roots, stimulating the jawbone to keep it strong.
• Preservation of natural teeth – To place a dental bridge, some enamel must be permanently removed from the remaining healthy teeth. This may lead to decay and sensitivity in those teeth. In contrast, dental implants are self-supporting, so none of your tooth structure needs to be removed.
• Systemic health benefits – Tooth loss has been linked to multiple health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. Because dental implants are the next best thing to your natural teeth, they greatly reduce such risks.

Long-Term Benefits

After dental implants are placed, they fuse to the surrounding bone and tissue, creating a bone that is sturdy enough to last a lifetime with the right care. In fact, implants have a success rate of 95%, even after 10+ years. Not only does this save you time in the dental chair that you would have otherwise spent on replacing a traditional solution, but dental implants are a wise financial investment in the long run.

Implant Crowns and Bridges

A single gap in your smile can be rebuilt with a custom-made dental crown, which will fit between natural teeth in a conservative and attractive fashion. Alternatively, an implant-retained bridge may be the best choice if multiple teeth in a row need to be replenished. Two implants can be placed on either side of the gap to steady the new bridge in place without harming the remaining natural teeth.

Implant Dentures

Dental implants can even be used to replace a large number of missing teeth at once! Our custom-made, implant-retained dentures in McKinney are designed to anchor over strategically placed implants – this method is also more cost-effective because we won’t need to pair each missing tooth with a single implant. Patients can choose to have a removable denture for the convenience or have their prosthetic permanently fixed in place for the most lifelike result possible.

Learn More About Implant Dentures

All-On-4

Did you know that we can replace an entire arch of missing teeth with as few as four dental implants? That’s right, we can strategically place implants throughout your jawbone to support a full arch denture that doesn’t slip around at embarrassing moments. It also cuts down on the usual waiting period that regular dental implants come with. Thanks to All-on-4, you can receive an entire arch of new teeth in just one appointment!

Learn More About All-On-4

Types of Dental Implants

When meeting with Dr. Hegazin for your initial consultation, you’ll discover the most important factor in determining how much you can expect to spend is the type of dental implant you’ll be receiving. Much of this is largely based on how many implants you need. From a single tooth to a full arch, this versatile treatment option means the more implants you need, the greater the chance you’ll be spending more.

The Stages of Dental Implant Treatment

Getting dental implants in McKinney is a multistep process that span several months. Every stage will incur its own cost, so you can typically expect to pay separate fees for:

• Initial consultation
• Anesthesia
• Implant placement
• Abutment
• Custom restoration

It’s also important to note that if you need any pre-dental implant work, such as bone grafting or gum disease therapy, there will be an additional cost.

Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?

There is no doubt that making a decision to pursue dental implants is a wise investment. Yes, there are multiple tooth replacement solutions available, but only with dental implants will you achieve the longevity and stability you desire from a fully restored smile. Some of the additional benefits that make them a worthwhile investment include:

• Easy to clean – You need only a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, and commitment to visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings to keep them clean.
• Natural look and feel – Because the dental lab will work with the dentist to ensure your restoration matches the look of your smile, you can rest easy knowing your new fixture blends in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. Dental implants also give you the functionality you need to feel confident in performing day-to-day tasks such as eating and speaking.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Most dental insurance plans do not cover dental implants; however, it depends on your individual plan. But what you can find relief in is knowing parts of the process may be covered by your insurance, including:

• Anesthesia/Sedation
• Custom Restoration
• Preparation (initial consultation)

What Is a Bone Graft?

A bone graft is a surgical procedure specifically intended to replace missing bone in the body. While bone grafts can be used anywhere, they are especially common in parts of the jaw when placing dental implants. It entails the donation of either existing bone tissue in your body or bone from somewhere else. Once the bone is placed onto the bone tissue, it is given several months of time to heal. The end result is a bone that is large enough to hold a dental implant confidently and for the long-term.

What Is a Sinus Lift?

In certain parts of the mouth, a dental implant can become tricky because the material the implant needs to integrate with is particularly thin. With a sinus lift, we can add bone to your upper jaw and near where your molars and premolars are located. If you need to replace a teeth in this region and there is not enough bone material to do so, a sinus lift will make treatment viable. Also known as sinus augmentations, this treatment is ideal for those who have had missing teeth for a long time or who previously suffered from periodontal disease, which can destroy bone.

How Do These Treatments Work?

During a bone graft, a new, small piece of bone is injected into the place the bone needs to heal. The cells inside this bone begin to seal themselves with this new bone. Over the next several months, the bone tissue will grow, increase in volume, and become large enough to eventually join with a future dental implant.

In the case of a sinus lift, we may be able to take bone from other parts of your body (such as the hip or tibia.) Regardless of where the bone is sourced, we will start by cutting the gum tissue, lift it up to expose the bone, and pack granules of bone into the space where the sinus previously was. Afterwards, it’s closed with stitches and four to nine months later, your implants can be placed.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

While your dental implants themselves can’t be affected by issues like cavities and infection, a good at-home oral healthcare routine is vital. Common problems like gum disease caused by plaque buildup can lead to dental implant failure. However, brushing twice a day and flossing once a day is the best way to prevent oral health problems. Remember to brush for two minutes each session, paying close attention to your gumline so you can clean away bacteria that may cause infection.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Thanks to dental implants in McKinney, you can eat whatever you want, allowing you to enjoy a delicious and nutritious diet. But you should avoid overindulging in extra sticky, hard, or sugary foods. These items can cause issues like infection or decay, and hard foods may even damage your implants. Instead, try to eat foods with calcium and vitamin C – these ingredients keep your gums and jawbone healthy and strong.

Break Bad Habits

While dental implants have a success rate of 95% even after 10 years, there is a chance that they can fail. The use of tobacco products and smoking will slow down healing and encourage infection. Additionally, bad habits like chewing on non-food items or ice cubes can cause injury and implant failure. You should also avoid using your teeth for anything other than eating, speaking, and smiling – do not use your smile to open packages or bottles because it could seriously damage your implants.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Dental implants are designed to last for decades with proper care, making them the most durable tooth replacement. However, they must be protected during sports and physical activity. Be sure to wear a mouthguard even in sports that you may not think of as overly physical (examples: baseball, basketball, or even trail hiking). Additionally, if you suffer from teeth grinding, wear a nightguard to protect your implants from unnecessary pressure and wear.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to visit our office for regular checkups with our implant dentist in McKinney. Dr. Hegazin will carefully examine your mouth to ensure that everything looks good. These visits allow him to catch any issues while they’re still small, preventing you from more extensive and expensive dental care in the future. This is also a great time to ask questions you may have about your implants or overall oral health.

Is Dental Implant Surgery Painful?

The dental world is constantly evolving, which means there are several benefits you stand to gain by receiving care in the 21^st century. One area where major strides have been made is comfort. As it applies to the dental implant procedure, it means you should expect a pain-free experience while the implant is being placed.

However, you can expect to have some slight but manageable discomfort that subsides over the first 10 days after the initial procedure is completed. Usually, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or Tylenol will suffice, but if needed, Dr. Hegazin will prescribe medication to ensure you’re not in excruciating pain while you recover.

Are Dental Implants Just for Older Patients?

The reality about tooth loss is that it doesn’t discriminate based on age. Because advanced decay, a tooth extraction or sudden trauma can result in tooth loss, there is one aim of the dental implant process: to replace the missing teeth of adult patients of any age.

Therefore, if you’re tired of having to make adjustments so you can chew your food, then it’s time to turn the situation around by visiting our McKinney office to have dental implants placed!

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

The dental implant procedure is highly customized to meet each patients’ specific needs. When you visit for a consultation with Dr. Hegazin, your mouth, gums and any remaining teeth will be thoroughly examined. Additionally, X-ray photos will be taken so we can determine how much healthy bone mass you have available.

These variables, along with the number of teeth you have missing, will factor into the price of your procedure. So to receive an accurate estimate, contact one of our friendly team members to schedule a visit today.

Will I Have a Natural-Looking Smile?

When it comes to smile aesthetics, no other form of tooth replacement can compare with the dental implant procedure. That’s because the implant, which is a titanium, cylinder-shaped post, is surgically inserted into the jawbone to mimic the natural function of your missing tooth’s roots.

Because of the secure placement of the dental implant, once the prosthetic tooth is added, the result is a smile that looks like you were born with it!

How Long Will My Dental Implants Last?

Having dental implants placed is a sound investment for several reasons, but one in particular is the fact that, if cared for properly, the fixture can last up to 25 years to a lifetime. As further evidence of the longevity of dental implants, statistics show that the 10-year success rate is 95-98%. That means that with the placement of dental implants, you have a bright future ahead of you!