Dr. Sharaf has the experience and credentials you should look for when considering a dentist for your Dental Implants
Plus he sees patients for a wide variety of dental implant procedures including single tooth implants, implants for dentures, hybrid implants, All-On-4 or 6, snap in dentures, full arch implants and full mouth reconstruction.
Dr. Sharaf is at the forefront of dental implant technology offering 3D Cone Beam scans for high-precision dental implant planning.
Located just 30 minutes North of downtown Austin with free parking.
For those seeking dental implants in Georgetown, Cedar Park & Taylor, TX, Dr. Sharaf at Crystal Lake Dental is worth the short drive from surrounding communities.
Find information about Leander dental implants below including costs of dental implants and more.
Dr. Sharaf– Crystal Lake Dental Implant Dentist in Leander, TX
OR CALL (512) 528-9100 OR TEXT US TO GET STARTED.
First steps to your dental implants with Crystal Lake:
1. Conduct your no cost consultation
Use code word (website) when scheduling appointment (we normally charge $50 for a consult).
2. Schedule your examination
A deposit is due when scheduling examination to reserve appointment.
3. Perform your comprehensive exam
3D CT scan (and any other x-rays as necessary) and complete review of mouth (teeth, gums, jaw bone, bite, etc).
4. Review our findings and discuss your options
Graphic illustration shows dental implant components including a titanium screw, an abutment and a crown.
OR CALL (512) 528-9100 OR TEXT US TO GET STARTED.
Dental Implants Costs Price List
Leander Dental implants prices are exclusive of any insurance plans, which may alter cost.
| Single implant, abutment, & crown for a back tooth | $3500 |
| 2 implants, abutments, and crowns for back teeth | $6000 |
| Single implant, abutment, and crown for a front tooth | $3600 |
| 2 implants, abutments, and crowns for front teeth | $6100 |
| 2 implants, and abutments for an existing lower denture (“snap in denture“) | $6000 |
| 2 implants, abutments, and new lower denture (“snap in denture“) | $7200 |
| 3 implants, abutments for an existing lower denture (“snap in denture“) | $6400 |
| 3 implants, abutments, and new lower denture (“snap in denture“) | $7800 |
| 4-6 implants and abutments for an existing upper or lower denture (“snap in denture“) | $11900 |
| 4-6 implants, abutments, and a new upper or lower denture (“snap in denture“) | $12900 |
| “All-On-4 or 6” fixed hybrid bridge upper or lower (stays in place like teeth & does not come out) | $37000 |
Cost Of Additional Procedures (If Needed)
| Sinus Lift (internal) | $300-700 |
| Sinus Lift (lateral window) | $2000 |
| IV Sedation | $350-1200 |
| Simple Bone Graft | $150-450 |
| Complex Bone Graft | $450-850 |
| CT ( 3D Cone Beam) Scan | $100-200 |
| Extractions | $75-300 |
| When extractions are needed a secondary denture could be necessary after the healing process | $800 |
OR CALL (512) 528-9100 OR TEXT US TO GET STARTED.
Do I need a dental implant?
The loss of one or more permanent teeth is not an issue to be taken lightly. Teeth are essential for a number of reasons. Every time you talk, smile, or laugh, your teeth will be the first thing people notice. And, apart from the vital role they play in a person’s esthetic and self-esteem, teeth continue to be necessary for basic functions like chewing and talking.
There are several tooth replacement options, and this can cause patients to feel overwhelmed by them all. We suggest that anyone seeking tooth replacement treatment get in touch with our office. At Crystal Lake in Leander, we’ll inform you about your options and offer advice for your particular situation.
Of all available options, dental implants are typically the best-looking, as well as the longest-lasting alternative. Want to learn more? Keep reading!
Are dental implants the best choice for tooth replacement?
No two patients are the same, and because of this, each tooth replacement treatment is unique. But in nearly all cases, dental implants are considered to be the most convenient option.
Patients on a budget or those missing several teeth may choose less expensive alternatives like dental bridges or dentures. But it’s important to understand that neither of these alternatives will ever be able to last as long as dental implants.
Implants are a long-term investment that can last a lifetime when properly cared for. They also offer several other health benefits for the patient. One benefit of implants is that they decrease the risk of bone resorption in areas where missing teeth were previously. Implants also allow patients to eat anything they wish, because they feel and function like natural teeth.
In general, dental implants represent the best solution for tooth loss. We invite patients with missing teeth to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hsu. He will evaluate your individual situation and determine whether you’re a suitable candidate for dental implant treatment. For all your Leander Dental Implant needs, contact Crystal Lake Family Dentist office.
How long do dental implants last?
As long as they’re cared for properly, dental implants can last a lifetime. However, it’s important for patients to know that during the time that dental implants are integrated into bone and gum tissue, they can still be vulnerable to periodontal disease and infection. If proper care isn’t taken, an implant can actually be lost to periodontal disease, just as with natural teeth.
Although an implant is very strong, it is made up of multiple pieces. Once in a while, one or more of these components can experience cracking or breakage. Sometimes, the crown of the implant can crack, or the screw which holds the abutment can loosen. Both of these issues are fairly simple fixes. However, on occasion the abutment screw may be stripped or become cracked. The implant itself may also fracture. These situations are typically more complex, and so correcting them can be a little more complicated.
Brushing and flossing carefully, along with attending the dental office for regular checkups and dental cleanings is absolutely crucial. This ensures that the tissues around the implant remain free of infection, and that the implant itself is well-fitted and doing its job.
Dental implants bring many benefits to patients, including those listed below:
Pat shares her experience getting dental implants:
Video 01:45 |”All of a sudden I got this implant and my mouth was solid. That to me, was the most amazing thing!”
Wrinkles and altered facial contours are two unmistakable signs of aging. Most people understand that these signs occur as the result of the lack of collagen in the skin. However, did you know that they can also be the result of tooth loss? Teeth support soft tissues, but when multiple teeth are gone, small wrinkles and a sunken appearance in the lower third of the face will also commonly occur.
Implant-supported dentures can prevent or completely reverse these signs of aging, erasing years from the look of your face.
Millions of Americans suffer from tooth loss – decay, trauma, and periodontal disease are three of the top reasons for this. Luckily, there are several options available for tooth replacement these days, and we encourage patients to seek professional advice as soon as tooth loss occurs.
Many patients’ first considerations to replace missing teeth are full or partial dentures. And while both of these options are good alternatives for some patients (especially those on tight budgets), we encourage our patients to also consider other options.
Traditional dentures aren’t a feasible long-term solution. While they do allow patients to smile, speak and chew again, traditional dentures cannot prevent the resorption caused by tooth loss.
Bone tissue anchors the tooth. But when that tooth is lost, the bone tissue no longer has a purpose, and the body detects this. Because the body doesn’t conserve tissue that no longer has a purpose, it triggers the resorptive process. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement alternative that prevents the body from triggering bone resorption; that’s why they’re considered to be the solution that offers the most convenience. If missing teeth aren’t replaced in time, any bone resorption that may affect only a small area initially will end up affecting the entire jawbone. And once the jawbone is involved, alteration of facial appearance will occur, so we advise patients who want to conserve a youthful appearance to give dental implants serious consideration.
The jawbones contain the roots of all of your teeth. Those roots experience light pressure when you chew food, and it’s this regular stimulation which keeps your jawbone strong and healthy. When you lose your permanent teeth, the bone in that area ceases to be stimulated, and so your body triggers a tissue breakdown process known as bone resorption. Over time, if multiple teeth are lost, the tissue breakdown that occurs as a result of resorption will affect the entire jawbone. This causes the lower third of the face to appear weak and sunken. Replacing missing teeth with dental implants preserves jawbone structure and prevents this bone from disintegrating.
Traditional dentures are not supported by implants. As a result, they will require continuous adjustments due to the shrinkage of the jawbone over time. Ill-fitting dentures that simply sit on top of gum tissue won’t provide the stimulation needed to stop jawbone resorption. After several adjustments, the patient will ultimately need new dentures.
As soon as you lose a tooth, we advise you to get in touch with your dentist to ask about alternatives for preserving the bone in the affected area. The only way to preserve this bone tissue is to keep it in active use. And this is done by placing dental implants.
Dental implants are small titanium posts. They are surgically screwed into your jawbone. Once the implants are installed, the surrounding bone begins the process of osseointegration. During osseointegration, which lasts between 4 and 6 months, bone tissue begins to heal around the titanium, fusing to the implants’ surface. Once the process is finished, the implants are able to firmly integrate into the bone. The pressure they receive during chewing is transmitted to the surrounding bone. This keeps bone tissue active and healthy, and, as a result, the body won’t trigger the resorption process.
How can I know if I’m a suitable candidate for dental implants?
The only way to know whether you’re an eligible candidate for dental implants is to visit the dental office for an evaluation. No professional will be able to tell you exactly what treatment option will be the most suitable for you over the phone; they must first look at your teeth and gums.
In the office, the dentist can use different tools including x-rays and 3D images to make their assessment about whether you’re a suitable candidate for implants. If you are not deemed suitable for implants, Dr. Hsu will consider the possibility of either performing a bone graft procedure or talk directly to you about the other available alternatives to tooth replacement. All smiles are different, but there’s almost always a way to get you the results that you’ve been dreaming of.
OR CALL (512) 528-9100 OR TEXT US TO GET STARTED.
Implants as Dentures
(Snap-In Dentures)
If a patient happens to be missing several or even all of their teeth, implants remain an excellent course of treatment. For these patients, instead of a single implant being placed for every missing tooth, only a few implants are placed along the arch. These implants will eventually support a denture. The official name for this option is an implant-supported or implant-retained denture. It can also be known as a “snap-in” denture, due to the snapping sound made when the dentures are placed onto the implants.
Photo above shows a model of false teeth (denture) and 4 dental implants to retain and support the denture.
Implant-supported dentures offer a very stable option for patients. Because they prevent bone resorption from occurring, implant-supported dentures don’t require a patient to come in for continuous re-linings or adjustments, as is the case with traditional dentures.
What are “snap-in” dentures?
The snap-in or snap-on denture is a set of false teeth that is removable. More specifically, a snap-in denture is held in place by dental implants which have been inserted into the jawbone. These dentures are still able to be removed. However, they offer a higher degree of stability and security than traditional dentures because of the fact that they snap onto implants.
The “Snap-in” denture offers several advantages over traditional dentures which sit over the gums. Because snap-in dentures can be removed and replaced, it’s easy to both keep the mouth clean and clean the denture itself. Either two or four locator attachments will be required in order to install a snap-on denture. The locator attachments connect to the dental implants. The dentist will conduct a comprehensive examination at your first visit to determine whether two or four implants will be needed to support the denture. But the top advantage of having snap-in dentures is their degree of retention.Because implants support them, snap-in dentures offer a degree of retention that’s superior to that of traditional dentures. Thues, they provide a greater degree of comfort during speaking and eating.
Regardless of the type of denture a patient is wearing, we still recommend that all patients visit their dental office on a regular basis, as these appointments are crucial. They allow the dentist to gauge the fit of the denture, the stability of the implants, and assess the health of the patient’s gums. Readjustment and re-lining of the dentures are two very common requirements due to the fact that oral cavity shape does change over time.
So what are the main advantages of choosing implant-supported dentures?
They are easier to remove and clean, and:
Feel free to eat!
Dental implants look, feel and function just like your natural teeth do. Because they’re firmly integrated into the jawbone, dental implants apply as much chewing force as your natural teeth do during eating. Patients with single implants that have been restored with porcelain crowns can enjoy all of their favorite foods without having to worry about their smiles. On the other hand, patients wearing implant-supported dentures will have to exercise more caution by doing things like and cutting food into smaller pieces. But, although they should take a bit more care when eating, they’ll still enjoy better retention and chewing ability than patients who wear traditional dentures.
The peace of mind offered by Implant-supported dentures
There are several treatment options which can correct tooth loss and make it more manageable. When a patient is missing all of their teeth in a dental arch, the most common choice is a full denture. But when a patient decides to choose a denture that’s implant-supported, their bone tissue can be preserved, which ultimately leads to preservation of their entire facial structure.
If you’ve chosen to have a snap-in denture inserted, you may be wondering what to expect. First, Dr. Hsu will install a minimum of four implants on your upper arch, and between two and four implants on your lower dental arch. You’ll then wear temporary dentures for the next four to six months. After this time, your implants will be fully integrated into your jawbone, and your permanent dentures will be fitted. Once this occurs, you can eat without the worry of gum discomfort or the embarrassment of a denture slipping out of place!
Two to four dental implants can be surgically placed in each dental arch by Dr. Hsu. These implants will hold a complete set of new replacement teeth. You can select either removable or fixed replacement teeth, with the latter only being able to be removed by a dentist. Regardless of the type of implant-supported denture you choose, neither will cause rubbing on the gums or slip. You’ll enjoy being able to eat and talk more naturally with implant-supported dentures!
OR CALL (512) 528-9100 OR TEXT US TO GET STARTED.
All-on-4 Dentures
All-on-4 dentures are an ideal choice for patients missing an entire dental arch. They are similar in appearance to traditional dentures (and can be constructed of acrylic), but their main difference is that all-on-4 dentures are supported by four dental implants.
This peculiar denture option offers better retention than its conventional counterparts. As a result, the all-on-4 denture is far more comfortable for patients to wear. Because implant-supported dentures don’t have the rather unpleasant acrylic “plate” that goes across the roof of the mouth, they remain where they should while you’re eating.
All-on-4 dentures can give you a radiant smile in a single session, which is why it’s known as a “one smile day” or “smile in a day” treatment. However, “teeth in a day” is a slight misnomer, as it requires several visits to get to that point. But on the same day, Dr. Hsu does insert four dental implants along the arch, or eight dental implants if treating both arches. Once the surgery is completed, he will attach a temporary bridge to your implants so that you can walk out of his office with a new set of teeth. Once the implants have had four to six months to firmly integrate into your jawbone, you’ll return to Dr. Hsu’s office to be fitted for your permanent dentures.
It’s important to clarify that those patients choosing “smile in a day” treatment will need to visit Dr. Hsu’s office on a regular basis to have their implants cleaned.
Teeth in a day
“Teeth in a day” allows patients to transform their smile in a single visit. In one session, Dr. Hsu will extract all of the teeth. He will then screw the dental implants into the jawbone before attaching the temporary bridge which will remain in place for the duration of the implant healing process. Because the “teeth in a day” procedure requires several visits before it’s completed, its name is a bit misleading.
The replacement of the temporary bridge will occur 4 to 6 months following its installation. The permanent bridge is made of zirconia, and because it’s supported by dental implants, it best mimics the look and function of natural teeth.
Dr. Hsu employs a surgical guide to ensure that implants are correctly placed. This guide indicates precisely how the implants should be placed according to their position and angle. This type of treatment has a very high rate of success, helping patients achieve total comfort and aesthetic results.
In addition to preventing bone resorption and keeping your jaws strong and robust, there are many other advantages to getting dental implants. Without other restoration you’ll get the same aesthetic and functional results because implants look and feel just like your natural teeth. After your implants have been placed and your jawbone has properly healed, you won’t even notice that your natural teeth are gone during chewing, laughing, and speaking.
If you happen to have several teeth missing and you opt for an implant-supported denture, you won’t have to worry that your denture will move or slip out. Dental implants represent the gold standard where it comes to teeth replacement
The structure of the lower third of the face depends mostly on the position of the teeth and how the jawbone is shaped. Teeth play a vital role in the prevention of bone resorption, which helps keep your jawbone robust and healthy.
As well as preserving your bone tissue, your teeth maintain the distance between the tip of your nose and your chin. But when teeth are missing, the distance between your upper and lower jawbones tend to be closer together, which causes the sunken appearance seen in older people.
Dental implants produce the same effect as your natural teeth, giving you the height and structure you need to preserve jawbone strength and position, and helping you avoid developing premature wrinkles and sagging skin.
Implants won’t make you look any younger on their own, but they do have a significant effect on facial structure for patients who are missing multiple teeth.
Your teeth are actually responsible for your face’s full and healthy appearance. Missing teeth mean that soft tissues lose support, and because of this, the face begins to look more wrinkled, collapsed, and sunken. As well, the jawbone starts to deteriorate because of the bone resorption triggered following tooth loss.
Dental implants represent the only replacement option that helps to preserve the jawbone and provide the facial structure necessary to maintain a more youthful look.
There are other tooth replacement options. They are:
Dental bridges
Partial dentures
Full dentures
Not replacing the tooth and leaving a gap
Caring for snap-on dentures vs. all-on-4 dentures
Although patients with snap-on or all -on-4 dentures no longer have natural teeth, the team at Crystal Lake advises patients who wear them to visit the office on a regular basis for professional cleanings and examinations. The dentures may sometimes have to be removed by Dr. Hsu in order for the dental hygienist to thoroughly clean the implants’ abutments, but most of the fixed cases will not likely require removal.
The Crystal Lake team also recommends using a Waterpik water flosser for better cleaning under and around dentures and bridges. Keeping the gums healthy is vital, as it prevents periodontal problems and infections which can threaten implants.
Video 01:41 | Demonstration of the life changing All-on-X (Four or Six) dental implant treatment concept.
See pricing for All-on-X (Four or Six) (Teeth in a Day) aboveOR CALL (512) 528-9100 OR TEXT US TO GET STARTED.