Dental Implants

• Greater self-esteem and confidence allow you to embrace a better quality of life. It is not uncommon for denture-wearers to feel embarrassed by their prosthetics. With 34% admitting their dentures limit their ability to live life to the fullest, another study suggests nearly 42% of denture-wearers admit their prosthetics negatively impact their love life.
• The ability to eat the foods you love without worrying about slippage or your prosthetics falling out. Because dentures are not held into place with anything other than your natural suction, they can easily become loose and slip, resulting in embarrassment. With dental implants in Houston, you can eat even hard foods and drink hot beverages without worry about damage, warping, or an accidental slip.
• You will have improved bite force and chewing power, making it easier to eat.
• You’ll enjoy a prosthetic that is permanently in place. Because of its surgical placement, your implants will remain firmly fused with your bone and surrounding tissues.

• Improved oral health because dental implants function just like regular teeth. You can brush, floss, and rinse them with ease, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
• Unlike dentures that only sit on top of the gums, dental implants are surgically put into place and mimic the natural tooth structure. This allows for continuous stimulation to the jawbone, preventing facial collapse and changes to the overall facial structure.
• With many adults living with missing teeth by the age of 65, they are facing serious health problems as a result. Choosing to replace your missing teeth with dental implants can help lower your risk of developing osteoporosis, diabetes, and even cardiovascular disease.

• Dental implants are known for their high success rate, which generally falls around 98% when initially placed by a trusted implant dentist in Houston.
• After 10 years, this success rate only falls to 90-95%, which is still extremely high!
• You can enjoy prosthetics that are designed to last a lifetime, as opposed to dentures and fixed bridges that require relining and replacing every few years.
• You can expect to save money in the long run even though dental implants do cost more in the beginning. Not only will you not have to buy dental adhesives and special cleaning products, but you won’t need to have them replaced nearly as often, if ever!

Every patient’s treatment plan will vary based on their individual situation. Factors like the number of missing teeth, the position of lost teeth, and the materials used to craft the implant posts will impact pricing. The bulk of the cost of implants comes from the price of the dental implants themselves and their placement. If you choose to invest in dental implants, you can expect to experience a number of benefits, including improved stability, longevity, and oral health. For many patients, an implant-supported tooth replacement is the best option to ensure a healthy smile for life.

In addition to the cost of the dental implants and their surgical placement, patients will need to take the following factors into consideration when budgeting for their treatment:

• The need for the removal of one or more damaged teeth before treatment
• The need for oral health services like gum disease treatment prior to implant placement
• The need for preparatory bone or soft tissue grafting
• Use of dental sedatives to ensure comfort
• The cost of replacement dental crowns, bridges, or dentures

Dental insurance providers are notoriously slow to change. Most policies have had the same annual maximum between $1000 and $1500 since the 1960s. In recent years, insurance providers have started to offer allowances to give patients some coverage for dental implants. However, even if your benefits do not cover the price of the implant posts or their surgical placement, other aspects of your treatment will still be covered.

Our knowledgeable team will help you maximize your benefits for preparatory tooth extractions and tissue grafts, dental sedation, and replacement teeth. Additionally, we will bill for each step of your treatment plan individually so you can budget for the payments in advance. We are also happy to accept payment through flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts that you may have as part of your benefits package. We can assist you with getting third party financing through reputable financiers that specialize in offering low and no interest payment plans for healthcare services.

Unlike other tooth replacement solutions, dental implants are a possible solution for almost any adult. When meeting with Dr. Gray for your consultation, he will consider the following criteria to determine your eligibility:

• Oral Health: If you show signs of cavities or gum disease, it will be necessary to address these problems first, as they can cause your dental implants in Houston to fail.
• Overall Health: Because the placement of your dental implants requires anesthesia, you must be well enough to undergo minor oral surgery.
• Strong Jawbone: Your jawbone is the foundation for successful dental implant placement. It must be dense enough to adequately support your implants and custom restoration to ensure success.

Even if you do not believe you will be eligible for dental implants, it is best to allow a trusted implant dentist to perform a full examination. Should problems be present during your initial consultation, preliminary treatments can be performed (i.e., bone grafting, periodontal therapy, tooth extractions) to create a more stable and functional jawbone and oral structure for future implant placement.

We can fill the space of a missing tooth with a single implant post and crown. A biocompatible implant post will be surgically placed into your jawbone. Over the next several weeks, your bone will fuse to the post. After adequate healing has occurred, an abutment is attached to it to allow a custom-made crown to be connected. Known to be much sturdier and longer lasting than a dental bridge, we will not have to remove healthy enamel from adjacent teeth, which can cause sensitivity and result in weaker teeth over time.

When consecutive teeth are missing, we can insert two dental implant posts into the outer sockets that will support a customized dental bridge. Successfully filling in the gap of your smile, we will avoid touching healthy adjacent teeth that are normally used as anchors and instead, place the entire prosthetic into the vacated areas of the mouth. If multiple teeth are missing throughout the mouth, we can use several implant posts to anchor a partial denture.

Even patients with extensive tooth loss can benefit from dental implants. Just four to six posts can be used to attach a full implant denture directly to the jawbone, giving patients a bite and stability way beyond what can be expected with a traditional prosthetic. Instead of resorting to a traditional denture that can easily slip or no longer fit properly, your implant denture will remain affixed to your jawbone, effectively restoring your smile and improving functionality.

You may also be a candidate for All-On-4 dental implants, which is an ideal solution for patients who have less jawbone density likely caused by prolonged missing teeth. Anchoring a full denture using only four dental implants, the process is a great alternative for patients looking for a more permanent tooth replacement solution.

Unlike real teeth, dental implants are cavity-proof. However, that doesn’t mean you can slack on your oral hygiene. Any natural teeth you have left can still become decayed without brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time and flossing once daily. Not to mention, poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease, which is the most common cause of dental implant failure. Add rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash to your oral care routine if you really want to go the extra mile.

Dental implants let you eat practically anything you want, so feel free to enjoy a varied diet. Keep in mind, though, that while sweets like cake and ice cream are fine in moderation, overconsumption of sugar can increase the risk of tooth decay and infections. Be sure to add plenty of mouth-healthy foods into your diet as well. Leafy greens, lean proteins, yogurt, and cheese are great options that provide the nutrients your gums and jawbone need to provide a healthy foundation for your dental implants in Houston.

It’s no secret that dental implants aren’t exactly cheap, so you’ll want to do everything you can to protect the investment you made. This means breaking habits that could damage your new pearly whites. Whether you bite your nails, smoke, eat ice cubes, or chew on pens/pencils, you’ll need to find ways of kicking these habits (such as chewing sugar-free gum or joining a smoking cessation group) if you want to keep your implants in great condition.

Playing sports is a great way to stay healthy, but some sports come with a risk of injury to your smile. If there’s a chance that your mouth or face will come into forceful contact with another player, a piece of equipment, or the ground, then it’s in your best interest to wear a mouthguard. That way, the chance of severe injury due to impact is much lower. In the same vein, you should wear a nightguard if you deal with bruxism (chronic teeth grinding), which can cause severe wear and tear over time. As an implant dentist in Houston, Dr. Mark Gray can make you a custom mouthguard or nightguard that delivers stellar protection while fitting comfortably.

Just because you’ve lost teeth doesn’t mean regular dental checkups aren’t still important. When you visit us every six months, we can examine your implants, remaining teeth, and other oral structures to make sure everything looks pristine. If we spot any signs of trouble, we can treat them early on before they lead to implant failure.

With a commitment to good oral hygiene, you can expect dental implants to last a lifetime. All you have to do is brush and floss your implants just as you would your natural teeth and don’t forget to schedule regular dental checkups at least twice each year with your dentist in Houston. At these appointments, Dr. Gray will ascertain the integrity of your implants and examine for infection.

If you’ve received one implant, then the healing time runs between three to six months. However, more implants will lengthen the time you need to heal. During this time, the implant and surrounding bone tissue fuse together. Called osseointegration, this process is what anchors the implant, providing a solid footing for your tooth restoration.

The average cost for a single dental implant in Houston is approximately $2,000. This can fluctuate if you need more than one implant. The type of restoration you need will also influence the final dollar amount. Dental insurance plans may not cover the cost of implantation, but they often cover a portion of the restoration, so be sure to check the details of your policy.

Receiving dental implants involves a minor oral surgery, so we understand why you may be worried about pain. However, many of our dental implant patients have been pleasantly surprised by how relatively comfortable the procedure is. We’ll be sure to numb your mouth beforehand. We can even prescribe pain medication if we believe that you’ll experience discomfort afterward. Your mouth may be sore for the next few days, but the procedure itself shouldn’t hurt.

In addition to having almost four decades of experience in the dental field under his belt, Dr. Mark Gray has earned a Fellowship with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. This is the world’s leading organization on dental implant techniques. By becoming a Fellow, Dr. Gray has demonstrated his dedication to improving his implant expertise through continuing education courses. You can trust that if you see Dr. Gray for your dental implant treatment, your smile will be in good hands!