Dental Implants Fort Smith

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

Before beginning the actual implant process, Dr. Sharp will perform a full examination that includes X-rays during your consultation at his Fort Smith office. Because the implant will be inserted directly into your jawbone, he will thoroughly assess its condition as well as that of your gums. He may conclude that you receive bone grafts, tooth extractions, periodontal therapy, or other preliminary procedures before you can be a good candidate for dental implants. Once Dr. Sharp has a suitable understanding of your oral health, he’ll begin developing your customized treatment plan and explaining what you can expect during the process.

Dental Implant Surgery

Dr. Sharp is trained and equipped to place dental implants in his office, meaning that you won’t have to deal with an outside oral surgeon who may use a different pricing structure. He begins each dental implant surgery by administering an appropriate anesthetic to render the process completely painless, and you may also receive a sedation treatment if you need extra help sitting calmly and comfortably. He will then make a small incision in your gums and place the titanium implant post in your jawbone. He will finish this process by closing the gums and placing a protective cap over the post, and many patients are able to return to their normal activities the next day.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

During the crucial osseointegration process, the titanium post of your implant and the jawbone tissue surrounding it fuse together, creating the strong and durable foundation your restoration will need to reliably hold its place and exert maximum chewing force. Once this process is complete a few months after your implant is placed, you will receive another minor surgery to position an abutment piece on top of the titanium post. Your final restoration will be crafted as you heal from this procedure over the following few weeks.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

When your final restoration comes back from the dental lab, you will return to our office so we can attach it to your dental implant. The final step is to check the crown, denture, or dental bridge for fit and appearance and make any final adjustments. Once this step is complete, you’ll be ready to greet the world with your beautiful and complete smile.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Nearly any healthy adult can receive dental implants, but to qualify for this treatment, you’ll need to possess the following three things:

• Good overall health: Because placing dental implants is a surgical procedure, you’ll need to be in good enough health to undergo minor surgery.
• Great oral health: If you have any untreated oral health problems like cavities or gum disease, these can potentially cause your dental implants to fail, so Dr. Sharp will need to correct these issues first.
• Adequate jawbone density: Your dental implants rely on your healthy jawbone to stay securely in place, so they will need to be strong enough to support your prosthetics before proceeding.

The good news is that even if you aren’t an ideal candidate for dental implants initially, you can still become one. You may be required to undergo preliminary treatments such as a tooth extraction, gum disease therapy, or bone grafts before you’re ready to get your new dental implants.

Dr. Sharp will help you schedule these preparatory procedures to ensure that your oral health is on track for your new smile. Then, once your mouth is ready, he’ll customize a dental implant treatment based on how many teeth you’d like to replace.

Missing One Tooth

A single implant post is the best way to replace one missing tooth seamlessly. Dental implants are sturdier and longer lasting than other restoration options like dental bridges, and they also offer the benefit of not needing to remove healthy enamel from your adjacent teeth like traditional bridges do.

Missing Multiple Teeth

If you’re missing consecutive teeth, two implant posts can easily support a dental bridge to close this gap. Unlike natural bridges, dental implants don’t rely on having healthy teeth nearby to stay in place. If you are missing many teeth throughout your mouth, several implants can be used to anchor a partial denture in place.

Missing All Teeth

For patients missing all their natural teeth or who are tired of dealing with traditional dentures, Dr. Sharp can place four to six strategically positioned dental implants to support a full denture and restore an entire row of missing teeth at once. Best of all, it won’t slip around or experience fit changes like traditional dentures can sometimes do. Implant dentures can restore your entire smile with a minimal amount of implant posts and the maximum amount of stability and functionality.

Learn More About Implant Dentures

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

You will likely need to undergo certain preliminary treatments if you have oral health issues like gum disease, tooth decay, or infection. These procedures may include gum disease treatment, tooth extractions, or even bone grafting. Although these will add to the cost of your overall treatment, they’re necessary to ensure a healthier smile.

It’s important to note that dental implant surgery itself is an additional cost. Fortunately, since we provide start-to-finish treatment in one convenient location, you don’t have to worry about paying a separate fee to an outside specialist.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

When calculating the total cost of dental implants in Fort Smith, you must consider the different parts of your dental implant. This includes:

• Number of Dental Implants – Replacing a single missing tooth will cost much less than someone who requires 4-6 titanium posts.
• Type of Restoration – Dental crowns, bridges, and dentures come at different costs. The smaller the restoration, the less it will be.
• Materials – Titanium and zirconia are the most common implant materials
• Brand of Dental Implant – Different manufacturers make implants differently based on the unique needs of each patient. Be sure to ask your provider about the brand. A higher quality one may be more costly, but it pays off in the long run.

How Dental Implants Pay for Themselves

While dentures and dental bridges may seem more affordable upfront and involve less invasive procedures, their long-term costs can add up significantly. Choosing dental implants allows you to save money over time while enjoying the benefits of a confident, lasting smile.

For instance, there’s no need for denture adhesives to secure your prosthetics, no requirement for specialized cleaning products (like denture cleaners or brushes), and they eliminate the need for frequent adjustments or replacements every 5–10 years.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

It’s uncommon for dental insurance to fully cover dental implants, but it’s not entirely impossible. Even if the surgical portion of your treatment isn’t covered, your policy may include benefits for the initial consultation, preliminary procedures, or the custom restoration. If you need help understanding your policy, our team is here to assist you in any way possible.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

Don’t have dental insurance? We offer two convenient payment options to help reduce out-of-pocket costs. First, flexible financing is available through Cherry, providing a budget-friendly solution with no hidden fees. Additionally, our in-house membership plan allows you to pay a single low fee to access preventive care and enjoy discounts on a variety of services.