Dental Implants Houston, TX - Implant Specialist Near Me 77027

Permanent Solution to Treat Missing Teeth
Benefits of Dental Implants
Indications for Dental Implants
Missing Single Tooth
Missing Multiple Teeth
Missing All Teeth
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Dental Implant Procedure
Potential Pre-Implant Dental Procedures
Sinus Augmentation
After Your Procedure
Types of Dental Implants
Dos and Don’ts After Dental Implant Surgery
Dental Implant FAQ’s

Permanent Solution to Treat Missing Teeth

Now, you have an option to replace your missing teeth with a solution that closely mimics what nature gave you. Dental implants in Houston are a permanent tooth replacement treatment that offers a multitude of cosmetic and health benefits. Dr. John Krell is a highly experienced implant dentist who offers single, multiple, and full arch replacement for patients who need to rebuild their smile. He will help you invest in your quality of life using a treatment that can last for a lifetime.

Benefits of Dental Implants

A dental implant is the only prosthetic to replace the root and the crown. This allows you to enjoy unmatched stability when compared to any other treatment, as well as a variety of other benefits, such as:

Over a 95% success rate to last for several decades.
Look and function like your natural teeth.
Help to preserve your jawbone.
Supports your facial structures to maintain a youthful appearance.
Restore are much as 70% of your natural chewing function.
Improves your oral health.
Cost effective because they should never need to be replaced with the right aftercare.

Indications for Dental Implants

Dental implants can be used to treat all severities of tooth loss if you are a candidate for the procedure. Your dentist in Houston, Dr. Krell performs an initial consultation to ensure they are right for you. He creates a personalized treatment plan depending on the number of teeth you need to replace.

Missing Single Tooth

When both the tooth and root are damaged, the best permanent replacement is a dental implant in conjunction with a ceramic crown.

Missing Multiple Teeth

When replacing consecutive missing teeth in the mouth, a bridge can be held in place using dental implants at either end.

Missing All Teeth

When all the teeth are missing or in such a condition that they need to be replaced, a full denture is anchored to your jawbone using dental implants.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants

The amount you pay for your treatment is determined by your individual treatment plan. There is no set price you can expect to pay because the cost varies depending on your specific needs, such as if you require additional procedures and the number of posts needed.

On average, dental implants cost more upfront than traditional treatments, like a fixed bridge, but they are more affordable long-term because they can last for decades. Dr. Krell provides you with an estimate during your initial consultation and discusses your payment options, like using your dental insurance. Although your policy will not pay the entire amount, it may cover certain aspects, such as the restorations. We work with your insurance carrier to reduce the amount you need to pay.

Since your treatment is performed in multiple phases, you can pay the remaining balance over the course of several months to keep it affordable. We also accept several forms of payment, including third-party financing with CareCredit.

Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implants are typically completed over two separate appointments scheduled three to six months apart. During the first appointment, Dr. Krell performs oral surgery using a local anesthetic to keep your mouth numb during the procedure. After making an incision in the gums where you have a missing tooth, he drills a deep hole into your jawbone. This hole must reach deep enough to securely hold a titanium post and imitate a tooth root to keep the jawbone strong. Finally, Dr. Krell tops the post with a lightweight artificial tooth (a normal prosthetic/crown is too heavy at this point) to make your smile look natural while you heal.

Months later, after your gums have healed and your jawbone has firmly latched to the jawbone, you may return to Dr. Krell’s office to receive your permanent prosthetic tooth. This tooth will be chosen to look identical to your natural teeth in terms of size, color, and shape to create a perfect, matching smile. Dr. Krell attaches an abutment to the post to screw on this tooth for a secure finish.

Potential Pre-Implant Dental Procedures

Some patients need an additional procedure prior to a dental implant. For example, if your tooth is severely infected but still in your mouth, Dr. Krell will need to extract the tooth prior to placing a dental implant. However, Dr. Krell makes every effort to keep a healthy tooth whenever possible. If your tooth can be saved with procedures like root canal and placement of a dental crown, this can negate the need for an implant.

Because your jawbone needs sufficient strength to hold a titanium post, you may have to undergo a bone graft procedure before you can get a dental implant. Bone grafting involves transferring donor bone to your jaw, which melds with your natural bone. The need for this surgery is more common in patients who have had a missing tooth for an extended period since the bone starts to erode without tooth roots. By not procrastinating on a restorative dental procedure, you may avoid the need for bone grafting altogether.

Sinus Augmentation

Placement determines the success of the dental implant. Some patients may need to undergo sinus augmentation if their implant will be placed in the upper back jaw, an area that generally lacks sufficient bone. A sinus augmentation essentially raises the sinus floor, creating an ideal space for implant placement. During the treatment, an incision is made in the gum, exposing the underlying bone. A small piece of the bone is cut and lifted into the sinus area before being filled with a special bone graft material. After you heal from sinus augmentation surgery, an implant can be placed.

After Your Procedure

Avoiding complications: Dental implant surgery carries a high success rate and is a great tooth replacement option. However, implant failure can occur in some cases due to stress on the implant, improper implant fusing, effects from smoking, and other complications during recovery.

Practice good oral hygiene: To keep your teeth, gums, and restorations healthy, you will need to keep your mouth clean and free from plaque and tartar. If you find it difficult to reach the hard-to-access areas of your teeth, consider using special interdental tools to remove food particles and improve your oral health.

Do not skip appointments: Routine dental appointments are ideal for identifying oral issues before they can advance to more damaging stages. Keep in mind that even if you practice great oral hygiene, plaque can still accumulate on your teeth, necessitating professional cleaning and removal via scaling and root planing. These routine cleanings can keep your smile healthy for life.

Avoid harmful habits: Misusing your teeth, such as biting open a package or chewing on your nails, can put additional stress on them, leading to cracks, chips, and other damage. If you use tobacco or cigarettes, consider quitting. Smoking can lead to a variety of health and dental issues, such as slow healing after dental treatments as well as tooth discoloration. These and other bad habits can impact the appearance and function of your smile.

Seek help for bruxism: Bruxism is a condition characterized by teeth grinding and jaw clenching while asleep. It often goes unnoticed until the individual wakes up and discovers they are experiencing symptoms such as severe jaw pain and loose teeth. Bruxism can compromise your results following dental implant surgery, and the condition can also weaken your natural teeth. Dr. Krell treats bruxism with customized nighttime mouth guards.

Types of Dental Implants

Dental implants are used in many ways. These titanium posts may replace a single missing tooth, a row of missing teeth, or an entire arch of missing teeth.

Endosteal and Subperiosteal Dental Implants

Endosteal dental implants are the most common type and look like a screw that goes into the jawbone. Patients with substantial bone loss who do not qualify for a bone graft may require subperiosteal dental implants positioned on the jawbone underneath the gum line.

Same-Day Dental Implants

Immediate-load dental implants offer same-day tooth restorations and place a temporary tooth during the implant procedure. Patients interested in same-day dental implants must have enough natural bone to secure the implant and support an immediate, temporary tooth.

All-on-4^® – Full Arch Restoration

All-on-4® is an alternative option for patients who do not want dentures. This procedure restores an entire arch of teeth by placing four implants throughout the mouth to secure them in place. Patients use a temporary set of replacement teeth until the jaw has healed and the permanent restorations are prepared (around six months).

Dos and Don’ts After Dental Implant Surgery

Dr. Krell will provide detailed instructions for the recovery process after your dental implant procedure, which may include these tips:

Do:

Get plenty of rest with your head propped up on pillows for good circulation and to minimize swelling and bleeding.
Ice your mouth and jaw area for about 30 minutes at a time for the first 24 hours to decrease swelling.
Take your medications as directed at the correct time intervals to avoid severe discomfort.
Eat a nourishing diet of soft foods and liquids.
Care for your teeth with good oral hygiene and follow your care instructions.
Attend all follow-up visits and schedule regular checkups and cleanings after you’re healed to enjoy your dental implants for life.

Don’t:

Exercise for up to a week after your dental implant procedure because staining your body can worsen bleeding and swelling.
Consume hot beverages or foods because the pain medications and numbing anesthetic make your mouth less sensitive to temperatures.
Smoke because smoking can cause dental implants to fail and lead to “dry sockets,” a painful complication of oral surgery after tooth extractions (often a part of dental implant surgery).
Drink alcohol because it will interfere with your healing and medications.
Rush your recovery. You’ll need a week off work for rest and to get used to caring for your dental implant(s).

If you are ready to restore a strong, beautiful smile, contact our office today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Krell.

Dental Implant FAQ’s

Dr. Krell is here to answer any questions you have about dental implants in Houston. You should make sure you have all the information you need before you commit to any kind of dental treatment to repair your smile. Here are just some of the concerns that patients have voiced in the past. Don’t be afraid to contact our office if there’s anything else you want to know.

Who’s a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

We can replace any number of missing teeth with dental implants, but there are some factors that need to be taken into account if the procedure is going to be successful. The bone in your jaw needs to be dense enough to support and fuse with the titanium implant posts. If it’s not, you might need to get a bone graft or a sinus lift before the surgery can successfully be performed. Also, if you have cavities or gum disease, they’ll need to be treated; otherwise, the infection might increase the risk of implant failure.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

While most kinds of dental restorations – traditional bridges and dentures, for example – need to be replaced every 5 to 15 years, well-maintained dental implants can be expected to last for much longer. They can easily last for over 30 years in many cases, and exceptionally well-cared for implants will last for the rest of the patient’s life! Make sure you’re brushing and flossing on a regular basis so that you can enjoy your new smile for decades.

Can Dental Implants Fail?

Despite their high success rate, it’s still possible for dental implants to fail. The titanium implant posts are completely biocompatible, and it’s rare for a patient to have an allergy to them (although zirconia implants might be used in such cases). However, if the bone around an implant becomes infected or is subjected to biting forces earlier than it should be, it could fail to integrate. If this happens, we’ll do everything we can to address the problem. In many cases, we can eventually replace the failed implant and try again with a new one.

Do I Need to Do Anything Special to Take Care of Dental Implants?

You don’t have to do anything out of the ordinary to keep your dental implants in good shape. Just brush and floss like you would normally. Flossing is especially important for cleaning the hard-to-reach areas around the implant, but if you’re having trouble with the traditional string floss, consider getting a water flosser instead.

Seeing the dentist in Houston at least twice a year is just as important once you’ve gotten dental implants. We’ll make sure that everything is working as it’s supposed to and perform any maintenance that might be needed.

What Will the Recovery After the Surgery Be Like?

Will I need a bone graft before dental implant surgery?

Dental Implants Houston Some patients will need a bone graft if they do not have enough remaining bone structure to secure the dental implant. Bone augmentation regenerates the jawbone, and research shows bone additives and growth factors can fortify the bone for optimal results. A sinus lift or sinus augmentation is another type of bone graft used for missing teeth in the upper back of the mouth. A sinus lift adds to the bone structure under the sinus cavity to restore the natural bone tissue. Ridge expansion widens the jaw with a bone graft along the top of your jaw or to a small ridge in the mouth. The ridge technique is best for narrow jawbones that may deteriorate after years of one or missing teeth.

What can I eat after the dental implant procedure?

Dr. Krell will provide post-operative instructions, including food restrictions and recommendations. Generally, you must stick to cool liquids to avoid burning your oral tissues. Avoid using a straw or drinking from a water bottle because the suction can place pressure on the site. Smoothies, applesauce, milkshakes, pudding, Jell-O, and cold soups are good food choices after dental implant surgery.