Dental Implants
What a missing tooth really costs
The gap you can see is only part of the problem. Beneath every tooth, the root stimulates the jawbone the
way exercise stimulates muscle, and when a tooth is lost, that patch of bone begins to shrink from disuse.
Neighboring teeth drift into the empty space, your bite shifts, and chewing moves to the other side of your
mouth, overworking those teeth. Years of this can subtly change the shape of your face.
None of that is meant to frighten you. It is meant to explain why we treat a missing tooth as something worth
solving properly, and why implants have become the solution dentists choose for their own mouths.
Dental Implants
The closest thing to growing a new tooth
A dental implant replaces the entire tooth, not just the visible part. A small titanium post takes the place of
the root, placed gently into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over a few months through a process
called osseointegration. Titanium is biocompatible, meaning your body accepts it and builds bone right
against its surface. Once integration is complete, a custom crown attaches to the post.
The finished result stands on its own. It does not clasp onto neighboring teeth like a partial denture or require
grinding down healthy teeth like a bridge. You bite into an apple, chew steak, and laugh without a thought,
because functionally and visually it is simply your tooth again. And because the root is back, the bone
beneath it stays healthy too.
Dental Implants
How we plan yours
Implant success is decided in the planning, and this is where our 3D imaging earns its keep. Before anything
else happens, we capture a complete three dimensional view of your jaw, measure your bone precisely, map
the position of nerves and sinuses, and determine the ideal placement down to fractions of a millimeter. You
will see the whole plan on screen and understand each step before committing to anything.
The placement itself is a smaller procedure than most patients expect, done with thorough numbing, and
nitrous oxide if you would like it. Most people are surprised by how manageable the recovery is, typically a
few days of minor tenderness handled with over the counter medication. Then the quiet months of healing
do their work, and the final crown completes your new tooth.
Dental Implants
An honest investment, honestly explained
Implants cost more up front than other replacements, and we will never pretend otherwise. But the
comparison changes over a lifetime. Bridges and partials typically need replacement every seven to fifteen
years, while a well maintained implant can last the rest of your life. Many patients find the implant is the least
expensive option they will ever buy, they just buy it once.
Caring for one is refreshingly boring. Brush, floss, keep your checkups. At your consultation we will give you a
clear, itemized picture of costs and timing, and honest guidance about whether an implant or another option
truly fits your situation best. Call (512) 646-4420 to start that conversation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About Sedation Dentistry
Most healthy adults are. The main requirements are adequate bone to hold the implant and healthy gums,
both of which we evaluate precisely with 3D imaging at your consultation. If bone has shrunk since the tooth
was lost, grafting can often rebuild it.
Typically three to six months from placement to final crown, with most of that being quiet healing time while
the implant fuses with your bone. Actual appointments are few and manageable.
The procedure is done fully numbed, and most patients report the recovery was far easier than they feared,
usually a few days of mild soreness. Many tell us they wish they had stopped worrying and done it years
earlier.
Related services
Dental Exams
A good exam is quiet, thorough work. Dr. Salinas checks every tooth, your gums, your bite, your jaw joints,
and the soft tissues of your mouth
Digital X-Rays
You cannot fix what you cannot see, and a lot of what matters in dentistry happens below the gumline. Our digital X-rays and 3D imaging show us decay
Restorative Dentistry
From natural-looking fillings and crowns to implants and root canal therapy, we
rebuild smiles to full strength and beauty.
Ready to schedule?
Visit Our Office — 512ooth Family Dentistry, 8701 W State Hwy 71 #102, Austin, TX 78735.