How Should I Maintain My Dental Implants?

If you’re missing a tooth, the most natural type of prosthetic tooth that you can get is a dental implant. Dental implants work very much like natural teeth, in that each implant is fused with the jaw bone to create a permanent tooth replacement.

Once your implant (or implants) are installed, your dentist in Katy and Houston, TX can help you determine how to keep your implant clean and in good condition. Here’s what to know about maintaining dental implants.

Cleaning Dental Implants

Cleaning dental implants is a lot like cleaning natural teeth. Brush your implant with regular, non-abrasive toothpaste to keep the implant free from plaque and tartar. Brush your implant twice per day at the same time that you brush the rest of your teeth.

Floss your dental implant once daily. When flossing, push the floss down straight down along the tooth, then pull the floss straight up. Avoid wrapping the floss around the crown of the implant, or this could break the seal that attaches the crown to the implant.

Can Dental Implants Be Whitened?

Dental implants cannot be whitened. Many implants are made from tooth-colored material that has been color matched to the other teeth in the mouth. Some implants are made of metal and are not tooth colored at all. Either way, neither of these types of implants responds to tooth-whitening agents.

This means that if you have a dental implant, the whitening process could cause your natural teeth to change their color, while your dental implant remains the color that it is. When the whitening is finished, your teeth and implant won’t match.

See your Dentist Every Six Months

If you have dental implants in Katy and Houston, TX, see the dentist every six months for a dental examination. During the routine dental examination and cleaning, your dentist will check your implant to ensure that it is still in good condition. Call Chloe Dental today to make an appointment.

woman-brushinig-teeth

3 Things You Can Do to Make Your Dental Implants Last

Your dental implants help preserve your smile and play an important role in the chewing of your food. It’s important to take care of your dental implants. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to ensure that your dental implants will remain in good condition. As your dentist in Katy and Houston TX, we can help with that. Below are three proactive things you can do to prolong the service life of your dental implants.

1. Keep Your Teeth Clean

Clean your teeth twice daily using non-abrasive toothpaste and a tooth brush with soft bristles. Floss once daily. Keeping your teeth clean at home will help ensure that your gums remain healthy, which will help ensure the long-term success of your dental implants.

One more thing: don’t forget to visit the dentist twice per year for annual checkups and teeth cleaning. This is another way that you can keep your teeth clean.

2. Use a Night Guard If You Need One

If you grind your teeth at night, you could easily crack or damage your dental implant. Grinding your teeth can even cause your teeth or implant to become loose. Talk to your dentist about getting a night guard to protect your teeth from grinding. This will protect the crown on your implant from cracks, and will ultimately prolong the life of the implant.

3. Get Your Implants from the Right Dentist

One way to ensure that your implants will last as long as possible is to get your dental implants in Katy and Houston TX from a dentist that’s experienced with dental implant installation. At Chloe Dental, we perform dental implant surgery on a regular basis and can help you get implants as well. Call today to find out more about how you can benefit from dental implants, and whether implant surgery is right for you.

old man

3 Ways Dental Implants Can Improve Your Quality of Life

Dental implants are an incredible oral health advancement. Not only can these implants lead to improved dental health, but they can also boost your well-being. Keep reading to learn three ways dental implants can improve your quality of life.

Allows you to eat normally

Having the ability to eat a normal diet is one of the top advantages of dental implants. If you have dentures or missing teeth, this limits the foods you can chew, including healthy options like fruits and vegetables. Once dental implants are installed, you can eat like you still have your natural teeth! An implant fuses to your jawbone, making it look and feel like a normal tooth. Being able to eat your favorite foods can drastically enhance your quality of life!

If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants in Houston, TX, contact Chloe Dental today.

Greater confidence

If you live with dentures or missing teeth, this can lower your self-esteem and make you feel ashamed of your smile. However, dental implants can provide the opposite! After a dental implant procedure, most patients feel much more confident in their own skin. They tend to smile more often and have greater confidence in their everyday life. This can even lead to an improved career, social life, and more!

Saves time

Dental implants can also save a great deal of time! If you have dentures, you’ll need to clean them and find the right adhesive so they stay in your mouth. As dental implants are fixed into place, you never have to deal with these issues again! Dental implants look and feel just like the real thing.

Chloe Dental is here for your dental implant needs. Contact our experienced dentist in Houston, TX, today to make an appointment!

Beautiful smile young woman. White teeth on white background,

Why Should I Fill the Gap In My Mouth With an Implant?

A missing tooth can be a problem in many ways. Filing the gap with an implant can help preserve your smile while protecting your remaining teeth. In this article, we’ll tell you why filling the gap in your mouth is important and how an implant can help. For more information about implants and how they can help your dental health, contact your dentist in Katy and Houston, TX.

What’s An Implant?

An implant is an artificial tooth that’s attached to a post inserted into the jaw. Implants can be used to replace one or more missing teeth in the mouth. Implants can even be used to stabilize dentures, replacing an entire row of teeth. Because implants are fused with the jaw, they function very much like natural teeth.

Why Is a Gap In My Mouth a Problem?

When there’s a gap in the mouth, the remaining teeth may shift to fill in the hole. Over time, this can cause the teeth to become misaligned, which can negatively impact the way you chew and digest food. Dental misalignment can also contribute to wear and tear on the surrounding teeth.

One more problem: a missing tooth can also impact the appearance of your smile. Some people feel self-conscious when they’re missing a tooth. Installing an implant can help take care of these problems.

Will An Implant Look Natural?

Implants in Houston, TX, are designed to look natural. Each implant is custom-made for the patient to ensure that it perfectly fills the existing gap. In addition, implants are color-matched to the other teeth in the mouth to prevent them from standing out. When you have an implant, no one will be able to tell.

Want to know more? Contact Chloe Dental to make an appointment.

dental implants picture

Understanding the Dental Implant Procedure

Are you considering a dental implant procedure? Dental implants are ideal solutions when you’ve lost a permanent tooth due to extraction or trauma. Replacing a natural tooth with a dental implant not only restores the appearance of your smile but restores function, too. You can bite, grind, and chew with a dental implant just like you can with your natural tooth. And having implant surgery soon after losing your tooth will prevent more serious dental problems in the future. Talk with your dentist in Katy, TX, to learn more about the benefits of dental implants.

Do I Need Surgery to Have a Dental Implant?

This procedure is called dental implant surgery because a dental surgeon must perform it. In reality, it bears little resemblance to other types of surgery. In simplified terms, it involves placing a post, usually made of titanium, into your gum and giving it time to bond with your jawbone. Once the post has bonded, or osseointegrated, with the bone, your dentist places an abutment on top. Last, they’ll add the crown, which is a hollow shell that looks like a real tooth. Once the crown is in place, your procedure is complete.

Will I Need Follow-Up Care for a Dental Implant?

Your dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment for you just to see how everything is progressing with your new implant. But aside from a quick exam, there’s no special care required afterward. As long as you treat your new implant like a real tooth, brushing and flossing regularly, it should last a lifetime. However, you may have to have the crown replaced every ten or fifteen years due to regular wear and tear.

To learn more about the benefits of dental implants in Katy, TX, call Chloe Dental today. Chloe Dental offers convenient locations in Katy and Houston to serve your family’s dental care needs.

dental-implants-treatment-procedure-medically-accurate-3d-illustration-dentures-concept

5 Tips for a Quicker Recovery after Having Dental Implant Surgery

If you’ve just had dental implant surgery, or are thinking about getting dental implants in Houston, TX, you are probably wondering what you could do to recover faster.

Five Tips for How to Recover More Quickly After Dental Implant Surgery

Here are some tips on how to recover more quickly after dental implant surgery.

1. Eat Soft Foods (only required during recovery)

Any dentist in Houston, TX will tell you to only eat soft foods for the first few days after dental implant surgery. Don’t eat anything that requires you to chew, such as meat, etc. This is because jaw movement can irritate the surgical site.

2. Avoid Hot and Spicy Foods (only required immediately after surgery)

Your dentist will recommend that you avoid hot and spicy foods immediately after dental implant surgery. This is because hot, spicy foods can cause your gums to bleed and could irritate the surgical site.

3. Rest Your Body

Any surgery takes a toll on your body. Therefore, your dentist will suggest you rest after dental implant surgery, especially if you feel worn down or tired. If you don’t rest your body when you feel tired, it could result in a slower recovery time. Additionally, you should avoid strenuous activities that could increase the risk of postoperative complications.

4. Drink Plenty of Fluids to Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated after dental implant surgery will help flush out any toxins in your body that could slow your recovery process. It’s also recommended that you avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol because these are known for causing dehydration.

5. Rinse Your Mouth with Salt Water

Use a saltwater rinse to help decrease any bacteria in your mouth and to help soothe the incision area. Mix a teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water. Then gently rinse your mouth with the mixture for about 25-30 seconds.

What’s Next?

If you want more information about dental implants in Houston, TX, please Contact Chloe Dental today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Will My Dental Implants Be the Same Color As My Teeth?

If you’re thinking about getting dental implants, then it’s only natural that you would wonder if they’ll look like your natural teeth! Implants are one of the most realistic types of prosthetic teeth available. In fact, they’re designed to be indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Before you go to your dentist in Katy and Houston TX to discuss dental implants, it helps to know how implants come to look so natural in your mouth. Here’s what you need to know.

Dental Implants Are Made for You

Your dental implants will be made to look like they belong to you. To make implants, your dentist will start by making an impression of your teeth, so your implant will fit perfectly in the space where it will be fitted. Once the impression is made, it will be sent to a lab, where the lab will design a tooth that looks like it fits perfectly in your mouth.

Your Dentist Will Match Your Implant to the Color Of Your Teeth

Before you get implants in Katy and Houston TX, your dentist will also match the color of the implant to your natural teeth. This way, the implant will not stand out or stand apart from your other teeth. It will look exactly the same as all the other teeth in your mouth.

Tooth Whitening Won’t Work for Implants

It’s important to know that tooth whitening won’t work for your dental implants. If you decide to whiten your natural teeth, your implant will remain its same color, and your teeth will be whiter than your implant. If you want whitening, get it before installing your implant!

Contact Chloe Dental for Implants

For more information about getting implants, contact your dental professional at Chloe Dental today.

How Does 3D Dental Printing Work?

3D printing isn’t brand-new by any stretch, but all the same, you might not have heard very much about it in the dental industry. The practice is meant to revolutionize dental labs forever, even if some of the staff are still hesitant to try it.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Katy, TX who utilizes all the latest technology to both improve services and lower costs for patients, see how 3D printing works at Chloe Dental.

3D Dental Capabilities

There are a lot of potential ways to use 3D printing in Houston, TX:

  • New teeth: Any tooth that needs to be replaced can count on 3D printing as a solution. In this case, the dentist will scan the patient’s mouth, take a 3D image, and then use that image to create a design for an artificial tooth before it’s placed in the mouth.
  • Braces/Invisalign: A pre-3D printer can be used to scan the teeth before designing the appliance. Once the device has been calibrated to the patient’s mouth, it can be printed out without delay.
  • Crowns, bridges, caps, dentures, etc.: This process allows dental technicians to print off nearly any object in any material. Similar to how an implant would be constructed, this is precision printing at its best.

Find 3D Dental Printing in Katy or Houston, TX

3D printing is becoming more and more popular largely because it lowers the fees for dental work without compromising the quality of the procedure. With this option, dentists can streamline their services and pass the cost savings down to their patients.

If you want to learn more about whether you can use 3D printing to improve your smile, contact Chloe Dental for more information. With locations in both Katy and Houston, we’re here to use the best technology in the smartest possible ways.

Will My Dental Implant Look Like a Natural Tooth?

Dental implants are one of the most popular and effective dental prosthetics available. One of the things that makes dental implants so successful is that they look and function like natural teeth. If you’re considering dental implants for yourself, it’s important to know just how natural your implants will look and feel. If you’re considering implants in Katy or Houston TX, here’s what you need to know.

Your Dentist Will Match the Color

There are many steps to getting a dental implant. One of the steps that your dentist will take involves color matching. Your dental professional will match the color of your teeth to the new implant. This way, your implant will be indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Implants Look and Function Like Natural Teeth

Your dentist will also make an impression of your existing teeth, so the lab will be able to create a tooth that fits perfectly in the existing hole. Dental labs have gotten very good at creating teeth that look just like real teeth! The impression will help with this.

Ultimately, your new dental implant will look just like a natural tooth. It will also perform like a natural tooth, which means that it should be able to chew the foods you love. It will also need to be cleaned just like a natural tooth. Once the implant is in your mouth, you’ll need to clean it twice daily and floss it, just like a natural tooth. You’ll want to stay away from abrasive toothpastes, to avoid scratching the surface of your implant.

Your dentist in Katy or Houston TX can talk to you more about how to take care of your implant, to keep it looking just like your other teeth for years to come.

All-on-4 Dental Implants Explained

If you have multiple teeth that are missing or too damaged for repair, All-on-4 dental implants may be a sound solution. All-on-4 is a patented dental procedure that implants four posts in your upper gums or 4 posts in your lower gums, or both, to hold full sets of prosthetic teeth.

The biggest benefit of All-on-4 dental implants is the improvement they make on your smile. But they function much better than damaged teeth, too, and they’re typically a more economical choice for patients who have multiple damaged or missing teeth. Your dentist in Katy, TX, can tell you more about this revolutionary procedure.

More About All-on-4 Dental Implants

All-on-4 dental implants are similar to dentures in that they replace complete sets of upper or lower teeth. This is where the similarity ends, however. All-on-4 implants are permanent and don’t have to be removed for brushing, flossing, eating, or sleeping. They’re held in place by metal or titanium posts that have been allowed to bond with your jawbone, so no dental adhesive is needed, and they won’t slide around in your mouth. Better, you can have temporary prosthetics in a day while you wait for your permanent set to be fabricated.

About the All-on-4 Dental Procedure

Before beginning the All-on-4 dental procedure, your dentist will schedule a consultation. They’ll examine your mouth, perform diagnostic tests, and remove damaged teeth and infection. Once your mouth is completely healed, they’ll implant the posts and place your temporary set of teeth.

All-on-4 dental implants are safe, attractive alternatives to damaged and missing teeth. You’ll have more confidence, and your new smile will be dazzling and brilliant. Your new teeth will function just like natural teeth, and they’ll look natural, too. Talk to Chloe Dental today about All-on-4 dental implants in Katy, TX.