ServicesDental Implants
Dental Implants in Hickory Creek
A missing or failing tooth is easier to fix when you plan it on your schedule, not after it starts to hurt. We place dental implants in clear stages, show you every step and cost up front, and help you fit the work to your insurance and budget.
What a dental implant is and when it makes sense
An implant is a small titanium post set into the jawbone where a tooth root used to be. Once the bone grows around it, we attach a crown, a bridge or a denture to the top. It chews like a natural tooth and does not lean on the teeth next to it the way a regular bridge does.
Implants are a good fit when a tooth is already gone, or when a broken or infected tooth can't be saved. They also help when a lower denture keeps slipping. If a tooth can be kept with a root canal and a crown, we will tell you that first.
Our dentists bring over 10 years of experience in general and implant dentistry. That means we plan the whole case, from the scan to the final tooth, in one office.
What your implant treatment includes
Focused evaluation and 3D scan
We start with an exam and digital X-rays. If we need a closer look at bone height and nerve position, we take a CBCT scan, which shows the jaw in 3D.
A written treatment plan
You get each stage listed in order, with what it costs and roughly when it happens. You can do it all at once or spread it out.
Removing the old tooth if needed
If a cracked or infected tooth is still in place, we take it out gently first. Our extractions page covers how that visit goes.
Implant placement
The post goes in under local numbing. Most patients tell us it felt like less than they expected.
The final crown, bridge or denture
After healing, we fit the tooth or teeth that attach to the implant and check your bite so it feels right when you chew.
Backup if healing doesn't go as planned
If an implant fails during the 4-month healing phase, our warranty covers the replacement implant.
Signs it is time to talk about an implant
A gap you chew around
If you have trained yourself to chew on one side, the other teeth are taking extra load. Over time that wears them down.
Teeth starting to shift
Neighboring teeth drift and tip into an empty space. The longer the gap stays open, the harder it is to fit a replacement.
A tooth that can't be saved
A crack below the gumline or a tooth with very little left above it often can't hold a crown. Planning the implant before the tooth fails gives you more choices.
A denture that slips
Lower dentures float more than uppers. Two or more implants can hold a denture firmly in place. Our dentures page explains both options.
An old bridge giving out
When the teeth holding a bridge decay, the whole bridge can come loose. An implant may let you replace just the missing tooth.
How the process works, step by step
- 1
Evaluation visit
We examine your mouth, take images and talk about what you want. You leave with a plan and a cost for each stage.
- 2
Getting the site ready
If a tooth needs to come out or the bone needs building up, we do that first. Some sites need a few months to heal before the post goes in.
- 3
Placing the implant
We numb the area, set the post and close the gum. You can usually go back to normal activities the next day, eating soft foods for a bit.
- 4
Healing time
The bone bonds to the implant over about four months. We see you for short checks along the way.
- 5
Fitting your new tooth
We attach the connector piece and the final crown, bridge or denture. Then we adjust the bite and show you how to keep it clean.
What affects the cost of dental implants
Two people missing one tooth can have very different plans. The price depends on what we find under the gum and what the final tooth needs to do. We go over each stage with you before anything starts, so there are no surprises later. Many patients spread the work out or use our 0% interest financing for up to 24 months, and checking for preapproval has no credit score impact.
- How many teeth
- One implant with one crown is the simplest case. Several missing teeth may be handled with fewer implants holding a bridge or denture.
- Bone condition
- If a tooth has been gone a long time, the bone may have shrunk. Building it back adds a step and some healing time.
- Work needed first
- Removing a damaged tooth or treating gum infection comes before the implant and is part of the total plan.
- Type of final tooth
- A single crown, a bridge and an implant-held denture each use different parts and lab work.
- Insurance or membership
- We are in-network with 15+ major PPO dental insurance plans and check your benefits before we start. If you don't have insurance, our In-house Membership Plan can help lower costs.
Dental implant questions we hear most
Something not covered here? (940) 242-4865
Does getting an implant hurt?
We numb the area fully before we start, so you should feel pressure but not sharp pain. Afterward, most patients have some soreness for a few days. Over-the-counter pain medicine usually handles it.
How long does the whole thing take?
From placement to final tooth, plan on about four months of healing. If a tooth has to come out or bone needs building up first, add a few more months. Your treatment plan will show the timeline for your case.
Will my insurance pay for an implant?
Many PPO plans cover part of the cost, though some limit what they pay each year. We check your benefits and can split the work across plan years if that helps. We will tell you what we expect insurance to cover before you commit.
What happens if the implant doesn't take?
It is not common, but it does happen. If an implant fails during the 4-month healing phase, our warranty covers replacing it. We look at why it failed, let the site settle and set a new post when it is ready.
Am I a good candidate?
Most healthy adults are. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and very thin bone can make healing harder, so we look at your health history and scans before we recommend anything. If an implant isn't right for you, we will talk through other options like a bridge or dentures.
Start with a plan, not a surprise
Our $25 focused evaluation includes a comprehensive exam, digital X-rays, a CBCT scan if needed, and treatment planning. You'll know your options and costs before you decide anything.