If you’ve lost one tooth, or a few teeth, or you’re tired of wearing slipping dentures that cause mouth sores, it’s time you learn about dental implants. The small, screwlike anchors implanted into the jaw hold replacement teeth securely in place. On implants, dentures won’t wobble, slip, slide, or become loose. On implants, bridges and crowns feel completely natural. But you may have noticed that there’s a dentist in Dallas on virtually every corner. How can you find an implant dentist who’s not only qualified, but also experienced, gentle, and attentive to patients?
In today’s blog, you’ll learn five questions to ask when calling Dallas dentists to inquire about the dental implant procedure. You’ll also read why Drs. Sigurdson and Patel of Lakewood Dental Group should be in the running as your Dallas dentists–for implants, restorations, general dentistry, and cosmetics.
The Questions:
- What do implants cost, and does the dentist accept insurance and offer payment plans?
- Does the dentist place and restore, or only restore dental implants in his office?
- Can you undergo prerequisite procedures for dental implants in the dentist’s office?
- What technology does the office use for planning treatment and placing dental implants?
- Has the dentist completed any special training for dental implants?
First, you need a good explanation about what implants are, what they do, and why they’re so amazing.
About Dental Implants
Until dental implants became mainstream, patients in need of replacement teeth would receive:
- A bridge to replace one to three teeth. Bridges attach to the mouth by way of crowns placed atop a healthy tooth on each side of the space left by missing teeth. Bridges are fixed, or non-removable, appliances.
- A partial denture to replace multiple teeth on the top or bottom arch. Partials hold replacement teeth on a base. The teeth are not necessarily next to one another. Partial dentures are removable appliances.
- A full denture to replace all teeth on the top or bottom arch. Top dentures may be secured by natural suction or denture adhesive. Lower dentures need adhesive for stability. Dentures are removable prosthetics. They need periodic relining to maintain a good fit.
Dental implants, in contrast, anchor into the jawbone to replace teeth roots. The bone integrates with the small implant screws over three to nine months. We call this period osseointegration. Once the implant posts are stable, a brief surgery is necessary to uncover the heads from beneath new gum tissue and attach abutments. After the gums heal, a single implant or a bridge, partial, or denture can be snapped onto the implant posts. Usually, dentures are removable but we can permanently attach them for patients who may lose or break them.
With good oral and overall health, dental implants can last the rest of a patient’s life. Restorations may need replacement every 15 years or so, or when they sustain damage.
What do implants cost, and does the dentist accept insurance and offer payment plans?
The cost of dental implants varies widely based on the patient’s needs, case requirements, number of teeth being replaced, materials used in fabrication, and prerequisite procedures. You may need a Dallas dentist who accepts your insurance or will file out-of-network claims for you, and who offers financing.
Lakewood Dental Group files all insurances and is in-network with many companies, including BCBS, DeltaDental, and Aetna. In addition, we offer low- and no-interest financing through CareCredit, a respected third-party financing institution that serves patients. Lastly, we accept most major credit cards if you prefer to pay upfront.
Your dentist should want to help you afford dental implants. Drs. Sigurdson and Patel want nothing to stand between you and a superb quality of life.
Does the dentist place and restore, or only restore dental implants in his office?
Some general dentists advertise dental implants, but they refer out the surgical procedure and only complete the restoration in-house.
At Lakewood Dental Group, Drs. Sigurdson and Patel have the education and experience to both place implants and restore them. You won’t need to see a specialist unless special circumstances arise.
At our dental office, in Dallas, the dentist will perform your implant placement procedure and oversee the osseointegration period, which can last three to nine months. Once your implants are solidly anchored to bone, the dentist will manage your implant restoration, whether you had a single implant or All-on-Four dental implants.
From that point, Dr. Sigurdson or Patel would love to become your regular general dentist, providing preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental care to you and your loved ones.
Can you undergo prerequisite procedures for dental implants in the dentist’s office?
Sometimes, a general dentist will refer out periodontal cases and bone grafting instead of offering these services in their practice. The patient, then, must see different specialists. It can be a hassle to not only have to meet new providers and make multiple appointments but also to coordinate insurance and financing with another practice.
At Lakewood Dental Group in Dallas, our dentists offer a complete periodontal maintenance program to help patients with periodontitis heal, so they can become implant candidates. We also perform bone grafting in the office, instead of referring patients to an oral surgeon.
What technology does the office use for planning treatment and placing dental implants?
Modern dental technology has made diagnostics and procedures extraordinarily precise. Look for a Dallas dentist who offers digital X-rays, 3D scanning, and computer-guided implant surgery.
Drs. Sigurdson and Patel have invested in digital X-rays and iTero Digital Scanning to aid in accurate diagnostics. We also offer 3D computer-guided dental implant surgery to give our patients the best possible outcomes.
Has the dentist completed any special training for dental implants?
Even after dental school, dentists continue to undergo training. Each state requires dentists to accrue a specific number of continuing education hours to maintain their license. Look for a dentist who invests at least some of his hours into dental implant training. Advances in technology, materials, and procedure techniques are consistently evolving. There is no shortage of continuing education opportunities for implant dentists in the United States.
Dr. Shaun Sigurdson completed a very sought-after fellowship in advanced restorative, aesthetic, and implant dentistry with Baylor College of Dentistry. Dr. Mihir Patel earned a spot on the Dean’s Cumulative Honor List at Texas A&M College of Dentistry before graduating in 2015. Both Drs. Sigurdson and Patel focus their continuing education on implantology, endodontics, and cosmetics.
Meet Your Implant Dentist in Dallas: Drs. Sigurdson and Patel
Are you ready to learn more about dental implants? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Sigurdson or Dr. Patel at Lakewood Dental Group in Dallas, TX. Call 214-827-1885 today. Our dentists are accepting new patients and look forward to serving you.
