Dental Implants – New Braunfels, TX
Leading New Braunfels in Dental Implant Smile Restorations
Dr. Aaron Haag is our resident dental implant expert and has completed countless hours of continuing education on this specialty topic, along with a year-long course on full implant dentures. He is also currently in the process of completing his Associate Fellowship with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. That’s why so many people in New Braunfels choose us as their smile restoration destination, because we know what we’re doing! Give our office a call today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can start your journey towards a more beautiful and functional grin.
Why Choose Comal Dental for Dental Implants?
- Start-to-Finish Dental Implant Treatment
- 3D-Printed Customized, Same-Day Prosthetics
- Cone Beam CT Scanner for Precise Treatment Planning
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a small titanium and zirconium post that is placed into the jawbone to recreate the root structure of a missing tooth. After it has bonded with the surrounding bone, it’s topped with a crown, bridge, or denture to restore the visible portion of the tooth/teeth. Right now, dental implants are the only treatment that brings back an entire tooth from top to bottom. This gives them unmatched stability, functionality, longevity, and comfort. In fact, your new dental implants will be virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth in every way!
The 4 Step Dental Implant Process
- Initial Consultation: During your consultation, Dr. Haag will collect all necessary diagnostic imaging, which could include a cone beam CT scan of your facial structure, and conduct a thorough evaluation of your mouth. After having a chance to examine your situation, he’ll explain how we’re able to help restore your smile, including presenting you with a detailed cost estimate and treatment plan.
- Dental Implant Surgery: Haag is able to complete the implant placement himself, allowing you to stick with the same trusted team of professionals you began your journey with.
- Osseointegration & Abutment Placement: Once your implants have been placed, they’ll undergo a natural process called osseointegration over the following three to six months. This is when they’ll fuse with the jawbone. Following osseointegration, Dr. Haag will secure small metal connector pieces onto your implant posts, called abutments.
- Attaching the Final Restoration: As soon as your gums have healed around your abutments, we’ll be ready to attach your final crown, bridge, or denture to your implants and complete your smile.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants differ from traditional treatments because they replace the entire structure of the tooth, not just the crown. This allows them to provide exceptional benefits that aren’t possible using other treatments, including:
- Over a 95% success rate
- Looks and feels natural
- Preserves your jawbone’s density
- Supports your facial tissues
- Stops dental drift
- Improves your oral health
- Cost-effective
- Long-lasting
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants can be used to treat all severities of tooth loss if you’re a candidate for the procedure. Dr. Haag will evaluate your smile and your oral health to determine which option is best.
Missing One Tooth
A titanium implant post is surgically placed into the jawbone to act as a new root. An abutment is placed on the post to connect a custom-made crown. Your new tooth will blend in with your natural ones, so no one will notice it isn’t real.
Missing Multiple Teeth
An implant post is used at either end of a bridge to support it. There’s no need to alter healthy teeth to bond dental crowns over them. Your bridge can last for several decades with the right care, so you’ll never need to worry about having it replaced.
Missing All of Your Teeth
Four to eight implant posts can support a denture to eliminate slipping or irritation. You’ll regain as much as 70% of your natural biting force to enjoy the next best thing to your home-grown teeth. Dr. Haag also offers All-on-4 dentures, allowing him to attach a complete denture that’s custom-printed in our office to four strategically placed implant posts on the same day as the surgery. This is a great option for patients who have experienced jawbone erosion because it reduces the need for a bone graft.
Learn More About All-On-4 Dental ImplantsUnderstanding the Cost of Dental Implants
It’s no secret dental implants initially cost more than traditional treatments, but they are more affordable long-term because they should never need to be replaced with the right aftercare. We provide you with a custom estimate during your consultation and explain the costs associated with each step in your treatment. Since the process takes several months, you won’t need to cover the entire amount upfront, which can make it easier to afford your new smile. We’ll work with you to maximize your dental insurance to reduce the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket. We will also explain your payment options, like using CareCredit.
Maintaining & Caring for Your Dental Implants
Once your mouth has fully recovered from dental implant surgery, you’ll find that taking care of dental implants isn’t much different from taking care of natural teeth; you’ll continue brushing and flossing like you did before. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Choose low-abrasive toothpastes that won’t damage the implant.
- Add mouth rinse to your oral hygiene routine to wash away food and bacteria from around the implant.
- If you have trouble cleaning underneath the implants, try using a water pick.
Dental Implant FAQs
Before you decide to get dental implants in New Braunfels, it’s important to do your research. Do you fully understand what is going to happen during the procedure and what it will be like to have new teeth supported by an implant? Dr. Haag is here to make sure you’re fully informed. Read below to see if we’ve already answered your question; if not, write it down so that you can bring it to our attention during your implant consultation.
How long will my dental implants last?
If you’re used to having bridges, dentures, and crowns replaced every 5 to 15 years, you’re probably wondering how often you’ll need new implants. The answer is: very rarely, if ever! The implant screws themselves can easily last over 30 years if you continue to practice good oral hygiene and receive regular dental checkups. In fact, they could very well last the rest of your life. Note that this primarily applies to the actual implant. The restoration that they support will be subject to more wear and tear and will likely need to be replaced periodically. Still, you can safely look forward to your dental implants strengthening your smile for a long time.
What is the right age for dental implants?
Implants are usually recommended for adults with fully grown and developed jaws. They’re not typically placed in children because of the number of changes that still have to take place. However, some older teens might be eligible for the procedure. Girls around the age of 16 and boys around the age of 18 might be able to get implants; we can give you our recommendation once we’ve had a chance to evaluate their mouth.
Will getting dental implants hurt?
Dental implant placement is a surgery, so the proper precautions are taken beforehand to keep you comfortable. Between the local anesthetic used to numb the mouth and the sedation techniques used to keep them in a relaxed state of mind, many people report that the implant treatment feels better than they expected. We’ll give you instructions for taking care of your mouth during the recovery process so that you can keep any soreness you might experience under control.
The pain after the surgery will be mild and should go away with time. If it grows worse or becomes severe, call us immediately; you might be experiencing the warning signs of a post-surgical complication.