In our previous article post, courtesy of qualified and experienced implant dentist, Dr. Wayne Brueggen, we investigated the first five of ten steps people can take to needing Houston dental implants. Now, tooth loss is hardly something someone would aspire to, yet in spite of the sophisticated state of modern medical technology and our higher standards of dental hygiene, there are still millions of people in the United States that have lost more than half, if not all of their original adult teeth to tooth decay and gum disease. Clearly, not everyone is getting the message about the importance of oral hygiene and healthy lifestyle habits. So, without further ado, here are the remaining five steps you can take in order to require Houston dental implants for single and multiple missing teeth.

Step 6 to Needing Houston Dental Implants: Chew and Smoke Tobacco

Smoking or chewing tobacco is one of the most destructive habits you can develop. It is also one of the most avoidable. Don’t put your oral and general health on the fast track to its demise when you have what it takes to say ‘no’ or quit today. If you want to avoid nasty tooth discoloration, the whole suite of oral cancers, gum disease, tooth loss and the eventual need for Houston dental implants, then kick the habit. It’s never too late.

Step 7 to Needing Houston Dental Implants: Drink Alcohol Excessively

Most of us enjoy the occasional beer, glass of red wine or gin and tonic. Perhaps a cocktail on the beach? How about three? Care for a tequila? Another? The effects of alcohol on the body are most enjoyed the morning after a serious night out. No one likes a party pooper, so we’re not saying that you need to abstain completely. One night out every now and then can be a good stress reliever (although you will be sure to pay for it the following day). But excessive alcohol consumption on a regular basis is a death sentence for your teeth. Acid corrosion and the suite of bad habits that come hand in hand with this kind of lifestyle, such as smoking and poor oral hygiene, are a fantastic way to end up needing Houston dental implants before you’re 40.

Step 8 to Needing Houston Dental Implants: Eat an Unbalanced Diet

Your teeth require proper nutrition just like the rest of your body. But they are also on the front line in terms of how foods that are high in fats, acid and sugar affect your health. Make sure you get plenty of leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, wholegrain breads and proteins and steer clear of artificially sugary and salty foods. Minerals such as calcium and fluoride are great for your teeth, so drink mineral and/or tap water rather than purified water. The former are rich in the electrolytes, trace metals and minerals your body needs.

Step 9 to Needing Houston Dental Implants: Abuse Drugs

Drug abuse… need we say anymore? Tooth loss, gum disease and the need for Houston Dental Implant are a direct result of this incredibly unhealthy habit. Stop today or seek the counseling and treatment you need to get your life back.

Step 10 to Needing Houston Dental Implants: Ignore Oral Problems and Complaints

Last, but certainly not least, ignoring oral complaints is a fantastic way to end up with serious problems that can lead to tooth loss. What might appear to be mild gum inflammation can end up being periodontal (gum) disease if left untreated. What might be a tolerable ache in your tooth can be the symptom of bacterial infection in the pulp chamber, which, if not treated, can necessitate extraction and replacement by a Houston dental implant. Don’t ignore oral sores, bleeding, pain, anomalous lumps or inflammation! Call your dentist right away.

A Final Note on Houston Dental Implants

Avoiding the need for Houston Dental Implants and keeping a full set of healthy and beautiful teeth is your choice. Even if genetics has dictated that you are more susceptible to gum disease than, say, the person sitting next to you, there are always things you can do and habits you can avoid in order to maintain a high standard of oral health and hygiene. See Dr. Wayne Brueggen today to have your oral health assessed.

You would think that with today’s array of sophisticated medical technology and heightened health awareness that tooth loss and gum disease would be more of a peripheral problem to society. Yet, according to statistics released by the Center for Disease Control, a staggering number of people in the United States are missing not one or two of their original adult teeth, but all of them! 20 million people in American alone are completely edentulous (toothless) while a massive 100 million more are missing between 11 and 15 of their natural pearly whites. We all know what we’re supposed to do in order to guard our teeth against the bacteria that cause decay, disease, eventual tooth loss and the need for Houston dental implants. But according to these statistics, it would seem as though a great number of people have decided instead to follow the 10 easy steps to needing Houston dental implants:

Step 1 to Needing Houston Dental Implants: Don’t Brush Your Teeth

Regular and thorough brushing, especially in the morning and before you go to bed at night, is essential in keeping the amount of bacteria in your mouth to a minimum. By keeping plaque accumulation at bay (and the subsequent formation of tartar), you not only ensure that your breath stays nice and fresh, but that your risk of bacterial infection, tooth loss and the eventual need for Houston dental implants, is kept to an absolute minimum.

Step 2 to Needing Houston Dental Implants: Don’t Floss Everyday

Gosh, flossing is such a nuisance isn’t it? Don’t worry; skip this essential component of your oral hygiene routine and you’ll end up requiring some kind of dental treatment for oral bacterial infection. You may even end up needing Houston dental implants! Flossing removes the daily accumulation of food and plaque (soft deposits of bacteria) from between your teeth; places that your brush simply cannot reach. If you neglect to floss, you allow bacteria to establish a foothold in your mouth, putting you at a higher risk of cavities, infection and gum disease, which can all lead to tooth loss and the need for Houston dental implants.

Step 3 to Needing Houston Dental Implants: Skip Appointments with the Dentist

This is a good one! If you’ve always dreamed of having Houston dental implants surgically placed, then in addition to sloppy oral hygiene, make sure you skip those bi-annual appointments with the dentist! Only this qualified and experienced professional will be able to diagnose oral problems and ailments in their infancy and treat them before they have a chance to do permanent damage. After all, risking tooth loss is all about allowing oral conditions to go undiagnosed and untreated.

Step 4 to Needing Houston Dental Implants: Use Your Teeth as Tools

Want to put your teeth on the fast track to their demise? Use them as tools to pry open containers, bite down on metal, crack open nuts, grind on popcorn kernels and chew on ice. Habits such as these damage and erode the dental enamel, revealing the softer dentine underneath. This renders the crown more vulnerable to cavities, cracks and fissures which can lead bacteria straight into the heart of the tooth. Once the pulp chamber becomes infected, you can kiss the tooth goodbye unless a timely root canal treatment can save the day. Although, if you follow step 3 correctly, you’ll end up needing Houston Dental Implants in order to have your smile restored.

Step 5 to Needing Houston Dental Implants: Thirsty? Drink Sugar-Rich Sodas and Juices Instead of Water

Any dentist worth his or her salt will tell you that if you want to risk the variety of oral ailments that cause tooth loss and the need for Houston dental implants, you need to enjoy a sugar-rich diet. This of course means swapping that healthy hydrating water for sugary colas and acidic fruit juices. Your oral bacteria will thank you!

Houston Dental Implants: Stay Tuned

For the remaining five steps on how to end up needing Houston dental implants, stay tuned for the second installment of the series, courtesy of qualified and experienced dentist Dr. Wayne Brueggen.

Dental Implant Surgeon in Houston, FAQ # 10:

How do I look after my new tooth or teeth?

Once a Houston dental implant has successfully healed in place, it is cared for and cleaned just like the rest of your natural adult teeth. Forget about the need for special cleaning products and expensive technology, says the dental implant surgeon in Houston. It only takes regular and thorough brushing and flossing to keep your new teeth in great condition. Other advice from dental implant surgeon in Houston, Dr. Wayne Brueggen, is to avoid bad habits that may compromise the longevity of your teeth and your dental implants, such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. Also, a balanced diet and plenty of water will ensure that both your oral and general health benefit from proper nutrition and hydration.

Dental Implant Surgeon in Houston, FAQ # 11:

Can I resume eating all the foods I like with Houston dental implants?

Traditional Houston dental implant products require a period of healing before patients can resume a normal diet. This is to allow for the titanium fixture of the implant to biologically bond with the underlying jaw bone tissue; a process termed ‘osseointegration’. But, according to the dental implant surgeon in Houston, newer implant technologies are ‘immediately loadable’; in other words, once placed, they are immediately able to support a bite force. As such, patients are allowed to return home on the day of the procedure and enjoy a light meal!

Dental Implant Surgeon in Houston, FAQ # 12:

What can I expect Houston dental implants to cost?

Owing to the skills and resources that go into their manufacturing, as well as the efforts of the professionals that place them, Houston dental implants are not the least expensive of all the tooth replacement technologies on the market. They are, however, the best and their long-term benefits far outweigh their initial price tag, says the dental implant surgeon in Houston. In fact, fewer complications and a much greater durability makes Houston dental implants a far smarter investment than traditional technologies, such as dental bridges and removable dentures.

In terms of what a patient can expect this price tag to be, well, that depends heavily upon their unique case. As such, an accurate quote can only really be provided subsequent to a thorough clinical examination by a skilled and experienced dental implant surgeon in Houston, such as Dr. Wayne Brueggen. The cost also depends upon how many teeth require replacing and what kind of procedure is recommended to you for smile restoration or oral rehabilitation.

Dental Implant Surgeon in Houston, FAQ # 13:

Does medical insurance cover the costs of Houston dental implants?

Unfortunately, most medical insurance providers still view the replacement of failing or missing teeth using implants as an elective procedure, says dental implant surgeon in Houston, Dr. Brueggen. However, because the team at the Brueggen Dental Implant Center believes that a concern for finances should never get in the way of a patient and their beautiful smile, we not only offer highly competitive prices (as well as leading services in the field of dental implantology and fixed oral rehabilitation), but also financing for up to six months interest-free, which can be arranged through one of our finance counselors.

If you have any further questions or would like to arrange your initial consultation with dental implant surgeon in Houston, Dr. Wayne Brueggen, please contact the Brueggen Dental Implant Center or leave your details with us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

FAQ 4: What is the success rate of Houston dental implants?

Houston dental implants enjoy a fantastic success rate of 98%! In other words, only two out of every 100 patients experience implant failure and this is generally a result of pre-existing health factors, such as gum disease or diabetes, or incorrect care post implant placement. Smoking has also been shown to dramatically increase the risk of Houston dental implant failure, so if you are considering oral rehabilitation, then perhaps now is a good time to consider kicking the habit! Your implant dentist will provide you with comprehensive instructions for post-procedural care. By following these closely and by avoiding bad habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, healing should be swift and successful.

FAQ 5: Am I a candidate for Houston dental implants?

One of the great things about Houston dental implants is that most people are candidates. Age alone doesn’t play a factor when determining who can have teeth replaced using this incredible dental technology. In fact, qualified and skilled implant dentist, Dr. Wayne Brueggen, has placed Houston dental implants in patients in their nineties! What can affect a patient’s candidacy for Houston dental implants is the degree of bone loss in the jaw; a result of tooth loss gone untreated for too long. The presence and advanced stage of periodontal (gum) disease and other systemic diseases can render the surgical placement of Houston dental implants more complicated. If you wish to find out more, it is best to arrange a consultation with Dr. Wayne Brueggen, during which a full clinical examination and medical history review will determine your candidacy.

FAQ 6: Is there an age restriction for having Houston dental implants placed?

Age alone does not play a factor in determining candidacy for the placement of  Houston dental implants. Patients in their nineties have been able to receive a complete set of new and non-removable teeth thanks to modern surgical protocol and implant products. Essentially, if the tooth you have lost is an adult tooth and you are in good health and there is sufficient jaw bone volume to support a Houston dental implant, then smile restoration is a phone call away!

FAQ 7: Does having Houston dental implants placed hurt?

There is an unfortunate misconception that having Houston dental implants placed is one of the most painful dental procedures a patient can undergo. However, with the aid of modern surgical protocol and sophisticated computer imaging equipment, Houston dental implants can be placed using minimal incisions and sutures. This greatly reduces post-operative pain and discomfort for the patient, as well as the necessary recovery time. Furthermore, Houston dental implants are always placed under the effects of sedation and anesthesia, rendering the procedure itself completely pain and stress free. Analgesics (painkillers) are prescribed to effectively manage any post-procedure pain and discomfort. Many patients, in fact, return to work the very next day after having a Houston dental implant placed!

Houston Dental Implants: Stay Tuned

For the answers to more frequently asked questions, stay tuned for the third article installment of this four-part series on Houston dental implants.

FAQ 1: What are Houston dental implants?

Houston dental implants are tiny screws or fixtures that, once placed at the site/s of the missing tooth or teeth, are used to support an artificial tooth crown. The base component of the implant is fabricated from titanium; an exceptionally strong, non-corrodible and lightweight metal. Titanium also has the very unique ability to form a strong biological bond with bone tissue, which essentially enables Houston dental implants to function as non-removable and long term replacements for missing teeth. Of course, once placed by an implant dentist, such as Dr. Wayne Brueggen, the titanium fixture is not visible above the gum line. An artificial tooth crown is custom fabricated from high quality and durable ceramic material to take the place, in function and aesthetics, of the missing tooth.

FAQ 2: What are the benefits of Houston dental implants?

Houston dental implants offer patients a variety of benefits and advantages over traditional tooth replacement technology:

1. They are virtually indistinguishable from any natural healthy tooth and so provide a perfect cosmetic solution to missing teeth.

2. Houston dental implants enable patients to bite down with a natural force, thus allowing them to eat all the foods they love without discrimination.

3. If placed by a qualified and experienced implant dentist, such as Dr. Wayne Brueggen – and cared for properly – Houston dental implants can last decades without the need for restoration.

4. They are cared for just like your natural teeth; with regular brushing and flossing.

5. Houston dental implants provide a tooth replacement solution that feels just like natural teeth. They don’t cause any discomfort or irritation in the mouth, nor do they cause self-consciousness.

FAQ 3: Will I be able to tell the difference between my natural teeth and Houston dental implants?

Houston dental implants are carefully fabricated to be virtually indistinguishable from natural healthy teeth. The ceramic crown can even be customized to match the color of the rest of your teeth so that it doesn’t stand out. So, from an aesthetic point of view, you will not be able to tell the difference between Houston dental implants and your natural teeth. Moreover, because they replace the entire missing tooth – from the root to the crown – eating and speaking feels completely natural, sparing patients the self-consciousness typically associated with traditional teeth replacement technologies, such as dental bridges or removable dentures.

Houston Dental Implants: Stay Tuned!
For more frequently asked questions on Houston dental implants, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series.

Millions of people struggle with the crippling challenges and repeated expenses associated with removable dentures or, as they are colloquially known, false teeth. While this technology has long been the solution to rampant tooth loss and edentulism (not having a single original adult tooth left), they do come hand-in-hand with many challenges that have a significant impact upon one’s social confidence, bite functionality and smile aesthetics. In this three-part article series, we shall be comparing the teeth replacement solutions provided by removable dentures with those of the revolutionary All on Four in Houston: a dental implant protocol used for the replacement of a patient’s entire set of missing and failing teeth. Armed with this greater awareness, patients can then make the investment necessary to dramatically improve their quality of life with the superior teeth replacement solutions provided by the All on Four in Houston.

The All on Four in Houston Versus Removable Dentures: Bite Functionality and Comfort

Removable dentures consist of a bulky plastic structure that is fabricated to resemble a complete set of teeth. It fits over and rests upon the gums, palate and underlying jaw bone ridge, upon which it relies for support. Additional peripheral mass called ‘flanges’ are used to stabilize the denture in the mouth. As a result of all this:

# Dentures can shift, move around and even fall out!

# They apply pressure to the underlying soft tissue (gums) causing pain, inflammation and sores that aren’t given a chance to heal.

# They don’t permit patients to eat certain tough and chewy foods.

# They feel like a foreign object in the mouth, resulting in an inescapable feeling of self-consciousness, especially when eating with friends and family.

# Dentures impede one’s sense of taste and can even trigger the gag reflex.

The All on Four in Houston is a surgical placement protocol that involves the permanent attachment of a customized and non-removable prosthetic dental bridge to, as the name suggests, four dental implants in the mouth. As such:

# The bridge cannot move around or fall out and because it is placed permanently in the mouth, it feels natural and comfortable.
All on Four
# The All on Four in Houston reaps all the support it needs directly from the jaw bone, just like natural teeth. So it feels comfortable and doesn’t cause any damage to the surrounding hard and soft tissue in the mouth.

# The All on Four in Houston enables patients to bite down with increased force, permitting them to eat all the foods they love but previously couldn’t enjoy with removable dentures or multiple missing teeth.

# Owing to the smaller size and fitted nature of the dental bridge used in the All on Four in Houston, it does not impede taste sensation, nor does it trigger the gag reflex.

All on Four in Houston: Stay Tuned…

In our next article installment, we shall be looking at the difference between the smile aesthetics achieved by removable dentures versus that of the All on Four in Houston.