Dental Implants – Covington, LA

Complete Your Smile
Following Tooth Loss

Woman wearing business attire smiling after dental implant tooth replacement

With a very high success rate of around 95%, dental implants have evolved in dentistry as the leading solution for tooth replacement. At MoreSMILES Dental, many of our smile restoring dental implants for Covington, LA patients are placed here in the dental office and then restored by one of our three qualified dentists. Implants are used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even all teeth. The implants are placed into the jawbone which grows around the implant to secure it. Then the porcelain restoration replaces the missing tooth on top.

Why Choose MoreSMILES Dental for
Dental Implants?

  • Computer-Guided Implant Surgery
  • Start-to-Finish Dental Implant Treatment
  • Implant Dentist with 30+ Years of Experience

What is a Dental Implant?

Computer illustraion of dental implant tooth replacement

A dental implant is a titanium post that Dr. Moreau places below the gum line to restore the missing root portion of a tooth. Because the metal is biocompatible, it’s able to fuse with your jawbone through a natural process called osseointegration. This allows dental implants to preserve the structure of your jawbone and face while looking and feeling completely natural. Once you’ve healed from the surgery, our team will custom-craft your dental bridge, crown, or denture and place it atop a metal connector piece that’s attached to the implant called the abutment.

Thanks to technology like the Galileos 3D imaging system, Dr. Moreau can use guided surgery to more accurately ensure the implant is placed in a way that will allow for the most aesthetically pleasing result. This technology also allows Dr. Moreau to view the supporting bone before, during, and after placement to assure it is successful. When you’re ready to begin your safe, comfortable, state-of-the-art tooth replacement plan, call MoreSMILES Dental to schedule a dental implant consultation in our Covington dental office.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Man and woman laughing together after dental implant tooth replacement

There are many reasons why patients choose dental implants. Some of the benefits that make this a viable treatment option for just about any patient include:

  • Because the root structures are replaced, your tooth replacement prosthetic will be completely self-sustaining, and it will not adversely impact the health and function of surrounding teeth or oral structures.
  • Once in place, dental implant-supported restorations have a 90 to 95% success rate after twenty years, making them the longest lasting option.
  • Implant-supported tooth replacements closely resemble natural tooth structures, so they look and feel more like your real smile.
  • Advanced implant-supported partial and full dentures can restore 70% or more of someone’s bite strength, allowing patients to consume a wider range of nutritious foods than is possible with traditional dentures.

Are Dental Implants
Right for You?

Man thinking about dental implant tooth replacement

Following the surgical placement of the new implant(s), patients will need time to heal; this breathing room allows the implant to form a strong and gradual bond with the natural oral tissue, setting the stage for custom-made restorations. Depending on the number of teeth that require replacement and the patient’s personal preference, we may recommend individual dental crowns or an implant-retained prosthetic to recreate your strong, natural-looking smile. Our in-house prosthodontic specialist, Dr. Israel Finger, is here to help with complex cases, which means patients can enjoy added convenience without sacrificing high-quality results.

Missing Single Tooth

Single dental implant supported dental crown

To replace one tooth, a dental implant post will be surgically positioned into the gum line. Then, a dental crown will be attached to the implant to seamlessly repair your smile.

Missing Multiple Teeth

Multiple dental implant supported fixed bridge

To replace two or more missing teeth in a row, we’ll use two dental implant posts to support a fixed bridge restoration. Like traditional bridges, an implant fixed bridge prosthetic is anchored to support structures at either end, but unlike traditional options, implant-retained bridges do not harm healthy tooth structures. For consecutive and nonconsecutive teeth, a partial denture will be used to fill in the gaps in your smile. We can typically use between two and four strategically positioned implant posts to provide support.

Missing All Teeth

Dental implant supported denture

To replace a full row of teeth, implant-supported dentures are recommended. In most cases, we can use four to six implant posts to support the full denture, recreating a healthy, flawless smile that lasts a lifetime.

All-on-4 Implant-Retained Dentures

Computer illustration of All on four dental implant denture

For some patients, traditional implant dentures aren’t necessarily the right option, and All-on-4 may be a valid alternative. With All-on-4, our dental team can restore an entire arch of missing teeth with just four strategically placed implants instead of requiring one implant for each tooth. In addition to the reduced cost, All-on-4 also allows patients to have their smile restored with a stable, aesthetically pleasing denture on the same day as their initial implant placement, which means they’ll spend virtually no time without the fully confident smile they need and deserve.

Start to Finish Convenience

Man checking smile in blue mirror after dental implant tooth replacement

Many dentists have to refer their patients to outside specialists for the surgical portion of the procedure, which requires extra traveling time and overall cost. Thankfully, that is not the case here at MoreSMILES Dental. We're able to personally carry out every stage of the treatment process right here, which means that you can stay with a team you already know and trust as you regain your full, confident smile! Dr. Moreau is proud to offer this important convenience while also remaining committed to providing reliable, long-lasting quality. 

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

Dental implant on a pile of money

Dental implants tend to have a higher upfront cost than other tooth replacement options. While every bit of this cost is reflected in the quality of what you get, we still understand that budgeting for treatment isn’t easy for everyone.

That’s why we make an effort to be as transparent as possible about the cost of dental implants and to help make the treatment affordable. If you want to learn more about pricing, here’s some information that may be useful to you.

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implant in someone’s mouth

In many cases, patients need preliminary treatment to prepare for surgery. Gum disease therapy is often necessary, as are bone grafts, to make the foundation for the dental implant secure. And of course, you’ll need to remove the tooth you’ll be replacing if it’s still in your mouth. Many of these treatments are covered by insurance, but you should still think about their cost.

Then there’s the surgery itself. What it costs depends on whether you’re having your implant placed by us or an external specialist. There’s also the price of the anesthetics involved in the procedure.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Diagram of a dental implant

There are several factors beyond the procedure itself that can affect the cost of your dental implants, including:

  • The type of restoration. Crowns are less expensive than bridges, which in turn cost less than dentures.
  • The number of implants you need. More implants will be more expensive.
  • The size of your dental implants and what material they’re made out of.
  • The brand of dental implant you choose. We’ll be happy to discuss the available options with you and the merits of each of them.

How Dental Implants Pay for Themselves

Tooth next to a pile of coins

While dental implants entail a higher up-front cost than other methods of tooth replacement, they may wind up saving you money in the long run. Dental implants outlast dentures and bridges by a factor of two to one, meaning that you’ll have to replace them much less often.

Moreover, dental implants are easy to keep clean, meaning that you’re less likely to have to deal with gum disease or other oral health problems down the line. For these reasons, you could make a good argument that dental implants pay for themselves.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Dental insurance form lying on a table

While no two dental plans are exactly the same, it’s usually the case that dental implants aren’t covered by insurance. However, we’ll be happy to take the time to work with your insurance company in order to help you make the most out of your benefits.

Making Dental Implants Affordable 

Man putting money into a piggy bank

Even if you don’t have insurance, we have options that may make dental implants more budget-friendly.

For one, we often work with CareCredit. This is like a healthcare credit card that can split the cost of care into manageable monthly payments, often with no interest.

If you qualify for CareCredit, we’re currently offering a special on dental implants—you could get yours for as little as $399/month. With all of these things in your favor, a new smile is more affordable than ever!

Dental Implant FAQs

Woman in yellow shirt smiling in living room

Since dental implants can last for decades, you naturally want to know as much as possible beforehand. What can cause them to fail? Am I too old to get dental implants? How many days should I take off work to recover? We’ve answered these questions as well as several others right here! If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for here, you can also give us a call.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last? 

Dental implants are well-known for being long-lasting – it’s one of the many reasons 500,000 patients choose this tooth-replacement option each year! However, many patients are surprised to learn that their lifespan can be prolonged to 30+ years with proper care. For that reason, we encourage you to adopt healthy dental habits, like brushing consistently, getting a checkup and cleaning twice a year, and keeping your consumption of sugary foods and drinks to a minimum.

What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?

The two most common causes of dental implant failure are peri-implantitis and failed osseointegration. The first is a form of gum disease that can harm the bones and gums supporting your implant. The second is when your jawbone and the implant don’t integrate properly. Don’t worry – our Covington implant dentist will review all of this information with you during your consultation. That way, you know the common causes of implant failure as well as how to prevent them.

Am I Too Old to Get Dental Implants?

It’s very common for patients to wonder if they are “too old” to get dental implants. However, your age doesn’t impact your candidacy; things like bone loss, oral hygiene, and smoking do. So, whether you’re 25 or 75, schedule a consultation to see if this state-of-the-art tooth-replacement option is right for you.

Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?

 Since recovery is crucial, patients are encouraged to take a few days off after the procedure. Typically, a day or two is all that’s needed; you can even schedule your appointment on a Friday so you have the weekend to relax. However, we may recommend taking 4-6 days off if your job is physically intensive.

Do Dental Implants Decay?

No, dental implants do not decay. However, your gums can still become infected, which can result in dental implant failure. That’s one of the many reasons you should continue to prioritize oral hygiene. In addition to cleaning your dental implants (and your teeth) daily, make sure to rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash consistently, visit us twice a year for a checkup and cleaning, and fill your diet with nutrient-dense foods.

Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat with Dental Implants?

Since dental implants are inserted directly into your jawbone, it’s very likely that you’ll be able to enjoy a much more varied diet. Of course, there are some foods that you should avoid, like gummy candies, hard pretzels, and peanut brittle. It’s best to instead focus on eating a well-balanced diet that’s loaded with the nutrients your body needs to keep your bones strong and fight off infection.