Dental Implants – Katy, TX

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

At your first appointment, Dr. Siu will check your mouth to confirm how many teeth need to be replaced, and he’ll use cutting-edge technology to confirm that your jaw is capable of supporting the implant posts. Before he schedules the surgery to place your implants, he might determine that you need preliminary work like bone grafting or tooth extractions in order to ensure the eventual success of your dental implants. You’ll be given an estimate of the cost and a timeline for the process as a whole before we move any further.

Dental Implant Surgery

We can perform implant surgery in-house once all of the preparations have been completed and we’ve confirmed that your jaw is healthy enough for the procedure. The surgery involves making incisions in the gum tissue so that we can create holes in the jaw and insert the posts where they need to go. Sutures will be used to close the gums afterwards, and a protective cap will be attached to the implant posts. The cap serves two functions: it protects the implants during the healing process, and it helps the gums maintain their shape.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

Your implants won’t be ready to support new teeth right away. First, they need to bond with the jaw so that they can provide the stimulation necessary to prevent bone loss. The bonding process is called osseointegration, and it can take anywhere from three to six months depending on how many implants there are and your body’s own healing capabilities. After a successful osseointegration, we can attach a metal connector piece called an abutment to each implant post. The abutment is what will secure your crown, bridge, or denture into place during the next and final step of the process.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

We’ll only begin this final step once your mouth has fully healed from implant surgery and abutment placement. To create prosthetics that fit comfortably in your mouth and match your other teeth, we’ll need to take impressions of your smile in its current state. Then the impressions will be sent to a lab where professional ceramists will create a restoration that looks virtually the same as your natural teeth. A final appointment will be scheduled once we’ve received the restoration; it will be attached to your implants after we’ve made the necessary adjustments.

Day-to-Day Benefits

• Enjoy your favorite foods – Once the dental implant posts have integrated with your jawbone, they restore almost all of the chewing power that you had with your natural teeth. Unlike with regular dentures, chowing down on tough steaks or crunchy vegetables should be no challenge at all with dental implants!
• Looks and feels natural – By mimicking every part of a natural tooth, a dental implant looks and feels so lifelike that, after some time has passed, you might even forget that you ever lost a tooth at all!
• Easy oral hygiene – Caring for dental implants in Katy is remarkably, conveniently similar to taking care of real teeth. All you have to do is brush and floss on a daily basis, just like you would before tooth loss.

Health Benefits

• Prevent dental drift – After a tooth is removed, the adjacent teeth begin to slowly drift out of place. Eventually, this can cause bite alignment issues that result in pain, difficulty eating, chronic teeth grinding, and more. Dental implants are a great way to fill the gap and keep your remaining teeth properly aligned.
• Self-reliant solution – Dental implants don’t require support from your remaining teeth like dental bridges do, nor do they rely on your gums like conventional dentures do. In fact, dental implants are completely self-supporting, so they preserve the health of your natural teeth and gum tissue.
• Maintain a balanced diet – People who are missing teeth or wear dentures are often limited in terms of the foods they can enjoy. They typically have trouble attaining all of the vitamins and nutrients they need for optimal health. Because dental implants replenish your chewing power, it’s easy to incorporate a variety of healthy foods into your diet, like fresh fruits and vegetables.

Long-Term Benefits

• Jawbone support – Dental implants are the form of only tooth replacement that stimulates the jawbone every time you bite or chew. As a result, they prevent the bone deterioration that commonly occurs after tooth loss. Not only does this keep your jawbone strong and healthy, but it maintains the natural shape of your jaw and helps you enjoy a youthful appearance.
• Long-lasting results – Traditional dentures and dental bridges must be replaced every five to ten years on average. In contrast, dental implants can last for 30+ years as long as you take good care of them. Therefore, implants may end up being the more cost-effective choice over time.
• Impressive success rates – When placed by a trained implant dentist in Katy, dental implants have a success rate of more than 95 percent, even after over a decade.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

More people are eligible to receive dental implants than ever before thanks to advancements in dentistry. However, there are certain prerequisites that are needed before you can receive them safely. For example, patients pursuing dental implants should have:

• Sufficient bone tissue
• Good oral and overall health
• The ability to undergo minor oral surgery
• A strong commitment to at-home oral care and routine dental checkups

We’ll perform a detailed examination of your smile during your consultation to confirm that you are able to receive dental implants. If you need additional treatments beforehand (i.e. gum therapy, bone grafting, etc.) we’ll get you scheduled for these services first, then revisit your tooth replacement.

Missing One Tooth

A single titanium post and porcelain crown can effectively replace a single tooth. Titanium is biocompatible, meaning its properties are designed to integrate with the existing bone and soft tissue. Porcelain best mimics natural tooth enamel. However, it is more stain-resistant overall, unlike enamel, which is very porous and therefore more susceptible to stains.

Missing Multiple Teeth

A pair of dental implants can hold a three- or four-crown bridge, effectively replacing one to two missing teeth at a time. Instead of removing tooth enamel like you would a traditional bridge, a dental implant is placed on either side to anchor the restoration. If you want to maintain as much of the natural enamel that makes up your existing teeth as possible, dental implants are the most ideal tooth replacement solution.

Missing All Teeth

Are you tired or frustrated with your dentures? Then you’re in luck! Just four to six dental implants can support a full denture with ease. This means you can say goodbye to uncomfortable, slipping dentures and enjoy a new smile that you’ll feel confident will stay in place! Plus, implant dentures cause no gum sores and can restore 75% or more of your natural biting force, allowing you to comfortably eat apples, steak, nuts, and all your other favorite foods!

Learn More About Implant Dentures

Learn More About All-On-4 Dental Implants

Types of Dental Implants

There is no fixed dental implant cost because every patient is different. The total amount you’ll end up paying is dependent on several factors, such as how many teeth you need to get replaced. On average, you can expect to pay more if you’re missing more teeth since you’ll need a higher number of implant posts to treat your tooth loss. Another factor that will affect the cost is the type of material the implant is made of, such as titanium or ceramic.

What Are the Stages of Dental Implant Treatment?

Each step in the process of replacing your missing teeth with dental implants will incur their own costs. Some of the steps may include:

• Initial consultation – You’ll need to get a CT scan as well as x-rays to determine your candidacy for implants as well as where exactly they’ll need to be placed.
• Preliminary treatments – Many patients require additional treatments prior to placing implants, such as periodontal therapy, tooth extractions, or a bone graft.
• Sedation or anesthesia – Depending on how many teeth you’re receiving and your general level of dental anxiety, you might need more than just a local anesthetic to get you through your implant placement procedure.
• Number of implants – You’ll have to pay a certain amount of money for each implant that’s being placed.
• Abutment – Each post needs a connector piece known as an abutment.
• Restoration – Your restoration will cost differently depending on whether it’s a crown, bridge, or denture.

Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?

While you’ll likely pay more initially for dental implants than other options, you’ll also find that they can save you money in the long run. With an incredibly high success rate of over 95%, you can trust that your implants should last for decades to come. As long as you take good care of your implants, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting them replaced.

Additionally, dental implants preserve your oral health by stimulating your jawbone in a way that dentures and bridges do not. This prevents you from losing any more jawbone mass. Dental implants also fill the gaps in your smile, stopping your remaining teeth from drifting into the space and lowering your risk for further tooth loss. This decreases your risk for expensive dental problems in the future.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Although most dental insurance carriers will not cover the entire cost of dental implants, they are likely to pay for some portions of the treatment. While every policy differs, most plans will cover some aspects of the cost once you have met your deductible, such as preliminary treatments like gum disease therapy or a bone graft.

If you don’t have dental insurance, our Katy dental office also accepts CareCredit, a third-party financing option that allow you to pay for the dental care you need with little to no interest. You can pay for your new smile one step at a time without breaking the bank.

3D Cone Beam Imaging/3D CT Scanning

Traditional X-Rays only take 2D images of the mouth, which can often leave underlying issues undiagnosed. Plus, it’s difficult to view the exact size, shape, and strength of the jawbone. However, cone beam CT scans allow us to create a 3D image of your oral structures, giving us a better understanding of the strength and size of your jawbone and the condition of your oral health. Once a 3D image is created with our highly advanced Carestream CS 8100 machine, we can confidently and precisely place dental implants for the highest rate of success and safety.

The scanning process is quick, noninvasive, and completely painless. Plus, a cone beam CT scanner uses less radiation than a traditional CT, so you can be sure that the scan is as low-risk as possible.

Guided Dental Implant Surgery

Our implant dentist in Katy uses guided dental implant surgery to ensure that any risks and/or surprises are minimized. This groundbreaking technology makes the already predictable dental implant surgery even more precise, successful, and safe. Using advanced imaging technology and dental instruments, we can use a 3D version of your mouth as a guide for the placement of your implants. By letting us see all the anatomical structures in your mouth, jaw, teeth, and surrounding tissue, guided dental implant surgery minimizes the risk of human error.

We take the guided surgery process a step further than many practices, who usually rely on a laboratory to create their surgical guides. We are proud to make our own surgical guides with our in-house 3D printer!

Intraoral Scanner

Have you ever gone to the dentist for a restoration like a dental crown or bridge? If so, you may have experienced the putty that is traditionally used to take impressions. This putty tastes strange, and it’s uncomfortable to experience. Thankfully, we have a digital impression system, also called an intraoral scanner, that eliminates the need for messy putty and helps us to design beautiful, natural looking restorations. It works by taking highly detailed images of the mouth, which are combined to create a three-dimensional digital impression. Once this impression is made, we can use it as the basis for designing the restoration that will go on top of your dental implants in Katy.

Would you like to learn more about the advanced technology we use to enhance your dental implant care? Please don’t hesitate to contact our dental office to request an appointment. We look forward to serving you!

Will I be unable to eat certain foods with dental implants?

One of the best things about dental implants is that you can continue to enjoy the foods you love and no longer worry about your restoration falling out or slipping. Whether you have one implant or a full implant denture, these customized restorations sit permanently within your jawbone and act just like regular teeth. While it is advised that you try to avoid hard, crunchy foods, you may choose to cut these up into smaller, more bite-sized pieces to avoid accidental injury to one of your implants.

Do dental implants hurt?

When arriving for your dental implant placement surgery, you will receive local anesthesia to ensure you feel no pain at all during the procedure. Because it will be necessary for the oral surgeon to make one or more small incisions in your gums, it is common for there to be some soreness and swelling in these areas after you return home to recover. If necessary, the doctor will provide an antibiotic or recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever to help minimize discomfort.

Once you’ve fully healed from your placement surgery, your implants should feel normal within your mouth and no longer cause any pain.

Will I first need a bone graft or sinus lift?

During your scheduled consultation, our team will examine your oral cavity and determine if you are eligible for dental implants. If it is discovered that your jawbone is not firm enough to hold up your implants, it will be necessary to undergo a bone graft or sinus lift. These common oral surgeries make it possible to strengthen the jawbone and allow patients with missing teeth to go on to receive dental implants after they’ve fully healed from the necessary bone graft or sinus lift.

How do I care for my dental implants?

Another added benefit of dental implants is how easy they are to maintain. Because they are surgically placed into the jawbone, they cannot be removed, making them much easier to clean. In fact, you can continue with your regular oral hygiene routine while wearing dental implants because they will look and feel like natural teeth. Although they cannot decay, it is important that you continue to brush your teeth twice daily, floss at least once, and rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash. This will prevent cavities and other dental problems from developing, all of which can be problematic for your dental implants.

What is the success rate for dental implant placement?

While there is a small chance that your dental implants could fail, it is highly unlikely for this to happen. Research has shown there is an extremely high success rate when it comes to dental implant placement. As long as you are seeing a licensed professional who has extensive training, you can expect a 95-98% success rate.

What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?

Even though it’s rare for dental implant failure to occur, it typically happens for one of the following reasons:

• Peri-Implantitis – This is a form of gum disease that often develops from poor oral hygiene. If left untreated, it can damage the bone and gums supporting the implant.
• Failed Osseointegration – Patients with low jawbone density are at higher risk of dental implant failure because the implant may not successfully integrate with the surrounding bone tissue.

Some other causes of dental implant failure include chronic teeth grinding, tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, and certain medications. During your consultation, we’ll explain how you can minimize your risk of implant failure.

What Should I Do If My Dental Implant Feels Loose?

Once fully integrated with the jawbone, dental implants should remain firmly in place for years to come. If your implant ever feels loose, you should contact our office right away for assistance. Time is of the essence in the situation. The sooner you seek dental attention, the better chance we’ll have of saving your implant and preventing implant failure.

Can I Get Dental Implants If I Smoke?

Although it’s possible for smokers to get dental implants, it’s worth noting that they’re at higher risk of implant failure. Smoking, chewing, or vaping tobacco can cause dry mouth, delay healing, and interfere with the implants’ ability to fuse with the surrounding bone tissue. It can also dislodge the blood clot that’s formed over the implant site, leading to a painful complication known as a dry socket. That said, it’s recommended for smokers to quit at least two weeks before the procedure and wait to resume the habit for at least three months afterward. Of course, the ideal solution would be to kick this habit to the curb for good.

How Soon After Tooth Extraction Can I Get Dental Implants?

If the jawbone is healthy enough, a dental implant can be placed immediately following an extraction. However, most dentists will recommend waiting three to six months for the mouth to heal. You should avoid waiting longer than that as the jawbone can shrink from lack of stimulation from the tooth’s roots. During your initial appointment, we’ll explain exactly how long you should wait based on your unique case.

Make Oral Hygiene a Priority

Even with dental implants in Katy, you should still brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once daily. Why? Without adequate oral hygiene, plaque can build up on your gums, which may result in gum disease. Your implants might not be susceptible to tooth decay, but gum disease can lead to their downfall, as it could damage the surrounding gum tissue to the point where it can no longer support the implants.

Eat a Healthy Diet

In addition to how often (and how thoroughly) you brush and floss, your diet has a huge impact on your oral health. Eating foods with high sugar and/or starch content make it easier for harmful bacteria in your mouth to produce plaque. On the other hand, chewing fiber-rich fruits and vegetables will naturally scrub your teeth clean as well as provide your body with vitamins and minerals that encourage healthy gums. Consider evaluating your diet to make sure it primarily contains a wide array of unprocessed, nutritious foods.

Break Bad Habits

As durable as dental implants are, they can be damaged by many of the same habits that harm natural teeth. These include:

• Smoking or chewing tobacco.
• Biting your fingernails.
• Opening packaging or bottles with your teeth.
• Chewing on ice cubes, pens, or other non-food objects.

The next time you find yourself craving something to chew, try a piece of sugar-free gum instead of your fingernails or other hard items. Our team can give you further advice on quitting these habits and can point you toward smoking cessation resources if you need them.

Protect Your Dental Implants

Do you often play sports to stay active? Just as it’s important to wear a helmet or shoulder pads, it’s also essential to protect your smile by wearing an athletic mouthguard. Your implant dentist in Katy can provide you with a customized mouthguard that fits better than any of the mass-produced ones from the store, ensuring more protection. Similarly, we can design a nightguard for you if you grind your teeth when you sleep; this safeguards your implants and remaining teeth against long-term wear.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Keeping up with your six-month checkups and cleanings is still important, no matter how many of your teeth have been replaced with dental implants. Our dentists will have the opportunity to detect any underlying issues and address them before they wreak serious havoc on your oral health. In some cases, this preventive approach may be able to save your dental implants from failing.