Dental Implants Rosenberg Tx

A survey conducted by the Journal of the American Dental Association revealed that 42% of adults in the US over the age of 30 have periodontitis or gum disease. This is a very damning revelation and shows the poor approach to dental health and hygiene by the average American. Consequently, as reported by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, more than three million Americans have dental implants. This figure keeps increasing annually. These implants are fixed by dentists all over the country, including those in Rosenberg, Texas.

What is the cost of Dental Implants?

The complete cost for a Dental Implant including the Abutment and Crown is $1999.00.
There may be other costs involved with Dental Implants like bone grafting, complex extractions or other procedures.
Grand Parkway Smiles offers a Free Consultation for patients interested in Dental Implants. The consultation includes all x-rays, evaluation by one of our implant specialists and treatment plan that will outline all costs.
We accept most PPO dental insurance, cash, and major credit cards; in addition, we have several financing options available for patients.

Insurance does not typically cover dental implants. And if you do have dental insurance, it may pay for the crown portion. However, in most cases, dental implants are considered an elective procedure, although they are recognized as the standard for teeth replacement.

Basic Dental Hygiene & Why It Is Important

Basic dental hygiene involves brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist at least twice a year. Doing these will significantly reduce your chances of contracting any dental-related diseases such as bad breath, tooth decay, or gum disease. Aside from that, good dental hygiene increases life expectancy. Studies indicate that if you have all your teeth intact at the age of 74, you are likely to reach the ripe old age of 100. On the other hand, if by the age of 65, you have lost at least five of your teeth, you are at an increased risk of dying earlier. The presence of dental problems in most cases is an indication of other medical conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and even oral cancers. These conditions mentioned above may severely impact your life expectancy.

How to Replace Your Teeth

Studies have shown that most Americans lose at least 10 of their teeth by the age of 50, so if you have lost your teeth, don’t worry, you are not alone.  Another study also indicated that almost 66% of Americans age 60 and over had been diagnosed with a bacterial infection of the teeth and gum. Tooth loss may occur due to tooth decay, gum disease, smoking, or even injury. As you grow, your approach to dental hygiene may change. But you must continue to take good care of your teeth if you are to avoid severe medical conditions that are related to inadequate oral hygiene.

Teeth Replacement Options

There are three primary options when it comes to teeth replacements. These are; dentures, dental bridgework, and dental implants. Dentures are affordable but are not so convenient as they are removable and may also cause changes in the taste of food. Dental bridgework was the go-to before dental implants became the norm. The main downside to bridgework is that it relies on the remaining natural teeth for support.

If you have lost your teeth, the best way to remedy the problem is with dental implants. Dental implants are replacements for tooth roots and are an appropriate solution when you lose your teeth through an injury or a dentist pulls it out. 

Dental Implants

Dental implants are surgically fixed into the jawbone and over a few months, fuses with the bone of the jaw or skull. They support dental prostheses, which are made to replace your missing teeth. 

Dental implants that are affixed to the jawbone are the closest imitation to a real tooth as it is capable of standing on its own and does not affect the surrounding teeth. Most dental implants are made from titanium, which can bond with the bone and is not recognized as a foreign entity in the body. The process by which dental implants are attached to the body is known as osseointegration. The dental implant is first fixed into the bone and allowed to heal, and the duration is heavily dependent on the patient and how healthy their gums or bones are. After osseointegration is successful, a dental prosthetic such as a crown is fixed with the help of an abutment. With the aid of continually improving technology, the success rates of dental implants are over 90%.

Types of Dental Implants

There are three types of dental implants; endosteal, subperiosteal, and zygomatic implants.

Endosteal implants are widespread and are the go-to for most patients and dentists. However, to undergo this type of dental implant, you will need to have a healthy and robust jawbone that the post will fuse to. These kinds of implants are placeholder posts that are mostly fashioned like screws. They are set directly into the jaw and allowed to heal over time. When the jaw is sufficiently cured, then the false teeth can be fixed onto the post to blend in with your natural teeth.

Subperiosteal Implants are the second most common dental implants and the major variant to endosteal implants because they are not set directly in the jaw. In this procedure, the dental implant rests on top of the bone under the gum rather than straight into the jaw. In this procedure, a metal frame with a post attached is placed under the gum. The gum eventually heals with the frame still in it, and then the false teeth are connected to the poles from the gum. This procedure is best used when the patient does not have enough jawbone for an endosteal implant or when they opt against having major dental surgery.

Zygomatic Implants are rare and quite complicated. This is only advised by professionals when you do not have enough jawbone to undergo an endosteal implant. In this procedure, the implant is set into the cheekbone rather than the jawbone.

All-On-4

For those who have gum disease and tooth decay and therefore have lost all their teeth, there are options such as the “All-On-4” dental implant technique. This works on the premise that four strategically placed dental implants can sufficiently be used to fix all the teeth in a single arch. This technique is of non-removable variety, and the replaced teeth feel natural.

Making the Right Choice

No matter the type of dental implants you want, you must know which one is best suited for you, depending on the presence and strength of your jawbone. Here are a few things to know:

The Process

The first stage of getting a dental implant is the consultation and planning stage, where the dental surgeon at Grand Parkway Smiles will examine where the implant will be placed. Your Rosenberg, Texas dentist, for example, will undertake dental imaging studies with the help of CT scans, panoramic films, and X-rays. Additionally, the quantity and quality of the jawbone are taken into consideration to decide if it will suffice for the procedure.

Extraction

Usually, the first step to a dental implant is the extraction of the affected tooth or teeth. After extracting the tooth or teeth, a synthetic bone is usually placed in the spot that the extraction took place, and healing takes about three to four months, depending on the patient’s health.

The Healing Period

When healing is adequate and strong bone is present, a dental implant can take place. During the actual implant, a titanium post is drilled into the bone; after that, a healing cap is put over the implant, and the gum is stitched back in place. The healing time is heavily dependent on the quality of bone at the site of the dental implant. It takes between three to four months for complete healing to occur, during which time the titanium would have integrated with the bone. During the healing period, ensure that no stress force is applied to the area.

Bonding and Final Steps

After healing has successfully taken place, there is the need to test and determine if the implant has bonded with the surrounding bone. If bonding is deemed successful, a prosthetic component is attached to the dental implant with a screw. This component is known as an abutment that holds the replacement tooth, and it is attached to the abutment via cement or a screw.

Risks of Dental Implants

As with any kind of surgical procedure, there is always an element of risk and complications that may arise during a dental implant. The most important thing is to ensure that careful planning is done to verify if a patient is in good condition to undergo a procedure and heal properly. There is a high risk of infections, bleeding, and allergies setting in, and as such, the medication should be carefully reviewed before treatment even begins. As stated earlier, dental implants have a high success rate of over 90% and pose no immediate issues unless in the unlikely event of a mishap during the surgical procedure. Some people are not fit for dental implant surgery. These include those who suffer from uncontrollable metabolic disease, acute illness, and bone or tissue infections. Others who may be exempt from dental surgery are those with parafunctional habits like tooth grinding, people with heavy smoking habits, and those with psychiatric disorders. Then there are others who, due to their medical conditions, have a higher chance of experiencing dental implant failure. These are people who suffer from AIDS, osteoporosis, and diabetes. Others are exempt from such procedures due to ongoing treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy of the neck or head, and bisphosphonate treatment for bone loss.

Pain from Dental Surgery

Dental surgery is performed under local anaesthetic  and or IV sedation.  After the process, you may experience some pain and discomfort, but not much, and this will still depend on the individual pain threshold of patients. Usually, an ice-cold pack can be placed over the skin where the procedure took place. If the pain persists, consult your Rosenberg, Texas Dentist to prescribe suitable over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You can also use oral rinses to help with the healing. More aggressive procedures may require a longer time to recover and stronger medication.

After-Care

As with all surgical procedures, you must care for the area after your dental implant. A condition known as peri-implantitis may arise in the aftermath of a dental implant. This condition is the equivalent of gum disease for natural teeth, and it is characterized by the inflammation of the gum and bone around the dental implant. This inflammation is usually triggered by exerting too much biting force on the implant and its surrounding areas or bacterial infection. If not treated, peri-implantitis may lead to the failure of an implant. It is advised that you continuously care for your dental implant at home and with regular follow-ups with your dentist. Remember to brush and floss gently around the area of the implant to keep plaque and food debris away.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Dental implants have a lot of advantages and improve your general wellbeing. They do not affect the remaining natural teeth and enhance your long-term oral health. Additionally, they 

are durable and can last several years, and with reasonable care, most can last till death.

Increased Self-Esteem and Improved Appearance

Having issues with your teeth can be mentally and emotionally draining. Correcting them with dental implants will put a smile on your face and increase your self-esteem as you can talk freely without slurring your words from experiencing discomfort.

Convenience

As dental implants are permanent, you will not have to deal with the inconvenience of having to remove and replace back dentures constantly. They also make it easier to chew and eat without any pain as they function similarly to your natural teeth.

Don’t let your dental health deteriorate while there are qualified dentists and Dental Surgeon at Grand Parkway Smiles in Rosenberg, Texas. See a professional to attend to your dental care needs sooner rather than later.