Dental Implants in San Antonio, TX

Missing teeth affects more than just your appearance in San Antonio and throughout the surrounding areas. They can make eating difficult, cause you to feel self-conscious when you smile, and even accelerate bone loss in your jaw. Dental implants offer a permanent tooth replacement solution that looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth.

At Advanced Smile Care, our San Antonio implant dentistry team has been restoring smiles with comprehensive dental services for more than 40 years. Our experienced team uses state-of-the-art technology to place dental implants that can last a lifetime with proper care.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into your jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots. Once the implant fuses with your bone, a custom crown is attached to complete your new tooth. This process creates a sturdy foundation that prevents the bone loss commonly associated with missing teeth.

The implant itself consists of three parts. The titanium post anchors into your jawbone. An abutment connects the post to the replacement tooth. Finally, a custom crown matches your natural teeth in color and shape. Together, these components create a restoration you can treat as you would your original teeth.

As specialists in implant dentistry and prosthodontics, we design tooth replacements that blend seamlessly with your natural smile.

Why Bone Loss Matters

Within the first three months of tooth loss, you can lose up to 25% of the bone in that area. This deterioration continues over time, potentially affecting your facial structure and complicating future tooth replacement. Dental implants stimulate your jawbone just like natural tooth roots, helping preserve your bone density and facial contours.

Benefits of Choosing Dental Implants

Dental implants offer advantages that other tooth-replacement options cannot match. They don’t require grinding down adjacent teeth as bridges do, and they won’t slip or require adhesives like dentures. You can eat your favorite foods without worry and brush and floss normally.

• Durability: Implants are built to last decades with proper maintenance. Unlike dentures that need replacement every five to seven years, implants can serve you for life.
• Natural appearance: Custom crowns match your existing teeth in size, shape, and color. Most people won’t be able to tell the difference between your implant and natural teeth.
• Improved function: Implants restore full chewing power, letting you enjoy all types of food without restrictions. You won’t experience the slipping or discomfort sometimes associated with dentures.
• Bone preservation: The titanium post stimulates your jawbone, preventing the deterioration that occurs after tooth loss. This maintains your facial structure and prevents the sunken appearance that can develop with missing teeth.
• Speech clarity: Unlike dentures that can slip and affect pronunciation, implants stay firmly in place so you can speak naturally and confidently.

Your comfort during treatment matters, which is why we offer multiple sedation options for patients who experience dental anxiety.

The Minimally Invasive Implant Process

Your implant journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation. We use 3D imaging to assess your bone density and plan precise implant placement. If you need a bone graft to strengthen your jawbone, we’ll complete that procedure first.

During the surgical phase, we place the titanium post into your jawbone. This minimally invasive procedure typically takes one to two hours per implant. You’ll receive local anesthesia to ensure your comfort, and sedation is available if you prefer. Most patients report minimal discomfort during the procedure.

After placement, the implant needs time to integrate with your bone. This healing period, called osseointegration, usually takes three to six months. During this time, the implant becomes a permanent part of your jaw. We’ll provide a temporary restoration to prevent gaps in your smile.

Once healing is complete, we attach the abutment and custom crown. This final step creates your new tooth, completing your restoration. The entire process from start to finish typically takes several months, but the wait is worth it for a solution that can last a lifetime.

Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Good candidates for dental implants have adequate bone density to support the posts and healthy gums free from periodontal disease. Your overall health matters too. Certain conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes or heavy smoking, can affect healing and implant success.

Age isn’t necessarily a barrier. As long as your jawbone has finished growing, you can be a candidate for implants. We’ve successfully placed implants for patients ranging from young adults to seniors. Your commitment to good oral hygiene and regular dental visits will help ensure your implants last.

If you don’t currently have sufficient bone density, we can often increase it with grafting procedures. Many patients who were initially told they weren’t candidates have gone on to receive successful implants after preparatory treatments. Our All-on-4 one day smile restoration option may also be suitable for certain patients needing full arch replacement.

Why Choose Advanced Smile Care for Your Dental Implants

Our award-winning implant dentistry team brings decades of combined experience to every procedure. We understand that dental implant placement is a significant investment in your health and appearance. That’s why we use advanced technology, such as cone-beam CT, to plan your treatment with precision.

We handle the entire implant process in our office, from initial consultation through final restoration. You won’t need referrals to multiple specialists. Our comprehensive approach means coordinated care and consistent results.

Whether you need a single tooth implant or full mouth restoration, we customize your treatment plan to your specific needs.

Your comfort remains our priority throughout treatment. Our Comfort Bar offers refreshments, and our team creates a welcoming environment that puts you at ease. We explain each step of your procedure and answer all your questions so you feel informed and confident about your care. We also offer flexible financing options and work with most major insurance providers to make your treatment accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants

How long do dental implants last?

With proper care and regular dental checkups, dental implants can last a lifetime. The titanium posts are designed to permanently integrate with your jawbone. While the crown may eventually need replacement after 10-15 years of normal wear, the implant itself typically never needs to be replaced, making it one of the most durable tooth replacement options available.

Are dental implants painful?

Most patients report minimal discomfort during implant placement. We use local anesthesia to numb the treatment area, and sedation options are available for anxious patients. After the procedure, any soreness typically responds well to over-the-counter pain medication. The healing process is generally comfortable, and most patients return to normal activities within a few days.