Dental Implants — San Antonio, TX

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

Dr. Lorenzana will need to perform an in-depth exam and consultation to confirm if you are eligible to receive dental implants. He’ll examine your mouth and facial structures as well as your current gum and bone health. In some cases, patients need to complete preparatory procedures before they can undergo dental implant treatment. After these procedures (such as bone grafts, gum disease therapy, gum grafting, etc.) have been completed, he can schedule you for your implant surgery.

Dental Implant Surgery

Placing dental implants is a relatively straightforward process. After administering local anesthetic to numb the mouth (as well as any sedation, if requested), he’ll create a small incision in your gum tissue, then create a tiny hole in your jaw so the implant has room to integrate. Once the implant has been placed, the gums will be sutured shut so the post can begin to heal. A protective cap is also placed over the implant to maintain the shape of your gums and shield the implant as it heals.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

Over the next six to twelve weeks, the osseointegration process will occur. This step is essential to the longevity of your tooth replacement. Osseointegration is when the titanium post physically fuses with your bone tissue. After the post has fully integrated, you’ll come back to our office to have an abutment attached. This small metal connector acts as the foundation for your permanent restoration. Your gum tissue will need a few additional weeks to heal around the abutment before the crown, bridge, or denture can be placed.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

Your referring dentist will design your permanent restoration based on impressions taken of the implant or implants after they have healed. Whether you need to have a crown, bridge or denture placed, you can expect it to fit and feel incredibly natural once it is in place. Your dentist will work with a trusted dental laboratory to create your ideal implant restoration and we will work together with your referring dentist to make sure that you are happy with the final outcome.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

At your consultation, Dr. Lorenzana will perform an oral exam and review your medical history. Doing so lets him see if you have the qualifying factors for implants. These typically include:

• Good General Health – Unlike other dental services, implant placement counts as minor surgery. As such, your body must be physically well enough to undergo it.
• Great Oral Health – Cavities and gum disease can cause implant failure, so they should be treated before placement surgery.
• Sufficient Jawbone Density – Implants rely on a solid jawbone for support. As such, your jaw must have enough healthy bone tissue for treatment to work.

Still, you shouldn’t panic if you aren’t a good candidate initially. Our team could give you preliminary services that help you qualify later – tooth extractions, gum disease therapy, bone grafting, etc. We’ll also help you schedule such procedures. From there, our office will create an implant treatment based on the number of missing teeth.

Missing One Tooth

If you only lack one tooth, a single implant post with an attached crown will fix things. This solution is sturdier and longer-lasting than alternative restorations. Plus, it doesn’t require a dentist to remove healthy enamel from adjacent teeth.

Treatment works by inserting the implant’s titanium base into the empty jaw socket. Once this post has sufficiently fused with the jawbone, the dentist will place a customized crown. The final result will match the surrounding teeth and blend seamlessly with your smile.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Those who lack multiple teeth can do better than just several single implants. Instead, such patients can opt for an implant bridge or partial denture.

Per the name, an implant bridge is supported by two implant posts. It thus doesn’t rely on healthy teeth like the more traditional ones. Plus, it tends to be more secure and stable.

Should you lack teeth throughout your mouth, a few implants could anchor a partial denture in place. You could thus use your new teeth without fear of them slipping. Better yet, these artificial chompers would restore more of your bite force.

Missing All Teeth

These restorations could even help if you’re missing all your natural teeth. After all, you’d be a good candidate for all-on-4 dental implants in that case.

Unlike other prosthetic work, this treatment is ideal for patients with inadequate jawbone density. (A patient may have been missing their teeth for a while.) It anchors a full denture securely with just four strategically placed dental implants. You’d then enjoy a whole new row of teeth that look natural, feel secure, and can work for decades.

Learn More About All-On-4 Dental Implants

Learn More About Implant Dentures

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

As you might know, implants can’t get cavities. They’re artificial, after all, being made of titanium and porcelain. However, they still need good oral hygiene to work well.

Remember: implants sit next to your teeth and gums. As such, it’s easy for the latter group’s problems to affect the former. Gum disease, for instance, may cause an implant to loosen and fail. The condition can erode the tissue supporting your prosthetic tooth.

Given these facts, you’ll need to make oral care a priority. Tooth or gum issues will affect your implants if you don’t. So, always brush twice daily, floss once daily, and rinse with mouthwash often.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Since implants strengthen your bite, they’ll let you eat various foods. If possible, then, follow a mouth-healthy diet from now on.

You see, not all items are implant-friendly. Hard foods – especially crunchy pretzels and nuts – can chip restorations. Sticky and sugary stuff, meanwhile, wedge between implants and decay nearby teeth.

In contrast, foods with mouth-healthy nutrients help implants last. Fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and leafy greens are especially good. These contain calcium, phosphorus, and other vitamins and minerals that prevent gum disease and strengthen your jaw.

Break Bad Habits

If you’re not careful, bad oral habits could damage your implants. Therefore, try and quit these unsafe practices quickly.

Just look at smoking, for example. Tobacco-laced cigarettes and cigars slow your recovery from implant surgery. Furthermore, they promote gum disease – a known cause of implant failure. As a result, continuing to smoke will doom your new smile.

Chewing on hard objects also isn’t a good idea. Doing so can chip implants, even if you’re simply biting an ice cube. So, avoid it as best you can.

Protect Your Dental Implants

True enough, implants are durable. However, they’re not invincible; excessive force can easily damage them. With that said, you’ll need to protect them with the right tools.

In particular, make sure to wear the right oral appliances. A mouthguard for sports would prevent implant damage due to collisions. Similarly, a nightguard for sleep protects implants from tooth grinding.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

To ensure successful implants, visit your dentist every six months. Regular checkups address problems your home care might miss.

Preventive care will stop potential threats to your implants. Checkups, after all, let a dentist assess your oral health and spot problems early. The result is that your small dental issues won’t put your implants at risk.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

We may recommend having bone grafting and other preparatory treatments performed before you have dental implants placed. These procedures might add to the overall cost of the implant process, but they’re often necessary to make sure that your implant posts can integrate with the jawbone.

Naturally, implant surgery has its own cost to consider. The exact price will vary based on a few factors, such as where the implants need to be placed and whether sedation was used during the treatment. We’ll make sure you are aware of the different variables that are being taken into account when calculating the final cost of your implants.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

How much will you pay for the implants themselves? That largely depends on:

• The exact number of implants required. For example, a patient who has only lost one tooth will only need to pay for a single implant; meanwhile, a patient who has lost an entire arch of teeth can expect to pay for four or more implants.
• The type of restoration that the implants support. Smaller restorations like single crowns cost less than bridges or dentures.
• The materials used to make the implants. Titanium is the most traditional option, but nowadays zirconium is also a viable choice.
• The brand of the implant. Different implant manufacturers design their products to meet specific needs. Our team will be happy to explain the benefits of the brand of implant that we’ll use to rebuild your smile.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Dental implants might cost more than other types of tooth replacement, but in the long run, they often prove to be the better investment. While dentures and bridges usually need to be replaced after 7 to 10 years, dental implants can stay in your mouth for decades with minimal maintenance. That means you won’t have to pay for replacements as often, and you don’t have to worry about buying special solutions to keep your new teeth clean.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Most of the time, dental insurance companies do not pay for the actual implant posts but are willing to cover parts of the final restoration or certain preliminary procedures. If you’re not sure what coverage is available under your plan, reach out to your insurance provider today. Our team will gladly file any necessary claims so that you can take full advantage of your benefits.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

If you’re not sure that you can pay the entire cost of the implant process all at once, we can help you apply for financing through CareCredit or LendingClub. You can choose a plan that breaks the cost of care into smaller monthly payments that won’t break your budget. Feel free to ask us about your financing options during your initial consultation.

3D Cone Beam Imaging

The placement of your dental implants in San Antonio is a delicate process. To ensure that we place them in the best possible position within your jawbone, we’ll capture a 3D cone beam scan of your facial structure during your initial consultation .

Unlike traditional X-rays, our CT scanner allows us to view your complete facial structure in intricate detail, including your jawbone density, nerves, sinuses, and more. This allows us to go into the surgery with a thought-out, precise plan on where we’ll place your implants so they can receive the best support. Not only does this technology lead to higher success rates, but it also provides you with peace-of-mind that you’re receiving the highest quality of care from start to finish.

Guided Dental Implant Surgery

Another piece of technology that allows precise placement of your dental implants are our 3D surgical guides. Based on our oral scans, we’ll create a surgical guide so your periodontist in San Antonio places the implants at the ideal depth and position in your jaw for a long-lasting smile.

Antibacterial Coating

While dental implant failure isn’t common, it often occurs due to infections that develop as a result of harmful oral bacteria in the mouth that keep the implants from successfully fusing with the jawbone. To further minimize your risk of this occurring, we coat all of our implants with an antibacterial film before placing them in your mouth. Studies show that this helps reduce chances of infection and inflammation, improving overall treatment outcomes.

Bone Grafting

Having a strong, healthy jawbone is a necessity before implant placement as well as certain other procedures. However, if the jaw has broken down due to bone loss, then it will need to be restored before moving on with the main treatment. A periodontal specialist such as Dr. Lorenzana can expertly perform a bone graft in-house while helping you stay comfortable throughout the process.

If the jawbone is weakened or damaged in any way, it can be repaired and strengthened by adding new material. Said material is usually taken from another part of your body, but it can also be provided by a donor. Artificial material is also sometimes used. Whatever the case, the goal of a bone graft is to have the jaw integrate the new material to make up for any tissue that has been lost. After the surgery, it takes the jaw a few months to heal; implant placement can be performed once the recovery is complete.

Different bone graft procedures might be performed depending on the extent of the damage. Particulate grafts are used for more minor cases; the material is applied to the jaw in a powdered form. For a more extensive treatment, block grafts – where an entire block of material is placed – are used instead.

Ridge Preservation

In many cases, a patient needs to have one or more failing teeth removed so they can be replaced with dental implants. To shorten the time needed between the extraction and implant placement, Dr. Lorenzana can perform ridge preservation right after a tooth is removed. This simply serves to strengthen and protect the bone that’s located right around a tooth and helps hold it in place. By keeping this bone strong, it will not only enable a patient to get their implants relatively quickly, but the bone can also be relied upon to support the implant and new tooth for many years to come.

Bone Regeneration

In addition to the gums, periodontal disease also breaks down the underlying jawbone that supports the teeth. This can lead to deformities developing in the bone that make it unable to hold a dental implant safely. Dr. Lorenzana can correct these kinds of problems using bone regeneration. After removing any weak or infected bone, he can place a grafting material in the area which will stimulate new tissue growth. After a few weeks, the bone will be like new, and a patient will be able to receive their new implant with confidence.

Day-to-Day Benefits

You’ll use your dental implants every day to eat, speak and smile. As such, you’ll be able to enjoy the following benefits regularly:

• No Diet Restrictions: Dental implants have chewing power that’s comparable to real teeth, so you’ll be able to eat whatever you want.
• No Slipping: While dentures might occasionally slip and move, dental implants will keep your new teeth anchored in place.
• Increased Confidence: Dental implants look and feel natural, which can go a long way towards improving your overall self-image.
• Easy Maintenance: Dental implants can be brushed and flossed as if they were natural teeth, which makes maintaining good oral hygiene a simple matter.

Health Benefits

Dental implants offer several unique health benefits due to the way they interact with your jawbone. Some of the most important advantages include:

• Better Nutrition: Being able to eat all of your favorite foods makes it easier to keep up a healthy, balanced diet.
• Prevent Bone Loss: Dental implants stimulate the jawbone whenever you bite or chew. This encourages blood flow to the area and helps stop the bone loss that normally occurs when natural teeth are lost.
• Improved Jaw Strength: By stopping bone loss, dental implants help you maintain a stronger jaw that can support your facial features so that they don’t collapse prematurely.
• Better Oral Health: Since dental implant maintenance is relatively simple, they can make it easier for you to avoid gum disease, cavities, and other common oral health issues.

Long-Term Benefits

While dental implants have a notable impact on your everyday life as well as your oral health as a whole, they also have many long-term benefits that you wouldn’t see with more traditional tooth replacement options:

• High Success Rate: Dental implants have an extremely high success rate of roughly 95%. They remain reliable even after 10 or even 20 years of use.
• Long Lifespan: When they receive the right kind of care, dental implants can potentially last the rest of your life.
• Cost-Effective: Patients who are looking to save money on new teeth will be happy to know that dental implants don’t need to be replaced as often as dentures and bridges. This makes them the more cost-effective option even if they have a higher initial price.

Will I Need a Bone Graft to Get Dental Implants?

The reason bone grafting is usually performed before implant placement is that tooth loss can directly lead to jaw deterioration. Once the tooth is gone, the bone that supported is considered unnecessary, so it’s resorbed by the body in order to use the materials elsewhere. As a result, the volume of the jawbone will dramatically decrease to the point where it might not be able to support or join with a dental implant post. Thus, we may have to perform a graft in order for implant placement to be viable at all.

Even if bone loss hasn’t occurred yet, Dr. Lorenzana might still perform a bone graft in order to preserve the jaw so that it’s ready for implants in the future. This is called socket preservation, and it’s normally done immediately after tooth extraction.

Are Dental Implants Better Than Traditional Bridges & Dentures?

When it comes to aesthetics, durability, and longevity, dental implants leave every other kind of tooth replacement far behind. The materials used to make them are extremely high-quality and strong, and because they replace the whole tooth and sit within the jawbone, they are able to last multiple times longer than your typical bridge or denture as well. Basically, with implants, it doesn’t feel like you’ve replaced your teeth, but that you’ve gotten your natural teeth  back.

How Long Does It Take to Get Dental Implants?

The timeline for implant treatment can vary quite a bit from patient to patient depending on their particular needs. For example, a patient replacing just one tooth who has healthy, abundant bone may be able to complete the process in as little as 6 to 8 weeks. But, for someone who needs all of their teeth replaced and/or bone grafting and periodontal therapy, it may take 12 weeks to a year. Dr. Lorenzana can go over what your specific timeline will look like during a one-on-one consultation so you’ll know exactly what to expect.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

Not with Dr. Lorenzana! Thanks to his decades of experience as an implant specialist and use of the latest techniques, our patients report feeling a little pressure during the implant placement procedure, but nothing that resembles pain. Like with any type of oral surgery, a little bit of swelling and tenderness is common afterward, but these symptoms are usually minor and can be managed with an OTC medication.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

The cost of getting dental implants will be different for each patient depending on their situation. In general, the more implants a patient needs/wants, the more expensive the procedure. Thankfully, implants are widely considered one of the best investments in all of dentistry, as they have been shown to last for 30+ years on average (regular bridges/dentures typically have a lifespan of seven to ten years).

Why Should I Visit A Periodontist to Get Dental Implants?

A periodontist is a type of dental specialist who has completed at least 3 years of additional training after completing dental school. A big part of this training is focused on dental implant surgery and bone grafting techniques. Compared to a regular dentist, a periodontist will have much more experience and skill when it comes to placing dental implants, leading to a more comfortable procedure as well as a much higher rate of success. When placed by a board-certified periodontist like Dr. Lorenzana, implants have an impressive 98% success rate.

What To Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

The actual implant surgery is one of the most taxing parts of this entire process, but with the right care and proper maintenance, you should be able to make a swift and comfortable recovery. One of the most important things you can do during the initial recovery period is protect the blood clots that form over your surgical sites, so that your gums can properly heal around the implant(s). To help with this, be sure to avoid:

• Spitting (use tissues instead, or simply swallow your saliva)
• Drinking through straws
• Smoking or using tobacco products
• Touching the surgical site with your tongue or fingers

Common Side Effects When Recovering from Dental Implant Placement

If you’ve never undergone oral surgery, it might be difficult to determine what symptoms are normal and which ones you should be concerned about. It’s not uncommon for patients to experience things like gradual and intermittent bleeding, swelling, and general discomfort; however, these symptoms should all disappear on their own over time. If you’re experiencing lasting or worsening symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact us for help! In the meantime, here are some ways you can manage your side effects:

• If bleeding occurs, you can apply gentle pressure to the area with a clean piece of gauze.
• To reduce swelling, use a cold compress on the affected side of your cheek.
• Take your prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications to assist with pain.

Your Diet After Dental Implant Surgery

You’ll need to stick to a soft diet immediately following your surgery, but within a few days you’ll be able to slowly reintegrate solid foods as long as you avoid chewing directly on the implant surgery site. Here are some foods that we suggest stocking up on for those first few days following surgery:

• Soups and broths (as long as they aren’t too hot)
• Mashed potatoes
• Scrambled eggs
• Yogurt
• Pudding
• Pasta
• Ice cream
• Smoothies and protein shakes

Post-Op Health & Oral Hygiene

It’s incredibly important to keep your mouth clean after your surgery to make sure that your dental implants are able to successfully integrate with your jawbone. Consider the following:

• You can brush your teeth as you normally would the day after your surgery, but you should show extra caution and care while brushing near the surgery site.
• Rinse your mouth with salt water two to three times every day, ideally after eating. A prescription mouthwash will also suffice.
• Avoid any mouthwashes that contain alcohol.

What To Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

Once your implants have bonded with your jawbone and your mouth has healed up, the hard part is over—and all that remains is simply attaching the prosthetic! You may experience some mild sensitivity in your gum tissue, but with pain medication you should be able to manage it. You should also contact us immediately if you notice any swelling or bleeding following this step; these aren’t typically side-effects that you should experience after the restoration has been attached, so it might indicate a problem.