Dental Implants – Tyler, TX

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

The first step is to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Markle. During this visit, he will examine your oral cavity before taking digital images using advanced dental technology. With the Sirona® 3D Cone Beam Imaging system, he can capture a 360-degree view of your facial structures, allowing for optimal treatment planning while also determining whether you require preliminary treatments beforehand. Periodontal therapy, tooth extraction, or bone grafting may be necessary depending on the state of your oral and jawbone health.

Dental Implant Surgery

Because your implant dentist in Tyler can place your new teeth in-house, you can remain in one convenient location for your surgical procedure. During this process, Dr. Markle will administer local anesthesia before making one or more small incisions in your gums. Carefully placing each implant post, he will then close the gum tissue and insert a protective healing cap over the top of each dental implant.

Dental Implant Osseointegration/Abutment

The recovery phase typically takes between 3-6 months but varies from patient to patient. How quickly you heal is based on your overall health and how closely you are following the directions provided by our dental team. Osseointegration must occur during this time, as it ensures the fusing of your dental implants in Tyler and your jawbone. Once this is complete, you will return to have metal abutments placed over your implants, which serve as connectors between your implant and restoration.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

The final step in the process is receiving your customized dental restoration. Because of the versatility of dental implants, you can have a crown, bridge, or denture put into place. Secured to the tops of your implants, your new teeth will look, feel, and act just like your regular ones, offering optimal stability and functionality. Once your smile is complete, you can begin to enjoy the many unique benefits these prosthetics can provide.

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Varied diet – Missing teeth make it hard to eat your favorite chewy and crunchy foods, and conventional dentures don’t come close to giving you the chewing force you once had. As the only solution to replace the roots of lost teeth, dental implants let you bite and chew as easily as you did before tooth loss. You’ll have no problem at all maintaining a nutritious diet!
• Clear speech – One of the most common complaints of dentures is their tendency to cause speech problems like clicking sounds or mumbling. Dental implants, on the other hand, won’t get in the way of clear speech.
• Confident smiles – You can trust dental implants to stay firmly in place instead of slipping like dentures notoriously do. Plus, your replacement teeth are personalized to mimic your natural pearly whites, so others won’t be able to tell the difference!

Health Benefits

• Easy oral hygiene – Dental implants don’t require a complicated hygiene routine. All you have to do is brush and floss them like regular teeth!
• Improved oral health – Placing a dental bridge requires permanently altering some of your remaining tooth structure. Dental implants are self-supporting, so they preserve the rest of your natural smile.
• Prevent bone loss – By stimulating the jawbone just like real teeth, dental implants prevent the bone deterioration that normally occurs after tooth loss.

Long-Term Benefits

• High success rate – Once your implant dentist in Tyler has finished placing your new teeth, there’s about a 95% chance that you’ll still be enjoying them to the fullest after more than a decade.
• Long lifespan – The average lifespan of dental implants is 30 years, but if you take good care of them, they could last even longer. Some dental implant patients are able to keep them for the rest of their lives!
• Cost-effective solution – Although dental implants cost more up-front than dentures or bridges, you’ll actually save money in the long run. Other solutions have to be repaired or replaced frequently, and you’ll have to invest in special cleaning products and/or adhesives. Because of their impressive lifespan and simple maintenance, dental implants are a wise financial investment.

To learn more about these life-changing benefits of dental implants in Tyler, don’t hesitate to contact our office today! With all of the advantages they offer, it’s no wonder why it’s a preferred treatment among patients and professionals alike.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

In order to qualify to get dental implants, the first step you need to take is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Markle. During your visit, our team will capture images of your complete facial structure with our CT/Cone Beam Scanner and conduct a visual examination of your teeth and gums.

We’ll be looking to make sure that you don’t have any existing oral health problems that are untreated and to ensure that your jawbone will be dense enough to undergo the osseointegration process where your implants fuse with the bone. If you need to have additional treatments performed, you’ll find out during this initial appointment.

Missing One Tooth

If you have a single gap in your smile that you need to have filled, we’ll place one dental implant in that area below the gum tissue. We’ll then place a connector piece called an abutment on top after the implant has fully fused and healed. This will hold your custom-crafted dental crown that will restore your complete arch. The crown is made from lifelike, color-matched, ceramic materials to ensure the most natural-looking smile possible.

Missing Multiple Teeth

For several missing teeth in a row, we’ll place two dental implants that will hold a bridge. They will be located at either end of the gap in your arch. Once the connector pieces are placed on them, we’ll anchor your bridge. We can do this all without having to alter your natural, healthy teeth, making it ideal for those who want to retain as much of their original enamel as possible. Additionally, we will not need a dedicated implant for each tooth you need to replace in most cases. For example, a pair of implants can typically hold a three- or four-crown bridge.

Missing All Teeth

For an entire arch of missing teeth, we’ll place anywhere from four to eight implants in strategically-determined areas of your jawbone. These will hold a customized complete denture in place, so you won’t have to worry about using denture adhesive or slipping and shifting restorations. Depending on the level of tooth loss you’re addressing, we can pair either a full or partial denture with your dental implants. Furthermore, your prosthetic can be customized to be either fixed or removable.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

The process of recreating your tooth from the root up occurs in various stages, each with its own fees. Many patients find this convenient because a lump sum isn’t needed upfront. Instead, you can pay for your new smile as you approach each step, making it easier to budget for dental implants. Although every plan differs, you can expect your estimate to include:

• Preparatory Treatments: Many patients need a little prep-work, like periodontal therapy, tooth extractions, or bone grafting.
• Oral Surgery: Oral surgery is needed to place the implant posts in your jawbone. Sedation or anesthesia is needed to keep you comfortable. We perform the entire process in-house, so you won’t have to pay specialist fees.
• Materials: The type and number of materials needed will affect the cost. Although discounted materials are available, you’ll get what you pay for.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

A dental implant consists of 3 parts, which are necessary to rebuild your smile. Based on the number of missing teeth, you can expect to pay for:

• Implant Post: An implant post is placed in the jaw to mimic a root.
• Abutment: Each post needs an abutment to connect the restoration.
• Restoration: Varies from a single restoration to a bridge or denture for multiple missing teeth.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

You’ll pay more for dental implants initially, but they can save you thousands of dollars down the road. Unlike traditional dental prosthetics, implant-supported methods have the potential to last for 30 years or longer with the proper care, like keeping your smile clean and visiting your dentist regularly. You’ll never need to pay for replacements while also safeguarding your oral health from common issues caused by tooth loss. You’ll save even more money down the road by preventing additional dental expenses.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Many dental plans can be used to offset the cost of specific steps in your treatment, like the consultation, tooth extractions, or restorations. After meeting your deductible, your benefits can cover up to 80% of the expense until hitting your annual limit. We’ll help you maximize your dental insurance to keep your dream smile affordable.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Besides using your dental coverage, we offer several payment methods to accommodate your budget, including:

• Traditional Payments: We accept cash, checks, and credit cards.
• Current Promotions: We regularly offer promotions for new patients. Ask us about any current promotions for dental implants.
• Third-Party Financing: Pay for your dental implants using monthly installments.

How long do dental implants last?

Dental implants are proven to last for decades with the right care, unlike traditional prosthetics which need to be replaced every few years. Several factors influence the lifespan of dental implants, like your commitment to your oral hygiene and lifestyle habits. You can safeguard your new smile by brushing at least twice a day, flossing nightly, and using an antimicrobial mouthwash. You’ll also need to see your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. Your implant dentist in Tyler recommends avoiding anything that might damage your new teeth, like chewing overly hard or sticky foods. If you smoke, it's best to kick the habit to lessen your risk of dental implant failure.

Can I take dental implants out?

Your implant posts are surgically placed into your jaw. Your bone will fuse to them through a process called osseointegration. As a result, you cannot remove them. Only a trained dental professional can take them out, but some implant dentures that can be removed for cleaning.

Are dental implants safe?

Dental implants have over a 95% success rate when placed by a qualified dentist. Most patients who have good oral and general health can benefit from them with little risk. Your dentist will perform a thorough consultation to look for any potential concerns, like periodontal disease, bone loss, diabetes, or cancer. Pre-existing conditions may not prevent you from getting dental implants. Instead, your dentist may take additional precautions to ensure your safety and the success of your new smile, like periodontal therapy or bone grafting.

How can I tell if my dental implant is failing?

The risk of dental implant failure is less than 5%; however, it’s important to monitor for any signs of complications, like pain near the implant or inflammation. In some cases, the implant may even feel loose. It’s best to contact your dentist immediately for an appointment. They’ll pinpoint the cause of the problem to provide the quick intervention you need to save your smile. Time is of the utmost importance, so don’t wait to see your dentist.

Do dental implants feel natural?

Dental implants closely feel like your real teeth because they have the support of your jawbone. You’ll never need to worry about any slipping or irritation. You’ll regain as much as 70% of your natural biting force to enjoy many of your favorite meals again, like steak and corn on the cob; however, cut chewy foods into smaller pieces to make them easier to eat. You won’t feel any pain when eating or drinking because the implants don’t have any nerve endings. Any sensitivity in the area will originate from the gums surrounding the post.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Dental implants can’t get cavities, but that doesn’t make oral hygiene any less important. If bacteria builds up on or around your implant, the surrounding soft tissues could become infected, which could eventually lead to bone and tooth loss. To keep your mouth as clean as possible, you should brush at least twice a day (or after every meal, if possible) for two minutes at a time. Pay extra close attention to the area between your dental implant restoration and your gums. Don’t forget to floss; there are some spaces in your mouth that you can’t reach with a toothbrush.

Eat a Healthy Diet

There’s no reason why you can’t enjoy sugary treats as long as you do it in moderation. Too much sugar can potentially cause problems for your implants and the rest of your mouth. Try eating fewer sweets and more healthy fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. All of these foods can have a positive impact on your gum health and reduce your risk of an infection that could potentially put your implants at risk. Calcium and vitamin C are especially important for keeping your entire mouth healthy and creating an ideal environment for your implant posts.

Break Bad Habits

Since dental implants are typically made out of titanium, you shouldn’t be surprised to know that they are very strong and durable. Yet they can still be damaged over time by seemingly innocuous bad habits, like biting your nails, chewing on pencils, using your teeth as tools, or crunching ice. These habits can put your natural teeth at risk as well, so we encourage you to drop them quickly. If you find that you’re strongly tempted to chew something, you can use sugar-free gum as a substitute.

Protect Your Dental Implants

You can’t predict every accident that could potentially damage your dental implants, but you can make sure that they’re protected in situations where there’s a significant risk of dental damage. Always wear a mouthguard when playing any kind of sport, especially if it’s a high contact one. You may also want to wear a mouthguard to protect your smile from bruxism (teeth grinding) at night.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Even if you’re taking good care of your dental implants, there might be some small problems that you haven’t noticed on your own. At your regular dental checkups, we can check your implant post as well as your restoration to make sure there aren’t any issues. If we find reason to be concerned, we can act quickly before it puts your new teeth at risk.