Affordable Dental Implants in Houston, TX

A dental implant is an artificial tooth implanted into the jaw bone and then covered with a crown. Dental implants are copies of whole teeth inserted where a tooth had to be extracted earlier. These implants are made of porcelain or another composite material. A dentist usually makes an incision in your gums to be able to place the implant inside the jawbone.

Veneers, on the other hand, are thin layers made of a different material that is applied for corrective measures on the surface of teeth. Veneers are a type of thin covering for the tooth made up of porcelain to improve the appearance of the tooth and restore the smile. Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular options. Veneers can be used to compensate for chipped teeth or teeth with small cracks in them.    

Dental implants are one of the most sought-after procedures in many cases. This is because not only are these just as functional as your old teeth. They require very little maintenance, too. Dentists all over the United States use two general types of implants. One of these is called an endosteal dental implant. The primary distinction between these implants is their position in the mouth. Endosteal implants are placed in the jawbone using a screw mechanism. They are generally made of Titanium metal. The other prevalent type of implant is a subperiosteal implant. These are placed over or above the jawbone and do not necessarily penetrate it.

Dental implants are taking the dentist world by storm because of their effectiveness and less time of application. However, they do tend to fail at times, and there are quite a few reasons behind that. A dentist would typically describe these failures in the short term or long term. Dentists often use osseointegration as one of the most common short-term failures.

It involves the bone not being able to heal properly. Many reasons can be the cause of the bone not healing properly. These include smoking by the patient, an overall low bone density of the patient, or simply uncontrolled diabetes, which can be due to genetics or external factors. Poor overall oral hygiene is also a primary cause of these problems. Gum disease is yet another reason that may render an implant useless.

There are a lot of symptoms that can give hints about imminent dental implant failure. These typically include pain or the dental implant slowly moving around within the space it was fixed in. If you feel a dental implant is coming loose, consult your dentist immediately. Bleeding from the area of the implant is another sign that it has failed to settle in properly. Detailed analysis through X-rays can tell if the dental implant has failed. However, these symptoms after an implant are usually definite signs that the implant has failed.

These can be categorized as short-term failures and have a somewhat common treatment procedure. Visiting the dentist will make you see that the procedure involves removing the implant and ensuring the environment in which it is put back in is suitable. This includes treating any wounds or pus that may have gathered in the area, washing and drying it completely, and waiting for it to heal. Once it has healed completely, a new fixture is put in. The process usually tends to take at least a few months to complete because bone tends to heal much slower than soft tissue.

Long-term dental implant failures, on the other hand, are a completely different ball game. One reason they are so challenging to deal with is that this type of failure can occur well after the implant has had time to settle and after every tissue around it has completely healed, integrating itself into the bone. One of the most common long-term dental implant failures is known as peri-implantitis. It is also, ironically, the most difficult one to treat. It happens when a certain infection attacks the gum holding the implant. It eventually leads to loss of bone around the supporting part and sometimes gums if not treated properly. Early symptoms for these may include bleeding gums or pus.

Other long-term dental failures also usually tend to include prosthetic failures. A broken screw or abutment loosening may well be a cause of an implant failure, causing pain and discomfort to the patient for a long time. It is always advisable to visit a dentist at the first sign of discomfort and not wait for it to subside on its own, as it may be much more serious than you may have anticipated.

Every person has some risk of needing dental implants because accidents can cause injuries that damage teeth or knock teeth out. In a situation like that, you may need artificial teeth to replace your missing teeth.

However, taking the following steps will reduce your risk of needing dental implants:

• Establish an effective oral healthcare routine: A good routine involves using a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean your teeth two times daily. You should also use toothpaste with fluoride because it strengthens tooth enamel. Your routine should also include flossing daily and replacing your toothbrush two to four times per year.
• Eat healthy foods: Your diet impacts your dental health. Eating foods that support teeth and gum health will help strengthen your teeth, keep your gums healthy, and prevent oral health issues that could lead to tooth loss. Recommended foods include foods high in calcium because they contribute to bone density. Foods with casein are also excellent because casein strengthens tooth enamel. Dental health-friendly foods include the following:
  • Almonds
  • Apples
  • Brazil nuts
  • Broccoli
  • Cashews
  • Cheese
  • Coffee
  • Cranberries
  • Garlic
  • Kale
  • Kiwis
  • Lettuce
  • Milk
  • Onions
  • Pears
  • Raisins
  • Red meat
  • Salmon
  • Spinach
  • Strawberries
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Tea
  • Water
  • Whole grains
  • Yogurt
• Preventable tooth damage: You can prevent tooth damage by avoiding foods and beverages with high sugar content, not smoking, and not using your teeth as tools. 
• See your dentist once or twice a year: It’s a good idea to see your dentist every six months for a routine checkup. These checkups give your dentist a chance to catch issues early and help prevent cavities. Since tooth decay is one reason people need dental implants, addressing issues early and preventing cavities from developing or worsening can help you avoid needing them.
• Schedule teeth cleanings: Schedule a professional teeth cleaning at your dentist’s office every six months. A dental hygienist will examine your teeth during the cleaning and identify concerns. The cleaning involves removing bacteria, plaque, and tartar from your mouth. Although flossing helps, if you have plaque buildup, the safest way to eliminate it is through professional teeth cleaning. In addition to helping prevent tooth decay and tooth loss, professional teeth cleanings can eliminate bad breath.

Some people think dental implants are about vanity. It’s possible to think that cosmetic dentistry only involves improving your appearance mistakenly. However, multiple serious issues can arise if you’re missing one or more teeth, including the following:

• Difficulty chewing
• Difficulty speaking
• Face deterioration
• Higher risk of infection
• Jawbone deterioration
• Osteoporosis
• Shifting teeth

Consulting your dentist about the health risks and options will help you understand the benefits of implants and how implants can protect your health while improving your smile.